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We Are Free to Change the World
by Lyndsey Stonebridge • 2024
A philosopher who survived statelessness saw the patterns behind totalitarianism, and they are back.
4.16
469
We Are Free to Change the World Summary
We Are Free to Change the World 96%
A philosopher who survived statelessness saw the patterns behind totalitarianism, and they are back.
by Lyndsey Stonebridge 2024
4.16
469 ratings
The Origins of Totalitarianism
by Hannah Arendt • 1951
Before the camps, tyranny. After, something wholly new: total domination.
4.30
15k+
The Origins of Totalitarianism Summary
The Origins of Totalitarianism 95%
Before the camps, tyranny. After, something wholly new: total domination.
by Hannah Arendt 1951
4.30
15k+ ratings
The Myth of the State
by Ernst Cassirer • 1946
The Greeks fought myth with reason. The modern state perfected it as a weapon.
3.90
209
The Myth of the State Summary
The Myth of the State 95%
The Greeks fought myth with reason. The modern state perfected it as a weapon.
by Ernst Cassirer 1946
3.90
209 ratings
Totalitarianism
by Hannah Arendt • 1968
Tyranny that erases the self: loneliness, ideology, and terror are the engines of totalitarianism.
4.18
843
Totalitarianism Summary
Totalitarianism 94%
Tyranny that erases the self: loneliness, ideology, and terror are the engines of totalitarianism.
by Hannah Arendt 1968
4.18
843 ratings
Eichmann in Jerusalem
by Hannah Arendt • 1963
The Holocaust needed no monsters: careerism and stock phrases were enough. Evil is deeply ordinary.
4.20
34k+
Eichmann in Jerusalem Summary
Eichmann in Jerusalem 94%
The Holocaust needed no monsters: careerism and stock phrases were enough. Evil is deeply ordinary.
by Hannah Arendt 1963
4.20
34k+ 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 94%
Democracy is not broken. It is eight unresolvable tensions; the work is holding them together.
by Astra Taylor 2019
4.20
731 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
The Visionaries
by Wolfram Eilenberger • 2020
Four women, one war, and the year their philosophies of freedom were forged in darkness.
3.91
1k+
The Visionaries Summary
The Visionaries 94%
Four women, one war, and the year their philosophies of freedom were forged in darkness.
by Wolfram Eilenberger 2020
3.91
1k+ 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 93%
The future made democracy possible. Calculated, secret, and algorithmic futures are dismantling it.
by Jonathan White 2024
3.78
85 ratings
Contesting Democracy
by Jan-Werner Müller • 2006
It wasn't democracy versus its enemies. It was a fight over what 'democracy' actually meant.
4.00
159
Contesting Democracy Summary
Contesting Democracy 93%
It wasn't democracy versus its enemies. It was a fight over what 'democracy' actually meant.
by Jan-Werner Müller 2006
4.00
159 ratings
Justice
by Michael J. Sandel • 2007
Three centuries of thinking about justice, one shared evasion: the good life.
4.30
28k+
Justice Summary
Justice 93%
Three centuries of thinking about justice, one shared evasion: the good life.
by Michael J. Sandel 2007
4.30
28k+ 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 93%
Liberalism's enemies on left and right agree on one thing. Neither has a workable replacement.
by Francis Fukuyama 2022
3.90
3k+ 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
Wars and Capital (Semiotext
by Éric Alliez • 2016
Capitalism is a war system that uses markets, not an economic system that uses war.
3.93
29
Wars and Capital (Semiotext Summary
Wars and Capital (Semiotext 93%
Capitalism is a war system that uses markets, not an economic system that uses war.
by Éric Alliez 2016
3.93
29 ratings
Shitbürgertum
by Ulf Poschardt • 2025
Moral posturing, language control, contempt for ambition: how a parasitic class captured Germany.
3.21
301
Shitbürgertum Summary
Shitbürgertum 93%
Moral posturing, language control, contempt for ambition: how a parasitic class captured Germany.
by Ulf Poschardt 2025
3.21
301 ratings
The Rebel
by Albert Camus • 1951
Rebellion either creates solidarity or becomes murder: a journey from blasphemy to the guillotine.
4.13
19k+
The Rebel Summary
The Rebel 93%
Rebellion either creates solidarity or becomes murder: a journey from blasphemy to the guillotine.
by Albert Camus 1951
4.13
19k+ 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 93%
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
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
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
Per la pace perpetua
by Immanuel Kant • 1795
A Dutch inn sign with a cemetery: Kant's starting point for a plan to end war.
