How does a democracy die? What can we do to save our own? What lessons does history teach us? In the 21st century democracy is threatened like never before. Drawing insightful lessons from across history – from Pinochet’s murderous Chilean regime to Erdogan’s quiet dismantling in Turkey – Levitsky and Ziblatt explain why democracies fail, how leaders like Trump subvert them today and what each of us can do to protect our democratic rights.
‘A useful primer on the importance of norms, institutional restraints and civic participation in maintaining a democracy – and how quickly those things can erode when we’re not paying attention’ President Barack Obama.
‘The greatest of the many merits of Levitsky and Ziblatt’s How Democracies Die is their rejection of western exceptionalism. They tell inspiring stories I had not heard before. Excellent’ Nick Cohen, Observer.
‘Provocative, timely. One of my favourite reads this year’ Elif Shafak, author of The Bastard of Istanbul.
ISBN 9780241381359
