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SoBrief
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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
Relic
by William G. Howell • 2016
Built for a small farm nation, the Constitution cannot equip a superpower. One reform can.
3.41
101
Relic Summary
Relic 90%
Built for a small farm nation, the Constitution cannot equip a superpower. One reform can.
by William G. Howell 2016
3.41
101 ratings
Breaking the Two-Party Doom Loop
by Lee Drutman • 2020
The two-party system is a democratic death trap. The only way out is to add more parties.
4.15
450
Breaking the Two-Party Doom Loop Summary
Breaking the Two-Party Doom Loop 90%
The two-party system is a democratic death trap. The only way out is to add more parties.
by Lee Drutman 2020
4.15
450 ratings
The Broken Branch
by Thomas E. Mann • 2006
Built to lead, Congress now defers to the president, skips debate, and legislates in the dark.
3.76
290
The Broken Branch Summary
The Broken Branch 90%
Built to lead, Congress now defers to the president, skips debate, and legislates in the dark.
by Thomas E. Mann 2006
3.76
290 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 90%
For multinational democracies, the nation-state model is a trap. India shows a better path.
by Alfred Stepan 2010
4.64
11 ratings
Electoral Systems and Party Systems
by Arend Lijphart • 1994
Across twenty-seven democracies, one design rule predicts electoral fairness best.
3.35
37
Electoral Systems and Party Systems Summary
Electoral Systems and Party Systems 90%
Across twenty-seven democracies, one design rule predicts electoral fairness best.
by Arend Lijphart 1994
3.35
37 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 90%
Twenty-three fixes for a rusty Constitution: bigger Congress, term limits, a state convention.
by Larry J. Sabato 2007
3.66
335 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 90%
Most democracies fail their own test: the government reflects a minority, not the people.
by A.C. Grayling 2020
3.81
130 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
Politics On the Edge
by Rory Stewart • 2023
Ten prisons, a promise to fix them or resign, and a system that punishes real accountability.
4.30
18k+
Politics On the Edge Summary
Politics On the Edge 90%
Ten prisons, a promise to fix them or resign, and a system that punishes real accountability.
by Rory Stewart 2023
4.30
18k+ 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
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 90%
Elections hand power to the few. A design for ordinary citizens to actually rule.
by Hélène Landemore 2020
4.09
109 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 89%
Losing is the skill democracy forgot, and without institutions to structure conflict, it unravels.
by Jan-Werner Müller 2021
3.46
168 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
Politics by Other Means
by Professor of Political Science Benjamin Ginsberg • 1990
When elections can't resolve political conflict, investigations, prosecutions, and press warfare do.
3.29
38
Politics by Other Means Summary
Politics by Other Means 89%
When elections can't resolve political conflict, investigations, prosecutions, and press warfare do.
by Professor of Political Science Benjamin Ginsberg 1990
3.29
38 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 89%
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 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 89%
Shallow views run democracy. When citizens deliberate, their priorities shift, and policy follows.
by James S. Fishkin 2018
3.82
28 ratings
Broken Government
by John W. Dean • 2007
Nixon's White House counsel reveals how Republicans broke Congress, the presidency, and the courts.
4.06
331
Broken Government Summary
Broken Government 89%
Nixon's White House counsel reveals how Republicans broke Congress, the presidency, and the courts.
by John W. Dean 2007
4.06
331 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
4k+
It's Even Worse Than It Looks Summary
It's Even Worse Than It Looks 89%
The debt ceiling as hostage, the filibuster as permanent veto: how one party broke democracy.
by Thomas E. Mann 2012
3.89
4k+ ratings
Bring Back the Bureaucrats
by John DiIulio • 2014
Government grew. Bureaucracy didn't. The case for hiring federal workers to make it smaller.
3.22
32
Bring Back the Bureaucrats Summary
Bring Back the Bureaucrats 89%
Government grew. Bureaucracy didn't. The case for hiring federal workers to make it smaller.
by John DiIulio 2014
3.22
32 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 89%
The party fewer voters chose governs, and the rulebook was written to let them.
by Steven Levitsky 2023
4.39
4k+ 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
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 89%
Voters are ignorant and participation corrupts them. The competent should rule instead.
by Jason Brennan 2016
3.68
1k+ ratings
The New Road to Serfdom
by Daniel Hannan • 2010
Europe's centralized model killed jobs, silenced voters, and shrank families. America is next.
4.03
657
The New Road to Serfdom Summary
The New Road to Serfdom 89%
Europe's centralized model killed jobs, silenced voters, and shrank families. America is next.
by Daniel Hannan 2010
4.03
657 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 89%
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
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 89%
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
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
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 89%
Democracy's dirty secret: a few hundred informed citizens reason better than millions.
by James S. Fishkin 2009
3.76
49 ratings
The American Presidency
by Charles O. Jones • 2007
The presidency was built to be strong but never supreme. Two centuries later, the tension endures.
