Years after Chávez's presidential victory, Rafael Caldera explained his mistakes simply: Nobody thought that Mr. Chávez had even the remotest chance of becoming president. And merely a day after Hitler became chancellor, a prominent conservative who aided him admitted, I have just committed the greatest stupidity of my life; I have allied myself with the greatest demagogue in world history.

Steven Levitsky How Democracies Die
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In the aftermath of Hugo Chávez's rise to power in Venezuela, Rafael Caldera reflected on the unexpected nature of Chávez’s presidency, admitting that no one anticipated his success in the elections. This oversight highlights how political underestimations can lead to significant consequences in democratic processes.

The quote draws a parallel between Chávez and historical figures like Hitler, emphasizing the dangers of aligning with charismatic leaders without recognizing their potential to undermine...

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How Democracies Die
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Steven Levitsky
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February 08, 2025
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Other quotes in How Democracies Die

There is one thing more powerful than the Constitution….That's the will of the people. What is a Constitution anyway? They're the products of the people, the people are the first source of power, and the people can abolish a Constitution if they want to.

Steven Levitsky How Democracies Die

decade later, Alabama governor George Wallace's defiant segregationist stance vaulted him to national prominence, leading to surprisingly vigorous bids for the presidency in 1968 and 1972.

Steven Levitsky How Democracies Die

Senator Joseph McCarthy, who used the Cold War fear of communist subversion to promote blacklisting, censorship, and book banning, enjoyed wide backing among the American public. At

Steven Levitsky How Democracies Die

American mass-media hero, Charles Lindbergh

Steven Levitsky How Democracies Die

The Plot Against America, American novelist Philip Roth builds

Steven Levitsky How Democracies Die

Years after Chávez's presidential victory, Rafael Caldera explained his mistakes simply: Nobody thought that Mr. Chávez had even the remotest chance of becoming president. And merely a day after Hitler became chancellor, a prominent conservative who aided him admitted, I have just committed the greatest stupidity of my life; I have allied myself with the greatest demagogue in world history.

Steven Levitsky How Democracies Die
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All the things you can talk about in anyone's work are the things that are least important.

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Race of Cain, ascend to heaven, And cast God down upon the earth!

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Race of Cain, ascend to heaven, And cast God down upon the earth!

"Philip Sharpe was a soldier in God's army," says the minister. "Now he marches with the angels."

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For me the curse is a crutch, but the con is everything.

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I don't have anything against God. Far from it. But I don't understand Him. And I don't trust a lot of the people that go around claiming that they're working in His best interests.

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"What peace can the eye find from the swift sky? \nO cupbearer, give me a cup to rest a moment. \nI told Wit these matters; he smiled and said: \nHard is the daily life, full of amazing troubles and a world disarrayed. \nOn the path of love-play, there is no safety and comfort; \nCursed be the heart that seeks healing for your pain. \nThe people of delight and charm have no way in the street of libertines; \nOne must be a traveler—all-consuming, not naive and carefree. \nHuman beings do not come into the earthly world completed; \nA new world must be built anew, and a new man again. \nWhat is Hafez’s weeping to measure before the sufficiency of love, \nThat in this sea it displays the moisture of seven seas?"

Divan Hafez Shirazi from...
"What peace can the eye find from the swift sky? \nO cupbearer, give me a cup to rest a moment. \nI told Wit these matters; he smiled and said: \nHard is the daily life, full of amazing troubles and a world disarrayed. \nOn the path of love-play, there is no safety and comfort; \nCursed be the heart that seeks healing for your pain. \nThe people of delight and charm have no way in the street of libertines; \nOne must be a traveler—all-consuming, not naive and carefree. \nHuman beings do not come into the earthly world completed; \nA new world must be built anew, and a new man again. \nWhat is Hafez’s weeping to measure before the sufficiency of love, \nThat in this sea it displays the moisture of seven seas?"
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