How Democracies Die

De: Steven Levitsky, Daniel Ziblatt

Narrado por: 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 twentieth and twenty-first 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 Random House Audio

Reseñas de la Crítica

“Levitsky and Ziblatt show how democracies have collapsed elsewhere—not just through violent coups, but more commonly (and insidiously) through a gradual slide into authoritarianism. . . . How Democracies Die is a lucid and essential guide to what can happen here.”—The New York Times

“The most important book of the Trump era was not Bob Woodward’s Fear or Michael Wolff’s Fire and Fury or any of the other bestselling exposes of the White House circus. Arguably it was a wonkish tome by two Harvard political scientists, Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt, published a year into Donald Trump’s presidency and entitled How Democracies Die.”—The Economist

“If you want to understand what’s happening to our country, the book you really need to read is How Democracies Die.”—Paul Krugman

Read this book

I’m writing this review after reading this book 2x in the past 2 weeks. Inspiring and actionable. An important book for this political moment.

Outstanding!

A well written, tremendously informative, study of the strengths and failings of world political rule...from Plato to Trump. Should be required reading for students everywhere and most particularly our govt. representatives.

An extremely important book

How Democracies Die cannot be more pertinent to this political moment. After a well organized journey through the history of failed democracies and diagnoses of their fatal diseases, the authors prescribe a very difficult treatment. But that that treatment’s efficacy makes great sense - and it’s an inspiring blueprint for today’s policy makers and political parties. An extremely consequential book.

Remeber...

An eye opening and a good reminder of how fragile democracies are and how multiple countries have lost it and fight to win it back. Definitely a reference to sound the alarms for democracies that are in danger

Interesting, but a bit long winded.

It took me several months of on-again, off-again listening. While this book focuses on the current political situation in the United States (and argues that what is happening today is something that has evolved for decades if not centuries), while summarizing suggestions for maintaining democracy in the United States, it also examines the crisis that were experienced in other countries and how some clawed their way out of the conundrum.

It does drone on a bit though, although it is a good listen for someone who deeply cares about the preservation of democracy.

recommend it

Good, even handed review of democracies and potentially, their downfalls. I recommend it for others to provoke thought about what makes democracies survive.

Every American Should Read this Book

Every American should read or listen to this book and do so with the understanding that the authors are experts in democratic governments and give them the respect due experts. They are not blasting people on the other end of a political spectrum with personal opinion. They are shining the light on our future and we must take heed.

Must Read

This is a must read for everyone, political or not. Our democratic safety rails are eroding and we must find out and work together to put them back.

Powerful book on what the US needs now

This is a must read for anyone concerned with the current state of affairs. It is a scholarly and intelligent analysis looking at other countries and history, to provide a roadmap for America’s future – the different potential paths we may follow. It’s entertaining and a quick listen. Definitely listen to this book!

Extremely enlightening!

I enjoyed every mimute. Its frightening to see the course that our country is on. Without immediate course correction, there is no telling how much our country will be damaged.