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How Democracies Die
How Democracies Die | Steven Levitsky, Daniel Ziblatt
A New York Times Book Review Editors Choice A bracing, revelatory look at the demise of liberal democracies around the worldand a road map for rescuing our own Donald Trumps presidency has raised a question that many of us never thought wed be asking: Is our democracy in danger? Harvard professors Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt have spent more than twenty years studying the breakdown of democracies in Europe and Latin America, and they believe the answer is yes. Democracy no longer ends with a bangin a revolution or military coupbut with a whimper: the slow, steady weakening of critical institutions, such as the judiciary and the press, and the gradual erosion of long-standing political norms. The good news is that there are several exit ramps on the road to authoritarianism. The bad news is that, by electing Trump, we have already passed the first one. Drawing on decades of research and a wide range of historical and global examples, from 1930s Europe to contemporary Hungary, Turkey, and Venezuela, to the American South during Jim Crow, Levitsky and Ziblatt show how democracies dieand how ours can be saved.
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review
midhun.j.zacharia
How Democracies Die | Steven Levitsky, Daniel Ziblatt
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Pickpick

A timely reminder that, democracies are made of much more than the hard architecture of a constitution or our institutions and why we should cherish and protect that.

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Yahui07
How Democracies Die | Steven Levitsky, Daniel Ziblatt
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Pickpick

Surprisingly good!! Learn a lot and think a lot!!

Leftcoastzen I got so much from this book.Important read! 2y
Yahui07 @Leftcoastzen cannot agree more!! 2y
6 likes2 comments
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Mitch
How Democracies Die | Steven Levitsky, Daniel Ziblatt
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Leftcoastzen
How Democracies Die | Steven Levitsky, Daniel Ziblatt
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Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️A must read. The authors use examples in history from different times worldwide to show how democracies can fail .The book is forthright in its concerns about this president & shows how the U.S. form of democracy has been endangered in the past.”A country whose president attacks the press,threatens to lock up his rival,& declares that he might not accept the election results cannot credibly defend democracy.” A wake up call if not woke.

Emilymdxn You've convinced me so fast. This definitely looks like a must read as far as I'm concerned. I love picking up recommendations for books like these on litsy and seeing other people reading and loving them 5y
Leftcoastzen @Emilymdxn I like it too because it‘s readable and gets to the point. 5y
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Leftcoastzen
How Democracies Die | Steven Levitsky, Daniel Ziblatt
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Love how I can text location of book in the library to my phone from the library database .Still miss card catalogs though ,sigh.

Severnmeadows Just stacked Britain after Rome 😊 5y
Leftcoastzen @Severnmeadows It‘s the 2nd time I checked it out .I had deadlines so couldn‘t finish,it tells the story of what was going on culturally through anthropology finds ,material culture. 5y
Severnmeadows I‘ve reserved at the library- have to wait till 20th May! I‘ve been reading Barry Cunliffe‘s Europe Between the Oceans 9000BC-1000AD for a long time: but never got to the end!😊 5y
37 likes3 comments
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goodbyefrancie
How Democracies Die | Steven Levitsky, Daniel Ziblatt
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Pickpick

Those who will read this are already aware of the signs, but this book gives a factual education and comparison of the ways damage is done to the Democratic system. Looking back historically, the book illuminates the hazards we face, the ways things could/should have been addressed, and what we can do now. I recommend it to everyone, but am completely aware that those who need to understand the most will likely never touch it.

#Overdrive

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saguarosally
How Democracies Die | Steven Levitsky, Daniel Ziblatt
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Trump now might be attempting to foment global instability to create the crisis he needs to upend American democracy.

On the other hand, I‘m not sure Trump has met the authoritarian criteria asserted in this book. The goal of this tome may be to raise consciousness, but it‘s actually calming me down a bit. The guardrails of democracy are deteriorating a bit, but they hold for now.

Leftcoastzen I need to read this book! 5y
saguarosally @Leftcoastzen We all do. It‘s sobering to also realize how much change in world politics I‘ve missed since studying it in college. 5y
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saguarosally
How Democracies Die | Steven Levitsky, Daniel Ziblatt
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The tragic paradox of the electoral route to authoritarianism is that democracy‘s assassins use the very institutions of democracy-gradually, subtly, and even legally-to kill it.

#americawasgreat #maga #bygettingridoftrump

Hooked_on_books This book is so good. 5y
saguarosally @Hooked_on_books I‘ll get to see. 5y
Suet624 Oh dear. I guess I‘m going to have to read this. 🤦🏻‍♀️ 5y
27 likes3 comments
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Kathrin
How Democracies Die | Steven Levitsky, Daniel Ziblatt
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Pickpick

Very interesting read about constitution and custom of the American democracy over time along with some comparisons to other countries.

