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Popular Dictatorships
by Aleksandar Matovski • 2022
The ballot box is not a check on authoritarianism but its most powerful source of legitimacy.
3.56
16
Popular Dictatorships Summary
Popular Dictatorships 92%
The ballot box is not a check on authoritarianism but its most powerful source of legitimacy.
by Aleksandar Matovski 2022
3.56
16 ratings
Autocracy, Inc.
by Anne Applebaum • 2024
A global network of dictators runs autocracies like for-profit firms. Democracies bankroll them.
4.16
19k+
Autocracy, Inc. Summary
Autocracy, Inc. 91%
A global network of dictators runs autocracies like for-profit firms. Democracies bankroll them.
by Anne Applebaum 2024
4.16
19k+ ratings
Spin Dictators
by Sergei Guriev • 2022
Modern autocrats rule by deception, not terror. How they fake democracy and hide the violence.
3.94
1k+
Spin Dictators Summary
Spin Dictators 91%
Modern autocrats rule by deception, not terror. How they fake democracy and hide the violence.
by Sergei Guriev 2022
3.94
1k+ ratings
Tyranny of the Minority
by Steven Levitsky • 2023
The party fewer voters chose governs, and the rulebook was written to let them.
4.39
4k+
Tyranny of the Minority Summary
Tyranny of the Minority 91%
The party fewer voters chose governs, and the rulebook was written to let them.
by Steven Levitsky 2023
4.39
4k+ ratings
What Is Populism?
by Jan-Werner Müller • 2014
Forget anti-elite anger. Populism's core is the claim that opponents are not the real people.
3.82
3k+
What Is Populism? Summary
What Is Populism? 91%
Forget anti-elite anger. Populism's core is the claim that opponents are not the real people.
by Jan-Werner Müller 2014
3.82
3k+ ratings
The Last American President
by Thom Hartmann • 2025
Billionaire money, racial grievance, cruel politics: how the GOP became an authoritarian machine.
4.48
321
The Last American President Summary
The Last American President 91%
Billionaire money, racial grievance, cruel politics: how the GOP became an authoritarian machine.
by Thom Hartmann 2025
4.48
321 ratings
Ill Winds
by Larry Diamond • 2019
Democracy is being dismantled not by tanks but through courts, captured media, and laundered money.
3.99
274
Ill Winds Summary
Ill Winds 91%
Democracy is being dismantled not by tanks but through courts, captured media, and laundered money.
by Larry Diamond 2019
3.99
274 ratings
Electoral Systems and Party Systems
by Arend Lijphart • 1994
Across twenty-seven democracies, one design rule predicts electoral fairness best.
3.35
37
Electoral Systems and Party Systems Summary
Electoral Systems and Party Systems 91%
Across twenty-seven democracies, one design rule predicts electoral fairness best.
by Arend Lijphart 1994
3.35
37 ratings
The Reactionary Spirit
by Zack Beauchamp • 2024
The urge to defend hierarchy dismantles democracy from within. Four nations reveal the pattern.
4.01
166
The Reactionary Spirit Summary
The Reactionary Spirit 91%
The urge to defend hierarchy dismantles democracy from within. Four nations reveal the pattern.
by Zack Beauchamp 2024
4.01
166 ratings
Fascism
by Madeleine K. Albright • 2018
Democracies are dismantled one law at a time. The 1930s playbook is back.
4.25
21k+
Fascism Summary
Fascism 91%
Democracies are dismantled one law at a time. The 1930s playbook is back.
by Madeleine K. Albright 2018
4.25
21k+ ratings
How Democratic Is the American Constitution?
by Robert A. Dahl • 2001
No other advanced democracy ever copied our Constitution. What they all saw that we do not.
3.69
760
How Democratic Is the American Constitution? Summary
How Democratic Is the American Constitution? 91%
No other advanced democracy ever copied our Constitution. What they all saw that we do not.
by Robert A. Dahl 2001
3.69
760 ratings
American Political Parties and Elections
by L. Sandy Maisel • 2016
Why your vote matters less than your zip code: the institutional rules that run American elections.
3.39
322
American Political Parties and Elections Summary
American Political Parties and Elections 90%
Why your vote matters less than your zip code: the institutional rules that run American elections.
by L. Sandy Maisel 2016
3.39
322 ratings
Laboratories of Autocracy
by David Pepper • 2021
How statehouses became the most dangerous threat to American democracy, and why nobody noticed.
