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Political Science Book Summaries

Nationalist Exclusion and Ethnic Conflict
by Andreas Wimmer • 1998
Citizenship, welfare, equality: modernity's promises were always reserved for ethnic insiders.
3.83
12
Nationalist Exclusion and Ethnic Conflict Summary
Nationalist Exclusion and Ethnic Conflict
Citizenship, welfare, equality: modernity's promises were always reserved for ethnic insiders.
by Andreas Wimmer 1998 332 pages
3.83
12 ratings
Liberty and Coercion
by Gary Gerstle • 2015
Federal liberty, state coercion: the two-hundred-year paradox at the heart of American governance.
4.04
77
Liberty and Coercion Summary
Liberty and Coercion
Federal liberty, state coercion: the two-hundred-year paradox at the heart of American governance.
by Gary Gerstle 2015 472 pages
4.04
77 ratings
Peasants Into Frenchmen
by Eugen Weber • 1976
They didn't speak French or feel French. Roads, schools, and barracks turned them into Frenchmen.
4.28
403
Peasants Into Frenchmen Summary
Peasants Into Frenchmen
They didn't speak French or feel French. Roads, schools, and barracks turned them into Frenchmen.
by Eugen Weber 1976 614 pages
4.28
403 ratings
Four Threats
by Suzanne Mettler • 2020
The four forces that repeatedly broke American democracy are peaking together for the first time.
4.03
221
Four Threats Summary
Four Threats
The four forces that repeatedly broke American democracy are peaking together for the first time.
by Suzanne Mettler 2020 301 pages
4.03
221 ratings
Democracy in America?
by Benjamin I. Page • 2017
What most Americans want passes one time in three. The explanation isn't gridlock. It's wealth.
3.78
54
Democracy in America? Summary
Democracy in America?
What most Americans want passes one time in three. The explanation isn't gridlock. It's wealth.
by Benjamin I. Page 2017 352 pages
3.78
54 ratings
The Hell of Good Intentions
by Stephen M. Walt • 2018
After the Cold War, America tried to lead the world. It overreached, failed, and learned nothing.
4.01
500+
The Hell of Good Intentions Summary
The Hell of Good Intentions
After the Cold War, America tried to lead the world. It overreached, failed, and learned nothing.
by Stephen M. Walt 2018 400 pages
4.01
500+ ratings
It Was All a Lie
by Stuart Stevens • 2020
Trump didn't hijack the GOP. A veteran strategist admits the party was always heading here.
4.12
4k+
It Was All a Lie Summary
It Was All a Lie
Trump didn't hijack the GOP. A veteran strategist admits the party was always heading here.
by Stuart Stevens 2020 256 pages
4.12
4k+ ratings
The Next American Nation
by Michael Lind • 1995
Three racial orders have governed America. The fourth has no use for race at all.
3.95
87
The Next American Nation Summary
The Next American Nation
Three racial orders have governed America. The fourth has no use for race at all.
by Michael Lind 1995 448 pages
3.95
87 ratings
Neither Liberal nor Conservative
by Donald R. Kinder • 2017
Decades of surveys reveal what cable news won't: most Americans have no ideology at all.
3.90
61
Neither Liberal nor Conservative Summary
Neither Liberal nor Conservative
Decades of surveys reveal what cable news won't: most Americans have no ideology at all.
by Donald R. Kinder 2017 224 pages
3.90
61 ratings
The Divided States of America
by Donald F. Kettl • 2020
Federalism was meant to unite America. Now it divides, from your healthcare to your tap water.
3.48
64
The Divided States of America Summary
The Divided States of America
Federalism was meant to unite America. Now it divides, from your healthcare to your tap water.
by Donald F. Kettl 2020 240 pages
3.48
64 ratings
Identity Crisis
by John Sides • 2018
One network orchestrates every global crisis. Its target: human consciousness. Its weakness: you.
4.10
500+
Identity Crisis Summary
Identity Crisis
One network orchestrates every global crisis. Its target: human consciousness. Its weakness: you.
by John Sides 2018 352 pages
4.10
500+ ratings
It Didn't Happen Here
by Seymour Martin Lipset • 2000
Marx bet on America going socialist. Its political system, unions, and immigrants had other plans.
