Start free trial
EnglishEnglish
EspañolSpanish
简体中文Chinese
繁體中文Chinese (Traditional)
FrançaisFrench
DeutschGerman
日本語Japanese
PortuguêsPortuguese
ItalianoItalian
한국어Korean
РусскийRussian
NederlandsDutch
العربيةArabic
PolskiPolish
हिन्दीHindi
Tiếng ViệtVietnamese
SvenskaSwedish
ΕλληνικάGreek
TürkçeTurkish
ไทยThai
ČeštinaCzech
RomânăRomanian
MagyarHungarian
УкраїнськаUkrainian
IndonesiaIndonesian
DanskDanish
SuomiFinnish
БългарскиBulgarian
עבריתHebrew
NorskNorwegian
HrvatskiCroatian
CatalàCatalan
SlovenčinaSlovak
LietuviųLithuanian
SlovenščinaSlovenian
СрпскиSerbian
EestiEstonian
LatviešuLatvian
فارسیPersian
മലയാളംMalayalam
தமிழ்Tamil
اردوUrdu
SoBrief
Searching...
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 93%
Across twenty-seven democracies, one design rule predicts electoral fairness best.
by Arend Lijphart 1994
3.35
37 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
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 91%
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
Why Cities Lose
by Jonathan A. Rodden • 2019
The left's real problem isn't gerrymandering: its voters are packed into cities.
3.78
252
Why Cities Lose Summary
Why Cities Lose 90%
The left's real problem isn't gerrymandering: its voters are packed into cities.
by Jonathan A. Rodden 2019
3.78
252 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
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
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
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
Uneasy Alliances
by Paul Frymer • 1999
The two-party system sidelines race by design, taking its most loyal voters for granted.
3.85
33
Uneasy Alliances Summary
Uneasy Alliances 89%
The two-party system sidelines race by design, taking its most loyal voters for granted.
by Paul Frymer 1999
3.85
33 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
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 89%
Elections hand power to the few. A design for ordinary citizens to actually rule.
by Hélène Landemore 2020
4.09
109 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
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
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
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
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 88%
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
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 88%
Democracy is not broken. It is eight unresolvable tensions; the work is holding them together.
by Astra Taylor 2019
4.20
731 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 88%
For multinational democracies, the nation-state model is a trap. India shows a better path.
by Alfred Stepan 2010
4.64
11 ratings
RIP GOP
by Stanley B. Greenberg • 2019
The GOP staked its future on an America that no longer exists. The numbers that prove it.
3.69
113
RIP GOP Summary
RIP GOP 88%
The GOP staked its future on an America that no longer exists. The numbers that prove it.
by Stanley B. Greenberg 2019
3.69
113 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 88%
Forget who you are, design society. Rawls did; the result might be our fairest system.
by Daniel Chandler 2023
3.95
439 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 88%
The document Americans revere was built to thwart popular rule. Now it is breaking the country.
by Erwin Chemerinsky 2024
3.93
337 ratings
It Didn't Happen Here
by Seymour Martin Lipset • 2000
Marx bet on America going socialist. Its political system, unions, and immigrants had other plans.
3.60
105
It Didn't Happen Here Summary
It Didn't Happen Here 88%
Marx bet on America going socialist. Its political system, unions, and immigrants had other plans.
by Seymour Martin Lipset 2000
3.60
105 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 88%
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 88%
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 Little Book of Campaign Etiquette
by Stephen Hess • 1998
The unwritten rules campaigns and journalists keep breaking, and the case for writing them down.
1.00
1
The Little Book of Campaign Etiquette Summary
The Little Book of Campaign Etiquette 88%
The unwritten rules campaigns and journalists keep breaking, and the case for writing them down.
by Stephen Hess 1998
1.00
1 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 88%
How statehouses became the most dangerous threat to American democracy, and why nobody noticed.
by David Pepper 2021
4.48
338 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 88%
More rights, more information, less collective power: the paradox at the heart of modern democracy.
by Ivan Krastev 2013
3.96
73 ratings
One Person, No Vote
by Carol Anderson • 2018
Voter suppression survived the Voting Rights Act: quieter, more surgical, and decisive in 2016.
4.38
3k+
One Person, No Vote Summary
One Person, No Vote 88%
Voter suppression survived the Voting Rights Act: quieter, more surgical, and decisive in 2016.
by Carol Anderson 2018
4.38
3k+ 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 88%
The loud, communal democracy that drew 83% turnout was killed by reformers, not apathy.
by Michael E. McGerr 1986
3.41
17 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 88%
Democracy's dirty secret: a few hundred informed citizens reason better than millions.
by James S. Fishkin 2009
3.76
49 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 88%
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
Fragmented Democracy
by Jamila Michener • 2018
Your zip code decides your Medicaid benefits. It also decides whether you bother with politics.