4.48
338
Laboratories of Autocracy Summary
Laboratories of Autocracy 90%
How statehouses became the most dangerous threat to American democracy, and why nobody noticed.
by David Pepper 2021
4.48
338 ratings
Strongmen
by Ruth Ben-Ghiat • 2020
Authoritarians from Mussolini to Trump run the same playbook. A century of evidence shows how.
4.27
5k+
Strongmen Summary
Strongmen 90%
Authoritarians from Mussolini to Trump run the same playbook. A century of evidence shows how.
by Ruth Ben-Ghiat 2020
4.27
5k+ ratings
The Age of the Strongman
by Gideon Rachman • 2022
From Putin to Trump, Modi to Bolsonaro: how one authoritarian style took over global politics.
4.05
1k+
The Age of the Strongman Summary
The Age of the Strongman 90%
From Putin to Trump, Modi to Bolsonaro: how one authoritarian style took over global politics.
by Gideon Rachman 2022
4.05
1k+ ratings
Breaking the Two-Party Doom Loop
by Lee Drutman • 2020
The two-party system is a democratic death trap. The only way out is to add more parties.
4.15
450
Breaking the Two-Party Doom Loop Summary
Breaking the Two-Party Doom Loop 90%
The two-party system is a democratic death trap. The only way out is to add more parties.
by Lee Drutman 2020
4.15
450 ratings
The Future of Freedom
by Fareed Zakaria • 2003
Democracy without courts, rights, and restraints is just a machine for producing elected strongmen.
4.02
4k+
The Future of Freedom Summary
The Future of Freedom 90%
Democracy without courts, rights, and restraints is just a machine for producing elected strongmen.
by Fareed Zakaria 2003
4.02
4k+ ratings
Giving Up Is Unforgivable
by Joyce Vance • 2025
Spotting the slow dismantling of democracy, and the citizen playbook for stopping it.
4.28
2k+
Giving Up Is Unforgivable Summary
Giving Up Is Unforgivable 90%
Spotting the slow dismantling of democracy, and the citizen playbook for stopping it.
by Joyce Vance 2025
4.28
2k+ ratings
The Logic of Political Survival
by Bruce Bueno de Mesquita • 2003
Why democracies build roads and dictatorships build patronage: the math of political survival.
3.98
162
The Logic of Political Survival Summary
The Logic of Political Survival 90%
Why democracies build roads and dictatorships build patronage: the math of political survival.
by Bruce Bueno de Mesquita 2003
3.98
162 ratings
Vote for US
by Joshua A. Douglas • 2019
How to fix American elections from the ground up, with reforms that are already winning.
4.17
65
Vote for US Summary
Vote for US 90%
How to fix American elections from the ground up, with reforms that are already winning.
by Joshua A. Douglas 2019
4.17
65 ratings
How Democracies Die
by Steven Levitsky • 2018
Coups are relics. The new authoritarian wins the election first, then slowly silences the referees.
4.16
33k+
How Democracies Die Summary
How Democracies Die 90%
Coups are relics. The new authoritarian wins the election first, then slowly silences the referees.
by Steven Levitsky 2018
4.16
33k+ ratings
Why Cities Lose
by Jonathan A. Rodden • 2019
The left's real problem isn't gerrymandering: its voters are packed into cities.
3.78
252
Why Cities Lose Summary
Why Cities Lose 90%
The left's real problem isn't gerrymandering: its voters are packed into cities.
by Jonathan A. Rodden 2019
3.78
252 ratings
Democracy in America?
by Benjamin I. Page • 2017
What most Americans want passes one time in three. The explanation isn't gridlock. It's wealth.
3.78
54
Democracy in America? Summary
Democracy in America? 90%
What most Americans want passes one time in three. The explanation isn't gridlock. It's wealth.
by Benjamin I. Page 2017
3.78
54 ratings
Democracy for Realists
by Christopher H. Achen • 2016
Voters punish presidents for shark attacks, vote their tribe, and ignore policy.
3.98
1k+
Democracy for Realists Summary
Democracy for Realists 90%
Voters punish presidents for shark attacks, vote their tribe, and ignore policy.
by Christopher H. Achen 2016
3.98
1k+ ratings
RIP GOP
by Stanley B. Greenberg • 2019
The GOP staked its future on an America that no longer exists. The numbers that prove it.
3.69
113
RIP GOP Summary
RIP GOP 90%
The GOP staked its future on an America that no longer exists. The numbers that prove it.
by Stanley B. Greenberg 2019
3.69
113 ratings
Trumpocracy
by David Frum • 2018
American democracy didn't fall; it was hollowed out by lies and a party that looked away.