3.60
105
It Didn't Happen Here Summary
It Didn't Happen Here
Marx bet on America going socialist. Its political system, unions, and immigrants had other plans.
by Seymour Martin Lipset 2000 374 pages
3.60
105 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
3k+
It's Even Worse Than It Looks Summary
It's Even Worse Than It Looks
The debt ceiling as hostage, the filibuster as permanent veto: how one party broke democracy.
by Thomas E. Mann 2012 225 pages
3.89
3k+ ratings
Unequal Democracy
by Larry M. Bartels • 2008
Three voter biases and a system blind to the poor built America's income gap.
3.89
457
Unequal Democracy Summary
Unequal Democracy
Three voter biases and a system blind to the poor built America's income gap.
by Larry M. Bartels 2008 344 pages
3.89
457 ratings
Democracy and Its Critics
by Robert A. Dahl • 1989
Democracy requires conditions that sound simple and are almost never present at the same time.
3.84
316
Democracy and Its Critics Summary
Democracy and Its Critics
Democracy requires conditions that sound simple and are almost never present at the same time.
by Robert A. Dahl 1989 397 pages
3.84
316 ratings
Unstable Majorities
by Morris P. Fiorina • 2017
Not a deeply polarized public. Sorted parties overreach, and the movable middle flips Congress.
4.07
74
Unstable Majorities Summary
Unstable Majorities
Not a deeply polarized public. Sorted parties overreach, and the movable middle flips Congress.
by Morris P. Fiorina 2017 264 pages
4.07
74 ratings
The Rise of Southern Republicans
by Black • 2002
Black Democrats and white Republicans made an unlikely alliance to redraw the South. It worked.
3.93
81
The Rise of Southern Republicans Summary
The Rise of Southern Republicans
Black Democrats and white Republicans made an unlikely alliance to redraw the South. It worked.
by Black 2002 454 pages
3.93
81 ratings
The Great Disruption
by Francis Fukuyama • 1999
The knowledge economy dissolved trust and cooperation. Our biology has a fix.
3.62
353
The Great Disruption Summary
The Great Disruption
The knowledge economy dissolved trust and cooperation. Our biology has a fix.
by Francis Fukuyama 1999 368 pages
3.62
353 ratings
Paths Out of Dixie
by Robert Mickey • 2015
The Jim Crow South was authoritarian, not democratic. It fell along three distinct paths.
4.36
39
Paths Out of Dixie Summary
Paths Out of Dixie
The Jim Crow South was authoritarian, not democratic. It fell along three distinct paths.
by Robert Mickey 2015 584 pages
4.36
39 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
Why your vote matters less than your zip code: the institutional rules that run American elections.
by L. Sandy Maisel 2016 208 pages
3.39
322 ratings
From Politics to the Pews
by Michele F. Margolis • 2018
Partisanship leads, faith follows: five decades of data that reverse the religion-politics link.
3.89
35
From Politics to the Pews Summary
From Politics to the Pews
Partisanship leads, faith follows: five decades of data that reverse the religion-politics link.
by Michele F. Margolis 2018 336 pages
3.89
35 ratings
Social Origins of Dictatorship and Democracy
by Barrington Moore Jr. • 1966
A nation's political fate was sealed by its lords and peasants: democracy, fascism, or communism.
4.00
1k+
Social Origins of Dictatorship and Democracy Summary
Social Origins of Dictatorship and Democracy
A nation's political fate was sealed by its lords and peasants: democracy, fascism, or communism.
by Barrington Moore Jr. 1966 586 pages
4.00
1k+ ratings
The Tea Party and the Remaking of Republican Conservatism
by Theda Skocpol • 2011
Organized, fired up, and factually adrift: the Tea Party paradox that reshaped the GOP.
3.82
413
The Tea Party and the Remaking of Republican Conservatism Summary
The Tea Party and the Remaking of Republican Conservatism
Organized, fired up, and factually adrift: the Tea Party paradox that reshaped the GOP.
by Theda Skocpol 2011 264 pages
3.82
413 ratings
Culture War? The Myth of a Polarized America
by Morris P. Fiorina • 2004
Fifty years of polling data show a moderate public, sidelined by a polarized political class.
3.46
420
Culture War? The Myth of  a Polarized America Summary
Culture War? The Myth of a Polarized America
Fifty years of polling data show a moderate public, sidelined by a polarized political class.
by Morris P. Fiorina 2004 256 pages
3.46
420 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
500+
How Democratic Is the American Constitution? Summary
How Democratic Is the American Constitution?
