
Description:
Editorial Reviews
Reviews:
5.0 out of 5 stars Democracy is Still in Danger
Wherever you look Democracy is clearly under threat. Although there are now 123 democratic countries in the world, (out of 192) ; democratic values have clearly been eroded in many counties in the last decades. This book deals with the very real danger to democracy of authoritarianism , with particular emphasis on the United States, although there are many references to other countries. We are accustomed to think of democracies dying at the hands of generals, but the authors (Levitsky and Ziblatt) point out that we need to be alert because democracies may die at the hands of elected autocrats, demagogues who pay lip service to the idea of democracy while eroding its essence, bit by bit.They explain " Because there is no single moment—no coup, declaration of martial law, or suspension of the constitution—in which the regime obviously “crosses the line” into dictatorship, nothing may set off society’s alarm bells. Those who denounce government abuse may be dismissed as exaggerating or crying wolf. Democracy’s erosion is, for many, almost imperceptible."Political parties can serve as society's gatekeepers, keeping out charismatic outsiders but fear, opportunism, or miscalculation may lead them to welcome extremists into the mainstream, imperiling democracy. Hitler, Mussolini and Chavez were all handed over power by established politicians who overlooked the warning signs. The warning signs to spot an authoritarian are: attacking the democratic rules of the game e.g by refusing to accept credible election results, denying the legitimacy of opponents, encouraging violence and curtailing the civil liberties of opponents or the media.Constitutional checks and balances and the institutional separation of powers are not enough to stop a determined elected autocrat from subverting democracy. Germany’s well-designed Weimar constitution couldn't prevent Hitler's rise to power. No institution or constitution can be made fool-proof.. Elected autocrats can undermine democracy by capturing the referees - packing and “weaponizing” the courts , the police, the tax authorities, then buying off the key media and the private sector (or threatening them into silence), and finally creating national emergencies to justify changing the rules of politics and crippling their opponents.A strong democracy relies on shared values of mutual tolerance and institutional restraint among its politicians to treat each other as legitimate contenders of power and exclude extremists. Informal democratic norms based on mutual respect are vital to enable our institutions work fairly. Without them polarization and animosity lead to "constitutional hardball" where politics becomes a form of institutional combat and extremists gain the upper hand (e,g as they did in Argentina).According to Levitt and Ziblatt, the guardrails of American democracy have been weakened by the extreme party polarization by race and culture of the 21st century, with the Republicans becoming the party of the whites and evangelical Protestants , while the Democrats have become the party of ethnic minorities and immigrants. Behind the partisan animosity lies the status anxiety of the American whites who feel that the real America they know and love is disappearing because by 2044 a majority of the US population is forecast to be non-white.Levitt and Ziblatt see America's great challenge in building a multiethnic democracy with greater/ social and economic equality.This is an excellent and enjoyable book which diagnoses the political and historical processes which have weakened democracy. The only thing lacking is an analysis of the increasing attraction of authoritarian demagogues in our complex times. In an uncertain age, many people are attracted to demagogues offering simple but "fake" solutions. This is not just a phenomenon in the US but a world-wide problem. Democracy is still in danger and contending with the covid pandemic necessitates reducing our democratic liberties.
5.0 out of 5 stars Urgent read for those that still care about keeping democracy alive
A thorough review of how democracies are challenged and what are the alternatives to face such challenges. An essential read for everyone interested in preserving freedom, civility and equality
4.0 out of 5 stars It Can Happen Here
Professors Levitsky & Ziblatt have crafted a well researched exploration of circumstances that challenge the stability of Democracies. With the help of a great many students they have produced a work that could serve as a text in a Political Science course. The “Questions & Topics for Discussions” section should be well received by faculty leaders.While there is much to digest, several key elements of sustainable Democracies are suggested:1. Four clues to identify an autocrat: rejects democratic rules of the body politic; denies legitimacy of opponents; tolerates or encourages violence; and willingness to curtail civil liberty. (Sounds familiar?)2. Mutual toleration of political adversaries & individual forbearance are essential for political stability.3. Freedom and equality are self-justifying values, but these are not self-executing.While I can understand and agree with the model they have proposed, I had the impression that it was built from the “top down”. Taking the “picture” of contemporary politics in the United States and using it to create the model. Then, it was applied to other global examples. This, as opposed to analyzing global examples and inducing a model. But, I give them the benefit of doubt as their analysis seems to fit the circumstances.What is most provocative is a need to define “freedom” and “equality” in the third element of a stable democracy. What “freedom” embraces would go a long way to defining the framework for success. (What comes to my mind might include: freedom of speech and expression; freedom of religious beliefs; freedom from want in all its forms; and perhaps most of all, freedom from fear)One final plea not directly relative to this thoughtful work: a required course in “Civics” for all citizens during their early education. The body politic might then be able to participate in our very complex human endeavor.Gordon Silverman, PhDProfessor Emeritus, Electrical & Computer EngineeringManhattan College
a faire lire par tous!
sans a priori, fondé sur des analyses rétionnelles, une belle démonstration de la fragilité de nos démocraties. quand les partis majoritaires commencent à tenir des propose haineux, l'autoritarisme n'ets plus très loin! la manipulation des masses est finalement chose simple
Fragilità della democrazia.
