{"id":2114400,"date":"2023-12-03T05:27:01","date_gmt":"2023-12-03T10:27:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/is-more-democracy-always-better\/"},"modified":"2023-12-03T05:33:43","modified_gmt":"2023-12-03T10:33:43","slug":"is-more-democracy-always-better","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/is-more-democracy-always-better\/","title":{"rendered":"Is more democracy always preferable?"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">10<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fis-more-democracy-always-better%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2114400&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><h2>Tyranny of \u2064the Minority: Why American Democracy \u200dReached \u200cthe Breaking Point<\/h2>\n<p><i>Tyranny\u200b of the\u2062 Minority<\/i> serves as a captivating sequel to the widely acclaimed <i>How Democracies \u2064Die<\/i> \u200d by Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt. Both books delve \u200cinto the threats posed by authoritarianism \u200bto democracy, with a particular focus on\u200c the erosion\u200b of democratic norms and institutions by\u200d extremist parties. These parties, rather\u200d than relying on military force, gain power through\u200b electoral appeals fueled by grievances, declining social status, and the\u2062 scapegoating of marginalized \u2064groups like immigrants.<\/p>\n<p>While the\u2062 two books share common themes, they differ in significant ways. <i>How \u2064Democracies Die<\/i> concentrates on political parties and partisan elites. It argues that if centrist political parties are committed to defending\u2063 democracy \u200dagainst illiberal extremists, regardless of policy differences, democracy can prevail. \u2064The \u200bdanger arises\u2062 when establishment political \u200dleaders abandon their commitment to democracy\u200b in favor \u2062of personal ambition, forming alliances with political extremists. Levitsky and Ziblatt \u200bidentify \u200dDonald Trump, aided by Republican\u2062 Party elites, as the epitome of a democratic\u200b demagogue. They contend that the GOP, no \u2062longer a legitimate opposition party, poses an existential threat to democracy.<\/p>\n<p><i>Tyranny of the\u2062 Minority<\/i> \u2063 takes a more radical approach. It challenges \u2064the notion that appeals\u2062 to \u200destablishment partisan elites to \u2064defend democratic principles and set aside policy differences are sufficient. Levitsky and Ziblatt \u200dargue for systemic political changes, including radical alterations to the Constitution. The title of their book is telling. They\u200d draw inspiration from\u200d Madison&#8217;s\u200d argument in <i>Federalist<\/i> 10 that factions, whether\u2063 majority or minority, can pose a threat to the rights and interests of \u200dthe community. While Madison believed the republican principle could counteract the sinister views of minority factions, \u200cLevitsky and\u2064 Ziblatt assert that the Republican Party itself embodies the tyranny of the minority.<\/p>\n<p>The authors highlight\u200d that the\u200d Republican Party has not won the popular vote in the 21st century, except for 2004. Despite this, the party has managed to secure control of the House, the Senate, and even the presidency due to counter-majoritarian electoral and institutional characteristics within the American \u2063political\u2064 system. Levitsky and Ziblatt argue that further democratization is necessary to prevent a \u200dminority party \u2064like the current Republican Party, which they describe as a party of white voters fearing a decline in status and \u2062power, from gaining political dominance. They propose that a democratized political system,\u200d achieved through electoral competition, would\u200b force the Republican Party to broaden its electoral base and move away \u2064from extremism.<\/p>\n<h3>Challenging the Status Quo<\/h3>\n<p>Levitsky and Ziblatt&#8217;s argument echoes the ideas\u2062 put forth by Robert Dahl years ago,\u2064 although their focus is primarily on electoral reform rather than attacking the regulatory and welfare state. However, their democratic theory-based critique of the \u2062constitutional\u2062 system aligns them with Dahl. They embrace Jane Austen&#8217;s quote, &#8220;&#8216;The cure for the ills\u2062 of Democracy is more Democracy.&#8217;\u2063 We agree.&#8221; Ironically, their own \u200bbook, <i>How Democracies Die<\/i>, provides evidence that challenges this maxim. The expansion of primaries through the\u200c 1970\u200d McGovern-Fraser reforms weakened parties as institutions, enabling \u200dextremist candidates like Donald Trump or Bernie Sanders \u2064to \u200battempt hostile takeovers of \u200cthe major parties.