In "How Democracies Die," author Steven Levitsky emphasizes the importance of social norms in maintaining democratic integrity. He argues that these unwritten rules function as essential guidelines that shape acceptable political behavior within a democracy. When these norms weaken, the boundaries of what is deemed acceptable widen, leading to potentially harmful actions and rhetoric that threaten democratic values and processes.

The breakdown of these democratic norms can lead to an environment where extreme viewpoints are normalized, undermining the stability and health of a democratic society. Levitsky warns that as political actors engage in increasingly unacceptable behavior, the fundamental principles of democracy may be jeopardized, posing significant risks to civic life and governance.