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The Ideological Origins of American Federalism
by Alison L. LaCroix • 2010
American federalism was born of protest, not design; courts enforce it since the convention refused.
3.52
31
The Ideological Origins of American Federalism Summary
The Ideological Origins of American Federalism 90%
American federalism was born of protest, not design; courts enforce it since the convention refused.
by Alison L. LaCroix 2010
3.52
31 ratings
How Britain Ends
by Gavin Esler • 2021
Brexit did not crack the union; it exposed cracks English nationalism had been opening for decades.
4.09
581
How Britain Ends Summary
How Britain Ends 89%
Brexit did not crack the union; it exposed cracks English nationalism had been opening for decades.
by Gavin Esler 2021
4.09
581 ratings
We Have Not a Government
by George William Van Cleve • 2017
State free-riding broke the first U.S. government. A debt crisis and revolt forced a grand bargain.
3.99
76
We Have Not a Government Summary
We Have Not a Government 89%
State free-riding broke the first U.S. government. A debt crisis and revolt forced a grand bargain.
by George William Van Cleve 2017
3.99
76 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 89%
Europe's centralized model killed jobs, silenced voters, and shrank families. America is next.
by Daniel Hannan 2010
4.03
657 ratings
Nationalism
by Craig J. Calhoun • 1998
The nation you belong to was not discovered. It was built, mapped, and made to feel ancient.
3.86
58
Nationalism Summary
Nationalism 88%
The nation you belong to was not discovered. It was built, mapped, and made to feel ancient.
by Craig J. Calhoun 1998
3.86
58 ratings
Federalism and the Making of America by David Brian Robertson
by David Robertson • 2011
America's biggest fights aren't over what government should do but which government gets to decide.
3.73
11
Federalism and the Making of America by David Brian Robertson Summary
Federalism and the Making of America by David Brian Robertson 88%
America's biggest fights aren't over what government should do but which government gets to decide.
by David Robertson 2011
3.73
11 ratings
9 Lessons in Brexit
by Ivan Rogers • 2019
Nine lessons on why the UK lost the Brexit negotiations, from a diplomat who was there.
4.06
540
9 Lessons in Brexit Summary
9 Lessons in Brexit 88%
Nine lessons on why the UK lost the Brexit negotiations, from a diplomat who was there.
by Ivan Rogers 2019
4.06
540 ratings
International Law
by Jan Klabbers • 2013
International law: no sovereign, no police. How it works, and the imperial logic it still carries.
4.09
139
International Law Summary
International Law 88%
International law: no sovereign, no police. How it works, and the imperial logic it still carries.
by Jan Klabbers 2013
4.09
139 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
Homo Sacer
by Giorgio Agamben • 1994
Sovereignty's hidden purpose, revealed by a forgotten Roman law: the power to produce killable life.
4.06
5k+
Homo Sacer Summary
Homo Sacer 88%
Sovereignty's hidden purpose, revealed by a forgotten Roman law: the power to produce killable life.
by Giorgio Agamben 1994
4.06
5k+ 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
A Revolution in Favor of Government
by Max M. Edling • 2003
The U.S. Constitution was a state-building project, not a charter of limited government.
3.78
65
A Revolution in Favor of Government Summary
A Revolution in Favor of Government 88%
The U.S. Constitution was a state-building project, not a charter of limited government.
by Max M. Edling 2003
3.78
65 ratings
A Necessary Evil
by Garry Wills • 1999
The Constitution was built for action, not gridlock. How Americans came to believe otherwise.
3.78
196
A Necessary Evil Summary
A Necessary Evil 88%
The Constitution was built for action, not gridlock. How Americans came to believe otherwise.
by Garry Wills 1999
3.78
196 ratings
Globalismo
by Agustín Laje • 2024
Social engineering survived the Terror and went global. Your sovereignty is its target.
4.46
145
Globalismo Summary
Globalismo 88%
Social engineering survived the Terror and went global. Your sovereignty is its target.
by Agustín Laje 2024
4.46
145 ratings
When the People Speak
by James S. Fishkin • 2009
Democracy's dirty secret: a few hundred informed citizens reason better than millions.
3.76
49
When the People Speak Summary
When the People Speak 88%
Democracy's dirty secret: a few hundred informed citizens reason better than millions.
by James S. Fishkin 2009
3.76
49 ratings
The Future of Violence
by Benjamin Wittes • 2014
The state's monopoly on violence is ending. Networked technology handed individuals strategic power.
