pic steven levitsky 150x150It’s axiomatic that political discourse in the U.S. is becoming more and more extreme. There’s even talk of a coup. In textbook coups, martial law is declared. The internet and phones go dead. The opposition is jailed or killed. This is how we think of authoritarian regimes beginning. Yet Steven Levitsky says, “Democracies may die at the hands not of generals but of elected leaders.” He lays out a four-part test for identifying authoritarian leaders: rejecting democratic institutions, denying the legitimacy of political opponents, tolerating or encouraging violence and curtailing civil liberties. He notes, “With the exception of Richard Nixon, no major-party presidential candidate met even one of these four criteria over the last century. Donald Trump met all of them.” If we are not careful polarization can kill democracy.

Steven Levitsky is Professor of Government at Harvard. His research interests focus on Latin America and include political parties, authoritarianism and democratization, and weak and informal institutions. He is co-author of How Democracies Die.

Alternative Radio airs the 3rd, 4th, and 5th Sunday mornings at 10:00 am on KRCB-FM Radio 91 / streaming @ norcalpublicmedia.org / Comcast channel 961 throughout the Bay Area / Download the FREE KRCB App @ iTunes & Google Play!

Alternative Radio

April 02, 2021

Frank Smyth: The NRA Unmasked on Alternative Radio – Sunday at 10am

Gun violence exacts an enormous toll on U.S. society-claiming tens of thousands of lives every year. Many more thousands are wounded and scarred physically and psychologically. From malls to schools from places of worship to concerts there is no safe space. Weapons of war are easily obtainable. We…
March 26, 2021

Noam Chomsky: Consequences of Capitalism on Alternative Radio – Sunday at 10am

The consequences of capitalism during the pandemic have revealed glaring failures and monstrous brutalities. It’s a highly unstable economic system, careening from crisis to crisis. For a handful it produces unparalleled levels of wealth. But for the many, if they even have a job, it’s a pay check…
March 19, 2021

Frank Smyth: The NRA Unmasked on Alternative Radio – Sunday at 10am

Gun violence exacts an enormous toll on U.S. society-claiming tens of thousands of lives every year. Many more thousands are wounded and scarred physically and psychologically. From malls to schools from places of worship to concerts there is no safe space. Weapons of war are easily obtainable. We…

Northern California
Public Media Newsletter

Get the latest updates on programs and events.