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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 96%
Losing is the skill democracy forgot, and without institutions to structure conflict, it unravels.
by Jan-Werner Müller 2021
3.46
168 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 96%
Most democracies fail their own test: the government reflects a minority, not the people.
by A.C. Grayling 2020
3.81
130 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 96%
Democracy without courts, rights, and restraints is just a machine for producing elected strongmen.
by Fareed Zakaria 2003
4.02
4k+ ratings
The People vs. Democracy
by Yascha Mounk • 2018
Populists dismantle institutions; unelected courts rule from above; split tearing democracy apart.
4.05
2k+
The People vs. Democracy Summary
The People vs. Democracy 96%
Populists dismantle institutions; unelected courts rule from above; split tearing democracy apart.
by Yascha Mounk 2018
4.05
2k+ 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 95%
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
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 95%
Democracy is not broken. It is eight unresolvable tensions; the work is holding them together.
by Astra Taylor 2019
4.20
731 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 95%
Why democracies build roads and dictatorships build patronage: the math of political survival.
by Bruce Bueno de Mesquita 2003
3.98
162 ratings
Democracy in America
by Alexis de Tocqueville • 1835
Equality built American democracy—and made majority rule the new despotism.
4.05
27k+
Democracy in America Summary
Democracy in America 95%
Equality built American democracy—and made majority rule the new despotism.
by Alexis de Tocqueville 1835
4.05
27k+ 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 95%
180 years of democracy without liberalism: what Athens reveals about the fundamentals of self-rule.
by Josiah Ober 2019
3.40
25 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 94%
Democracy is not about elections. It is the scandal that no one is born to rule.
by Jacques Rancière 2005
3.72
970 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 94%
Coups are relics. The new authoritarian wins the election first, then slowly silences the referees.
by Steven Levitsky 2018
4.16
33k+ 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 94%
Voters are ignorant and participation corrupts them. The competent should rule instead.
by Jason Brennan 2016
3.68
1k+ ratings
Liberalism and Its Discontents
by Francis Fukuyama • 2022
Liberalism's enemies on left and right agree on one thing. Neither has a workable replacement.
3.90
3k+
Liberalism and Its Discontents Summary
Liberalism and Its Discontents 94%
Liberalism's enemies on left and right agree on one thing. Neither has a workable replacement.
by Francis Fukuyama 2022
3.90
3k+ 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? 94%
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
Anti-Pluralism
by William A. Galston • 2018
When economies stop delivering, democracies start falling. Populism is the symptom, not the disease.
3.76
151
Anti-Pluralism Summary
Anti-Pluralism 94%
When economies stop delivering, democracies start falling. Populism is the symptom, not the disease.
by William A. Galston 2018
3.76
151 ratings
In the Long Run
by Jonathan White • 2024
The future made democracy possible. Calculated, secret, and algorithmic futures are dismantling it.
3.78
85
In the Long Run Summary
In the Long Run 94%
The future made democracy possible. Calculated, secret, and algorithmic futures are dismantling it.
by Jonathan White 2024
3.78
85 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 94%
The party fewer voters chose governs, and the rulebook was written to let them.
by Steven Levitsky 2023
4.39
4k+ ratings
End Times
by Peter Turchin • 2023
Ten millennia of data point to two conditions for state collapse. America now meets both.
4.06
3k+
End Times Summary
End Times 94%
Ten millennia of data point to two conditions for state collapse. America now meets both.
by Peter Turchin 2023
4.06
3k+ ratings
The Populist Delusion
by Neema Parvini • 2020
Organization inevitably creates oligarchy. Every union, party, and revolution proves it.
4.32
551
The Populist Delusion Summary
The Populist Delusion 93%
Organization inevitably creates oligarchy. Every union, party, and revolution proves it.
by Neema Parvini 2020
4.32
551 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 93%
The document Americans revere was built to thwart popular rule. Now it is breaking the country.
by Erwin Chemerinsky 2024
3.93
337 ratings
Buddhism
by Damien Keown • 1996
Buddhism has no god, no bible, no pope. What holds its many traditions together?
3.74
3k+
Buddhism Summary
Buddhism 93%
Buddhism has no god, no bible, no pope. What holds its many traditions together?
by Damien Keown 1996
3.74
3k+ ratings
Notes on Resistance
by Noam Chomsky • 2022
Four crises are converging. The institutions that caused them are now blocking every fix.
