In "How Democracies Die," author Steven Levitsky discusses the decline of party gatekeepers, which are the influential figures who traditionally controlled political candidates and their funding. This erosion of their power can be attributed to two significant factors, with one being the surge of outside financial contributions to political campaigns. This shift became particularly pronounced after the Supreme Court’s 2010 Citizens United ruling, which enabled unlimited funding from corporations and other entities.

The impact of this new financial landscape has transformed the political arena, diminishing the role of party gatekeepers who once played key roles in candidate selection and campaign financing. As outside money plays a larger role in politics, it creates challenges for traditional parties, fundamentally altering the dynamics of electoral competition and democratic engagement.