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DocBrown
How Democracies Die | Steven Levitsky, Daniel Ziblatt
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Pickpick

I devoured this in less than a day. It‘s a great review of recent (as well as more long-standing) trends in the US, in the context of other countries. Very clear eyed analysis of how rules work together with norms to reinforce political institutions that safeguard democracy. Some practical suggestions for how to strengthen the institutional ‘guardrails‘ before democracy fails altogether. An important book. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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LoverofLit
How Democracies Die | Steven Levitsky, Daniel Ziblatt
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I've read some of these and a few others are on my TBR for the upcoming year but I'll have to make room for the rest ❤

nudibranch We should make a reading challenge out of reading Obama's picks! 5y
Jess7 I posted about this today too! He has very good taste. I think I used some of these hashtags so our posts can be linked! #obama2018favorites #obamafavorites #obamasbooklist #2018favorites 5y
LoverofLit I would totally do a reading challenge! @nudibranch 5y
LoverofLit @Jess7 Thank you for the hashtags! I am terrible at them but want to use them more to make things easily searchable ☺ 5y
Freespirit He always has a great list. I read The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead from last years list and found it an amazing and thought provoking read. Thanks for sharing xxx 5y
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gradcat
How Democracies Die | Steven Levitsky, Daniel Ziblatt
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‘Nuff said.

LibrarianRyan 👍🏻🤓😁 5y
BookishMarginalia Yes! 🗽🗳🙌🏼 5y
Crazeedi 5y
vivastory 👍👏🤘 5y
CrowCAH I 🗳 voted! 5y
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LauraBeth
How Democracies Die | Steven Levitsky, Daniel Ziblatt
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I‘m only halfway through this but so far this is one of THE best books I‘ve recently read about American politics and how the current state of affairs fits into the global framework and comparative histories. Very easy to digest and understand.

“History doesn‘t repeat itself. But it rhymes.”

Mimi28 Hi Bitsy!! 🤗🤗 5y
DGRachel Bitsy! 😍🐶😍 That book looks like something that would make me very depressed right now. 😔 5y
minkyb Great line. Stacked! 5y
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swishandflick
How Democracies Die | Steven Levitsky, Daniel Ziblatt
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I MISS THIS MAN SO MUCH ❤️

Here are the books/articles he listed (see his FB post for more of his thoughts on each):
1. The Broken Ladder by Keith Payne
2. How Democracies Die by Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt
3. This New York Times article by Matthew Desmond: https://nyti.ms/2MkTNLc
4. A series of articles from The Atlantic: https://bit.ly/2xbh4KP

CatLass007 Love him! 5y
Dolly I love the fact that Obama‘s reads. ❤️ He continues to learn and take in new information. :::sigh::: 5y
Chrissyreadit Thank you! I appreciate him so much! 5y
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Chrissyreadit Just ordered a shirt from March for our lives- the image is a barcode that takes you to voter registration. 5y
Notafraidofwords 😐😳 5y
8little_paws That times article is fantastic 5y
MicheleinPhilly I‘m going to see Michelle next month and yesterday I bought tickets to see the Clintons next year. My wife was like, “I‘m sensing a theme.” 5y
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BookishFeminist
How Democracies Die | Steven Levitsky, Daniel Ziblatt
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Sometimes I really like my city even if I don‘t like what‘s going on here right now. After spending two full days down at the Senate to protest Kavanaugh‘s nomination to the Supreme Court, I came here to reflect and read at one of my favorite spots. The Supreme Court is to the left, the Library of Congress is to the right with Congress on the other side (out of the photo). This book is giving me a lot to chew on in our current climate.

