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Athens on Trial
by Jennifer T. Roberts • 1994
Ancient Athens was the West's cautionary tale against democracy for two millennia. What changed?
3.60
10
Athens on Trial Summary
Athens on Trial 91%
Ancient Athens was the West's cautionary tale against democracy for two millennia. What changed?
by Jennifer T. Roberts 1994
3.60
10 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 91%
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 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 91%
Conservatism is the counterrevolution: a history of the right borrowing from the left to defeat it.
by Corey Robin 2011
3.94
3k+ 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 91%
Losing is the skill democracy forgot, and without institutions to structure conflict, it unravels.
by Jan-Werner Müller 2021
3.46
168 ratings
The New Leviathans
by John Gray • 2023
Humans kill for meaning, not markets. Liberalism forgot this. The leviathans remembered.
3.42
980
The New Leviathans Summary
The New Leviathans 91%
Humans kill for meaning, not markets. Liberalism forgot this. The leviathans remembered.
by John Gray 2023
3.42
980 ratings
On Tyranny
by Timothy Snyder • 2017
What ordinary citizens did wrong last century, and what you can do right this one.
4.29
112k+
On Tyranny Summary
On Tyranny 91%
What ordinary citizens did wrong last century, and what you can do right this one.
by Timothy Snyder 2017
4.29
112k+ ratings
How Fascism Works
by Jason F. Stanley • 2018
A philosopher isolates ten political tactics that turn democratic citizens into hostile tribes.
4.25
17k+
How Fascism Works Summary
How Fascism Works 90%
A philosopher isolates ten political tactics that turn democratic citizens into hostile tribes.
by Jason F. Stanley 2018
4.25
17k+ 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? 90%
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
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 90%
Free isn't removed walls; it's a body, a fact, a road, and solidarity.
by Theodor W. Adorno 1970
4.14
3k+ 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 90%
More rights, more information, less collective power: the paradox at the heart of modern democracy.
by Ivan Krastev 2013
3.96
73 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 90%
Democracies are dismantled one law at a time. The 1930s playbook is back.
by Madeleine K. Albright 2018
4.25
21k+ ratings
Conservatism
by Edmund Fawcett • 2020
Conservatism's two-century fight: resist liberal modernity or adapt? Neither side ever fully wins.
3.73
128
Conservatism Summary
Conservatism 90%
Conservatism's two-century fight: resist liberal modernity or adapt? Neither side ever fully wins.
by Edmund Fawcett 2020
3.73
128 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 90%
Populists dismantle institutions; unelected courts rule from above; split tearing democracy apart.
by Yascha Mounk 2018
4.05
2k+ ratings
The Dark Enlightenment
by Nick Land • 2012
Democracy is not a broken system; it is a self-destructive engine that devours civilization.
3.26
733
The Dark Enlightenment Summary
The Dark Enlightenment 90%
Democracy is not a broken system; it is a self-destructive engine that devours civilization.
by Nick Land 2012
3.26
733 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? 90%
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
Autocracy, Inc.
by Anne Applebaum • 2024
A global network of dictators runs autocracies like for-profit firms. Democracies bankroll them.
4.16
19k+
Autocracy, Inc. Summary
Autocracy, Inc. 90%
A global network of dictators runs autocracies like for-profit firms. Democracies bankroll them.
by Anne Applebaum 2024
4.16
19k+ ratings
The Last American President
by Thom Hartmann • 2025
Billionaire money, racial grievance, cruel politics: how the GOP became an authoritarian machine.
4.48
321
The Last American President Summary
The Last American President 90%
Billionaire money, racial grievance, cruel politics: how the GOP became an authoritarian machine.
by Thom Hartmann 2025
4.48
321 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 90%
Voters are ignorant and participation corrupts them. The competent should rule instead.
by Jason Brennan 2016
3.68
1k+ ratings
After Utopia
by Judith N. Shklar • 1970
When political faith collapsed, every tradition fell into its own fatalism. Theory never recovered.
4.15
40
After Utopia Summary
After Utopia 90%
When political faith collapsed, every tradition fell into its own fatalism. Theory never recovered.
by Judith N. Shklar 1970
4.15
40 ratings
The Case Against Socialism
by Rand Paul • 2019
Why socialism always ends in bread lines and body counts, from Venezuela to Mao's China.
