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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 92%
Losing is the skill democracy forgot, and without institutions to structure conflict, it unravels.
by Jan-Werner Müller 2021
3.46
168 ratings
Legitimacy in Liberal Democracies
by Benjamin M. Studebaker • 2024
Democracies survive today not by solving problems but by multiplying stories about why they can't.
4.60
15
Legitimacy in Liberal Democracies Summary
Legitimacy in Liberal Democracies 91%
Democracies survive today not by solving problems but by multiplying stories about why they can't.
by Benjamin M. Studebaker 2024
4.60
15 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 91%
180 years of democracy without liberalism: what Athens reveals about the fundamentals of self-rule.
by Josiah Ober 2019
3.40
25 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 91%
Elections hand power to the few. A design for ordinary citizens to actually rule.
by Hélène Landemore 2020
4.09
109 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? 91%
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
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 91%
Most democracies fail their own test: the government reflects a minority, not the people.
by A.C. Grayling 2020
3.81
130 ratings
On Democracy
by Robert A. Dahl • 1998
Democracy is barely a century old, needs rare conditions, and capitalism is its host and hazard.
3.68
1k+
On Democracy Summary
On Democracy 91%
Democracy is barely a century old, needs rare conditions, and capitalism is its host and hazard.
by Robert A. Dahl 1998
3.68
1k+ 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 91%
Democracy requires conditions that sound simple and are almost never present at the same time.
by Robert A. Dahl 1989
3.84
316 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
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
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
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 90%
The document Americans revere was built to thwart popular rule. Now it is breaking the country.
by Erwin Chemerinsky 2024
3.93
337 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 90%
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
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 90%
Coups are relics. The new authoritarian wins the election first, then slowly silences the referees.
by Steven Levitsky 2018
4.16
33k+ 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? 90%
What most Americans want passes one time in three. The explanation isn't gridlock. It's wealth.
by Benjamin I. Page 2017
3.78
54 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
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
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 90%
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
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 90%
Democracy is not broken. It is eight unresolvable tensions; the work is holding them together.
by Astra Taylor 2019
4.20
731 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
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 90%
Democracy without courts, rights, and restraints is just a machine for producing elected strongmen.
by Fareed Zakaria 2003
4.02
4k+ ratings
Laboratories of Autocracy
by David Pepper • 2021
How statehouses became the most dangerous threat to American democracy, and why nobody noticed.
4.48
338
Laboratories of Autocracy Summary
Laboratories of Autocracy 90%
How statehouses became the most dangerous threat to American democracy, and why nobody noticed.
by David Pepper 2021
4.48
338 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 90%
Democracy is not about elections. It is the scandal that no one is born to rule.
by Jacques Rancière 2005
3.72
970 ratings
Giving Up Is Unforgivable
by Joyce Vance • 2025
Spotting the slow dismantling of democracy, and the citizen playbook for stopping it.
4.28
2k+
Giving Up Is Unforgivable Summary
Giving Up Is Unforgivable 90%
Spotting the slow dismantling of democracy, and the citizen playbook for stopping it.
by Joyce Vance 2025
4.28
2k+ ratings
The Right To Vote The Contested History Of Democracy In The United States
by Alexander Keyssar • 2000
Voting rights advanced, then retreated. Each expansion triggered backlash, and the cycle continues.
4.04
301
The Right To Vote The Contested History Of Democracy In The United States Summary
The Right To Vote The Contested History Of Democracy In The United States 90%
Voting rights advanced, then retreated. Each expansion triggered backlash, and the cycle continues.
by Alexander Keyssar 2000
4.04
301 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 90%
The party fewer voters chose governs, and the rulebook was written to let them.
by Steven Levitsky 2023
4.39
4k+ 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
Popular Dictatorships
by Aleksandar Matovski • 2022
The ballot box is not a check on authoritarianism but its most powerful source of legitimacy.