4.30
405
Notes on Resistance Summary
Notes on Resistance 93%
Four crises are converging. The institutions that caused them are now blocking every fix.
by Noam Chomsky 2022
4.30
405 ratings
Liberty in the Age of Terror
by A.C. Grayling • 2009
The West answered terrorism by curtailing the very liberties it claimed to protect.
3.57
143
Liberty in the Age of Terror Summary
Liberty in the Age of Terror 93%
The West answered terrorism by curtailing the very liberties it claimed to protect.
by A.C. Grayling 2009
3.57
143 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 93%
Every eighty years America's government breaks; every fifty, its economy. Now both arrive at once.
by George Friedman 2020
4.05
3k+ ratings
The Great Divergence
by Kenneth Pomeranz • 2000
Europe's industrial breakthrough wasn't its own genius. It took colonial land and underground coal.
3.68
1k+
The Great Divergence Summary
The Great Divergence 93%
Europe's industrial breakthrough wasn't its own genius. It took colonial land and underground coal.
by Kenneth Pomeranz 2000
3.68
1k+ ratings
Free and Equal
by Daniel Chandler • 2023
Forget who you are, design society. Rawls did; the result might be our fairest system.
3.95
439
Free and Equal Summary
Free and Equal 93%
Forget who you are, design society. Rawls did; the result might be our fairest system.
by Daniel Chandler 2023
3.95
439 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 93%
Society runs on two stories: we are subjects or consumers. A third story changes everything.
by Jon Alexander 2022
4.04
317 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 93%
Tech promised liberation but delivered surveillance and polarization. Taiwan found the off-ramp.
by E. Glen Weyl 2024
3.51
47 ratings
The Lost History of Liberalism
by Helena Rosenblatt • 2018
Liberalism was born as duty and generosity. The individual-rights version is only seventy years old.
4.04
448
The Lost History of Liberalism Summary
The Lost History of Liberalism 93%
Liberalism was born as duty and generosity. The individual-rights version is only seventy years old.
by Helena Rosenblatt 2018
4.04
448 ratings
The Common Good
by Robert B. Reich • 2018
America had a deal: we owe each other something. Four decades of self-interest undid it.
4.11
3k+
The Common Good Summary
The Common Good 93%
America had a deal: we owe each other something. Four decades of self-interest undid it.
by Robert B. Reich 2018
4.11
3k+ ratings
Why Liberalism Failed
by Patrick J. Deneen • 2018
Liberalism didn't fail despite its successes. Its successes broke it.
3.84
4k+
Why Liberalism Failed Summary
Why Liberalism Failed 93%
Liberalism didn't fail despite its successes. Its successes broke it.
by Patrick J. Deneen 2018
3.84
4k+ ratings
The Truce
by Hunter Walker • 2024
Democrats won in 2020 but never settled their internal war. The reckoning still waits.
3.91
114
The Truce Summary
The Truce 93%
Democrats won in 2020 but never settled their internal war. The reckoning still waits.
by Hunter Walker 2024
3.91
114 ratings
The Bill of Obligations
by Richard N. Haass • 2023
Rights are half the contract. Democracy's survival depends on ten duties Americans have forgotten.
4.12
2k+
The Bill of Obligations Summary
The Bill of Obligations 93%
Rights are half the contract. Democracy's survival depends on ten duties Americans have forgotten.
by Richard N. Haass 2023
4.12
2k+ ratings
How Propaganda Works
by Jason F. Stanley • 2015
How coded language and elite myths rig democratic debate, and why the educated fall hardest.
3.59
859
How Propaganda Works Summary
How Propaganda Works 93%
How coded language and elite myths rig democratic debate, and why the educated fall hardest.
by Jason F. Stanley 2015
3.59
859 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 93%
How to fix American elections from the ground up, with reforms that are already winning.
by Joshua A. Douglas 2019
4.17
65 ratings
In Mistrust We Trust
by Ivan Krastev • 2013
More rights, more information, less collective power: the paradox at the heart of modern democracy.
3.96
73
In Mistrust We Trust Summary
In Mistrust We Trust 92%
More rights, more information, less collective power: the paradox at the heart of modern democracy.
by Ivan Krastev 2013
3.96
73 ratings
What You Should Know About Politics . . . But Don't
by Jessamyn Conrad • 2008
What every voter should know about the issues, explained without the partisan spin.
