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SoBrief
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Paint Your Town Red
by Matthew Brown • 2021
38 million to 111 million: the spending shift that rebuilt a town.
3.71
173
Paint Your Town Red Summary
Paint Your Town Red 91%
38 million to 111 million: the spending shift that rebuilt a town.
by Matthew Brown 2021
3.71
173 ratings
Two Cheers for Anarchism
by James C. Scott • 2012
The anarchist's case: local know-how, small defiance, and messy disorder beat grand plans.
3.96
2k+
Two Cheers for Anarchism Summary
Two Cheers for Anarchism 89%
The anarchist's case: local know-how, small defiance, and messy disorder beat grand plans.
by James C. Scott 2012
3.96
2k+ 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 89%
Government grew. Bureaucracy didn't. The case for hiring federal workers to make it smaller.
by John DiIulio 2014
3.22
32 ratings
The Price of Federalism
by Paul E. Peterson • 1995
Washington redistributes; states compete for growth. The pattern leaves Rust Belt cities behind.
3.37
19
The Price of Federalism Summary
The Price of Federalism 89%
Washington redistributes; states compete for growth. The pattern leaves Rust Belt cities behind.
by Paul E. Peterson 1995
3.37
19 ratings
Classics of Public Administration
by Jay M. Shafritz • 1978
From ancient duty to modern governance: the readings that built public administration.
3.65
287
Classics of Public Administration Summary
Classics of Public Administration 89%
From ancient duty to modern governance: the readings that built public administration.
by Jay M. Shafritz 1978
3.65
287 ratings
Campaign Manager
by Catherine M. Shaw • 1996
Precinct by precinct, dollar by dollar: the field manual for running a local campaign that wins.
3.94
207
Campaign Manager Summary
Campaign Manager 89%
Precinct by precinct, dollar by dollar: the field manual for running a local campaign that wins.
by Catherine M. Shaw 1996
3.94
207 ratings
⿻ 數位 Plurality
by E. Glen Weyl • 2024
Tech promised liberation but delivered surveillance and polarization. Taiwan found the off-ramp.
3.51
47
⿻ 數位 Plurality Summary
⿻ 數位 Plurality 89%
Tech promised liberation but delivered surveillance and polarization. Taiwan found the off-ramp.
by E. Glen Weyl 2024
3.51
47 ratings
Open Democracy
by Hélène Landemore • 2020
Elections hand power to the few. A design for ordinary citizens to actually rule.
4.09
109
Open Democracy Summary
Open Democracy 89%
Elections hand power to the few. A design for ordinary citizens to actually rule.
by Hélène Landemore 2020
4.09
109 ratings
Reveille for Radicals
by Saul D. Alinsky • 1946
Democracy requires organized conflict and leaders from the bottom. A 1946 manual, still unheeded.
3.84
589
Reveille for Radicals Summary
Reveille for Radicals 89%
Democracy requires organized conflict and leaders from the bottom. A 1946 manual, still unheeded.
by Saul D. Alinsky 1946
3.84
589 ratings
Demopolis
by Josiah Ober • 2019
180 years of democracy without liberalism: what Athens reveals about the fundamentals of self-rule.
3.40
25
Demopolis Summary
Demopolis 88%
180 years of democracy without liberalism: what Athens reveals about the fundamentals of self-rule.
by Josiah Ober 2019
3.40
25 ratings
I, the citizen
by R. Balasubramaniam
In India, the most powerful tool isn't a tractor but a citizen filing an RTI request.
4.26
53
I, the citizen Summary
I, the citizen 88%
In India, the most powerful tool isn't a tractor but a citizen filing an RTI request.
by R. Balasubramaniam
4.26
53 ratings
Crafting State-Nations
by Alfred Stepan • 2010
For multinational democracies, the nation-state model is a trap. India shows a better path.
4.64
11
Crafting State-Nations Summary
Crafting State-Nations 88%
For multinational democracies, the nation-state model is a trap. India shows a better path.
by Alfred Stepan 2010
4.64
11 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 88%
The left's real problem isn't gerrymandering: its voters are packed into cities.
by Jonathan A. Rodden 2019
3.78
252 ratings
On Power
by Robert A. Caro • 2017
How one man built a financial empire inside the government and became untouchable.
3.95
1k+
On Power Summary
On Power 88%
How one man built a financial empire inside the government and became untouchable.
by Robert A. Caro 2017
3.95
1k+ ratings
Rights Talk
by Mary Ann Glendon • 1991
American law won't require you to rescue a drowning stranger. That gap explains our broken politics.
4.06
124
Rights Talk Summary
Rights Talk 88%
American law won't require you to rescue a drowning stranger. That gap explains our broken politics.
by Mary Ann Glendon 1991
4.06
124 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 88%
How to fix American elections from the ground up, with reforms that are already winning.
by Joshua A. Douglas 2019
4.17
65 ratings
Keeping the Republic
by Mitch Daniels • 2011
A governor's playbook for cutting debt and restoring self-reliance, minus the Washington fantasies.