4.18
1k+
The Case Against Socialism Summary
The Case Against Socialism 90%
Why socialism always ends in bread lines and body counts, from Venezuela to Mao's China.
by Rand Paul 2019
4.18
1k+ ratings
America Last
by Jacob Heilbrunn • 2024
The Right's century of admiring strongmen is not a bug but the point.
3.83
246
America Last Summary
America Last 90%
The Right's century of admiring strongmen is not a bug but the point.
by Jacob Heilbrunn 2024
3.83
246 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 90%
Liberalism didn't fail despite its successes. Its successes broke it.
by Patrick J. Deneen 2018
3.84
4k+ ratings
Does American Democracy Still Work?
by Alan Wolfe • 2006
American democracy has morphed into a form that is democratic on paper but illiberal in practice.
3.57
21
Does American Democracy Still Work? Summary
Does American Democracy Still Work? 90%
American democracy has morphed into a form that is democratic on paper but illiberal in practice.
by Alan Wolfe 2006
3.57
21 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? 90%
A democracy dies the same way eleven million people did: one lie at a time.
by Andy Andrews 2011
4.06
4k+ ratings
On Freedom
by Timothy Snyder • 2025
America's definition of freedom is broken. Less government has produced not liberty but oligarchy.
4.28
5k+
On Freedom Summary
On Freedom 90%
America's definition of freedom is broken. Less government has produced not liberty but oligarchy.
by Timothy Snyder 2025
4.28
5k+ ratings
In the Ruins of Neoliberalism
by Wendy Brown • 2019
The right-wing populism unraveling democracy didn't defeat neoliberalism. It built it.
4.11
480
In the Ruins of Neoliberalism Summary
In the Ruins of Neoliberalism 90%
The right-wing populism unraveling democracy didn't defeat neoliberalism. It built it.
by Wendy Brown 2019
4.11
480 ratings
Latter-Day Pamphlets
by Thomas Carlyle • 1850
An 1850 diagnosis: democracy is anarchy, philanthropy coddles scoundrels, and talk rules everything.
3.89
99
Latter-Day Pamphlets Summary
Latter-Day Pamphlets 90%
An 1850 diagnosis: democracy is anarchy, philanthropy coddles scoundrels, and talk rules everything.
by Thomas Carlyle 1850
3.89
99 ratings
The Reactionary Spirit
by Zack Beauchamp • 2024
The urge to defend hierarchy dismantles democracy from within. Four nations reveal the pattern.
4.01
166
The Reactionary Spirit Summary
The Reactionary Spirit 90%
The urge to defend hierarchy dismantles democracy from within. Four nations reveal the pattern.
by Zack Beauchamp 2024
4.01
166 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 90%
180 years of democracy without liberalism: what Athens reveals about the fundamentals of self-rule.
by Josiah Ober 2019
3.40
25 ratings
Mass and Elite in Democratic Athens
by Josiah Ober • 1989
An ancient democracy defied the drift toward oligarchy. The secret was rhetoric, not rules.
3.71
48
Mass and Elite in Democratic Athens Summary
Mass and Elite in Democratic Athens 90%
An ancient democracy defied the drift toward oligarchy. The secret was rhetoric, not rules.
by Josiah Ober 1989
3.71
48 ratings
The Road to Serfdom
by Friedrich A. Hayek • 1944
Central planning, however noble, destroys liberty, corrupts morals, and elevates the cruel.
4.15
26k+
The Road to Serfdom Summary
The Road to Serfdom 90%
Central planning, however noble, destroys liberty, corrupts morals, and elevates the cruel.
by Friedrich A. Hayek 1944
4.15
26k+ ratings
The Rhetoric of Reaction
by Albert O. Hirschman • 1991
Every reactionary argument against progress falls into one of three patterns.
4.02
532
The Rhetoric of Reaction Summary
The Rhetoric of Reaction 90%
Every reactionary argument against progress falls into one of three patterns.
by Albert O. Hirschman 1991
4.02
532 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 90%
The anarchist's case: local know-how, small defiance, and messy disorder beat grand plans.
by James C. Scott 2012
3.96
2k+ 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 90%
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
Ungoverning
by Nancy L. Rosenblum • 2024
Shrinking government is one thing. Breaking it on purpose is another.