No other advanced democracy ever copied our Constitution. What they all saw that we do not.
by Robert A. Dahl 2001 240 pages
3.69
500+ ratings
Waves of War
by Andreas Wimmer • 2012
The nation-state rewired war: the fuse isn't diversity, it's who is locked out of power.
3.48
23
Waves of War Summary
Waves of War
The nation-state rewired war: the fuse isn't diversity, it's who is locked out of power.
by Andreas Wimmer 2012 384 pages
3.48
23 ratings
The Rhetoric of Reaction
by Albert O. Hirschman • 1991
Every reactionary argument against progress falls into one of three patterns.
4.02
500+
The Rhetoric of Reaction Summary
The Rhetoric of Reaction
Every reactionary argument against progress falls into one of three patterns.
by Albert O. Hirschman 1991 224 pages
4.02
500+ ratings
Ill Winds
by Larry Diamond • 2019
Democracy is being dismantled not by tanks but through courts, captured media, and laundered money.
3.99
274
Ill Winds Summary
Ill Winds
Democracy is being dismantled not by tanks but through courts, captured media, and laundered money.
by Larry Diamond 2019 368 pages
3.99
274 ratings
Partisans
by Nicole Hemmer • 2022
Reagan's heirs built a media insurgency that ran on outrage and treated compromise as betrayal.
4.17
475
Partisans Summary
Partisans
Reagan's heirs built a media insurgency that ran on outrage and treated compromise as betrayal.
by Nicole Hemmer 2022 368 pages
4.17
475 ratings
Birth of the Leviathan
by Ertman • 1997
Dark Age local government set Europe's regimes. The timing of war shaped their institutions.
3.78
49
Birth of the Leviathan Summary
Birth of the Leviathan
Dark Age local government set Europe's regimes. The timing of war shaped their institutions.
by Ertman 1997 380 pages
3.78
49 ratings
The Populist Explosion
by John B. Judis • 2016
Populism is a language, not an ideology. The Great Recession taught the West to speak it.
3.74
1k+
The Populist Explosion Summary
The Populist Explosion
Populism is a language, not an ideology. The Great Recession taught the West to speak it.
by John B. Judis 2016 182 pages
3.74
1k+ ratings
The Conservative Sensibility
by George F. Will • 2019
The Founders built a limited republic. Progressives turned it into an engine of expansion.
4.11
1k+
The Conservative Sensibility Summary
The Conservative Sensibility
The Founders built a limited republic. Progressives turned it into an engine of expansion.
by George F. Will 2019 640 pages
4.11
1k+ ratings
Liberalism
by Edmund Fawcett • 2014
Liberalism is a two-century argument, not a creed: over freedom, power, and who belongs.
3.90
277
Liberalism Summary
Liberalism
Liberalism is a two-century argument, not a creed: over freedom, power, and who belongs.
by Edmund Fawcett 2014 488 pages
3.90
277 ratings
War and Change in World Politics
by Robert Gilpin • 1999
International order never lasts. Uneven growth among states eventually demands a reset by war.
3.97
362
War and Change in World Politics Summary
War and Change in World Politics
International order never lasts. Uneven growth among states eventually demands a reset by war.
by Robert Gilpin 1999 288 pages
3.97
362 ratings
Republican Gomorrah
by Max Blumenthal • 2007
The Christian right, built on crisis and submission, was destined to devour the GOP from inside.
3.88
1k+
Republican Gomorrah Summary
Republican Gomorrah
The Christian right, built on crisis and submission, was destined to devour the GOP from inside.
by Max Blumenthal 2007 432 pages
3.88
1k+ ratings
C. Wright Mills and the Power Elite
by G. William Domhoff • 1968
A united elite of generals, CEOs, and politicians controls America. Pluralism is a comforting myth.
4.53
17
C. Wright Mills and the Power Elite Summary
C. Wright Mills and the Power Elite
A united elite of generals, CEOs, and politicians controls America. Pluralism is a comforting myth.
by G. William Domhoff 1968 288 pages
4.53
17 ratings
Conservative Parties and the Birth of Democracy
by Daniel Ziblatt • 2017
Democracy depends less on its fans than on the party organization built by its old-guard opponents.
4.00
88
Conservative Parties and the Birth of Democracy Summary
Conservative Parties and the Birth of Democracy
Democracy depends less on its fans than on the party organization built by its old-guard opponents.
by Daniel Ziblatt 2017 439 pages
4.00
88 ratings
The Destructionists
by Dana Milbank • 2022
Gingrich lit the match in 1993. Twenty-five years of arson later, Trump walked through the ashes.
