Sunday, October 22, 2023

Tyranny of the Minority - Steven Levitsky & Daniel Ziblatt - Notes

 Two Harvard political scientists talk about how in this country where majorities are supposed to rule minorities gain control abetted by the Constitution.

Supreme Court justices serving lifetime in "good behavior" unknown in other worldwide democracies. When you had have corrupt behavior like Clarence Thomas, who's to stop him?

The miracle in Georgia in 2021: A Jew and a Black man inaugurated US Senators.  P. 3

Multiracial democracy is hard to achieve.  In this country I think it's impossible.  P. 4

Normally political parties change policies when they lose an election, but not minority oriented parties like the Republicans.  P. 192

Completing political parties should be self-correcting, but not today's Republican Party, and not when a party can win with a minority of votes.  This can cause a party to turn inward and radicalize.  Republicans are shielded from internal pressure.  P. 193

Until Republicans can legitimately win national elections competing for the whole electorate is our democracy safe.  P. 194

I do not see the Republican Party becoming a multiethnic party.  

As long as we have a Republican Party completely wedded to a radicalized core white Christian base, it will be prone to the extremism that threatens our system of democracy.  P. 194

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