3.42
318
The Future of Violence Summary
The Future of Violence 88%
The state's monopoly on violence is ending. Networked technology handed individuals strategic power.
by Benjamin Wittes 2014
3.42
318 ratings
The New Class War
by Michael Lind • 2017
A new class war is on: the college-educated managerial minority versus the working majority.
3.74
840
The New Class War Summary
The New Class War 88%
A new class war is on: the college-educated managerial minority versus the working majority.
by Michael Lind 2017
3.74
840 ratings
Fault Lines in the Constitution
by Cynthia Levinson • 2017
Four times the Senate clout for small-state voters: the 1787 compromise still in charge.
4.00
614
Fault Lines in the Constitution Summary
Fault Lines in the Constitution 88%
Four times the Senate clout for small-state voters: the 1787 compromise still in charge.
by Cynthia Levinson 2017
4.00
614 ratings
The Network State
by Balaji S. Srinivasan • 2022
Startup companies become unicorns. What if startup communities become countries?
3.92
1k+
The Network State Summary
The Network State 88%
Startup companies become unicorns. What if startup communities become countries?
by Balaji S. Srinivasan 2022
3.92
1k+ ratings
Common Sense
by Thomas Paine • 1776
A plain argument that kings and birthright are frauds, and America must walk away now.
4.00
40k+
Common Sense Summary
Common Sense 88%
A plain argument that kings and birthright are frauds, and America must walk away now.
by Thomas Paine 1776
4.00
40k+ 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
International Law
by Malcolm N. Shaw • 1991
From treaty-making to the laws of war: how international law governs relations between states.
4.20
434
International Law Summary
International Law 88%
From treaty-making to the laws of war: how international law governs relations between states.
by Malcolm N. Shaw 1991
4.20
434 ratings
The Original Compromise
by David Brian Robertson • 2012
Shared ideals didn't build it. Raw bargains, evasions, and a tragic deal on slavery did.
3.86
35
The Original Compromise Summary
The Original Compromise 88%
Shared ideals didn't build it. Raw bargains, evasions, and a tragic deal on slavery did.
by David Brian Robertson 2012
3.86
35 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
Justice on the Brink
by Linda Greenhouse • 2021
Ginsburg's death and Barrett's confirmation: the year the Supreme Court broke right.
4.01
725
Justice on the Brink Summary
Justice on the Brink 88%
Ginsburg's death and Barrett's confirmation: the year the Supreme Court broke right.
by Linda Greenhouse 2021
4.01
725 ratings
The South Was Right!
by James Ronald Kennedy • 1991
The South legally seceded. The North invaded for economic gain. The rest is propaganda.
3.93
482
The South Was Right! Summary
The South Was Right! 88%
The South legally seceded. The North invaded for economic gain. The rest is propaganda.
by James Ronald Kennedy 1991
3.93
482 ratings
Political Philosophy
by Adam Swift • 2001
Democracy's trick: we accept losing because the game was fair, even if the result is wrong.
3.91
432
Political Philosophy Summary
Political Philosophy 88%
Democracy's trick: we accept losing because the game was fair, even if the result is wrong.
by Adam Swift 2001
3.91
432 ratings
International Relations
by Paul Wilkinson • 2007
States remain the main event, but the stage is crowded. Why nukes, NGOs, and identity matter.
3.32
766
International Relations Summary
International Relations 88%
States remain the main event, but the stage is crowded. Why nukes, NGOs, and identity matter.
by Paul Wilkinson 2007
3.32
766 ratings
The Development of the Modern State
by Gianfranco Poggi • 1978
How the modern state, from feudalism to liberalism, created its own crisis of legitimacy.
3.48
86
The Development of the Modern State Summary
The Development of the Modern State 87%
How the modern state, from feudalism to liberalism, created its own crisis of legitimacy.
by Gianfranco Poggi 1978
3.48
86 ratings
Hatred of Democracy
by Jacques Rancière • 2005
Democracy is not about elections. It is the scandal that no one is born to rule.
3.72
970
Hatred of Democracy Summary
Hatred of Democracy 87%
Democracy is not about elections. It is the scandal that no one is born to rule.
by Jacques Rancière 2005
3.72
970 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 87%
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
The Price of Greatness
by Jay Cost • 2018
The Constitution's coauthors split over its purpose. That rift still produces American oligarchy.