3.79
90
Ungoverning Summary
Ungoverning 89%
Shrinking government is one thing. Breaking it on purpose is another.
by Nancy L. Rosenblum 2024
3.79
90 ratings
The Revolt of the Elites and the Betrayal of Democracy
by Christopher Lasch • 1995
Democracy is threatened not by the masses but by an elite that has abandoned the public square.
3.95
2k+
The Revolt of the Elites and the Betrayal of Democracy Summary
The Revolt of the Elites and the Betrayal of Democracy 89%
Democracy is threatened not by the masses but by an elite that has abandoned the public square.
by Christopher Lasch 1995
3.95
2k+ ratings
Trumpocracy
by David Frum • 2018
American democracy didn't fall; it was hollowed out by lies and a party that looked away.
3.88
4k+
Trumpocracy Summary
Trumpocracy 89%
American democracy didn't fall; it was hollowed out by lies and a party that looked away.
by David Frum 2018
3.88
4k+ 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 89%
Moral posturing, language control, contempt for ambition: how a parasitic class captured Germany.
by Ulf Poschardt 2025
3.21
301 ratings
Defeating Big Government Socialism
by Newt Gingrich • 2022
Bureaucratic socialism hollowed out America; reclaiming it takes history, civility, a long fight.
4.19
288
Defeating Big Government Socialism Summary
Defeating Big Government Socialism 89%
Bureaucratic socialism hollowed out America; reclaiming it takes history, civility, a long fight.
by Newt Gingrich 2022
4.19
288 ratings
The Quest for Community
by Robert A. Nisbet • 1953
Totalitarianism is not an aberration; it is the state's final victory over every rival community.
4.26
358
The Quest for Community Summary
The Quest for Community 89%
Totalitarianism is not an aberration; it is the state's final victory over every rival community.
by Robert A. Nisbet 1953
4.26
358 ratings
Democracy
by Margaret Atwood • 2024
Democracy fails when no one joins anything. Eleven writers and leaders on the repair work.
3.95
287
Democracy Summary
Democracy 89%
Democracy fails when no one joins anything. Eleven writers and leaders on the repair work.
by Margaret Atwood 2024
3.95
287 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 89%
Democracy without courts, rights, and restraints is just a machine for producing elected strongmen.
by Fareed Zakaria 2003
4.02
4k+ 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 89%
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
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 89%
Outsiders took the West with three forces: globalization's losers, immigration fears, media rage.
by Steve Richards 2017
3.69
150 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 89%
Democracy requires conditions that sound simple and are almost never present at the same time.
by Robert A. Dahl 1989
3.84
316 ratings
The Revolt of the Public and the Crisis of Authority
by Martin Gurri • 2014
The digital revolution gave the public the power to destroy institutions but not to replace them.
4.19
2k+
The Revolt of the Public and the Crisis of Authority Summary
The Revolt of the Public and the Crisis of Authority 89%
The digital revolution gave the public the power to destroy institutions but not to replace them.
by Martin Gurri 2014
4.19
2k+ 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 89%
Social engineering survived the Terror and went global. Your sovereignty is its target.
by Agustín Laje 2024
4.46
145 ratings
The Power of the Powerless
by Václav Havel • 1978
Tyranny runs on the lies ordinary people perform each day. Refuse one, the structure trembles.
4.22
4k+
The Power of the Powerless Summary
The Power of the Powerless 89%
Tyranny runs on the lies ordinary people perform each day. Refuse one, the structure trembles.
by Václav Havel 1978
4.22
4k+ ratings
Elogio de la duda
by Victoria Camps • 2016
Certainty is the enemy of democracy. Doubt is its immune system.
3.79
176
Elogio de la duda Summary
Elogio de la duda 89%
Certainty is the enemy of democracy. Doubt is its immune system.
by Victoria Camps 2016
3.79
176 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 89%
How coded language and elite myths rig democratic debate, and why the educated fall hardest.
by Jason F. Stanley 2015
3.59
859 ratings
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