Lauram Thank you. 6y
Ashley_Nicoletto Yes, I second that. Thank you. 6y
2BR02B I live in constant fear of RBG's retirement. 6y
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teainthelibrary So inspirational, thank you. 6y
arubabookwoman Thank you for protesting. 6y
sprainedbrain Thank you! 6y
pgh.femme Thank you! 6y
Valink @2BR02B same 😬 6y
pgh.femme Oh, and it is such a beautiful city. I get teary eyed every time I visit when I remember that those buildings and their contents belong to “we, the people”. Even in these dark times I am moved by that. 6y
Valink I love that you protested! I‘ve only visited DC a few times & one was to look at schools with my daughter. She was wait listed at her top DC school, but considered going to another that she didn‘t really love just to be in DC and to be able to protest easily. I‘m a little disappointed she chose a different school! 6y
ReadingBetween Thank you for protesting! It has been painful to watch that sham of a confirmation hearing. 6y
Leftcoastzen Thank you for protesting.So many are there to do the governments business, we forget real people live there too.Love to visit DC ,I am overdue to come back and enjoy all the area has to offer. 6y
bridge12 Thank you for protesting!!! Wishing I was in DC! 6y
DMC_run8 Thank you! 6y
BarbaraTheBibliophage Thank you for protesting! (I‘m a little late but no less grateful.) 6y
BookishFeminist @BarbaraTheBibliophage you‘re welcome! you are not late! I‘m going back this week 6y
BarbaraTheBibliophage That‘s awesome! 💪🏻👊🏽💪🏼👊🏾 6y
BookishFeminist @2BR02B i would donate my organs to rbg if needed 6y
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Hooked_on_books
How Democracies Die | Steven Levitsky, Daniel Ziblatt
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Pickpick

How Democracies Die explores recent world authoritarian regimes, how they came about, and the components in each place that led to a move away from democracy. It then contrasts these historic situations with the US today. This is a chilling read that is vitally important, lest we lose what we claim to hold most dear. I feel much more informed after listening to it.

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Samplergal
How Democracies Die | Steven Levitsky, Daniel Ziblatt
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Pickpick

This was an excellent book, researched and written by Harvard profs. I‘m truly scared, yet hopeful that we can pull out of this mess we are mired in the US. If you value democracy, anywhere, read this. It‘s a great history lesson about leaders around the world slipping into authoritarianism. 5🌟

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Samplergal
How Democracies Die | Steven Levitsky, Daniel Ziblatt
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This is scaring me guys. We are in quite a mess in the US. #mustread

pgh.femme I can‘t heart this, but I‘m right there with you. All the hair on my arms and neck stood on end while I watched Rachel Maddow last night. She revealed the WH‘s erasure of public parts of the Putin press conference and it was terrifying. 6y
Samplergal @pgh.femme This spells it out. How all the dictators of the world have come to power. Textbook. And we have a cult who won‘t see it. Scary. 6y
AmyG It is truly frightening not only what this President and administration do...but the fact that Republicans who are in charge...do nothing. 6y
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Lauram I felt the same way when listening to Dark Money. 6y
arubabookwoman This book really explained it all—how we‘ve arrived in this era of non-truth. But I still don‘t understand why so many people continue to drink the koolaid. Is it a failure of our education system? Racism? Religion? What??? Why do so many vote against their own best interests? I loved this book. It explained how we got here, but not why we the people fell for it, and I still trying to figure that out. Life today is v. scarey. 6y
Samplergal @AmyG I know. Are they that scared of not being in power in DC that they will do nothing to stop this megalomaniac? I don‘t get it. 6y
Samplergal @Lauram oh yes! That‘s another one that explains how we got here and how well planned it has been. That‘s why I like this group. Readers. We aren‘t fooled by made up stuff. We research. We are informed. 6y
GingerAntics I seriously want to read this book. 6y
Samplergal @GingerAntics So good. I am seriously scared for the first time. I‘ve been angry up til now. 6y
GingerAntics I‘ve been scared and angry in turns. I‘m almost afraid of how I‘ll feel after reading this. My library doesn‘t have it as an audiobook, and I have problems reading regular books on that app. It‘s on my list of books to purchase for this fall to read. Maybe we‘ll get lucky and the appropriate impeachment will finally be in the works before I get to finish it. lol 6y
Samplergal @GingerAntics can you request your library get it as an audiobook? I‘ve done that on occasion. They will sometimes order it. 6y
GingerAntics I‘m actually surprised they have it at all, to be honest. I‘m sort of in Trump country here. I have to choose my words very carefully when talking; although, I spend most of my time in academic environments where he is not at all appreciated. I‘ll look into requesting it, but I‘ll probably end up buying the ebook anyway. It‘s easier to take notes that way. That‘s the one downside of audiobooks. 6y
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Samplergal
How Democracies Die | Steven Levitsky, Daniel Ziblatt
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Quite good for the walk.

CoffeeK8 This book was so intense 6y
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Decalino
How Democracies Die | Steven Levitsky, Daniel Ziblatt
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Pickpick

This book is a must read for anyone concerned about the direction our country appears to be headed in. The authors have studied failed democracies and authoritarian states for years, and offer thoughtful, measured insight into the ways such changes occur. While confirming some of my fears, this book also provides reason to hope we as a nation can get through this.