3.88
4k+
Trumpocracy Summary
Trumpocracy 90%
American democracy didn't fall; it was hollowed out by lies and a party that looked away.
by David Frum 2018
3.88
4k+ ratings
After the Fall
by Ben Rhodes • 2022
America's post-Cold War mistakes taught the world's authoritarians how to dismantle democracy.
4.15
157
After the Fall Summary
After the Fall 90%
America's post-Cold War mistakes taught the world's authoritarians how to dismantle democracy.
by Ben Rhodes 2022
4.15
157 ratings
The Road to Unfreedom
by Timothy Snyder • 2018
The 2016 election was the target of a Russian authoritarian project decades in the making.
4.37
11k+
The Road to Unfreedom Summary
The Road to Unfreedom 90%
The 2016 election was the target of a Russian authoritarian project decades in the making.
by Timothy Snyder 2018
4.37
11k+ ratings
The Right To Vote The Contested History Of Democracy In The United States
by Alexander Keyssar • 2000
Voting rights advanced, then retreated. Each expansion triggered backlash, and the cycle continues.
4.04
301
The Right To Vote The Contested History Of Democracy In The United States Summary
The Right To Vote The Contested History Of Democracy In The United States 90%
Voting rights advanced, then retreated. Each expansion triggered backlash, and the cycle continues.
by Alexander Keyssar 2000
4.04
301 ratings
White Rural Rage
by Tom Schaller • 2025
The biggest threat to American democracy holds the most political power: rural white voters.
3.62
26
White Rural Rage Summary
White Rural Rage 90%
The biggest threat to American democracy holds the most political power: rural white voters.
by Tom Schaller 2025
3.62
26 ratings
The Dictator's Handbook
by Bruce Bueno de Mesquita • 2011
All politics comes down to one number: how many backers a leader must satisfy to survive.
4.25
11k+
The Dictator's Handbook Summary
The Dictator's Handbook 90%
All politics comes down to one number: how many backers a leader must satisfy to survive.
by Bruce Bueno de Mesquita 2011
4.25
11k+ ratings
Democracy Rules
by Jan-Werner Müller • 2021
Losing is the skill democracy forgot, and without institutions to structure conflict, it unravels.
3.46
168
Democracy Rules Summary
Democracy Rules 90%
Losing is the skill democracy forgot, and without institutions to structure conflict, it unravels.
by Jan-Werner Müller 2021
3.46
168 ratings
The Bitter End
by John Sides • 2022
A rigid electorate walked the country into an insurrection. Here is why.
3.83
129
The Bitter End Summary
The Bitter End 90%
A rigid electorate walked the country into an insurrection. Here is why.
by John Sides 2022
3.83
129 ratings
Chaotic Neutral
by Ed Burmila • 2022
Democrats swapped the working class for Wall Street. The collapse started with Bill Clinton.
4.43
194
Chaotic Neutral Summary
Chaotic Neutral 90%
Democrats swapped the working class for Wall Street. The collapse started with Bill Clinton.
by Ed Burmila 2022
4.43
194 ratings
How to Stand Up to a Dictator
by Maria Ressa • 2022
How to fight back when your government weaponizes social media, from the journalist who lived it.
4.36
7k+
How to Stand Up to a Dictator Summary
How to Stand Up to a Dictator 90%
How to fight back when your government weaponizes social media, from the journalist who lived it.
by Maria Ressa 2022
4.36
7k+ ratings
The Red Web
by Andrei Soldatov • 2015
The Soviet Union fell but its surveillance state survived, rewired for the internet age.
3.95
700
The Red Web Summary
The Red Web 90%
The Soviet Union fell but its surveillance state survived, rewired for the internet age.
by Andrei Soldatov 2015
3.95
700 ratings
How Tyrants Fall
by Marcel Dirsus • 2024
The trap of power: why most dictators meet exile, prison, or a violent end.
3.92
804
How Tyrants Fall Summary
How Tyrants Fall 90%
The trap of power: why most dictators meet exile, prison, or a violent end.
by Marcel Dirsus 2024
3.92
804 ratings
One Person, No Vote
by Carol Anderson • 2018
Voter suppression survived the Voting Rights Act: quieter, more surgical, and decisive in 2016.