3.59
3k+
Per la pace perpetua Summary
Per la pace perpetua 93%
A Dutch inn sign with a cemetery: Kant's starting point for a plan to end war.
by Immanuel Kant 1795
3.59
3k+ ratings
Lectures on the History of Political Philosophy
by Rawls • 2007
How Hobbes, Locke, Hume, Rousseau, and Marx each tried to solve the problem of political legitimacy.
4.15
289
Lectures on the History of Political Philosophy Summary
Lectures on the History of Political Philosophy 93%
How Hobbes, Locke, Hume, Rousseau, and Marx each tried to solve the problem of political legitimacy.
by Rawls 2007
4.15
289 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 93%
Voters are ignorant and participation corrupts them. The competent should rule instead.
by Jason Brennan 2016
3.68
1k+ 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 93%
Consensus is a mirage. Conflict is ineradicable; any left project that forgets this fails.
by Ernesto Laclau 1985
3.82
1k+ ratings
The Stillborn God
by Mark Lilla • 2007
Politics broke from God only recently, and Weimar nearly put them back together.
3.60
289
The Stillborn God Summary
The Stillborn God 93%
Politics broke from God only recently, and Weimar nearly put them back together.
by Mark Lilla 2007
3.60
289 ratings
How Do You Kill 11 Million People?
by Andy Andrews • 2011
A democracy dies the same way eleven million people did: one lie at a time.
4.06
4k+
How Do You Kill 11 Million People? Summary
How Do You Kill 11 Million People? 93%
A democracy dies the same way eleven million people did: one lie at a time.
by Andy Andrews 2011
4.06
4k+ ratings
Heidegger
by Michael Watts • 2014
Heidegger demystified: the freedom found in facing death, and the worldview technology imposes.
4.40
143
Heidegger Summary
Heidegger 93%
Heidegger demystified: the freedom found in facing death, and the worldview technology imposes.
by Michael Watts 2014
4.40
143 ratings
The Reactionary Mind
by Corey Robin • 2011
Conservatism is the counterrevolution: a history of the right borrowing from the left to defeat it.
3.94
3k+
The Reactionary Mind Summary
The Reactionary Mind 93%
Conservatism is the counterrevolution: a history of the right borrowing from the left to defeat it.
by Corey Robin 2011
3.94
3k+ ratings
The Least of All Possible Evils
by Eyal Weizman • 2012
When humanitarian law calculates acceptable civilian deaths, it also makes them thinkable.
4.19
224
The Least of All Possible Evils Summary
The Least of All Possible Evils 93%
When humanitarian law calculates acceptable civilian deaths, it also makes them thinkable.
by Eyal Weizman 2012
4.19
224 ratings
Fearless
by Max Lucado • 2009
Ten philosophers, ten arguments that still govern how we think about truth, justice, and ourselves.
4.16
13k+
Fearless Summary
Fearless 93%
Ten philosophers, ten arguments that still govern how we think about truth, justice, and ourselves.
by Max Lucado 2009
4.16
13k+ ratings
Modern Times
by Paul Johnson • 1983
Einstein and Freud dismantled the old moral universe. Into the void stepped the totalitarians.
4.29
3k+
Modern Times Summary
Modern Times 93%
Einstein and Freud dismantled the old moral universe. Into the void stepped the totalitarians.
by Paul Johnson 1983
4.29
3k+ ratings
Slavoj Zizek
by Tony Myers • 2003
Your cynicism isn't rebellion. According to Žižek, it's the purest form of ideology.
3.82
266
Slavoj Zizek Summary
Slavoj Zizek 93%
Your cynicism isn't rebellion. According to Žižek, it's the purest form of ideology.
by Tony Myers 2003
3.82
266 ratings
At the Existentialist Café
by Sarah Bakewell • 2016
The existentialists built a philosophy from cafés, war, and each other's complicated lives.
4.24
20k+
At the Existentialist Café Summary
At the Existentialist Café 93%
The existentialists built a philosophy from cafés, war, and each other's complicated lives.
by Sarah Bakewell 2016
4.24
20k+ 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
Jag är Zlatan
by Zlatan Ibrahimović • 2011
How the West thought: ten ideas from Plato to Rawls that still shape everything we believe.
