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SoBrief
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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 94%
Democracy requires conditions that sound simple and are almost never present at the same time.
by Robert A. Dahl 1989
3.84
316 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 94%
Losing is the skill democracy forgot, and without institutions to structure conflict, it unravels.
by Jan-Werner Müller 2021
3.46
168 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 93%
Elections hand power to the few. A design for ordinary citizens to actually rule.
by Hélène Landemore 2020
4.09
109 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 93%
Most democracies fail their own test: the government reflects a minority, not the people.
by A.C. Grayling 2020
3.81
130 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 93%
180 years of democracy without liberalism: what Athens reveals about the fundamentals of self-rule.
by Josiah Ober 2019
3.40
25 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 93%
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
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
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 93%
Democracy is not broken. It is eight unresolvable tensions; the work is holding them together.
by Astra Taylor 2019
4.20
731 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 93%
Free isn't removed walls; it's a body, a fact, a road, and solidarity.
by Theodor W. Adorno 1970
4.14
3k+ 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
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? 92%
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
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 92%
Democracy is not about elections. It is the scandal that no one is born to rule.
by Jacques Rancière 2005
3.72
970 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? 92%
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 92%
Populists dismantle institutions; unelected courts rule from above; split tearing democracy apart.
by Yascha Mounk 2018
4.05
2k+ 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 92%
Democracy's dirty secret: a few hundred informed citizens reason better than millions.
by James S. Fishkin 2009
3.76
49 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 91%
Consensus is the liberal dream. Real democracy thrives on adversaries and a good fight.
by Chantal Mouffe 2013
3.87
351 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 91%
America's definition of freedom is broken. Less government has produced not liberty but oligarchy.
by Timothy Snyder 2025
4.28
5k+ 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
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 91%
Democracy without courts, rights, and restraints is just a machine for producing elected strongmen.
by Fareed Zakaria 2003
4.02
4k+ 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 91%
Shallow views run democracy. When citizens deliberate, their priorities shift, and policy follows.
by James S. Fishkin 2018
3.82
28 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 91%
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
Free and Equal
by Daniel Chandler • 2023
Forget who you are, design society. Rawls did; the result might be our fairest system.
3.95
439
Free and Equal Summary
Free and Equal 91%
Forget who you are, design society. Rawls did; the result might be our fairest system.
by Daniel Chandler 2023
3.95
439 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 91%
How coded language and elite myths rig democratic debate, and why the educated fall hardest.
by Jason F. Stanley 2015
3.59
859 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 91%
Equality built American democracy—and made majority rule the new despotism.
by Alexis de Tocqueville 1835
4.05
27k+ 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 91%
Democracy fails when no one joins anything. Eleven writers and leaders on the repair work.
by Margaret Atwood 2024
3.95
287 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 91%
AI dismantles democracy not by malice but by logic. The philosophical fightback begins here.
by Mark Coeckelbergh 2024
3.26
54 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 91%
Coups are relics. The new authoritarian wins the election first, then slowly silences the referees.
by Steven Levitsky 2018
4.16
33k+ 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
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 91%
More rights, more information, less collective power: the paradox at the heart of modern democracy.
by Ivan Krastev 2013
3.96
73 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 91%
Tech promised liberation but delivered surveillance and polarization. Taiwan found the off-ramp.
by E. Glen Weyl 2024
3.51
47 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 91%
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
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 91%
Liberalism is a two-century argument, not a creed: over freedom, power, and who belongs.
by Edmund Fawcett 2014
3.90
277 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 91%
The right-wing populism unraveling democracy didn't defeat neoliberalism. It built it.
by Wendy Brown 2019
4.11
480 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 91%
For multinational democracies, the nation-state model is a trap. India shows a better path.
by Alfred Stepan 2010
4.64
11 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 91%
The document Americans revere was built to thwart popular rule. Now it is breaking the country.
by Erwin Chemerinsky 2024
3.93
337 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
Citizens
by Jon Alexander • 2022
Society runs on two stories: we are subjects or consumers. A third story changes everything.
4.04
317
Citizens Summary
Citizens 91%
Society runs on two stories: we are subjects or consumers. A third story changes everything.
by Jon Alexander 2022
4.04
317 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? 91%
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
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 91%
Democracy requires organized conflict and leaders from the bottom. A 1946 manual, still unheeded.
by Saul D. Alinsky 1946
3.84
589 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
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 91%
Democrats swapped the working class for Wall Street. The collapse started with Bill Clinton.
by Ed Burmila 2022
4.43
194 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
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 91%
Liberalism's enemies on left and right agree on one thing. Neither has a workable replacement.
by Francis Fukuyama 2022
3.90
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 91%
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
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
Power
by Dennis Wrong • 1996
Power must become authority to last, and every command carries both threat and attachment.
4.00
18
Power Summary
Power 90%
Power must become authority to last, and every command carries both threat and attachment.
by Dennis Wrong 1996
4.00
18 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 90%
What ordinary citizens did wrong last century, and what you can do right this one.
by Timothy Snyder 2017
4.29
112k+ ratings
The Rational Public
by Benjamin I. Page • 1992
One voter's opinion is noise. Combine millions, and a different story about democracy emerges.
3.58
33
The Rational Public Summary
The Rational Public 90%
One voter's opinion is noise. Combine millions, and a different story about democracy emerges.
by Benjamin I. Page 1992
3.58
33 ratings
American Citizenship
by Judith Nisse Shklar • 1991
Voting and earning: the two pillars of American citizenship, forged in opposition to slavery.
3.60
67
American Citizenship Summary
American Citizenship 90%
Voting and earning: the two pillars of American citizenship, forged in opposition to slavery.
by Judith Nisse Shklar 1991
3.60
67 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
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