Tyranny of the Minority: Why American Democracy Reached the Breaking Point (2023), by Steven Levitski and Daniel Ziblatt.
This is a great analysis of how the US and other democracies have been threatened, why the US now scores so poorly, and what can be done about it.
The US is no longer a model of democracy. While countries like Norway, New Zealand, Iceland, and Sweden earn a 9+ score on a 10 point scale, the US is now around 7, worse than Portugal and Israel but above Slovenia. We’re#28. So much for being #1!
My notes, highlights from the book
p.51. Four ways politicians can undermine democracy without an outright coup.
- Exploit gaps. No rules handle all contingencies. Eg, Republicans blocking appointment of Merrick Garland to Supreme court because it was an election year, but then appointing Neil Gorsuch in Trump’s election year.
- Excessive use of the law: eg, impeachment
- Selective enforcement: Using the IRS or Judicial branch to attach adversaries.
- Lawfare: warfare using the laws, like voter suppression rules that favor one party.
p.119 Three principles democratic parties must follow:
- always accept the results of fair elections,
- unambiguously reject the use of violence to gain or hold onto power, and
- break ties to antidemocratic extremists.
p.217. Ways in which the US is an outlier:
- We’re the only presidential democracy where president is elected by Electoral College, not popular vote.
- One of the remaining democracies with bi-cameral legislature with powerful upper chamber that is severely malapportioned.
- Only democracy with lifetime tenure for Supreme Court justices.
p. 230-235 The book provides fifteen points of action organized under these categories:
Uphold the right to vote. “In the United States, to the surprise of many, there is no constitutional or even statutory ‘right to vote.’ The Second Amendment affirmed American’s right to bear arms, but nowhere does the Constitution recognize their right to suffrage.”
Recommendations include passing such an amendment, establishing automatic registration, expanding mail in voting, making election day on a national holiday or weekend, restoring voting rights and protections.
Ensure that election outcomes reflect majority preferences. Abolish the Electoral College, reform the Senate so that it is more proportional to population, eliminate gerrymandering, update the Apportionment Act so that the House of Representatives expands with the population.
Empower governing majorities. Abolish the filibuster, establish term limits for the Supreme Court, and make it easier for the Constitution to be updated.
Darcy Hitchcock 