Tyranny of the Minority: Why American Democracy Reached the Breaking Point

In Chapter 1, Levitsky and Ziblatt focus on one democratic norm: the ability to accept defeat and peacefully relinquish power. This norm is the foundation of modern democracy.

In 1801, the US “became the first republic in history to experience an electoral transfer of power from one political party to another” (15). The first two political parties in the US were the Federalist Party and the Democratic-Republic Party. Both political parties originated during George Washington’s first presidential administration (1789-1793). Alexander Hamilton founded the Federalist Party. Federalists supported a strong federal government. The Democratic-Republic Party emerged as an opposition party believing in state sovereignty and individual rights. Leaders of this party included Thomas Jefferson and James Madison.

Initially, Federalists held power from 1797-1801 under President John Adams, who succeeded George Washington. Federalists believed only they stood as protectors of the still-emerging US. They viewed Democratic-Republicans as traitors. Thomas Jefferson, a Democratic-Republican, beat John Adams in the election of 1800. Levitsky and Ziblatt note that “mutual distrust, fueled by partisan animosity, imperiled prospects for a peaceful transfer of power” (17). Federalists considered subverting the election results to maintain power. After hearing this news, Democratic-Republicans contemplated using state militias to resist. This election nearly triggered a constitutional crisis.