4.02
252
Keeping the Republic Summary
Keeping the Republic 88%
A governor's playbook for cutting debt and restoring self-reliance, minus the Washington fantasies.
by Mitch Daniels 2011
4.02
252 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 88%
Your zip code decides your Medicaid benefits. It also decides whether you bother with politics.
by Jamila Michener 2018
4.23
120 ratings
A More Perfect Constitution
by Larry J. Sabato • 2007
Twenty-three fixes for a rusty Constitution: bigger Congress, term limits, a state convention.
3.66
335
A More Perfect Constitution Summary
A More Perfect Constitution 88%
Twenty-three fixes for a rusty Constitution: bigger Congress, term limits, a state convention.
by Larry J. Sabato 2007
3.66
335 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 88%
Government's tech catastrophes share one cause: it treats code as a purchase, never a practice.
by Jennifer Pahlka 2023
4.37
3k+ ratings
The Federal Management Playbook
by Ira Goldstein • 2016
Federal leadership follows different rules. A playbook for getting results inside the bureaucracy.
4.40
10
The Federal Management Playbook Summary
The Federal Management Playbook 88%
Federal leadership follows different rules. A playbook for getting results inside the bureaucracy.
by Ira Goldstein 2016
4.40
10 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 88%
Policy fails less from bad ideas than from the battles over attention, framing, and implementation.
by Thomas A. Birkland 2001
3.58
288 ratings
The New Road to Serfdom
by Daniel Hannan • 2010
Europe's centralized model killed jobs, silenced voters, and shrank families. America is next.
4.03
657
The New Road to Serfdom Summary
The New Road to Serfdom 88%
Europe's centralized model killed jobs, silenced voters, and shrank families. America is next.
by Daniel Hannan 2010
4.03
657 ratings
Who Really Rules? New Haven and Community Power Reexamined
by G. William Domhoff • 1978
The pluralists said nobody ruled New Haven. Three club rosters and Yale's board minutes disagree.
3.75
8
Who Really Rules? New Haven and Community Power Reexamined Summary
Who Really Rules? New Haven and Community Power Reexamined 88%
The pluralists said nobody ruled New Haven. Three club rosters and Yale's board minutes disagree.
by G. William Domhoff 1978
3.75
8 ratings
Glimpses of Utopia
by Jess Scully • 2020
A fair society is not theoretical. Its pieces are already running in cities across the world.
3.97
110
Glimpses of Utopia Summary
Glimpses of Utopia 88%
A fair society is not theoretical. Its pieces are already running in cities across the world.
by Jess Scully 2020
3.97
110 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? 88%
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
Citizens
by Jon Alexander • 2022
Society runs on two stories: we are subjects or consumers. A third story changes everything.
4.04
317
Citizens Summary
Citizens 88%
Society runs on two stories: we are subjects or consumers. A third story changes everything.
by Jon Alexander 2022
4.04
317 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 88%
Government services fail because they skip users. The fix: design with people, real data, iterate.
by Tara Dawson McGuinness 2021
3.98
320 ratings
Lifehouse
by Adam Greenfield • 2024
Votes and green tech won't stop climate collapse. The real plan: neighbors caring for each other.
3.84
86
Lifehouse Summary
Lifehouse 88%
Votes and green tech won't stop climate collapse. The real plan: neighbors caring for each other.
by Adam Greenfield 2024
3.84
86 ratings
Democracy When the People Are Thinking
by James S. Fishkin • 2018
Shallow views run democracy. When citizens deliberate, their priorities shift, and policy follows.
3.82
28
Democracy When the People Are Thinking Summary
Democracy When the People Are Thinking 88%
Shallow views run democracy. When citizens deliberate, their priorities shift, and policy follows.
by James S. Fishkin 2018
3.82
28 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 88%
When Italy gave its regions identical governments, only those with ancient civic roots succeeded.
by Robert D. Putnam 1992
3.87
868 ratings
Public Administration and Public Affairs
by D. J. Henry • 1980
Designed for gridlock, American government still delivers. This is the machinery.
3.64
104
Public Administration and Public Affairs Summary
Public Administration and Public Affairs 88%
Designed for gridlock, American government still delivers. This is the machinery.
by D. J. Henry 1980
3.64
104 ratings
Politics Is for Power
by Eitan D. Hersh • 2020
Political obsession is a spectator sport that cedes power to the people who actually organize.
4.09
1k+
Politics Is for Power Summary
Politics Is for Power 88%
Political obsession is a spectator sport that cedes power to the people who actually organize.
by Eitan D. Hersh 2020
4.09
1k+ ratings
Smart Cities
by Anthony M. Townsend • 2013
Corporations are selling smart cities. A movement of civic hackers has a better blueprint.
