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Paper Belt on Fire
by Michael Gibson • 2022
Progress died in the 1970s. A venture fund now bets on dropouts to revive it.
3.88
160
Paper Belt on Fire Summary
Paper Belt on Fire 87%
Progress died in the 1970s. A venture fund now bets on dropouts to revive it.
by Michael Gibson 2022
3.88
160 ratings
The Handover
by David Runciman • 2023
Three inhuman agents run the world: states, corporations, and now AI. We have to pick one.
3.71
234
The Handover Summary
The Handover 87%
Three inhuman agents run the world: states, corporations, and now AI. We have to pick one.
by David Runciman 2023
3.71
234 ratings
Why Nothing Works
by Marc J. Dunkelman • 2025
Progressivism has two souls: one builds, one stops. The stopper won, so nothing gets built.
3.79
1k+
Why Nothing Works Summary
Why Nothing Works 87%
Progressivism has two souls: one builds, one stops. The stopper won, so nothing gets built.
by Marc J. Dunkelman 2025
3.79
1k+ ratings
Political Order and Political Decay
by Francis Fukuyama • 2014
Build democracy before the state, and politics becomes clientelism, not good government.
4.34
5k+
Political Order and Political Decay Summary
Political Order and Political Decay 87%
Build democracy before the state, and politics becomes clientelism, not good government.
by Francis Fukuyama 2014
4.34
5k+ ratings
The Exponential Age
by Azeem Azhar • 2021
Tech accelerates exponentially; institutions crawl. The gap is reshaping wealth, work, and war.
3.98
1k+
The Exponential Age Summary
The Exponential Age 87%
Tech accelerates exponentially; institutions crawl. The gap is reshaping wealth, work, and war.
by Azeem Azhar 2021
3.98
1k+ ratings
The Tyranny of Metrics
by Jerry Z. Muller • 2017
The pursuit of measurable accountability is corrupting exactly the institutions it claims to fix.
3.69
2k+
The Tyranny of Metrics Summary
The Tyranny of Metrics 87%
The pursuit of measurable accountability is corrupting exactly the institutions it claims to fix.
by Jerry Z. Muller 2017
3.69
2k+ ratings
The Unaccountability Machine
by Dan Davies • 2024
Why nobody is responsible: the machinery that absorbs blame and starves institutions of feedback.
3.74
1k+
The Unaccountability Machine Summary
The Unaccountability Machine 87%
Why nobody is responsible: the machinery that absorbs blame and starves institutions of feedback.
by Dan Davies 2024
3.74
1k+ ratings
Legitimacy in Liberal Democracies
by Benjamin M. Studebaker • 2024
Democracies survive today not by solving problems but by multiplying stories about why they can't.
4.60
15
Legitimacy in Liberal Democracies Summary
Legitimacy in Liberal Democracies 87%
Democracies survive today not by solving problems but by multiplying stories about why they can't.
by Benjamin M. Studebaker 2024
4.60
15 ratings
The Rise and Decline of Nations
by Mancur Olson • 1982
Not lazy workers or bad policy: stable societies choke on accumulated interest groups.
3.96
534
The Rise and Decline of Nations Summary
The Rise and Decline of Nations 87%
Not lazy workers or bad policy: stable societies choke on accumulated interest groups.
by Mancur Olson 1982
3.96
534 ratings
The Clock Of The Long Now
by Stewart Brand • 1999
In an age of acceleration, the most subversive object is a clock that barely moves.
4.10
809
The Clock Of The Long Now Summary
The Clock Of The Long Now 87%
In an age of acceleration, the most subversive object is a clock that barely moves.
by Stewart Brand 1999
4.10
809 ratings
Social Theory and Social Structure
by Robert K. Merton • 1949
Why false beliefs become real, rules outlast their purpose, and satisfaction is always relative.
4.23
124
Social Theory and Social Structure Summary
Social Theory and Social Structure 87%
Why false beliefs become real, rules outlast their purpose, and satisfaction is always relative.
by Robert K. Merton 1949
4.23
124 ratings
Making Democracy Work
by Robert D. Putnam • 1992
When Italy gave its regions identical governments, only those with ancient civic roots succeeded.
3.87
868
Making Democracy Work Summary
Making Democracy Work 87%
When Italy gave its regions identical governments, only those with ancient civic roots succeeded.
by Robert D. Putnam 1992
3.87
868 ratings
Human Frontiers
by Michael Bhaskar • 2021
More money, more minds, more data than ever. So why have the big ideas dried up?