<\/p>\n<p>While Levitsky and Ziblatt focus on\u2062 the tyranny of the minority in American\u200b politics, they do not dismiss the problem of majority tyranny. They acknowledge that governing majorities have undermined democracy in countries\u200c like \u200bVenezuela, Hungary, and Israel. However, they contend that the American political system \u200chas always \u2064effectively\u2063 checked the power \u2062of majorities. \u2064This\u2062 assertion \u200bis surprising, \u2064considering the historical impediments\u200b to racial justice \u2063caused by majority factions in the United States.<\/p>\n<p>The authors draw upon Kevin Phillips&#8217;s concept of an emerging Republican majority, which exploited white racial resentment in \u2064the\u2063 latter part of the 20th century. However, they\u200d ignore this \u2063history in favor of their analysis rooted in contemporary\u2063 politics. They believe in an emerging Democratic majority that reflects demographic changes, \u200cconsisting of\u200d minorities and young people who are less conservative on issues of race and immigration. They argue that this emerging majority is \u200binherently nonfactious, while the current Republican \u2062Party \u2064remains a permanent demographic minority and the dominant\u200d faction of our time.<\/p>\n<h3>The Need for \u2063Democratization<\/h3>\n<p>Levitsky \u200band Ziblatt assert that further democratization is crucial to saving democracy. In\u2062 contrast, Madison recognized\u200c the primary control on government \u200das a dependence\u200c on the people but emphasized the necessity of auxiliary\u2062 precautions. Constitutional institutions such as \u200bseparation of powers, checks and balances, and federalism, \u2064with \u200btheir counter-majoritarian provisions, are indispensable for preserving \u200drepublican government.<\/p>\n<p>The \u2062authors propose numerous democratic reforms, including the elimination of the Electoral College, replacing two senators \u2064per state with\u2064 Senate \u2062representation based on population, repealing\u200d voter ID laws, implementing universal voter \u200cregistration, \u200dand eliminating the filibuster. It is important to note that these reforms are narrowly framed, with the\u2063 sole criterion being whether they allow majorities to prevail. The authors disregard\u2062 the \u2064potential benefits \u200dof institutions like the Electoral College \u2063and the filibuster, which may fortify federalism, encourage bipartisanship, and prevent the dominance of majoritarian rule.\u2063 While some of\u2063 the proposed reforms deserve consideration, the evaluation criteria should extend beyond the\u200d confines of democratic theory.<\/p>\n<p>Considering the reforms advocated and the authors&#8217; disdain for the &#8220;dead \u2063hand of the past&#8221; hindering necessary changes, it \u2063is logical to conclude that they ultimately\u2062 advocate for \u2063a new constitutional convention. Although they do not explicitly endorse this idea, they call for an easier amendment procedure. However, this would not \u200dsuffice \u2064if they aim to replace the two-senators-per-state \u200bprovision, which cannot be amended. While they acknowledge the destabilizing effects\u2064 of \u2064frequent constitutional changes in other countries, they overlook the\u200b dangers of \u2062sweeping constitutional change in the United States. \u2064Levitsky and Ziblatt, as enlightenment rationalists, \u2064fail to fully appreciate Madison&#8217;s emphasis on constitutional reverence and stability in <i>Federalist<\/i> 49.<\/p>\n<p><i>Tyranny of the Minority: Why American Democracy Reached the Breaking Point<\/i> by Steven Levitsky and Daniel\u200b Ziblatt is a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/pixars-elemental-flops-in-box-office-debut-with-disneys-first-nonbinary-character\/\" title=\"Pixar's Elemental disappoints at box office as Disney introduces first nonbinary character.\">thought-provoking exploration<\/a> of the challenges\u2062 facing American democracy. \u200dWhile \u200btheir arguments for further democratization and systemic political changes are compelling, they should be considered alongside \u200bthe enduring \u2062wisdom of\u200b our constitutional institutions.<\/p>\n<p><i>Donald Brand is a professor of political science at College of the Holy Cross and co-director of the Charles Carroll program.