3.71
245
The Price of Greatness Summary
The Price of Greatness 87%
The Constitution's coauthors split over its purpose. That rift still produces American oligarchy.
by Jay Cost 2018
3.71
245 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 87%
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
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 87%
180 years of democracy without liberalism: what Athens reveals about the fundamentals of self-rule.
by Josiah Ober 2019
3.40
25 ratings
The Concept of the Political
by Carl Schmitt • 1927
Politics begins not with debate but with the naming of an enemy.
3.94
4k+
The Concept of the Political Summary
The Concept of the Political 87%
Politics begins not with debate but with the naming of an enemy.
by Carl Schmitt 1927
3.94
4k+ 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 87%
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
Our Declaration
by Danielle S. Allen • 2014
The Declaration's forgotten argument: equality is the only real shield against domination.
3.83
888
Our Declaration Summary
Our Declaration 87%
The Declaration's forgotten argument: equality is the only real shield against domination.
by Danielle S. Allen 2014
3.83
888 ratings
The Social Contract
by Jean-Jacques Rousseau • 1762
Freedom through total surrender: the paradox that built modern democracy and still threatens it.
3.78
58k+
The Social Contract Summary
The Social Contract 87%
Freedom through total surrender: the paradox that built modern democracy and still threatens it.
by Jean-Jacques Rousseau 1762
3.78
58k+ ratings
Peace Pact
by David C. Hendrickson • 2003
Before it was a nation, America was a powder keg. The Constitution was the peace treaty.
3.36
25
Peace Pact Summary
Peace Pact 87%
Before it was a nation, America was a powder keg. The Constitution was the peace treaty.
by David C. Hendrickson 2003
3.36
25 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 87%
Voters are ignorant and participation corrupts them. The competent should rule instead.
by Jason Brennan 2016
3.68
1k+ ratings
The Interbellum Constitution
by Alison L. LaCroix • 2024
Antebellum America's constitutional crisis: federal power and states' rights kept swapping sides.
4.47
17
The Interbellum Constitution Summary
The Interbellum Constitution 87%
Antebellum America's constitutional crisis: federal power and states' rights kept swapping sides.
by Alison L. LaCroix 2024
4.47
17 ratings
The Royalist Revolution
by Eric Nelson • 2014
Americans rebelled for the king, not against him. The presidency became the crown they were denied.
4.12
116
The Royalist Revolution Summary
The Royalist Revolution 87%
Americans rebelled for the king, not against him. The presidency became the crown they were denied.
by Eric Nelson 2014
4.12
116 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 87%
Elections hand power to the few. A design for ordinary citizens to actually rule.
by Hélène Landemore 2020
4.09
109 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 87%
Democracy is not broken. It is eight unresolvable tensions; the work is holding them together.
by Astra Taylor 2019
4.20
731 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 87%
The anarchist's case: local know-how, small defiance, and messy disorder beat grand plans.
by James C. Scott 2012
3.96
2k+ ratings
The Making and Breaking of the American Constitution
by Mark Peterson • 2026
The U.S. Constitution was built to seize a continent. What happens when the land runs out?
4.09
22
The Making and Breaking of the American Constitution Summary
The Making and Breaking of the American Constitution 87%
The U.S. Constitution was built to seize a continent. What happens when the land runs out?
by Mark Peterson 2026
4.09
22 ratings
Broke
by Glenn Beck • 2010
America's real debt tops $64 trillion. Rome and Spain collapsed the same way.
4.01
2k+
Broke Summary
Broke 87%
America's real debt tops $64 trillion. Rome and Spain collapsed the same way.
by Glenn Beck 2010
4.01
2k+ ratings
The Good State
by A.C. Grayling • 2020
Most democracies fail their own test: the government reflects a minority, not the people.
3.81
130
The Good State Summary
The Good State 87%
Most democracies fail their own test: the government reflects a minority, not the people.
by A.C. Grayling 2020
3.81
130 ratings
The Storm Before the Calm
by George Friedman • 2020
Every eighty years America's government breaks; every fifty, its economy. Now both arrive at once.
4.05
3k+
The Storm Before the Calm Summary
The Storm Before the Calm 87%
Every eighty years America's government breaks; every fifty, its economy. Now both arrive at once.
by George Friedman 2020
4.05
3k+ 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 87%
Free isn't removed walls; it's a body, a fact, a road, and solidarity.
by Theodor W. Adorno 1970
4.14
3k+ ratings
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