3.86
19k+
Jag är Zlatan Summary
Jag är Zlatan 93%
How the West thought: ten ideas from Plato to Rawls that still shape everything we believe.
by Zlatan Ibrahimović 2011
3.86
19k+ 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? 92%
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 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 92%
Most democracies fail their own test: the government reflects a minority, not the people.
by A.C. Grayling 2020
3.81
130 ratings
Being And Event
by Alain Badiou • 1988
Set theory is the science of being itself, and the One is nowhere in it.
4.01
1k+
Being And Event Summary
Being And Event 92%
Set theory is the science of being itself, and the One is nowhere in it.
by Alain Badiou 1988
4.01
1k+ 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 92%
180 years of democracy without liberalism: what Athens reveals about the fundamentals of self-rule.
by Josiah Ober 2019
3.40
25 ratings
Identity and Violence
by Amartya Sen • 2006
The single-identity myth killed millions. A philosopher shows why, and what a plural self demands.
3.83
2k+
Identity and Violence Summary
Identity and Violence 92%
The single-identity myth killed millions. A philosopher shows why, and what a plural self demands.
by Amartya Sen 2006
3.83
2k+ ratings
Political Ponerology
by Andrew M. Lobaczewski • 2007
A small, conscienceless minority drives tyranny; your belief in fairness is their greatest weapon.
4.06
398
Political Ponerology Summary
Political Ponerology 92%
A small, conscienceless minority drives tyranny; your belief in fairness is their greatest weapon.
by Andrew M. Lobaczewski 2007
4.06
398 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 92%
Losing is the skill democracy forgot, and without institutions to structure conflict, it unravels.
by Jan-Werner Müller 2021
3.46
168 ratings
Cynicism
by Ansgar Allen • 2014
Cynicism once meant tearing everything down. Now it just means giving up.
3.71
146
Cynicism Summary
Cynicism 92%
Cynicism once meant tearing everything down. Now it just means giving up.
by Ansgar Allen 2014
3.71
146 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 92%
The West answered terrorism by curtailing the very liberties it claimed to protect.
by A.C. Grayling 2009
3.57
143 ratings
50 Ethics Ideas You Really Need to Know
by Ben Dupré • 2013
50 ethical ideas that show why your moral intuitions have a 2,000-year history.
3.83
121
50 Ethics Ideas You Really Need to Know Summary
50 Ethics Ideas You Really Need to Know 92%
50 ethical ideas that show why your moral intuitions have a 2,000-year history.
by Ben Dupré 2013
3.83
121 ratings
How to Change the World
by Eric J. Hobsbawm • 2011
The regimes that claimed Marx fell. After 2008, his analysis of capitalism became inescapable again.
3.88
988
How to Change the World Summary
How to Change the World 92%
The regimes that claimed Marx fell. After 2008, his analysis of capitalism became inescapable again.
by Eric J. Hobsbawm 2011
3.88
988 ratings
Against the Web
by Michael Brooks • 2020
Internet 'free-thinkers' rebrand old defenses of hierarchy with pseudoscience and myth.
4.10
2k+
Against the Web Summary
Against the Web 92%
Internet 'free-thinkers' rebrand old defenses of hierarchy with pseudoscience and myth.
by Michael Brooks 2020
4.10
2k+ ratings
Main Currents Of Marxism
by Leszek Kołakowski • 2005
Marxism's own contradictions made authoritarianism inevitable, not an aberration.
4.25
455
Main Currents Of Marxism Summary
Main Currents Of Marxism 92%
Marxism's own contradictions made authoritarianism inevitable, not an aberration.
by Leszek Kołakowski 2005
4.25
455 ratings
Totality and Infinity
by Emmanuel Levinas • 1961
Knowledge grasps at everything. The human face resists, demanding something older than philosophy.
4.21
2k+
Totality and Infinity Summary
Totality and Infinity 92%
Knowledge grasps at everything. The human face resists, demanding something older than philosophy.
by Emmanuel Levinas 1961
4.21
2k+ 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
How to Stop Fascism
by Paul Mason • 2021
The antifascist playbook, updated for an era of online radicalization and cascading global crises.
4.05
390
How to Stop Fascism Summary
How to Stop Fascism 92%
The antifascist playbook, updated for an era of online radicalization and cascading global crises.
by Paul Mason 2021
4.05
390 ratings
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