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How Democracies Die cover art

How Democracies Die

By: Steven Levitsky,Daniel Ziblatt
Narrated by: Fred Sanders
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Summary

Penguin presents the audiobook edition of How Democracies Die by Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt, read by Fred Sanders.

Two Harvard professors explain the dangerous world we face today. Democracies can die with a coup d'état - or they can die slowly. This happens most deceptively when in piecemeal fashion, with the election of an authoritarian leader, the abuse of governmental power and the complete repression of opposition. All three steps are being taken around the world - not least with the election of Donald Trump - and we must all understand how we can stop them.

In How Democracies Die, Harvard professors Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt draw insightful lessons from across history - from the rule of General Augusto Pinochet in Chile to the quiet undermining of Turkey's constitutional system by President Recip Erdogan - to shine a light on regime breakdown across the 20th and 21st centuries. Notably they point to the dangers of an authoritarian leader faced with a major crisis.

Based on years of research, they present a deep understanding of how and why democracies die; an alarming analysis of how democracy is being subverted today in the US and beyond; and a guide for maintaining and repairing a threatened democracy, for governments, political parties and individuals. History doesn't repeat itself. But we can protect our democracy by learning its lessons before it's too late.

©2018 Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt (P)2018 Penguin Audio

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Failure to take into account US hegemony when discussing Latin American democratic failure.

Very much written from the standpoint of the US model, and its examples of failure of Latin America democracy fails miserably to acknowledge covert US undermining of democratic institutions in the US sphere of influence.
The authoritarian backlash in these countries is as a result of US propaganda and economic warfare directed at governments that want to rid themselves of the US stranglehold of their economy. Suggest you read Noam Chomsky’s Hegemony or Survival for a balanced world view. The US definition of a dictator is any president that doesn’t let US CEO’s run their country.

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Good book, but too American centric for me

This was a good book, however, I went into it not knowing how much of the book would be spent discussing the topic in relation to American politics and American political history, both of which I have no interest in whatsoever.

I enjoyed the wider talks around the various regimes around the world in Europe and elsewhere, and would have preferred more in-depth analysis on this instead for which unfortunately it was short.

Nonetheless, a good book for someone new to the topic looking to understand the factors that culminate in the birth of authoritarian regimes and how countries can be safeguarded against them for later wider reading on a more focused topic of your desired preference.

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2 people found this helpful

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Fascinating, timely

Listening to this after 1/6 — their analysis was apt and timely. But (hopefully) American democratic norms are also proving more resilient than their worst scenarios. A very illuminating read.

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How American Democracy Dies

The authors have a masterful understanding of international politics, and specifically, democracies that have slid into authoritarianism. Wide ranging examples are used from across the world to contextualise all the points that are made. Yet the book is concise and doesn't get bogged down in the details, as others might. The only slight criticism, which isn't really a criticism, is that the book is very American focused, so be aware of that going in. A fascinating read in light of the results and reaction to the 2020 US election. Chapter 10 was the best, describing how best to move forward positively to protect democracy.

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Where we've gone wrong

A deeply thought-provoking analysis of what's going wrong in western democracies. Highly Recommended and I urge everyone to listen or get this book.

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Essential reading on this day and age.

Great study of the american state of democracy while offering enough studies of other countries outside the western hemisphere.

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Don't take democracy for granted

The truth about democracy is that even in America it can fail. This book offers a very complete historical overview with much attention to interesting and relevant details.

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Interesting, but close to being a diatribe

Lots of interesting points, if a bit of an anti-Trump diatribe. TBF, he exemplifies so many of the points being made; but the best points are those based on historical examples, if only because they have less edge and angst (both of which come across in abundance). The direst warnings given of the Trump era - while it was in its infancy - did not come to pass under him, although of course they may do so yet. To that extent, the book is slightly outdated - and it could be brought back up to date without such a focus on the person and instead more of one on the principle he happens to have been the greatest example of to date.

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interesting look

interested not to us politics and democracy as a whole but I think towards the end of the book The analysation of Donald Trump is flawed especially with hindsight

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Terribly uninteresting

One dimensional book, keeps repeating the same point. Very biased and not objective. Waste of time

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