The most important book of the Trump era The EconomistHow does a democracy die What can we do to save our own What lessons does history teach us In the 21st century democracy is threatened like never before. Drawing insightful lessons from across history from Pinochets murderous Chilean regime to Erdogans quiet dismantling in Turkey Levitsky and Ziblatt explain why democracies fail how leaders like Trump subvert them today and what each of us can do to protect our democratic rights. This book looks to history to provide a guide for defending democratic norms when they are under threat and finds that it is possible to fight back. David Runciman A useful primer on the importance of norms institutional restraints and civic participation in maintaining a democracy and how quickly those things can erode when were not paying attention President Barack Obama A mustread Andrew Marr Sunday Times The greatest of the many merits of Levitsky and Ziblatts How Democracies Die is their rejection of western exceptionalism. They tell inspiring stories I had not heard before Nick Cohen Observer Provocative timely. One of my favourite reads this year Elif Shafak Anyone who is concerned about the future of democracy should read this brisk accessible book. Anyone who is not concerned should definitely read it Daron Acemoglu coauthor of Why Nations Fail