3.61
817
Smart Cities Summary
Smart Cities 88%
Corporations are selling smart cities. A movement of civic hackers has a better blueprint.
by Anthony M. Townsend 2013
3.61
817 ratings
Republic, Lost
by Lawrence Lessig • 2011
America's government answers to funders, not voters. The corruption is legal, and it's by design.
4.18
3k+
Republic, Lost Summary
Republic, Lost 88%
America's government answers to funders, not voters. The corruption is legal, and it's by design.
by Lawrence Lessig 2011
4.18
3k+ ratings
Fiber
by Susan P. Crawford • 2018
Fiber is this century's electricity, and America skipped the wiring job.
3.87
159
Fiber Summary
Fiber 88%
Fiber is this century's electricity, and America skipped the wiring job.
by Susan P. Crawford 2018
3.87
159 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 88%
Losing is the skill democracy forgot, and without institutions to structure conflict, it unravels.
by Jan-Werner Müller 2021
3.46
168 ratings
Democracy May Not Exist, but We'll Miss It When It's Gone
by Astra Taylor • 2019
Democracy is not broken. It is eight unresolvable tensions; the work is holding them together.
4.20
731
Democracy May Not Exist, but We'll Miss It When It's Gone Summary
Democracy May Not Exist, but We'll Miss It When It's Gone 88%
Democracy is not broken. It is eight unresolvable tensions; the work is holding them together.
by Astra Taylor 2019
4.20
731 ratings
Demanding the Impossible
by Peter H. Marshall • 1992
Self-rule predates the state. Anarchist thought from ancient Taoism to the modern era.
4.12
1k+
Demanding the Impossible Summary
Demanding the Impossible 88%
Self-rule predates the state. Anarchist thought from ancient Taoism to the modern era.
by Peter H. Marshall 1992
4.12
1k+ 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 88%
Progressivism has two souls: one builds, one stops. The stopper won, so nothing gets built.
by Marc J. Dunkelman 2025
3.79
1k+ ratings
Nowhere to Live
by James S. Burling • 2024
Why can't Americans afford homes? A century of rules made building them illegal.
4.00
12
Nowhere to Live Summary
Nowhere to Live 88%
Why can't Americans afford homes? A century of rules made building them illegal.
by James S. Burling 2024
4.00
12 ratings
Against Democracy
by Jason Brennan • 2016
Voters are ignorant and participation corrupts them. The competent should rule instead.
3.68
1k+
Against Democracy Summary
Against Democracy 88%
Voters are ignorant and participation corrupts them. The competent should rule instead.
by Jason Brennan 2016
3.68
1k+ ratings
Results
by Charlie Baker • 2022
A governor's playbook for fixing bureaucracy: capable people, honest data, relentless execution.
3.80
89
Results Summary
Results 88%
A governor's playbook for fixing bureaucracy: capable people, honest data, relentless execution.
by Charlie Baker 2022
3.80
89 ratings
Harvest the Vote
by Jane Kleeb • 2020
Democrats lost rural America by walking away. A Nebraska organizer shows how to win it back.
3.82
214
Harvest the Vote Summary
Harvest the Vote 88%
Democrats lost rural America by walking away. A Nebraska organizer shows how to win it back.
by Jane Kleeb 2020
3.82
214 ratings
Federalism
by Mark J. Rozell • 2019
The Constitution did not settle the fight between national and state power; it designed the arena.
3.67
63
Federalism Summary
Federalism 88%
The Constitution did not settle the fight between national and state power; it designed the arena.
by Mark J. Rozell 2019
3.67
63 ratings
Organizing
by Marshall Ganz • 2014
The disciplined craft of turning personal stories and living-room meetings into political power.
4.26
19
Organizing Summary
Organizing 88%
The disciplined craft of turning personal stories and living-room meetings into political power.
by Marshall Ganz 2014
4.26
19 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 88%
Free isn't removed walls; it's a body, a fact, a road, and solidarity.
by Theodor W. Adorno 1970
4.14
3k+ ratings
Who Is Government? The Untold Story of Public Service
by Michael Lewis • 2025
Government is full of brilliant people you have never heard of. Michael Lewis introduces them.
4.18
16k+
Who Is Government? The Untold Story of Public Service Summary
Who Is Government? The Untold Story of Public Service 88%
Government is full of brilliant people you have never heard of. Michael Lewis introduces them.
by Michael Lewis 2025
4.18
16k+ 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 88%
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
Palaces for the People
by Eric Klinenberg • 2018
Stronger than seawalls: the shared spaces that hold communities together when everything breaks.
3.97
5k+
Palaces for the People Summary
Palaces for the People 88%
Stronger than seawalls: the shared spaces that hold communities together when everything breaks.
by Eric Klinenberg 2018
3.97
5k+ ratings
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