How Democracies Die

Democracies are rarely destroyed by spectacular coups. They usually die from within, through legal acts carried out by leaders who bypass democratic institutions. Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt analyze how democratically elected governments have turned into authoritarian regimes, examining historical patterns in countries such as Hungary, Turkey, Peru, and Brazil.

With rigorous research and an engaging narrative, the book warns of the signs of democratic collapse and explores how resilient institutions and civic commitment can protect democracy. A crucial work for understanding contemporary threats to political freedom.

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Barack Obama44th President of the United States · Lawyer, author

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Secondary source: Article · verified Jul 2026 ↗