4.38
3k+
One Person, No Vote Summary
One Person, No Vote 90%
Voter suppression survived the Voting Rights Act: quieter, more surgical, and decisive in 2016.
by Carol Anderson 2018
4.38
3k+ ratings
Paths Out of Dixie
by Robert Mickey • 2015
The Jim Crow South was authoritarian, not democratic. It fell along three distinct paths.
4.36
39
Paths Out of Dixie Summary
Paths Out of Dixie 90%
The Jim Crow South was authoritarian, not democratic. It fell along three distinct paths.
by Robert Mickey 2015
4.36
39 ratings
On Tyranny
by Timothy Snyder • 2017
What ordinary citizens did wrong last century, and what you can do right this one.
4.29
112k+
On Tyranny Summary
On Tyranny 89%
What ordinary citizens did wrong last century, and what you can do right this one.
by Timothy Snyder 2017
4.29
112k+ ratings
Fascism or Genocide
by Ross Barkan • 2025
Progressives collapsed, Trump conquered, Democrats learned nothing. A decade of failure dissected.
3.31
58
Fascism or Genocide Summary
Fascism or Genocide 89%
Progressives collapsed, Trump conquered, Democrats learned nothing. A decade of failure dissected.
by Ross Barkan 2025
3.31
58 ratings
The Revolt of the Public and the Crisis of Authority
by Martin Gurri • 2014
The digital revolution gave the public the power to destroy institutions but not to replace them.
4.19
2k+
The Revolt of the Public and the Crisis of Authority Summary
The Revolt of the Public and the Crisis of Authority 89%
The digital revolution gave the public the power to destroy institutions but not to replace them.
by Martin Gurri 2014
4.19
2k+ ratings
The Decline of Popular Politics
by Michael E. McGerr • 1986
The loud, communal democracy that drew 83% turnout was killed by reformers, not apathy.
3.41
17
The Decline of Popular Politics Summary
The Decline of Popular Politics 89%
The loud, communal democracy that drew 83% turnout was killed by reformers, not apathy.
by Michael E. McGerr 1986
3.41
17 ratings
The Little Book of Campaign Etiquette
by Stephen Hess • 1998
The unwritten rules campaigns and journalists keep breaking, and the case for writing them down.
1.00
1
The Little Book of Campaign Etiquette Summary
The Little Book of Campaign Etiquette 89%
The unwritten rules campaigns and journalists keep breaking, and the case for writing them down.
by Stephen Hess 1998
1.00
1 ratings
The Court v. The Voters
by Joshua A. Douglas • 2024
We trust the Court to protect voting rights. Fifty years of rulings tell a different story.
4.46
46
The Court v. The Voters Summary
The Court v. The Voters 89%
We trust the Court to protect voting rights. Fifty years of rulings tell a different story.
by Joshua A. Douglas 2024
4.46
46 ratings
The Politics Industry
by Katherine M. Gehl • 2020
Two parties rigged the political market. One election redesign can open it.
4.30
706
The Politics Industry Summary
The Politics Industry 89%
Two parties rigged the political market. One election redesign can open it.
by Katherine M. Gehl 2020
4.30
706 ratings
The Case Against Socialism
by Rand Paul • 2019
Why socialism always ends in bread lines and body counts, from Venezuela to Mao's China.
4.18
1k+
The Case Against Socialism Summary
The Case Against Socialism 89%
Why socialism always ends in bread lines and body counts, from Venezuela to Mao's China.
by Rand Paul 2019
4.18
1k+ ratings
Aesthetic Theory
by Theodor W. Adorno • 1970
Free isn't removed walls; it's a body, a fact, a road, and solidarity.
4.14
3k+
Aesthetic Theory Summary
Aesthetic Theory 89%
Free isn't removed walls; it's a body, a fact, a road, and solidarity.
by Theodor W. Adorno 1970
4.14
3k+ ratings
Does American Democracy Still Work?
by Alan Wolfe • 2006
American democracy has morphed into a form that is democratic on paper but illiberal in practice.
3.57
21
Does American Democracy Still Work? Summary
Does American Democracy Still Work? 89%
American democracy has morphed into a form that is democratic on paper but illiberal in practice.
by Alan Wolfe 2006
3.57
21 ratings
No Democracy Lasts Forever
by Erwin Chemerinsky • 2024
The document Americans revere was built to thwart popular rule. Now it is breaking the country.
3.93
337
No Democracy Lasts Forever Summary
No Democracy Lasts Forever 89%
The document Americans revere was built to thwart popular rule. Now it is breaking the country.
by Erwin Chemerinsky 2024
3.93
337 ratings
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