In "How Democracies Die," Steven Levitsky warns that if the Democratic Party fails to promote a culture of respect and restraint among political factions, future presidential administrations may face aggressive opposition. Such an environment could lead to an escalation of conflict, where opposing parties feel justified in employing extreme tactics to undermine each other.

Levitsky further cautions that as partisan divisions grow and the informal rules governing political behavior erode, the risk increases that voters may elect a leader who poses an even greater threat to democratic norms than Donald Trump. This scenario highlights the importance of fostering mutual understanding and compromise in order to safeguard democracy's future.