3.41
227
The American Presidency Summary
The American Presidency 89%
The presidency was built to be strong but never supreme. Two centuries later, the tension endures.
by Charles O. Jones 2007
3.41
227 ratings
Keeping the Republic
by Mitch Daniels • 2011
A governor's playbook for cutting debt and restoring self-reliance, minus the Washington fantasies.
4.02
252
Keeping the Republic Summary
Keeping the Republic 89%
A governor's playbook for cutting debt and restoring self-reliance, minus the Washington fantasies.
by Mitch Daniels 2011
4.02
252 ratings
The Logic of Political Survival
by Bruce Bueno de Mesquita • 2003
Why democracies build roads and dictatorships build patronage: the math of political survival.
3.98
162
The Logic of Political Survival Summary
The Logic of Political Survival 89%
Why democracies build roads and dictatorships build patronage: the math of political survival.
by Bruce Bueno de Mesquita 2003
3.98
162 ratings
On Leadership
by Tony Blair • 2024
A prime minister's playbook: plan, focus, deliver, and why efficacy beats populism.
3.86
808
On Leadership Summary
On Leadership 89%
A prime minister's playbook: plan, focus, deliver, and why efficacy beats populism.
by Tony Blair 2024
3.86
808 ratings
Federalism
by William H. Riker • 1964
A federation is one bargain: ambitious politicians grant autonomy to neighbors who need protection.
4.17
12
Federalism Summary
Federalism 89%
A federation is one bargain: ambitious politicians grant autonomy to neighbors who need protection.
by William H. Riker 1964
4.17
12 ratings
An Introduction to the Policy Process
by Thomas A. Birkland • 2001
Policy fails less from bad ideas than from the battles over attention, framing, and implementation.
3.58
288
An Introduction to the Policy Process Summary
An Introduction to the Policy Process 89%
Policy fails less from bad ideas than from the battles over attention, framing, and implementation.
by Thomas A. Birkland 2001
3.58
288 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? 89%
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
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 89%
Democracy is not broken. It is eight unresolvable tensions; the work is holding them together.
by Astra Taylor 2019
4.20
731 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 89%
The Constitution was designed for inaction; that structural flaw now fuels populist demagogues.
by William G. Howell 2020
3.87
82 ratings
How Britain Ends
by Gavin Esler • 2021
Brexit did not crack the union; it exposed cracks English nationalism had been opening for decades.
4.09
581
How Britain Ends Summary
How Britain Ends 89%
Brexit did not crack the union; it exposed cracks English nationalism had been opening for decades.
by Gavin Esler 2021
4.09
581 ratings
Modelos de partido
by Angelo Panebianco • 1982
What drives political parties: internal power, incentives, and institutionalization, not ideology.
3.60
15
Modelos de partido Summary
Modelos de partido 89%
What drives political parties: internal power, incentives, and institutionalization, not ideology.
by Angelo Panebianco 1982
3.60
15 ratings
The Politics Industry
by Katherine M. Gehl • 2020
Two parties rigged the political market. One election redesign can open it.
4.30
706
The Politics Industry Summary
The Politics Industry 89%
Two parties rigged the political market. One election redesign can open it.
by Katherine M. Gehl 2020
4.30
706 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 89%
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
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 89%
More rights, more information, less collective power: the paradox at the heart of modern democracy.
by Ivan Krastev 2013
3.96
73 ratings
The Decline of Popular Politics
by Michael E. McGerr • 1986
The loud, communal democracy that drew 83% turnout was killed by reformers, not apathy.
3.41
17
The Decline of Popular Politics Summary
The Decline of Popular Politics 89%
The loud, communal democracy that drew 83% turnout was killed by reformers, not apathy.
by Michael E. McGerr 1986
3.41
17 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? 89%
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
Politics
by Nick Clegg • 2016
Coalition with the Tories nearly destroyed his party. His case for why it was still right.
3.72
1k+
Politics Summary
Politics 88%
Coalition with the Tories nearly destroyed his party. His case for why it was still right.
by Nick Clegg 2016
3.72
1k+ 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? 88%
American democracy has morphed into a form that is democratic on paper but illiberal in practice.
by Alan Wolfe 2006
3.57
21 ratings
Tory Nation
by Samuel Earle • 2023
One party has ruled Britain for two-thirds of the last two centuries. This is how.
4.18
65
Tory Nation Summary
Tory Nation 88%
One party has ruled Britain for two-thirds of the last two centuries. This is how.
by Samuel Earle 2023
4.18
65 ratings
The Storm Before the Calm
by George Friedman • 2020
Every eighty years America's government breaks; every fifty, its economy. Now both arrive at once.
4.05
3k+
The Storm Before the Calm Summary
The Storm Before the Calm 88%
Every eighty years America's government breaks; every fifty, its economy. Now both arrive at once.
by George Friedman 2020
4.05
3k+ 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 88%
Coups are relics. The new authoritarian wins the election first, then slowly silences the referees.
by Steven Levitsky 2018
4.16
33k+ 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 88%
Democrats won in 2020 but never settled their internal war. The reckoning still waits.
by Hunter Walker 2024
3.91
114 ratings
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