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Nebklvr
How Democracies Die | Steven Levitsky, Daniel Ziblatt
Mehso-so

While this is an informative look at how historical autocracies came to be in power and current dangerous political trends, I felt that they were not always supported by the data they presented but it was still interesting and thought provoking

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CoffeeK8
How Democracies Die | Steven Levitsky, Daniel Ziblatt
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Pickpick

This book is a must read for anyone wondering how we got here, and what to do about it.

Samplergal I have this requested at the library. I‘m a little frightened to read it. 6y
AJones It sounds very interesting; stacked. 6y
CoffeeK8 @Samplergal don‘t be scared, it‘s not necessarily uplifting, but I felt hopeful by the end, and it made everything very clear 6y
CoffeeK8 @AJones I hope you like it! 6y
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CoffeeK8
How Democracies Die | Steven Levitsky, Daniel Ziblatt
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Too true right now.

LoverofLit Scarily true 6y
Weaponxgirl Yup, and if your one of the people saying it's scary then your called paranoid and alarmist even when your backing it up with facts and talking about how these things happened historically 6y
CoffeeK8 @Weaponxgirl yes, exactly. This book really goes into all those details 6y
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RaimeyGallant
How Democracies Die | Steven Levitsky, Daniel Ziblatt
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Pickpick

The authors, Harvard poli-sci profs, outline historical, global autocratic parallels to the GOP and Trump's actions leading up to and following the 2016 election. The history of global democracy wins and fails is eye-opening, and I recommend this book for that reason. I can't guarantee you'll agree with their suggested action plan for going-forward, but it's worthwhile perspective to have nevertheless. #audiobooking #audiobooks #libby

Samplergal It‘s on my holds list. I don‘t know how I‘ll handle it. Too much these past two@weeks. 6y
CaitlinR Thanks for the recommendation. Reading political writing in the midst of this chaos keeps me sane. 6y
CoffeeK8 I‘m in the middle of this one... terrific and scary at the same time. Great review! 6y
Trashcanman 👁️👁️ 6y
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CoffeeK8
How Democracies Die | Steven Levitsky, Daniel Ziblatt
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When they legitimize an authoritarian candidate, the democratic process allows that candidate access... fascinating book! #audiobook

RaimeyGallant Great quote! 6y
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keithmalek
How Democracies Die | Steven Levitsky, Daniel Ziblatt
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Aimeesue How sad is it that II didn't even need to read the attribution to know whose horrible speech patterns were being recorded? Argh! 6y
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keithmalek
How Democracies Die | Steven Levitsky, Daniel Ziblatt
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keithmalek
How Democracies Die | Steven Levitsky, Daniel Ziblatt
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Gina Ooohhh... this was a good read 6y
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keithmalek
How Democracies Die | Steven Levitsky, Daniel Ziblatt
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When Teddy Roosevelt had dinner with Booker T. Washington.

Riveted_Reader_Melissa Aren‘t these histories so great...and crazy! 6y
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keithmalek
How Democracies Die | Steven Levitsky, Daniel Ziblatt
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I posted this incomplete sentence because what he said doesn‘t actually matter. All that matters is that his name is Stefan Schmuckenschlager. That needed to be shared!

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keithmalek
How Democracies Die | Steven Levitsky, Daniel Ziblatt
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keithmalek
How Democracies Die | Steven Levitsky, Daniel Ziblatt
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arubabookwoman
How Democracies Die | Steven Levitsky, Daniel Ziblatt
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Not a quote from this book but a quote from a recent article by #RebeccaSolnit which partly explains why I read books like this:

“..everything seems crazy. The news is overwhelming, and some try to cope by withdrawing or pretending that things are normal. Others are overwhelmed and distraught. I‘m afflicted by a kind of hyper-vigilance of the news, a daily obsession to watch what‘s going on...(con‘t below)

arubabookwoman “...that is partly a quest for sense in what seems so senseless. At least I‘ve been able to find the patterns and understand who the key players are, but to see the logic behind the chaos brings us face to face with how deep the trouble is.” 6y
BarbaraBB What a sad truth 😪 6y
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arubabookwoman
How Democracies Die | Steven Levitsky, Daniel Ziblatt
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Pickpick

Using examples from history, and focusing on events in the US from the 1980s until today the authors demonstrate that, yes indeed, we are in danger of losing our democracy. Although the authors are well-regarded historians, they write in easy to understand language with vivid details. This is the most recent book on related topics that I‘ve read since the 2016 election, and it is one of the most important and most chilling. I am not hopeful.

