Smoke-filled back rooms therefore served as a screening mechanism, helping to keep out the kind of demagogues and extremists who derailed democracy elsewhere in the world. American party gatekeeping was so effective that outsiders simply couldn't win. As a result, most didn't even try.
In "How Democracies Die," Steven Levitsky discusses the role of smoke-filled back rooms in American politics as a critical tool for maintaining democratic stability. These private meetings acted as a barrier, filtering out demagogues and extremists who threaten democracy, unlike in other countries where such figures can disrupt the political landscape. The effectiveness of these party gatekeeping mechanisms meant that many outsiders refrained from entering the political arena, recognizing their slim chances of success.
This system fostered a political environment that discouraged radical elements, allowing traditional parties to control the candidate selection process. By steering clear of extreme individuals, American democracy was better shielded from the turbulent influences that have destabilized other nations. As a consequence, the established political framework remained largely intact, contributing to the resilience of the American democratic system.
