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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
American Struggle
by Jon Meacham • 2026
Democracy doesn't run on autopilot. The documents that show what happens when Americans forget.
4.20
587
American Struggle Summary
American Struggle 91%
Democracy doesn't run on autopilot. The documents that show what happens when Americans forget.
by Jon Meacham 2026
4.20
587 ratings
Democracy
by Paul Cartledge • 2016
Ancient democracy meant the poor ruled directly. Modern democracy was built to stop that.
3.80
215
Democracy Summary
Democracy 91%
Ancient democracy meant the poor ruled directly. Modern democracy was built to stop that.
by Paul Cartledge 2016
3.80
215 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
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 91%
An ancient democracy defied the drift toward oligarchy. The secret was rhetoric, not rules.
by Josiah Ober 1989
3.71
48 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
Our Declaration
by Danielle S. Allen • 2014
The Declaration's forgotten argument: equality is the only real shield against domination.
3.83
888
Our Declaration Summary
Our Declaration 91%
The Declaration's forgotten argument: equality is the only real shield against domination.
by Danielle S. Allen 2014
3.83
888 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
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
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 91%
Twenty-three fixes for a rusty Constitution: bigger Congress, term limits, a state convention.
by Larry J. Sabato 2007
3.66
335 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 91%
Democracy is not broken. It is eight unresolvable tensions; the work is holding them together.
by Astra Taylor 2019
4.20
731 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
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? 91%
American democracy has morphed into a form that is democratic on paper but illiberal in practice.
by Alan Wolfe 2006
3.57
21 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
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 90%
Equality built American democracy—and made majority rule the new despotism.
by Alexis de Tocqueville 1835
4.05
27k+ ratings
America's Three Regimes
by Morton Keller • 2007
Three political orders, not short eras, have governed America. Each endured a century or more.
3.29
45
America's Three Regimes Summary
America's Three Regimes 90%
Three political orders, not short eras, have governed America. Each endured a century or more.
by Morton Keller 2007
3.29
45 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
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 90%
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
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
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 90%
Democrats won in 2020 but never settled their internal war. The reckoning still waits.
by Hunter Walker 2024
3.91
114 ratings
First Principles
by Thomas E. Ricks • 2020
Locke and Montesquieu get the credit. America's founders were actually reading Cicero and Cato.
4.06
4k+
First Principles Summary
First Principles 90%
Locke and Montesquieu get the credit. America's founders were actually reading Cicero and Cato.
by Thomas E. Ricks 2020
4.06
4k+ 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
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 90%
Ancient Athens was the West's cautionary tale against democracy for two millennia. What changed?
by Jennifer T. Roberts 1994
3.60
10 ratings
The Royalist Revolution
by Eric Nelson • 2014
Americans rebelled for the king, not against him. The presidency became the crown they were denied.
4.12
116
The Royalist Revolution Summary
The Royalist Revolution 90%
Americans rebelled for the king, not against him. The presidency became the crown they were denied.
by Eric Nelson 2014
4.12
116 ratings
Fight for Liberty
by Mark Lasswell • 2018
Democracy is besieged by authoritarians abroad. The weakening at home is the harder fight.
3.92
50
Fight for Liberty Summary
Fight for Liberty 90%
Democracy is besieged by authoritarians abroad. The weakening at home is the harder fight.
by Mark Lasswell 2018
3.92
50 ratings
Rights Talk
by Mary Ann Glendon • 1991
American law won't require you to rescue a drowning stranger. That gap explains our broken politics.
4.06
124
Rights Talk Summary
Rights Talk 90%
American law won't require you to rescue a drowning stranger. That gap explains our broken politics.
by Mary Ann Glendon 1991
4.06
124 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
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 90%
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 90%
America's definition of freedom is broken. Less government has produced not liberty but oligarchy.
by Timothy Snyder 2025
4.28
5k+ 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
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 90%
Four times the Senate clout for small-state voters: the 1787 compromise still in charge.
by Cynthia Levinson 2017
4.00
614 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 90%
Democracy requires organized conflict and leaders from the bottom. A 1946 manual, still unheeded.
by Saul D. Alinsky 1946
3.84
589 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
The American Spirit
by David McCullough • 2017
Why the American past is a well to draw strength from, not a burden to escape.
