American political scientist Steven Levitsky was with the president on Wednesday (13.ago)
The President (PT) received, at the Planalto Palace, on Wednesday (14.ago.2025), the visit of the American political scientist, professor at Harvard University and author of the book “How democracies die ”work that became a world reference in the debate on threats to democratic regimes.
During the meeting, Lula praised the work of the academic and highlighted the relevance of his reflections in the current political moment of the country. In a publication in the X, the president said that, “At times when extremism tries to subvert the basic principles of Brazilian society, including popular vote, it is always important to hear voices that defend democracy”.
Lula recalled the episodes that marked the recent institutional crisis: “We live an attempt to blow. Plans to assassinate authorities and maintain a political group in power that has lost the presidential elections. All of this culminated on January 8, 2023, which was marked by the trail of destruction in the headquarters of the three powers”.
Throughout the day, in Brasilia, Levitsky gave a magna class organized by the International Relations Course of IDP (Brazilian Institute of Teaching, Development and Research) and the National School of Judiciary. The lecture had as its theme “How can democracies respond to authoritarian threats? Comparing Brazil and the United StatesAnd addressed parallels and differences between the crises experienced in both countries.
Then the political scientist with the president of the Supreme Court (STF), Luis Roberto Barroso, and the ministers of the court Gilmar Mendes, Edson Fachin and Cristiano Zanin. They discussed the importance of institutions in defending democracy.
Levitsky also visited the office of Supreme Minister Alexandre de Moraes, where there was a change of books and conversations about the Democratic Rule of Law.
Professor of Latin American Studies and Harvard Government, Levitsky runs David Rockefeller Center for Latin American Studies, is a senior researcher at Kettering Foundation and Council on Foreign Relations. Research topics such as democratization, authoritarianism, political parties and fragile institutions in Latin America.
Levitsky was last year in São Paulo. At an event of celebration of the 20th anniversary of (Fernando Henrique Cardoso), he quoted the US elections and said that society was not aware of the risk to democracy for the return of Donald Trump (Republican Party) to the White House.