SqueakyChu Wow! Wasn‘t that book too depressing to read? 6y
arubabookwoman @SqueakyChu The whole situation the country (world) is in is depressing. My reaction is to keep educating myself. See the quote from #RebeccaSolnit above. This book was not sensationalist or gossipy, but very grounded in history and logic. 6y
SqueakyChu I know. I don‘t want to listen to the news, but I want to keep abreast of the truth. At this stage of my life, I‘m unable to live elsewhere. What a terrible situation to leave for my children and grandchildren. The irony of my situation is that my parents came to the US for their own self-preservation and freedom. Each day seems worse here than the previous day. Good for you to be able to read the entire book! 6y
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ephemeralwaltz
How Democracies Die | Steven Levitsky, Daniel Ziblatt
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2 TBRs. Both covers are 😍👏🏼

Kalalalatja Yes they are 😍😍 6y
ReadZenRites I‘ve not read either, but I saw a production of the Vagina Monologues. It was wonderful & hilarious 👍🏻 6y
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BookishMarginalia
How Democracies Die | Steven Levitsky, Daniel Ziblatt
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We have work to do, to protect and grow our American democracy.

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Gina
How Democracies Die | Steven Levitsky, Daniel Ziblatt
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During the darkest days of the Second World War the U.S. Federal Government's Writer's War Board asked E. B. White to write a short response to the question "What is democracy?" This is just a part of his answer.

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mrozzz
How Democracies Die | Steven Levitsky, Daniel Ziblatt
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Yaaaay!! More #BookMail ... Just couldn‘t pass up these deals the other day. OOPS 🙊😅😏

Pruzy All those titles sound very ominous 6y
mcipher @Pruzy Definitely a theme... 6y
mrozzz Oh no! I didn‘t even notice! @mcipher @Pruzy 😬 6y
Pruzy @mrozzz Yikes! Paging Dr. Freud! 😬 6y
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Gina
How Democracies Die | Steven Levitsky, Daniel Ziblatt
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Pickpick

This book was engaging and thought provoking. It didn't go to deep into detail but just enough to point out some interesting facts and not lose my attention. If this topic interests you this book is definitely worth your time.

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Gina
How Democracies Die | Steven Levitsky, Daniel Ziblatt
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Omgosh George W. Bush you are cracking me up. Thanks for the laugh...

RaimeyGallant I remember thinking how weird it was that he and I were on the same page about something. 6y
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Gina
How Democracies Die | Steven Levitsky, Daniel Ziblatt
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My evening reading nook view. ♡♡♡

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Pedrocamacho
How Democracies Die | Steven Levitsky, Daniel Ziblatt
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Pickpick

Very apropos. Can US democracy recover after Trump? Have other countries recovered after sliding towards autocracy? Read this book to find out...

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Gina
How Democracies Die | Steven Levitsky, Daniel Ziblatt
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It was a dreary night last night but so hygge sitting on my window seat snuggled in a blanket, with red wine reading my latest library score. ~°▪¤♡☆♡¤▪~

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Gina
How Democracies Die | Steven Levitsky, Daniel Ziblatt
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It's like Christmas when the books you have been waiting for from the library finally arrive. Perfect time to read on this cold and slushy night.
~☆**°▪•¡▪¤♡¤▪¡•▪°**☆~

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AMVP
How Democracies Die | Steven Levitsky, Daniel Ziblatt
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After a long day at work, it's time to climb into bed and unwind with some light reading.

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My_novel_obsession
How Democracies Die | Steven Levitsky, Daniel Ziblatt
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Good morning all - Happy Sunday!

ReadingSusan Best. Mug. Ever. #truth 6y
Kaye Love the coffee cup. I need that, plus the t-shirt, a poster, a yard sign, and a billboard. 6y
dariazeoli I second @kaye‘s need for all the merch 😆 6y
Ashley_Nicoletto Your mug. 😂😂😂 Agreed @ReadingSusan. So much #truth 6y
Bookladylinda And I third @Kaye!!!!!! 😂😂😂 6y
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My_novel_obsession
How Democracies Die | Steven Levitsky, Daniel Ziblatt
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Currently reading this book which is fascinating and chilling...if you want to watch a streaming live version of How Democracies Die turn on Fox News🤬

Reggie Sometimes I watch them and just think, how can you live with yourselves. 6y
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halfdesertedstreets
How Democracies Die | Steven Levitsky, Daniel Ziblatt
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Here are the books I‘m looking forward to tackling in February. I‘m excited about every single one of these, but the two new Australian offerings — A Free Flame and Tin Heart — are especially appealing. 💕