4.22
7k+
The American Spirit Summary
The American Spirit 90%
Why the American past is a well to draw strength from, not a burden to escape.
by David McCullough 2017
4.22
7k+ 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
The Demagogue's Playbook
by Eric A. Posner • 2020
The Founders built a republic to keep demagogues out. Two centuries later, the safeguards are gone.
3.79
147
The Demagogue's Playbook Summary
The Demagogue's Playbook 90%
The Founders built a republic to keep demagogues out. Two centuries later, the safeguards are gone.
by Eric A. Posner 2020
3.79
147 ratings
Common Sense
by Thomas Paine • 1776
A plain argument that kings and birthright are frauds, and America must walk away now.
4.00
40k+
Common Sense Summary
Common Sense 90%
A plain argument that kings and birthright are frauds, and America must walk away now.
by Thomas Paine 1776
4.00
40k+ ratings
The Rise and Fall of Classical Greece
by Josiah Ober • 2015
A thousand rival city-states, not empire, produced classical Greece's unprecedented prosperity.
3.94
308
The Rise and Fall of Classical Greece Summary
The Rise and Fall of Classical Greece 90%
A thousand rival city-states, not empire, produced classical Greece's unprecedented prosperity.
by Josiah Ober 2015
3.94
308 ratings
The Original Compromise
by David Brian Robertson • 2012
Shared ideals didn't build it. Raw bargains, evasions, and a tragic deal on slavery did.
3.86
35
The Original Compromise Summary
The Original Compromise 90%
Shared ideals didn't build it. Raw bargains, evasions, and a tragic deal on slavery did.
by David Brian Robertson 2012
3.86
35 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
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 90%
Liberalism was born as duty and generosity. The individual-rights version is only seventy years old.
by Helena Rosenblatt 2018
4.04
448 ratings
Peace Pact
by David C. Hendrickson • 2003
Before it was a nation, America was a powder keg. The Constitution was the peace treaty.
3.36
25
Peace Pact Summary
Peace Pact 90%
Before it was a nation, America was a powder keg. The Constitution was the peace treaty.
by David C. Hendrickson 2003
3.36
25 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 90%
Liberalism is a two-century argument, not a creed: over freedom, power, and who belongs.
by Edmund Fawcett 2014
3.90
277 ratings
Presidents, Populism, and the Crisis of Democracy
by William G. Howell • 2020
The Constitution was designed for inaction; that structural flaw now fuels populist demagogues.
3.87
82
Presidents, Populism, and the Crisis of Democracy Summary
Presidents, Populism, and the Crisis of Democracy 90%
The Constitution was designed for inaction; that structural flaw now fuels populist demagogues.
by William G. Howell 2020
3.87
82 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 90%
Rights are half the contract. Democracy's survival depends on ten duties Americans have forgotten.
by Richard N. Haass 2023
4.12
2k+ ratings
A Necessary Evil
by Garry Wills • 1999
The Constitution was built for action, not gridlock. How Americans came to believe otherwise.
3.78
196
A Necessary Evil Summary
A Necessary Evil 90%
The Constitution was built for action, not gridlock. How Americans came to believe otherwise.
by Garry Wills 1999
3.78
196 ratings
Tocqueville
by Harvey C. Mansfield • 2007
Tocqueville saw democracy's rise as inevitable, but warned of two quiet threats. A compact guide.
3.51
157
Tocqueville Summary
Tocqueville 90%
Tocqueville saw democracy's rise as inevitable, but warned of two quiet threats. A compact guide.
by Harvey C. Mansfield 2007
3.51
157 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 90%
The GOP was built for Trump long before he came down the escalator.
by Dan Pfeiffer 2020
4.20
3k+ 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
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