<\/i><\/p>\n<p> <\/p>\n<h2> How might the implementation of a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/netanyahu-poised-for-comeback-as-israeli-elections-go-down-to-the-wire\/\" title=\"Netanyahu Poised For Comeback As Israeli Elections Go Down To The Wire\">proportional representation system<\/a>, as suggested by Levitsky and Ziblatt, impact\u2063 the process of coalition-building and governance?<\/h2>\n<p><span>  State with a proportional representation system, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/ranked-choice-voting-failed-to-make-ballot-in-missouri-but-beware-the-left-will-keep-pushing-it\/\" title=\"Ranked-Choice Voting Failed To Make Ballot In Missouri \u2014 But Beware, The Left Will Keep Pushing It\">implementing <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/andrew-yang-has-commanding-lead-in-nyc-mayoral-race-poll-shows\/\" title=\"Andrew Yang Has Commanding Lead In NYC Mayoral Race, Poll Shows\">ranked-choice voting<\/a><\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/texas-democrats-believe-they-can-turn-state-blue-on-social-issues\/\" title=\"Texas Democrats Believe They Can Turn State Blue on Social Issues\">expanding voter rights<\/a>\u2064 and access. They argue that by removing counter-majoritarian elements and strengthening democratic institutions, the \u2063tyranny of the minority can be prevented.<\/p>\n<p>While their proposals are bold and ambitious, they fail to address\u200d potential challenges and unintended consequences. For example, the\u200c elimination of the Electoral College could result in the marginalization of rural \u2062and less populous states, diminishing their influence in \u2062the political process. The proportional representation system could lead to a proliferation of political parties,\u2064 making coalition-building and\u200d governance more complex. Ranked-choice voting, although promoting inclusivity, could also lead to the election of candidates with limited popular support.<\/p>\n<p>Furthermore, Levitsky and Ziblatt&#8217;s focus on the Republican\u2063 Party as the \u200bmain perpetrator of the tyranny \u200dof the minority neglects the role of \u200bpartisan polarization and extremism on both sides of the political spectrum. Both major parties\u200d have shown a propensity to prioritize party interests over democratic principles, leading to gridlock and \u2063a disregard\u200c for the concerns\u200b and needs of the American people.<\/p>\n<p>In conclusion, <i>Tyranny of the\u2062 Minority<\/i> \u2063offers a thought-provoking analysis of the challenges faced by American \u200ddemocracy. Levitsky and \u200cZiblatt present compelling arguments for \u200bpolitical reforms to prevent the tyranny of the minority and promote a more inclusive and representative democracy. However, their proposals should be\u2062 critically examined, taking into account potential drawbacks and unintended consequences. Addressing the erosion of democratic norms and institutions requires a comprehensive and bipartisan approach that transcends partisan interests and\u2062 focuses on the common goal of a thriving \u200cand resilient democracy.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Tyranny of the Minority, a follow-up to Levitsky and Ziblatt&#8217;s acclaimed How Democracies Die, explores the dangers posed by extremist parties to democratic systems. Focusing on internal perils, the authors highlight the erosion of democratic norms and institutions. Unlike military force, these parties seek power through alternative means<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2587,"featured_media":2114401,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cndimages.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2758-scaled-1.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[544],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2114400","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-free-beacon"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cndimages.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2758-scaled-1.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2114400","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2587"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2114400"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2114400\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2114401"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2114400"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2114400"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2114400"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}