![]() Representatives are elected by the Dutch people at various levels: This means that elections are periodically held, giving citizens the opportunity to cast their vote for the candidates from the political parties that best represent their views. The Netherlands is a parliamentary democracy. Finally, politicians must reduce the growing economic inequality that fuels polarization and resentment.Since it is impossible for everyone to take a hand in running the country, the people elect representatives to act on their behalf, such as the members of the House of Representatives and municipal councils. They also suggest reform of the Republican Party, to reduce the influence of outside donors and right-wing media as well as the party’s dependence on appealing to white nationalism. To do so, the authors suggest the need for a diverse coalition of citizens who are united in their defense of democracy. In Chapter 9 the authors offer a blueprint for reversing democratic decline in the United States, namely by shoring up the values of mutual toleration and institutional forbearance. Chapter 8 also explores how Trump has accelerated this process, detailing how he attempted various strategies from the authoritarian playbook in his first year in office. ![]() In Chapter 7, however, they explore how these norms have crumbled in recent decades, as Republicans and Democrats obstructed judicial appointments, politicians referred to rivals as traitorous and anti-American, and presidents used executive action to bypass Congress. But as time went on-and as Southern states were allowed to remove civil and voting rights from African Americans-norms strengthened, securing democracy and a system of checks and balances. They describe how in the early days of American democracy, norms weren’t particularly strong. Having established the importance of norms, in Chapter 6 the authors examine the role they play in American democracy in particular. ![]() The authors focus on two in particular-mutual toleration and institutional forbearance-and argue that that “some of history’s most tragic democratic breakdowns were preceded by the degrading of basic norms” (113). Norms are equally important and vulnerable to subversion by autocrats. Institutions such as courts are supposed to keep autocratic leaders in check, but they can be worn down in small steps, often under the guise of improving democracy. In Chapters 4 and 5 the authors explore the role of institutions and norms in preserving democracy. With one of these candidates, Donald Trump, Republicans failed to execute their gatekeeping function, despite clear authoritarian tendencies in fact, the authors note that Trump tests positive for every criteria on their litmus test for autocrats. By the 1960s, however, changes to the primary system began to allow more populist candidates to slip through. But such candidates were prevented from assuming power by the gatekeeping function of political parties. American democracy has experienced its share of would-be autocrats, they note. In Chapters 2 and 3 the authors examine how American democracy has kept extremist candidates at bay, which leads to a discussion of the role of political parties. In these cases establishment politicians stymied the rise of extremist candidates by working with rivals, even though it meant political losses in the short term. But politicians can avoid this trap, first by identifying a potential autocrat-using the “litmus test” they’ve developed to assess politicians-and then by following the example of countries like Belgium and Finland in the 1930s, and Austria in the 20th century. Instead, it is the insurgent who gains the most, by gaining legitimacy in the public eye. In this kind of situation, an insurgent candidate can appear as a tool to secure a politician’s position against challengers from other parties. ![]() In Chapter 1 the authors describe how past instances of democratic breakdown started with an incumbent aligning themselves with a popular outsider, in the hopes of capitalizing on their appeal while containing their influence. Later chapters explore how the United States is now at risk. The first few essays detail how democracies in other countries were undermined by autocratic leaders, and how American democracy avoided that fate. The book is structured as nine essays, each charting a different element of democratic breakdown.
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