3.83
126
Human Frontiers Summary
Human Frontiers 87%
More money, more minds, more data than ever. So why have the big ideas dried up?
by Michael Bhaskar 2021
3.83
126 ratings
Life Without Lawyers
by Philip K. Howard • 2009
America didn't add too many laws. Law itself became the mindset, and common sense lost.
3.65
176
Life Without Lawyers Summary
Life Without Lawyers 87%
America didn't add too many laws. Law itself became the mindset, and common sense lost.
by Philip K. Howard 2009
3.65
176 ratings
Speed
by Vaclav Smil • 2025
From geological drift to digital overdrive: how speed explains everything, and why it's breaking us.
3.31
29
Speed Summary
Speed 87%
From geological drift to digital overdrive: how speed explains everything, and why it's breaking us.
by Vaclav Smil 2025
3.31
29 ratings
It's Even Worse Than It Looks
by Thomas E. Mann • 2012
The debt ceiling as hostage, the filibuster as permanent veto: how one party broke democracy.
3.89
4k+
It's Even Worse Than It Looks Summary
It's Even Worse Than It Looks 87%
The debt ceiling as hostage, the filibuster as permanent veto: how one party broke democracy.
by Thomas E. Mann 2012
3.89
4k+ ratings
Recoding America
by Jennifer Pahlka • 2023
Government's tech catastrophes share one cause: it treats code as a purchase, never a practice.
4.37
3k+
Recoding America Summary
Recoding America 87%
Government's tech catastrophes share one cause: it treats code as a purchase, never a practice.
by Jennifer Pahlka 2023
4.37
3k+ ratings
How China Escaped the Poverty Trap
by Yuen Yuen Ang • 2016
China grew rich using the very governance flaws that experts said would doom it.
4.30
410
How China Escaped the Poverty Trap Summary
How China Escaped the Poverty Trap 87%
China grew rich using the very governance flaws that experts said would doom it.
by Yuen Yuen Ang 2016
4.30
410 ratings
Whatever Happened to the Metric System?
by John Bemelmans Marciano • 2013
A tale of revolutions, divine measures, and why a global standard stopped at America's shores.
3.62
321
Whatever Happened to the Metric System? Summary
Whatever Happened to the Metric System? 87%
A tale of revolutions, divine measures, and why a global standard stopped at America's shores.
by John Bemelmans Marciano 2013
3.62
321 ratings
Revolutionary Wealth
by Alvin Toffler • 2006
New wealth is not made of things but of ideas and invisible contributions the market ignores.
3.88
668
Revolutionary Wealth Summary
Revolutionary Wealth 87%
New wealth is not made of things but of ideas and invisible contributions the market ignores.
by Alvin Toffler 2006
3.88
668 ratings
Demosclerosis
by Jonathan Rauch • 1994
Small groups outmaneuver large publics. The cost: a government that gets busier while doing less.
4.10
29
Demosclerosis Summary
Demosclerosis 87%
Small groups outmaneuver large publics. The cost: a government that gets busier while doing less.
by Jonathan Rauch 1994
4.10
29 ratings
Fragmented Democracy
by Jamila Michener • 2018
Your zip code decides your Medicaid benefits. It also decides whether you bother with politics.
4.23
120
Fragmented Democracy Summary
Fragmented Democracy 87%
Your zip code decides your Medicaid benefits. It also decides whether you bother with politics.
by Jamila Michener 2018
4.23
120 ratings
Exit, Voice, and Loyalty
by Albert O. Hirschman • 1970
Organizations fail because those who care most leave first, silencing the pressure for change.
4.11
1k+
Exit, Voice, and Loyalty Summary
Exit, Voice, and Loyalty 87%
Organizations fail because those who care most leave first, silencing the pressure for change.
by Albert O. Hirschman 1970
4.11
1k+ ratings
Systems Thinking in the Public Sector
by John Seddon • 2008
Why targets, inspections, and outsourcing make government worse, and how to actually fix it.
3.94
102
Systems Thinking in the Public Sector Summary
Systems Thinking in the Public Sector 87%
Why targets, inspections, and outsourcing make government worse, and how to actually fix it.
by John Seddon 2008
3.94
102 ratings
Building a New American State
by Stephen Skowronek • 1982
Before the New Deal, there was the Progressive Era: how America built its administrative state.
