Norms are the soft guardrails of democracy; as they break down, the zone of acceptable political behavior expands, giving rise to discourse and action that could imperil democracy. Behavior that was once considered unthinkable in American politics is becoming thinkable. Even if Donald Trump does not break the hard guardrails of our constitutional democracy, he has increased the likelihood that a future president will.
In "How Democracies Die," Steven Levitsky discusses the vital role of norms in maintaining democratic values; these unwritten rules serve as guardrails that help shape acceptable political conduct. When these norms begin to erode, the spectrum of what is considered acceptable behavior widens, allowing for rhetoric and actions that may threaten the very foundations of democracy. This shift is significant, as actions once viewed as beyond the pale are now becoming commonplace in the political landscape.
Levitsky highlights that even if figures like Donald Trump do not overtly violate constitutional principles, their influence can normalize behaviors that could eventually lead future leaders to disregard democratic constraints. This shift poses a risk, as the precedent set today may embolden future presidents to act without regard for historical boundaries, potentially jeopardizing democratic governance in the long term.
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