To better understand how elected autocrats subtly undermine institutions, it's helpful to imagine a soccer game. To consolidate power, would-be authoritarians must capture the referees, sideline at least some of the other side's star players, and rewrite the rules of the game to lock in their advantage, in effect tilting the playing field against their opponents.
In Steven Levitsky's book "How Democracies Die," he explains that elected autocrats weaken democratic institutions in a strategic manner. By likening this process to a soccer game, he illustrates that aspiring authoritarian leaders take steps to control key figures like referees, which symbolizes the judiciary and other institutions that ensure fair play. This manipulation helps them maintain their grip on power while eroding checks and balances.
Additionally, these leaders may sideline...