3.75
57
Building a New American State Summary
Building a New American State 87%
Before the New Deal, there was the Progressive Era: how America built its administrative state.
by Stephen Skowronek 1982
3.75
57 ratings
Kill Switch
by Adam Jentleson • 2021
The filibuster was born to protect slavery, not debate. That sin still decides who governs.
4.24
3k+
Kill Switch Summary
Kill Switch 87%
The filibuster was born to protect slavery, not debate. That sin still decides who governs.
by Adam Jentleson 2021
4.24
3k+ ratings
Capitalist Realism
by Mark Fisher • 2009
Capitalism won by making its alternatives unthinkable, and its dysfunctions feel like facts of life.
4.21
41k+
Capitalist Realism Summary
Capitalist Realism 86%
Capitalism won by making its alternatives unthinkable, and its dysfunctions feel like facts of life.
by Mark Fisher 2009
4.21
41k+ ratings
Power to the Public
by Tara Dawson McGuinness • 2021
Government services fail because they skip users. The fix: design with people, real data, iterate.
3.98
320
Power to the Public Summary
Power to the Public 86%
Government services fail because they skip users. The fix: design with people, real data, iterate.
by Tara Dawson McGuinness 2021
3.98
320 ratings
Relic
by William G. Howell • 2016
Built for a small farm nation, the Constitution cannot equip a superpower. One reform can.
3.41
101
Relic Summary
Relic 86%
Built for a small farm nation, the Constitution cannot equip a superpower. One reform can.
by William G. Howell 2016
3.41
101 ratings
The Audit Society
by Michael Power • 1997
A critique of auditing: how it undermines the very trust and performance it seeks to secure.
3.92
36
The Audit Society Summary
The Audit Society 86%
A critique of auditing: how it undermines the very trust and performance it seeks to secure.
by Michael Power 1997
3.92
36 ratings
Invention and Innovation
by Vaclav Smil • 2023
Moore's Law is an outlier. Everywhere else, innovation crawls, stumbles, or backfires.
3.84
1k+
Invention and Innovation Summary
Invention and Innovation 86%
Moore's Law is an outlier. Everywhere else, innovation crawls, stumbles, or backfires.
by Vaclav Smil 2023
3.84
1k+ ratings
The End of Power
by Moisés Naím • 2013
Power is crumbling everywhere at once. The three hidden forces dismantling every hierarchy.
3.63
4k+
The End of Power Summary
The End of Power 86%
Power is crumbling everywhere at once. The three hidden forces dismantling every hierarchy.
by Moisés Naím 2013
3.63
4k+ ratings
Ungoverning
by Nancy L. Rosenblum • 2024
Shrinking government is one thing. Breaking it on purpose is another.
3.79
90
Ungoverning Summary
Ungoverning 86%
Shrinking government is one thing. Breaking it on purpose is another.
by Nancy L. Rosenblum 2024
3.79
90 ratings
The Innovator's Dilemma
by Clayton M. Christensen • 1997
Good management blinds firms to the cheaper, simpler technologies that eventually replace them.
4.04
61k+
The Innovator's Dilemma Summary
The Innovator's Dilemma 86%
Good management blinds firms to the cheaper, simpler technologies that eventually replace them.
by Clayton M. Christensen 1997
4.04
61k+ ratings
Bring Back the Bureaucrats
by John DiIulio • 2014
Government grew. Bureaucracy didn't. The case for hiring federal workers to make it smaller.
3.22
32
Bring Back the Bureaucrats Summary
Bring Back the Bureaucrats 86%
Government grew. Bureaucracy didn't. The case for hiring federal workers to make it smaller.
by John DiIulio 2014
3.22
32 ratings
The Ministry of Common Sense
by Martin Lindstrom • 2020
Bureaucracy killed common sense. The companies that fought back built a department to revive it.
3.63
456
The Ministry of Common Sense Summary
The Ministry of Common Sense 86%
Bureaucracy killed common sense. The companies that fought back built a department to revive it.
by Martin Lindstrom 2020
3.63
456 ratings
The Sovereign State and Its Competitors
by Hendrik Spruyt • 1994
The sovereign state won not by conquest but by keeping promises and enforcing uniform rules.
4.03
124
The Sovereign State and Its Competitors Summary
The Sovereign State and Its Competitors 86%
The sovereign state won not by conquest but by keeping promises and enforcing uniform rules.
by Hendrik Spruyt 1994
4.03
124 ratings
Diffusion of Innovations
by Everett M. Rogers • 1982
Better ideas don't always win. The social networks around an innovation decide what spreads.
