tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3174565204146611498.post6883824193161154287..comments2023-11-25T11:02:34.603-07:00Comments on Books and Things: How Democracies Die by Steven Levitsky and Daniel ZiblattMelissa (Books and Things)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00074452958853212024noreply@blogger.comBlogger46125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3174565204146611498.post-60996064750070968952018-04-18T19:48:32.799-06:002018-04-18T19:48:32.799-06:00I think it was timely.I think it was timely.Melissa (Books and Things)https://www.blogger.com/profile/00074452958853212024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3174565204146611498.post-55176403490797920122018-03-14T00:18:44.888-06:002018-03-14T00:18:44.888-06:00This is not something I would usually read, but I&...This is not something I would usually read, but I'm glad you enjoyed it! Naomi Hophttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16049789815791387123noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3174565204146611498.post-51737670661230195392018-02-21T14:45:30.842-07:002018-02-21T14:45:30.842-07:00It is very timely. Thanks.It is very timely. Thanks.Melissa (Books and Things)https://www.blogger.com/profile/00074452958853212024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3174565204146611498.post-10927713218196736052018-02-15T23:13:35.254-07:002018-02-15T23:13:35.254-07:00This seems like a good one to read. Great review! ...This seems like a good one to read. Great review! Breana M.https://www.blogger.com/profile/10345983166905397230noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3174565204146611498.post-19874781845627100272018-02-14T14:46:21.488-07:002018-02-14T14:46:21.488-07:00I know that some of the rules had changed from how...I know that some of the rules had changed from how it was originally which is good and bad. Bad in how some of the changes failed at preventing a demagogue as it intended in this election and that is what they addressed in a historical perspective. The main caveat, which is often absent in most discussion of the original intent, was that it was supposed to be made of men of intelligence and those that were not swayed by popularity. While that makes absolute sense as another way to prevent those that subvert democracy from taking charge, it is also unattainable in terms of making sure that those would be the ones making the votes (my opinion). The goal was to prevent popularity from taking over which is how demagogues and authoritarians often take power. It did not go into the specifics to the number of votes each state gets but to the mindset of those that crafted the Republic. Hope that helps. :)Melissa (Books and Things)https://www.blogger.com/profile/00074452958853212024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3174565204146611498.post-55895026677997615772018-02-14T14:43:23.145-07:002018-02-14T14:43:23.145-07:00Hey now... don't disparage cheetos! LOL I'...Hey now... don't disparage cheetos! LOL I've always thought that, aside from cable news shows, that the media isn't one side or the other but leans toward money. If you look at it that way, it makes sense as to how they report and what they report. Gotta keep those sponsors happy (sadly enough). This one may not be for you, but it is something good if you change your mind and want another more historical perspective. Now go read something fun!Melissa (Books and Things)https://www.blogger.com/profile/00074452958853212024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3174565204146611498.post-87991106391975650972018-02-14T14:41:05.361-07:002018-02-14T14:41:05.361-07:00I think it is an important read for the time. :)I think it is an important read for the time. :)Melissa (Books and Things)https://www.blogger.com/profile/00074452958853212024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3174565204146611498.post-75850408762784173192018-02-14T14:40:46.097-07:002018-02-14T14:40:46.097-07:00More depressing than hopeful for me, but hope is s...More depressing than hopeful for me, but hope is still there. If you get it I hope you get some of the same takeaway as I did.... but you will still be frustrated with what is going on in the world.Melissa (Books and Things)https://www.blogger.com/profile/00074452958853212024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3174565204146611498.post-88528969669463275992018-02-14T14:39:40.028-07:002018-02-14T14:39:40.028-07:00Yes, this one is different than the other popular ...Yes, this one is different than the other popular book because their perspective comes from history and not gossip. It didn't exactly make me see things differently but it did bring a broader understanding to the issues at hand.Melissa (Books and Things)https://www.blogger.com/profile/00074452958853212024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3174565204146611498.post-71442875821951143342018-02-14T14:29:07.955-07:002018-02-14T14:29:07.955-07:00I think it was worthwhile to read especially with ...I think it was worthwhile to read especially with what is going on now.Melissa (Books and Things)https://www.blogger.com/profile/00074452958853212024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3174565204146611498.post-42304013977340791082018-02-14T14:28:41.914-07:002018-02-14T14:28:41.914-07:00I think US politics baffle everyone. LOL I think US politics baffle everyone. LOL Melissa (Books and Things)https://www.blogger.com/profile/00074452958853212024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3174565204146611498.post-51485374354962952102018-02-14T14:28:14.373-07:002018-02-14T14:28:14.373-07:00I totally get it, but sometimes your brain can mak...I totally get it, but sometimes your brain can make it even worse than it could be or is (not as much in this case... but you get what I mean). Hope he enjoys it!Melissa (Books and Things)https://www.blogger.com/profile/00074452958853212024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3174565204146611498.post-84731613985797767012018-02-14T14:27:30.797-07:002018-02-14T14:27:30.797-07:00I think it did a good job of that.I think it did a good job of that.Melissa (Books and Things)https://www.blogger.com/profile/00074452958853212024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3174565204146611498.post-18283525803729060822018-02-14T14:27:18.036-07:002018-02-14T14:27:18.036-07:00Well, it was timely and