How Democracies Die: What History Reveals About Our Future - Book Recommendation

How Democracies Die: What History Reveals About Our Future

Book Recommendation

There is no one that can say that they have not noticed that we live in a greatly changed and ever fast changing world.

Things that have been experienced and witnessed, worldwide, by many, to show us that there is a boiling pot that gets ever hotter.

An ill wind blows, and it can, have already, and will, continue to wreak havoc.

Good can come into the fold and play itself out at any point in time - and it does, even if it’s a flicker that waits to burn bright - our role is to make sure that it does.

Why - because when it comes to our Freedom – We All Have A Stake.

How Democracies Die - What History Reveals About Our Future by Steven Levitsky & Daniel Ziblatt.

Here is what it says on the inside cover:

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 government 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 Recep Tayyip Erdo?an - 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. End

Meaning of Coup or Overthrow

'A coup d'état (/?ku?de??tɑ?/ ( listen); French for 'stroke of state'), also known as a coup or an overthrow, is a seizure and removal of a government and its powers.'

Meaning of Democracy:

The word democracy comes from the Greek words "demos" - a word that means people - and "kratos" a word that means power. Put together we can take democracy to mean "power of the people" - a way of governing which depends on the will of the people. The people are to be consulted and considered at every juncture. Likewise, the people are to respect and value the rights and responsibility that democracy affords them.

Rights are matched with responsibility - we have a responsibility to protect our rights and our freedom - as well, we have a responsibility never to abuse those rights and freedoms - and, certainly never again, to take them for granted.

Perhaps these times represent our teacher in our quest to fully understand that we are fortunate to have had others fight for our freedoms, rights and way of life.

We are now to learn how precious and how fragile they are.

The Pandemic saw laws changed, freedoms cajoled, Emergencies Acts activated, and in many countries that have been used to living freely, they got their first taste of Marshall Law – Police States and a sniff of Totalitarian Rule.

‘A crisis reveals who we are and it reveals y/our values’

For example, we saw news reports about Canada and the disproportionate, unnecessary and unlawful use of something set to protect the people.

Each country has a Charter of Rights - Canada experienced an unjustified and unnecessary use of Emergency Powers, as well as having freedoms and liberties suspended by one person without debate.

Pepper Spray and Chemical Irritants were used on protesters – the threat of taking children into care and impounding pets, which it was reported would be euthanized after a noted amount of days if not collected.

Around the world Governments have been, and remain, at war with its own citizens.

Damaging restrictions and Draconian Measures that affect civil liberties threatens democracy.

During the pandemic we saw people across the board, be they doctors/truckers/pilots/carers, subjected to a violation of their democratic rights.

Here is what it says on the back of the book:

"We live in perilous times. Anyone who is concerned about the future of democracy should read this brisk, accessible book. Anyone who is not concerned should definitely read it." Daron Acemoglu, co-author of Why Nations Fail

'This is how we tend to think of democracies dying: at the hands of men with guns. In a classic coup d'etat, military leaders seize power, put a sudden and violent end to constitutional rule, and establish a dictatorship.

But there is another way to break a democracy. It is less dramatic, but it can be equally destructive. In this second route, democracies die not at the hands of army generals, but rather at the hands of elected leaders: presidents or prime ministers who subvert the very democratic process that brought them into power.'

'Two yeas ago, a book like this could not have been written: two leading political scientists who are expert in the breakdown of democracy using that knowledge to inform the world of the dangers that democracy faces today. WE owe the authors a debt of thanks for bringing their deep understanding to bear on the central political issue of the day.' Francis Fukuyama, author of Political Order and Political Decay.

Decay doesn't set in over night and Political Order doesn't just happen, and yet, it does, if we allow and we contribute towards the outcome we desire and choose to live.

Even doing nothing is a choice - doing something and doing nothing adds to the lived result.

"If citizens are open to authoritarian appeals, then, sooner or later, democracy will be in trouble." - Quoted from the book.

To know the difference we need to know the indicators and traits of Authoritarian behaviour - these are set out in the book as are those represented by those exhibiting by those seeking to co-create a lived democracy.

In an era where the electorate seeks charisma over the solid fabric of a capable character the former often gets 'popularly elected' because of the whims, fears and ignorance of those they will then go on to lead as tyrants.

History as well as current times have clear examples of this and the rise in social media and unremitting media attention plays into their hands.

We have witnessed the stirring up of mass hatred and the making of absurd promises - the celebrity culture has entered the leadership race and it’s a dangerous game.

The system of checks and balances has been seriously undermined - there is a free for all running amuck and it needs curtailing.

On page 188 there is what is called: The Authoritarian Report Card After One Year - it covers Argentina, Ecuador, Hungary, Italy, Peru, Poland, Russia, Turkey and Venezuela. It makes for an interesting read.

What is our democratic fate?

"Security crisis are, therefore, moments of danger for democracy. Leaders who can "do whatever they like" can inflict great harm upon democratic institutions." - Quoted from the book.

We are all to be aware of this and make it our business to participate in any way we can to keep our democracy safe and alive.

"For a would-be authoritarian who feels unfairly besieged by opponents and shackled by democratic institutions, crisis opens up a window of opportunity." - Quoted from the book.

We are in times of crisis - let us not be complacent to this understanding - because if we do not safeguard our way of life opportunities will be taken to erode our rights and freedoms that we can be forgiven for having taken for granted.

"The 1990-2015 period was easily the most democratic quarter century in world history - partly because Western powers broadly supported democracy." - Quoted from the book.

I have been a keen observer and participant in this area, none-the-less, reading the book had me look deeply into how politics works and how democracy is shaped and formed and created.

Many citizens have no idea, some have a broad idea, and even those who are politically minded, and well read, need to understand things a whole lot better - myself included.

"Often, it is only when politicians suffer the trauma of violent dictatorship, as they did in Chile, or even civil war, as in Spain, that the stakes truly become clear." - Quoted from the book.

Some will know all too well the magnitude of either, whilst others can have an intellectual idea or a hypothetical guess - however, either of these scenarios is best avoided.

I am assured by those who know that 'It is Hell'.

I end with the final few lines of the last chapter:

"Previous generations of Europeans and Americans made extraordinary sacrifices to defend our democratic institutions against powerful external threats. Our generation, which grew up taking democracy for granted, now faces a difficult task: We must prevent it from dying from within." - Quoted from the book.

How Democracies Die - What History Reveals About Our Future by Steven Levitsky & Daniel Ziblatt. was published by Viking an imprint of Penguin Books in 2018 - a lot can happen in a minute, let alone in five years (and much has happened since then)!

I believe it worthwhile to repeat one of the quotes already shared:

"We live in perilous times. Anyone who is concerned about the future of democracy should read this brisk, accessible book. Anyone who is not concerned should definitely read it." Daron Acemoglu, co-author of Why Nations Fail

As I wrote in another post the other day: Democracy or Dictatorship - the choice is ours - until it isn't!

This book is an important read for us all!

Article – ? Susanne Austin, 24th April 2023 (Note: all text written by Susanne personally unless lines or sections are stated as quoted text).

Susanne Rachel Austin writes on Personal and Environmental Wellbeing… 'Healthy People – ‘Healthy Environment’ - covering natural health and wellbeing, eco-build, sustainable, green and 'one planet' living as a business and daily lifestyle choice for all. Susanne is also the author of a daily ‘True Life Wisdom Of The Day’ shared upon several social media channels and is currently in the process of writing a book and putting together a series of workshops. Speaking engagements are also woven into these plans. Susanne’s new website is germinating 'Quite Naturally' in-line with this creative process and will be launched as and when complete.