3.56
16
Popular Dictatorships Summary
Popular Dictatorships 90%
The ballot box is not a check on authoritarianism but its most powerful source of legitimacy.
by Aleksandar Matovski 2022
3.56
16 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 90%
Democracy's dirty secret: a few hundred informed citizens reason better than millions.
by James S. Fishkin 2009
3.76
49 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 90%
Shallow views run democracy. When citizens deliberate, their priorities shift, and policy follows.
by James S. Fishkin 2018
3.82
28 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 90%
When economies stop delivering, democracies start falling. Populism is the symptom, not the disease.
by William A. Galston 2018
3.76
151 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 89%
Twenty-three fixes for a rusty Constitution: bigger Congress, term limits, a state convention.
by Larry J. Sabato 2007
3.66
335 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 89%
Four times the Senate clout for small-state voters: the 1787 compromise still in charge.
by Cynthia Levinson 2017
4.00
614 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 89%
How to fix American elections from the ground up, with reforms that are already winning.
by Joshua A. Douglas 2019
4.17
65 ratings
The Problem of Political Authority
by Michael Huemer • 2012
No social contract was ever signed. Every argument for state authority collapses under scrutiny.
4.39
715
The Problem of Political Authority Summary
The Problem of Political Authority 89%
No social contract was ever signed. Every argument for state authority collapses under scrutiny.
by Michael Huemer 2012
4.39
715 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
Republic, Lost
by Lawrence Lessig • 2011
America's government answers to funders, not voters. The corruption is legal, and it's by design.
4.18
3k+
Republic, Lost Summary
Republic, Lost 89%
America's government answers to funders, not voters. The corruption is legal, and it's by design.
by Lawrence Lessig 2011
4.18
3k+ 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 89%
America's definition of freedom is broken. Less government has produced not liberty but oligarchy.
by Timothy Snyder 2025
4.28
5k+ 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 89%
Why your vote matters less than your zip code: the institutional rules that run American elections.
by L. Sandy Maisel 2016
3.39
322 ratings
Democracy
by Charles Tilly • 2007
Democracy isn't a finish line. Three processes build it; elites can tear them down much faster.
3.64
173
Democracy Summary
Democracy 89%
Democracy isn't a finish line. Three processes build it; elites can tear them down much faster.
by Charles Tilly 2007
3.64
173 ratings
Why AI Undermines Democracy and What To Do About It
by Mark Coeckelbergh • 2024
AI dismantles democracy not by malice but by logic. The philosophical fightback begins here.
3.26
54
Why AI Undermines Democracy and What To Do About It Summary
Why AI Undermines Democracy and What To Do About It 89%
AI dismantles democracy not by malice but by logic. The philosophical fightback begins here.
by Mark Coeckelbergh 2024
3.26
54 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
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 89%
Democracy is being dismantled not by tanks but through courts, captured media, and laundered money.
by Larry Diamond 2019
3.99
274 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 89%
Tech promised liberation but delivered surveillance and polarization. Taiwan found the off-ramp.
by E. Glen Weyl 2024
3.51
47 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. 89%
A global network of dictators runs autocracies like for-profit firms. Democracies bankroll them.
by Anne Applebaum 2024
4.16
19k+ 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
Agonistics
by Chantal Mouffe • 2013
Consensus is the liberal dream. Real democracy thrives on adversaries and a good fight.
3.87
351
Agonistics Summary
Agonistics 89%
Consensus is the liberal dream. Real democracy thrives on adversaries and a good fight.
by Chantal Mouffe 2013
3.87
351 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 89%
Democrats swapped the working class for Wall Street. The collapse started with Bill Clinton.
by Ed Burmila 2022
4.43
194 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 89%
The urge to defend hierarchy dismantles democracy from within. Four nations reveal the pattern.
by Zack Beauchamp 2024
4.01
166 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 89%
For multinational democracies, the nation-state model is a trap. India shows a better path.
by Alfred Stepan 2010
4.64
11 ratings
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