How Books Can Save Democracy – Book Review



"How Books Can Save Democracy," by Michael Fischer


June 12, 2026 
By Jan Servaes

It is well known that American democracy is in crisis. American society is more polarized than ever before. “We are being strategically driven apart by disinformation – the deliberate spreading of lies disguised as truth,” argues Barbara McQuade, a professor at the University of Michigan School of Law, in her New York Times bestseller “Attack from Within: How Disinformation is Sabotaging America.”

In ‘How Books Can Save Democracy,’ Michael Fischer, the Janet S. Dicke Professor of Public Humanities at the English Department of Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas, argues that literature is an essential tool for restoring the relationships and mutual understanding necessary for functioning democracies.

By engaging in the reading, writing, and discussing of literature from diverse perspectives, we can discover how to embrace our differences rather than reject them. After all, reading different texts stimulates critical thinking and reflection on complex issues. This fosters the empathy, compromise, and spirit of cooperation necessary to maintain a democratic society.

How Democracies Die

Fischer begins his argument with a summary of the arguments developed by Harvard political scientists Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt, and already presented here and here.


The four main indicators, or ‘norms’ of authoritarian behavior, that Levitsky and Ziblatt outline in “How Democracies Die”, are (1) the rejection, in word or deed, of the democratic rules of the game, (2) the denial of the legitimacy of political opponents, (3) the toleration or encouragement of violence, and (4) the willingness to curtail the civil liberties of opponents, including the media.

How Literature Saves Democracy

Fischer then argues how literature, from classics to contemporary works, fosters nuanced thinking and the ability to find common ground despite our differences. Fischer explains how great literary works throughout history have analyzed and defended societal democratic challenges.

In doing so, he discusses the work of Anne Applebaum, Danielle Allen, Charles Dickens, Alexis de Tocqueville, Hannah Arendt, Philip Roth, Zadie Smith, Ezra Klein, Bishop Desmond Tutu, Nelson Mandela, Martha Nussbaum, and many others. For anyone concerned about polarization and the decline of democracy, he attempts to prove that reading, writing, and discussing compelling texts can be our most valuable and often overlooked democratic resource.

Fischer suggests that discussions about literature, not only in classroom settings or book clubs, but also more broadly within families and communities, can help address political disagreements.

Alternative methods to promote democratic values

As alternative methods to promote democratic values, he also considers, among other things, community involvement, citizenship education programs, and active participation in local government. These approaches contribute to a culture of democracy by encouraging citizens to be involved and informed about their rights and duties. In this way, literature offers a safe space for practicing disagreement and compromise.

According to him, these are some effective approaches:

Community involvement

Participation in local government: Encourage citizens to participate in meetings and decision-making processes of the local government.

Citizen initiatives: Support community-led projects that address local issues and promote cooperation among residents.

Citizen education programs

Workshops and seminars: Organize educational sessions that inform citizens about their rights, duties, and the importance of democracy.

School programs: Implement lesson programs in schools that teach students about democratic principles, civic duties, and the electoral process.

Active participation

Volunteering: Create opportunities for citizens to volunteer at civil society organizations, which can increase their understanding of democratic processes.

Public forums: Organize discussions and debates on current issues to foster dialogue and diverse viewpoints among community members.


However, Fischer remains realistic: “I am not saying that book clubs and literature classes will solve all our problems. I am saying they are valuable. They keep alive an experience of constructive discussion that is under siege elsewhere. I would go so far as to say that these discussions provide a lifeline to an alternative kind of community, a reminder of what we should expect in our workplaces, political culture, and other settings. Expanding that community will require hard, sustained work on many fronts. But institutional change and civic education can work hand in hand and reinforce each other. Reading, creating, and discussing works of literature should play a central role in that education. Learning to share the world with others, whether in a literature classroom, creative writing workshop, or reading group, can result in a cascade of goodwill carrying over into the rest of our lives. If hatred can gather momentum and spread, so can compassion and understanding. The future of our democracy depends on it.” (pp 66-67).
In short

This booklet argues that literature plays a crucial role in preserving and strengthening democratic values. The insights are particularly relevant for teachers and community leaders who wish to create a more engaged and understanding society. It is essential reading for teachers, community leaders, and anyone concerned about the future of (American) democracy.

Reference:Michael Fischer (2025), “How Books Can Save Democracy”, Trinity University Press, San Antonio, Texas, 84 pp., ISBN 978-1-59534-5


About Jan Servaes

Jan Servaes was UNESCO-Chair in Communication for Sustainable Social Change at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. He taught 'international communication' in Australia, Belgium, China, Hong Kong, the US, Netherlands and Thailand, in addition to short-term projects at about 120 universities in 55 countries. He is editor of the 2020 'Handbook on Communication for Development and Social Change', and 'SDG18. Communication for All' (2 volumes, 2023).

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