4.10
2k+
Diffusion of Innovations Summary
Diffusion of Innovations 86%
Better ideas don't always win. The social networks around an innovation decide what spreads.
by Everett M. Rogers 1982
4.10
2k+ ratings
The Glass Bead Game
by Hermann Hesse • 1943
Online learning and rising costs disrupt the university model, forcing a choice: reform or decline.
4.10
43k+
The Glass Bead Game Summary
The Glass Bead Game 86%
Online learning and rising costs disrupt the university model, forcing a choice: reform or decline.
by Hermann Hesse 1943
4.10
43k+ ratings
An Introduction to the Policy Process
by Thomas A. Birkland • 2001
Policy fails less from bad ideas than from the battles over attention, framing, and implementation.
3.58
288
An Introduction to the Policy Process Summary
An Introduction to the Policy Process 86%
Policy fails less from bad ideas than from the battles over attention, framing, and implementation.
by Thomas A. Birkland 2001
3.58
288 ratings
Rethinking Capitalism
by Michael Jacobs • 2016
The state built the internet, not the invisible hand. A blueprint for a greener, fairer capitalism.
4.01
121
Rethinking Capitalism Summary
Rethinking Capitalism 86%
The state built the internet, not the invisible hand. A blueprint for a greener, fairer capitalism.
by Michael Jacobs 2016
4.01
121 ratings
Optimal Illusions
by Coco Krumme • 2023
Optimization promised perfection. It delivered fragile systems and hollowed communities.
3.00
238
Optimal Illusions Summary
Optimal Illusions 86%
Optimization promised perfection. It delivered fragile systems and hollowed communities.
by Coco Krumme 2023
3.00
238 ratings
The Fourth Turning Is Here
by Neil Howe • 2023
An 80-year cycle pushes America toward a 2030 crisis. The last two ended in total war.
3.93
3k+
The Fourth Turning Is Here Summary
The Fourth Turning Is Here 86%
An 80-year cycle pushes America toward a 2030 crisis. The last two ended in total war.
by Neil Howe 2023
3.93
3k+ ratings
Diversity and Complexity
by Scott E. Page • 2010
Diversity isn't a slogan: it's a measurable property with predictable benefits and knowable limits.
4.12
207
Diversity and Complexity Summary
Diversity and Complexity 86%
Diversity isn't a slogan: it's a measurable property with predictable benefits and knowable limits.
by Scott E. Page 2010
4.12
207 ratings
The Rise of the Western World
by Douglass C. North • 1973
The West did not rise because of technology. It rose because of property rights.
3.85
171
The Rise of the Western World Summary
The Rise of the Western World 86%
The West did not rise because of technology. It rose because of property rights.
by Douglass C. North 1973
3.85
171 ratings
The Power and Independence of the Federal Reserve
by Peter Conti-Brown • 2016
The Fed wasn't born independent: three political remakings built it, each driven by personality.
4.21
137
The Power and Independence of the Federal Reserve Summary
The Power and Independence of the Federal Reserve 86%
The Fed wasn't born independent: three political remakings built it, each driven by personality.
by Peter Conti-Brown 2016
4.21
137 ratings
The Great Acceleration
by Robert Colvile • 2016
Why everything from politics to dinner is getting faster, and why the middle ground is disappearing.
3.56
165
The Great Acceleration Summary
The Great Acceleration 86%
Why everything from politics to dinner is getting faster, and why the middle ground is disappearing.
by Robert Colvile 2016
3.56
165 ratings
New Power
by Jeremy Heimans • 2018
Power spreads through networks, not hierarchies. The blueprint for ideas the crowd will carry.
3.81
2k+
New Power Summary
New Power 86%
Power spreads through networks, not hierarchies. The blueprint for ideas the crowd will carry.
by Jeremy Heimans 2018
3.81
2k+ ratings
When the Money Runs Out
by Stephen D. King • 2013
Western prosperity was a loan, not a promise. The stagnation now is structural, not a phase.
3.63
206
When the Money Runs Out Summary
When the Money Runs Out 86%
Western prosperity was a loan, not a promise. The stagnation now is structural, not a phase.
by Stephen D. King 2013
3.63
206 ratings
The Living Company
by Arie de Geus • 1997
Average company lifespan: 12.5 years. The 700-year survivors share instincts most managers suppress.
4.11
264
The Living Company Summary
The Living Company 86%
Average company lifespan: 12.5 years. The 700-year survivors share instincts most managers suppress.
by Arie de Geus 1997
4.11
264 ratings
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