Il saggio, pur focalizzato sulla democrazia americana e le sue difficoltà di funzionamento, offre anche una panoramica dei fallimenti dei regimi democratici dagli anni 30 ad oggi. Senz'altro è una lettura istruttiva ed altamente illuminante molto ben documentata.
Beschreibt verschiedene historische Beispiele bis zur Gegenwart
Lesenswert - sollten alle Politiker lesen!
How Democracies Die (2019) by Steven Levitsky & Daniel Ziblatt
En fantastiskt intressant och viktigt bok, speciellt med tanke på nuläget! Jag skulle till och med vilja säga att det är den viktigaste boken som släppts under Trump eran. Författarna lär oss viktig kunskap genom att ge oss exempel ifrån historiens angrepp på demokratin. Och vad vi tillsammans kan göra för att skydda och behålla vår demokrati ifrån att förstöras av de mörka krafterna som nu försöker dra oss tillbaka till fascismen från början på förra seklet. Läs den om du tycker det är viktigt att få leva i ett fritt och öppet samhälle. Och om du inte tycker så så är den här boken om möjligt ännu viktigare för just dig att läsa!
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Visit the Crown Store
How Democracies Die

AED11231
Quantity:
Order today to get by 7-14 business days
Delivery fee of AED 20. Free for orders above AED 200.
Imported From: United States
At BOLO, we work hard to ensure the products you receive are new, genuine, and sourced from reputable suppliers.
BOLO is not an authorized or official retailer for most brands, nor are we affiliated with manufacturers unless specifically stated on a product page. Instead, we source verified sellers, authorized distributors or directly from the manufacturer.
Each product undergoes thorough inspection and verification at our consolidation and fulfilment centers to ensure it meets our strict authenticity and quality standards before being shipped and delivered to you.
If you ever have concerns regarding the authenticity of a product purchased from us, please contact Bolo Support. We will review your inquiry promptly and, if necessary, provide documentation verifying authenticity or offer a suitable resolution.
Your trust is our top priority, and we are committed to maintaining transparency and integrity in every transaction.
All product information, images, descriptions, and reviews originate from the manufacturer or from trusted sellers overseas. BOLO is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or an authorized retailer for most brands listed on our website unless stated otherwise.
While we strive to display accurate information, variations in packaging, labeling, instructions, or formulation may occasionally occur due to regional differences or supplier updates. For detailed or manufacturer-specific information, please contact the brand directly or reach out to BOLO Support for assistance.
Unless otherwise stated, all prices displayed on the product page include applicable taxes and import duties.
BOLO operates in accordance with the laws and regulations of United Arab Emirates. Any items found to be restricted or prohibited for sale within the UAE will be cancelled prior to shipment. We take proactive measures to ensure that only products permitted for sale in United Arab Emirates are listed on our website.
All items are shipped by air, and any products classified as “Dangerous Goods (DG)” under IATA regulations will be removed from the order and cancelled.
All orders are processed manually, and we make every effort to process them promptly once confirmed. Products cancelled due to the above reasons will be permanently removed from listings across the website.
Description:
Editorial Reviews
Reviews:
5.0 out of 5 stars Democracy is Still in Danger
Wherever you look Democracy is clearly under threat. Although there are now 123 democratic countries in the world, (out of 192) ; democratic values have clearly been eroded in many counties in the last decades. This book deals with the very real danger to democracy of authoritarianism , with particular emphasis on the United States, although there are many references to other countries. We are accustomed to think of democracies dying at the hands of generals, but the authors (Levitsky and Ziblatt) point out that we need to be alert because democracies may die at the hands of elected autocrats, demagogues who pay lip service to the idea of democracy while eroding its essence, bit by bit.They explain " Because there is no single moment—no coup, declaration of martial law, or suspension of the constitution—in which the regime obviously “crosses the line” into dictatorship, nothing may set off society’s alarm bells. Those who denounce government abuse may be dismissed as exaggerating or crying wolf. Democracy’s erosion is, for many, almost imperceptible."Political parties can serve as society's gatekeepers, keeping out charismatic outsiders but fear, opportunism, or miscalculation may lead them to welcome extremists into the mainstream, imperiling democracy. Hitler, Mussolini and Chavez were all handed over power by established politicians who overlooked the warning signs. The warning signs to spot an authoritarian are: attacking the democratic rules of the game e.g by refusing to accept credible election results, denying the legitimacy of opponents, encouraging violence and curtailing the civil liberties of opponents or the media.Constitutional checks and balances and the institutional separation of powers are not enough to stop a determined elected autocrat from subverting democracy. Germany’s well-designed Weimar constitution couldn't prevent Hitler's rise to power. No institution or constitution can be made fool-proof.. Elected autocrats can undermine democracy by capturing the referees - packing and “weaponizing” the courts , the police, the tax