A mere two years after Donald Trump started his first term as president of the United States, authors Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt published a fascinating book, How Democracies Die.  Clearly concerned by the Trump Administration’s initial “baby steps” toward dismantling American democracy, the authors laid out an expansive case focused on how certain modern-day democracies have eventually failed and why there were warning signs about Donald Trump’s actions.  Reading the authors’ warnings today, one is shocked by the foresight of the book’s conclusions.

America is Israel’s closest and most important ally and I would argue Israelis and its governments, present and future, – while today benefitting greatly from the Trump Administration’s support – should be very worried about Trump’s continued attacks on American democracy.

This post is not merely a simple reminder that a 7-year-old book full of warnings was, in fact, spot on.  It’s also an appeal to examine the anti-democracy moves Trump has made.  It’s a plea to recognize a less democratic America is bad for Israel.

When it comes to Trump and Israel, two opposing conclusions can be true at the same time.  Trump can be great for Israel.  Trump can be terrible for Israel.  When it comes to whether Trump is guilty of trying to subvert American Democracy, there is only one answer.

Putting Trump to the “Subversion of American Democracy” Test

After offering “Four Key Indicators of Authoritarian Behavior, “ (pages 28-29), How Democracies Die offers 15 questions to help determine whether an individual or a group of individuals (Thus the term “they” in the questions below.) are attempting to weaken a country’s democracy.

Let’s ask those questions and see how Trump’s actions end up answering them.

Do they suggest a need for antidemocratic measures, such as........

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