that does interest me. :)Well, it was timely and that does interest me. :)Melissa (Books and Things)https://www.blogger.com/profile/00074452958853212024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3174565204146611498.post-21176272696575400262018-02-14T14:26:19.219-07:002018-02-14T14:26:19.219-07:00Yea, it was a bit depressing, but glad there was s...Yea, it was a bit depressing, but glad there was some hope within.Melissa (Books and Things)https://www.blogger.com/profile/00074452958853212024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3174565204146611498.post-89089779833839706532018-02-14T14:25:38.428-07:002018-02-14T14:25:38.428-07:00I think there was some hope there. I'll take w...I think there was some hope there. I'll take what I can get. :)Melissa (Books and Things)https://www.blogger.com/profile/00074452958853212024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3174565204146611498.post-48236935991465983092018-02-13T10:01:14.711-07:002018-02-13T10:01:14.711-07:00I think this one would depress me terribly. I'...I think this one would depress me terribly. I'm already mortified about the Orange Cheetoh. Not sure if I can take anymore.But most of my depression is coming from the polarized media. Each side stinks. Makes me want to just go lose myself in a book. Not a bad thing. lol<br />Rebecca @ <a href="https://portsmouthreview.com/" rel="nofollow">The Portsmouth Review</a>Rebeccahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17249423601362144632noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3174565204146611498.post-72558057062759595992018-02-11T08:13:29.005-07:002018-02-11T08:13:29.005-07:00Though I must admit I don't read a lot of non-...Though I must admit I don't read a lot of non-fiction, this does seem like a very important and timely read. Definitely an interesting book!Lindsey @ Lindsey Readshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11159843040371809292noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3174565204146611498.post-57597992158642561492018-02-11T00:15:33.912-07:002018-02-11T00:15:33.912-07:00Depressing & hopeful ... that's how I'...Depressing & hopeful ... that's how I've felt while going over historical events lately. I really wish more people learned and understood this stuff. I'd love to read this!LoveOfBookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08391586235553306506noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3174565204146611498.post-50511373644086797362018-02-10T09:13:25.950-07:002018-02-10T09:13:25.950-07:00Interesting take meant to educate and hopefully in...Interesting take meant to educate and hopefully instill hope. I know the author books is frustrating, because even if there is some truth to it, it is now being looked at as nothing but a fluff piece. This, this is different and I am glad to hear that it makes you see things differently.Lily Bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17759017749398223793noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3174565204146611498.post-4474604539675439212018-02-10T07:35:09.945-07:002018-02-10T07:35:09.945-07:00Great review. I've thought about reading more ...Great review. I've thought about reading more about politics, for exactly the reason this book was written. I haven't gotten there yet, but I might. This sounds like a book that might be of interest to start down this road.<br /><br />Here's the thing I really don't understand about electoral college (well I understand the point of if, even if I'm not sure I agree with it), but why are states an all or nothing in voting. For example, Ohio was almost a 60/40 split, but you get 100% of the electoral college votes. I think it would make more sense if the state gave the percentage of their votes that matched what the voters said. It would also still do what the electoral college intended (which I'm still not sure I agree with), and give votes in some states more than others.<br /><br />Melanie @ <a href="http://www.hotlistens.com/tag/reviewed-by-mlsimmons/" rel="nofollow">Hot Listens</a> & <a href="http://rabidreads.ca/category/reviews/by-reviewer/melanie" rel="nofollow">Rabid Reads</a> & <a href="https://booksofmyheart.net/author/melanie/" rel="nofollow">Books of My Heart</a>Melanie (@AudiobookMel)https://www.blogger.com/profile/12682752959290631075noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3174565204146611498.post-74453337079435593792018-02-10T07:02:43.243-07:002018-02-10T07:02:43.243-07:00Not a genre I tend to read but it sounds well roun...Not a genre I tend to read but it sounds well rounded and worthwhile. Especially now. Great post!The Bookwormhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10217390642323530030noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3174565204146611498.post-88497285847690322382018-02-10T04:54:13.100-07:002018-02-10T04:54:13.100-07:00US politics baffle me so this'd be an interest...US politics baffle me so this'd be an interesting read from that perspective alone but I don't think I'd enjoy the hefty dose of reality it'd poor on my reading time, lol. Niccihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12122972546470154598noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3174565204146611498.post-4941457852249346942018-02-09T19:00:07.403-07:002018-02-09T19:00:07.403-07:00I don't normally read books like this--too rea...I don't normally read books like this--too real for me. When I read books, I want to lose myself and not think about the problems of the world. I know that we need be educated on democracy and how the world works, because it's everyone's job to be knowledgeable, and we should all try to build something better. <br /><br />However, this IS a book my husband would love to read. I might get it for him and then skim over it myself. Lovely review!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.doyoudog-ear.com/" rel="nofollow">Do You Dog-ear?</a><br />Lindsi https://www.blogger.com/profile/13480991226741687503noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3174565204146611498.post-85925439876975973802018-02-09T12:48:55.145-07:002018-02-09T12:48:55.145-07:00I like that it goes back and puts the concept of d...I like that it goes back and puts the concept of democracy into context all the way to where we are today. Thanks for sharing!Sophia Rosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07909417504496472472noreply@blogger.com