authorities, then buying off the key media and the private sector (or threatening them into silence), and finally creating national emergencies to justify changing the rules of politics and crippling their opponents.A strong democracy relies on shared values of mutual tolerance and institutional restraint among its politicians to treat each other as legitimate contenders of power and exclude extremists. Informal democratic norms based on mutual respect are vital to enable our institutions work fairly. Without them polarization and animosity lead to "constitutional hardball" where politics becomes a form of institutional combat and extremists gain the upper hand (e,g as they did in Argentina).According to Levitt and Ziblatt, the guardrails of American democracy have been weakened by the extreme party polarization by race and culture of the 21st century, with the Republicans becoming the party of the whites and evangelical Protestants , while the Democrats have become the party of ethnic minorities and immigrants. Behind the partisan animosity lies the status anxiety of the American whites who feel that the real America they know and love is disappearing because by 2044 a majority of the US population is forecast to be non-white.Levitt and Ziblatt see America's great challenge in building a multiethnic democracy with greater/ social and economic equality.This is an excellent and enjoyable book which diagnoses the political and historical processes which have weakened democracy. The only thing lacking is an analysis of the increasing attraction of authoritarian demagogues in our complex times. In an uncertain age, many people are attracted to demagogues offering simple but "fake" solutions. This is not just a phenomenon in the US but a world-wide problem. Democracy is still in danger and contending with the covid pandemic necessitates reducing our democratic liberties.
5.0 out of 5 stars Urgent read for those that still care about keeping democracy alive
A thorough review of how democracies are challenged and what are the alternatives to face such challenges. An essential read for everyone interested in preserving freedom, civility and equality
4.0 out of 5 stars It Can Happen Here
Professors Levitsky & Ziblatt have crafted a well researched exploration of circumstances that challenge the stability of Democracies. With the help of a great many students they have produced a work that could serve as a text in a Political Science course. The “Questions & Topics for Discussions” section should be well received by faculty leaders.While there is much to digest, several key elements of sustainable Democracies are suggested:1. Four clues to identify an autocrat: rejects democratic rules of the body politic; denies legitimacy of opponents; tolerates or encourages violence; and willingness to curtail civil liberty. (Sounds familiar?)2. Mutual toleration of political adversaries & individual forbearance are essential for political stability.3. Freedom and equality are self-justifying values, but these are not self-executing.While I can understand and agree with the model they have proposed, I had the impression that it was built from the “top down”. Taking the “picture” of contemporary politics in the United States and using it to create the model. Then, it was applied to other global examples. This, as opposed to analyzing global examples and inducing a model. But, I give them the benefit of doubt as their analysis seems to fit the circumstances.What is most provocative is a need to define “freedom” and “equality” in the third element of a stable democracy. What “freedom” embraces would go a long way to defining the framework for success. (What comes to my mind might include: freedom of speech and expression; freedom of religious beliefs; freedom from want in all its forms; and perhaps most of all, freedom from fear)One final plea not directly relative to this thoughtful work: a required course in “Civics” for all citizens during their early education. The body politic might then be able to participate in our very complex human endeavor.Gordon Silverman, PhDProfessor Emeritus, Electrical & Computer EngineeringManhattan College
a faire lire par tous!
sans a priori, fondé sur des analyses rétionnelles, une belle démonstration de la fragilité de nos démocraties. quand les partis majoritaires commencent à tenir des propose haineux, l'autoritarisme n'ets plus très loin! la manipulation des masses est finalement chose simple
Fragilità della democrazia.
Il saggio, pur focalizzato sulla democrazia americana e le sue difficoltà di funzionamento, offre anche una panoramica dei fallimenti dei regimi democratici dagli anni 30 ad oggi. Senz'altro è una lettura istruttiva ed altamente illuminante molto ben documentata.
Beschreibt verschiedene historische Beispiele bis zur Gegenwart
Lesenswert - sollten alle Politiker lesen!
How Democracies Die (2019) by Steven Levitsky & Daniel Ziblatt
En fantastiskt intressant och viktigt bok, speciellt med tanke på nuläget! Jag skulle till och med vilja säga att det är den viktigaste boken som släppts under Trump eran. Författarna lär oss viktig kunskap genom att ge oss exempel ifrån historiens angrepp på demokratin. Och vad vi tillsammans kan göra för att skydda och behålla vår demokrati ifrån att förstöras av de mörka krafterna som nu försöker dra oss tillbaka till fascismen från början på förra seklet. Läs den om du tycker det är viktigt att få leva i ett fritt och öppet samhälle. Och om du inte tycker så så är den här boken om möjligt ännu viktigare för just dig att läsa!
Delivery date and package
Chegou em tempo e em perfeitas condições.
Similar suggestions by Bolo
More from this brand
Similar items from “Democracy”
Share with
Or share with link
https://www.bolo.ae/products/U1524762946