4.21
1k+
The Destructionists Summary
The Destructionists
Gingrich lit the match in 1993. Twenty-five years of arson later, Trump walked through the ashes.
by Dana Milbank 2022 416 pages
4.21
1k+ ratings
The Great Alignment
by Alan I. Abramowitz • 2018
Partisan sorting by race and culture turned politics into mutual hatred. Trump is the result.
3.43
191
The Great Alignment Summary
The Great Alignment
Partisan sorting by race and culture turned politics into mutual hatred. Trump is the result.
by Alan I. Abramowitz 2018 216 pages
3.43
191 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
The sovereign state won not by conquest but by keeping promises and enforcing uniform rules.
by Hendrik Spruyt 1994 302 pages
4.03
124 ratings
Nationalism
by Liah Greenfeld • 2019
Nationalism, invented by accident in Tudor England, is the hidden parent of every modern ideology.
3.50
48
Nationalism Summary
Nationalism
Nationalism, invented by accident in Tudor England, is the hidden parent of every modern ideology.
by Liah Greenfeld 2019 160 pages
3.50
48 ratings
Nation Building
by Andreas Wimmer • 2018
Ethnic diversity doesn't predict state failure. A missing centralized state centuries ago does.
4.08
36
Nation Building Summary
Nation Building
Ethnic diversity doesn't predict state failure. A missing centralized state centuries ago does.
by Andreas Wimmer 2018 376 pages
4.08
36 ratings
The Red and the Blue
by Steve Kornacki • 2018
The prosperous 1990s: two men broke American politics, and we are still living in the wreckage.
4.20
3k+
The Red and the Blue Summary
The Red and the Blue
The prosperous 1990s: two men broke American politics, and we are still living in the wreckage.
by Steve Kornacki 2018
4.20
3k+ ratings
A Nation by Design
by Aristide R. Zolberg • 2006
America's open-border myth hides a centuries-long project of population engineering.
3.82
55
A Nation by Design Summary
A Nation by Design
America's open-border myth hides a centuries-long project of population engineering.
by Aristide R. Zolberg 2006 672 pages
3.82
55 ratings
Anti-System Politics
by Jonathan Hopkin • 2020
Market rule produces its own opposition: anti-system left and right are the predictable backlash.
3.90
51
Anti-System Politics Summary
Anti-System Politics
Market rule produces its own opposition: anti-system left and right are the predictable backlash.
by Jonathan Hopkin 2020 331 pages
3.90
51 ratings
The Two Faces of American Freedom
by Aziz Rana • 2010
American freedom depends on subjugation: a hidden bargain that shaped the republic from the start.
4.03
90
The Two Faces of American Freedom Summary
The Two Faces of American Freedom
American freedom depends on subjugation: a hidden bargain that shaped the republic from the start.
by Aziz Rana 2010 432 pages
4.03
90 ratings
The Populist Persuasion
by Michael Kazin • 1995
Anti-elite language once belonged to labor and farmers. A history of how conservatives captured it.
3.75
134
The Populist Persuasion Summary
The Populist Persuasion
Anti-elite language once belonged to labor and farmers. A history of how conservatives captured it.
by Michael Kazin 1995 387 pages
3.75
134 ratings
Radical American Partisanship
by Nathan P. Kalmoe • 2022
15 percent of Americans have been threatened over politics. The accelerant is racial resentment.
3.70
44
Radical American Partisanship Summary
Radical American Partisanship
15 percent of Americans have been threatened over politics. The accelerant is racial resentment.
by Nathan P. Kalmoe 2022 222 pages
3.70
44 ratings
Racial Realignment
by Eric Schickler • 2016
Labor unions and state parties, not presidents, drove the Democratic turn toward civil rights.
4.24
46
Racial Realignment Summary
Racial Realignment
Labor unions and state parties, not presidents, drove the Democratic turn toward civil rights.
by Eric Schickler 2016 384 pages
4.24
46 ratings
A Framework for Political Analysis
by David Easton • 1979
Governments fall, regimes change. The real puzzle: why any political system lasts at all.
3.94
33
A Framework for Political Analysis Summary
A Framework for Political Analysis
Governments fall, regimes change. The real puzzle: why any political system lasts at all.
by David Easton 1979
3.94
33 ratings
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