LAUNCH DAY: "Saving Democracy," 2nd Edition

Updated for Trump's Second Term

"David Pepper has the experience and the skills to help us make a better American future. Read, learn — and act."

- Tim Snyder, On Tyranny

“In Saving Democracy, David Pepper explains the tactics of authoritarians in America and offers strategies to fight back. For anyone who wants to know what to do and how to make a difference, this book provides a practical and badly needed road map.”

- Anne Applebaum, Autocracy, Inc.

Friends-

In recent months, I’ve been working hard to update my most recent book (from 2023): “Saving Democracy: A User’s Manual.”

So TODAY is the launch of the Second Edition, written to account for all the additional challenges we face in Trump’s second term, while reemphasizing the key themes of “Laboratories of Autocracy” and the first edition.

History instructs us that the actions we take in the coming months will determine the state of American governance and democracy for decades to come. Even lifetimes. And as dark as the moment may feel, there are also opportunities to seize if we are wise, fierce and persistent.

So the heart of the book is a call to action…to shoulder the unique responsibility that falls on our shoulders, to adjust our strategies and tactics, and to seize those opportunities.

And as we watch in horror the multi-pronged attack on our democracy and the rule of law (including the nightmares of recent weeks), it outlines the practical steps we can all take to turn things around—from building ever larger protests, to standing up bullies at every turn, to recruiting and supporting candidates to run everywhere, to more effective messaging, to grasping low hanging fruit that can deliver victories in the short and long term.

Then it provides examples and resources that allow every reader or activist group to get started, or build on what you’re already doing.

The book will be available in the traditional way:

1. you can buy a hard copy or e-book online at Amazon or Barnes and Noble.

2. many libraries carry them—and if yours doesn’t, you can request it

3. same with bookstores, particularly independent stores—and if yours doesn’t, you can request it

But I will also offer the book, through regular posts of chapters, to my paying subscribers on Substack.

Also, as I’ve done with many in the past, I’m happy to join Zoom calls, in-person meetings, or dinners to talk about the book and its key lessons with groups, parties, and books clubs. Just reply to this email and we can set it up.

OK, that’s enough build-up. Here we go with the Introduction, which seems especially pertinent this week….

Introduction

“Hi, David—”

A week after the November 2024 election, an email arrived in my inbox from a friend. This friend also happens to be an expert in democracy and the rule of law, in the United States and globally, which is why the sentences that followed so jarred me:

“I am in a state of deep sadness--but more than that, fear. I think the [T]rump guys are totalitarians--even madmen. I have never felt anything like this before. It’s like the end of the world as we have known it.

I have always been in favor of tough disqualification rules, so that democracy would never put a fascist like this on the ballot. But with the addition of the tech billionaires to the “coalition”, everything is different, and worse.

I am shocked that Dems seem to be all about “moving on”, but I don’t see the future. I am terrified.

I think they want us to die--I mean, how else to understand RFK Jr having any role?

And why do we think they will allow future elections? Elon Musk is showing contempt for any notion of separation of powers... Nothing makes any sense....

Tell me, are you frightened? I am trying to find a reason to feel safe or protected, but this feels more like a war than an election.

All my best to you and thanks for everything you tried to do.”

I wrote a short email back to be responsive, but then I ruminated on her words for several more days. Her anguish and fear were owed a more full and thoughtful response. Not just to assure her individually. But because she had captured what many others were feeling.

Heck, she’d captured some of what I’d been feeling in the weeks since Trump’s November 5 victory. For even my own sake, I wanted to craft a worthy response. (Writing is often where I think my way through an issue or challenge).

After days of stewing—including several airplane rides—I wrote her back. What follows is a slightly modified version of how I responded:

“Thank you for writing. I’ve talked to so many who feel the same way.

I too am fearful of all that you describe. Trump himself. All the promises he and the far right have made, and which they will move quickly to implement. Those he’s now surrounding himself with: Musk, RFK, Gabbard and so many others. And those who will go along with it all—trading our country’s security and well-being for their own greed, ambition and/or sense of security.

There are so many risks to our nation, the democracy we’ve known, our communities and the lives of countless Americans. The entire planet will pay a price for these policies.

So we should all worry. And be disturbed. And like you, see as clear-eyed as we can—and prepare for—the worst possibilities of what is coming. History instructs us that it only places us more at risk if we deny to ourselves that the worst of them can happen.

So, as you say, there’s no “moving on” from that reality, or putting our head in the sand.

We must see it, and confront it.

BUT with all that said, the one word that describes my current mood is:

Resolute.

Why?

FIRST—HISTORY

Because I know that people in this country have overcome worse than what we must overcome now. It’s the part of our history that is often the first to be censored, but groups of Americans have overcome far worse than this.

To me, that’s actually the most heroic part of our nation’s history….