Twilight of Democracy: The Seductive Lure of Authoritarianism

Although democracy is in the book’s title, Appelbaum does not offer a definition of democracy. In your own words, how do you think Appelbaum would define democracy? List the characteristics you think are important to Appelbaum’s ideal democracy.

At several points in Twilight of Democracy, Appelbaum is open about her political beliefs, like describing herself and her guests as free-market liberals (2), mentioning that she wrote for right-wing American publications (159), and identifying with the Republican Party of the United States until 2008 (162). How do you think Appelbaum’s politics impact Twilight of Democracy? Do you think her political bias undermines her main arguments? Why or not?

Throughout Twilight of Democracy, Appelbaum compares diverse right-wing movements and parties, like Vox, Brexit, Fidesz, Law and Justice, and the Trump campaign. List and explain four traits that most, if not all, of these groups and movements have in common, according to Appelbaum.