3.94
2k+
What You Should Know About Politics . . . But Don't Summary
What You Should Know About Politics . . . But Don't 92%
What every voter should know about the issues, explained without the partisan spin.
by Jessamyn Conrad 2008
3.94
2k+ ratings
The J Curve
by Ian Bremmer • 2006
The path from oppression to openness runs through a valley where nations break.
3.73
524
The J Curve Summary
The J Curve 92%
The path from oppression to openness runs through a valley where nations break.
by Ian Bremmer 2006
3.73
524 ratings
The Anatomy of Fascism
by Robert O. Paxton • 2004
A historian maps the path to fascist power: the deals, the power split, and the warning signs.
4.22
6k+
The Anatomy of Fascism Summary
The Anatomy of Fascism 92%
A historian maps the path to fascist power: the deals, the power split, and the warning signs.
by Robert O. Paxton 2004
4.22
6k+ ratings
How to Lose a Country
by Ece Temelkuran • 2019
A democracy collapses step by step, and the playbook looks the same from Turkey to the West.
4.04
2k+
How to Lose a Country Summary
How to Lose a Country 92%
A democracy collapses step by step, and the playbook looks the same from Turkey to the West.
by Ece Temelkuran 2019
4.04
2k+ 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 92%
Democrats swapped the working class for Wall Street. The collapse started with Bill Clinton.
by Ed Burmila 2022
4.43
194 ratings
Hegemony and Socialist Strategy
by Ernesto Laclau • 1985
Consensus is a mirage. Conflict is ineradicable; any left project that forgets this fails.
3.82
1k+
Hegemony and Socialist Strategy Summary
Hegemony and Socialist Strategy 92%
Consensus is a mirage. Conflict is ineradicable; any left project that forgets this fails.
by Ernesto Laclau 1985
3.82
1k+ ratings
Aristotle's "Best Regime"
by Clifford Angell Bates Jr. • 2002
Aristotle's buried argument: democracy beats kingship when collective wisdom meets law's restraint.
4.80
5
Aristotle's "Best Regime" Summary
Aristotle's "Best Regime" 92%
Aristotle's buried argument: democracy beats kingship when collective wisdom meets law's restraint.
by Clifford Angell Bates Jr. 2002
4.80
5 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 92%
Democracies are dismantled one law at a time. The 1930s playbook is back.
by Madeleine K. Albright 2018
4.25
21k+ 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 92%
Democracy requires organized conflict and leaders from the bottom. A 1946 manual, still unheeded.
by Saul D. Alinsky 1946
3.84
589 ratings
The Rise of the Outsiders
by Steve Richards • 2017
Outsiders took the West with three forces: globalization's losers, immigration fears, media rage.
3.69
150
The Rise of the Outsiders Summary
The Rise of the Outsiders 92%
Outsiders took the West with three forces: globalization's losers, immigration fears, media rage.
by Steve Richards 2017
3.69
150 ratings
Giving Up Is Unforgivable
by Joyce Vance • 2025
Spotting the slow dismantling of democracy, and the citizen playbook for stopping it.
4.27
2k+
Giving Up Is Unforgivable Summary
Giving Up Is Unforgivable 92%
Spotting the slow dismantling of democracy, and the citizen playbook for stopping it.
by Joyce Vance 2025
4.27
2k+ 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 92%
The anarchist's case: local know-how, small defiance, and messy disorder beat grand plans.
by James C. Scott 2012
3.96
2k+ ratings
Guns, Germs, and Steel
by Jared Diamond • 2005
Eurasia had wheat and an east-west axis. The Americas didn't. Geography decided who conquered whom.
4.04
467k+
Guns, Germs, and Steel Summary
Guns, Germs, and Steel 92%
Eurasia had wheat and an east-west axis. The Americas didn't. Geography decided who conquered whom.
by Jared Diamond 2005
4.04
467k+ ratings
Un-Trumping America
by Dan Pfeiffer • 2020
The GOP was built for Trump long before he came down the escalator.
4.20
3k+
Un-Trumping America Summary
Un-Trumping America 92%
The GOP was built for Trump long before he came down the escalator.
by Dan Pfeiffer 2020
4.20
3k+ ratings
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