4.23
120
Fragmented Democracy Summary
Fragmented Democracy 88%
Your zip code decides your Medicaid benefits. It also decides whether you bother with politics.
by Jamila Michener 2018
4.23
120 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 88%
Losing is the skill democracy forgot, and without institutions to structure conflict, it unravels.
by Jan-Werner Müller 2021
3.46
168 ratings
Glimpses of Utopia
by Jess Scully • 2020
A fair society is not theoretical. Its pieces are already running in cities across the world.
3.97
110
Glimpses of Utopia Summary
Glimpses of Utopia 88%
A fair society is not theoretical. Its pieces are already running in cities across the world.
by Jess Scully 2020
3.97
110 ratings
The Rise of Southern Republicans
by Black • 2002
Black Democrats and white Republicans made an unlikely alliance to redraw the South. It worked.
3.93
81
The Rise of Southern Republicans Summary
The Rise of Southern Republicans 88%
Black Democrats and white Republicans made an unlikely alliance to redraw the South. It worked.
by Black 2002
3.93
81 ratings
Our Time Is Now
by Stacey Abrams • 2020
The machinery of voter suppression: purged rolls, gerrymandered maps, and a census that undercounts.
4.41
8k+
Our Time Is Now Summary
Our Time Is Now 88%
The machinery of voter suppression: purged rolls, gerrymandered maps, and a census that undercounts.
by Stacey Abrams 2020
4.41
8k+ 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 88%
Voting rights advanced, then retreated. Each expansion triggered backlash, and the cycle continues.
by Alexander Keyssar 2000
4.04
301 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 88%
Free isn't removed walls; it's a body, a fact, a road, and solidarity.
by Theodor W. Adorno 1970
4.14
3k+ ratings
Fascism or Genocide
by Ross Barkan • 2025
Progressives collapsed, Trump conquered, Democrats learned nothing. A decade of failure dissected.
3.31
58
Fascism or Genocide Summary
Fascism or Genocide 88%
Progressives collapsed, Trump conquered, Democrats learned nothing. A decade of failure dissected.
by Ross Barkan 2025
3.31
58 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 88%
Shallow views run democracy. When citizens deliberate, their priorities shift, and policy follows.
by James S. Fishkin 2018
3.82
28 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 88%
America's definition of freedom is broken. Less government has produced not liberty but oligarchy.
by Timothy Snyder 2025
4.28
5k+ ratings
Radical Markets
by Eric A. Posner • 2018
We stopped markets halfway. Finishing them means anyone can buy your house at your price.
3.95
2k+
Radical Markets Summary
Radical Markets 88%
We stopped markets halfway. Finishing them means anyone can buy your house at your price.
by Eric A. Posner 2018
3.95
2k+ 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 88%
Voters are ignorant and participation corrupts them. The competent should rule instead.
by Jason Brennan 2016
3.68
1k+ 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 88%
Why democracies build roads and dictatorships build patronage: the math of political survival.
by Bruce Bueno de Mesquita 2003
3.98
162 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 88%
Tech promised liberation but delivered surveillance and polarization. Taiwan found the off-ramp.
by E. Glen Weyl 2024
3.51
47 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
Harvest the Vote
by Jane Kleeb • 2020
Democrats lost rural America by walking away. A Nebraska organizer shows how to win it back.
3.82
214
Harvest the Vote Summary
Harvest the Vote 88%
Democrats lost rural America by walking away. A Nebraska organizer shows how to win it back.
by Jane Kleeb 2020
3.82
214 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 88%
Democrats swapped the working class for Wall Street. The collapse started with Bill Clinton.
by Ed Burmila 2022
4.43
194 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 87%
How coded language and elite myths rig democratic debate, and why the educated fall hardest.
by Jason F. Stanley 2015
3.59
859 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? 87%
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
Home
Swipe
Library
Get App
Try Full Access for 3 Days
Listen, bookmark, and more
Compare Features Free Pro
📖 Read Summaries
Read unlimited summaries. Free users get 3 per month
🎧 Listen to Summaries
Listen to unlimited summaries in 40 languages
❤️ Unlimited Bookmarks
Free users are limited to 4
📜 Unlimited History
Free users are limited to 4
📥 Unlimited Downloads
Free users are limited to 1
Risk-Free Timeline
Today: Get Instant Access
Listen to full summaries of 26,000+ books. That's 12,000+ hours of audio!
Day 2: Trial Reminder
We'll send you a notification that your trial is ending soon.
Day 3: Your subscription begins
You'll be charged on Jul 26,
cancel anytime before.
Consume 2.8× More Books
2.8× more books Listening Reading
Our users love us
600,000+ readers
Trustpilot Rating
TrustPilot
4.6 Excellent
This site is a total game-changer. I've been flying through book summaries like never before. Highly, highly recommend.
— Dave G
Worth my money and time, and really well made. I've never seen this quality of summaries on other websites. Very helpful!
— Em
Highly recommended!! Fantastic service. Perfect for those that want a little more than a teaser but not all the intricate details of a full audio book.
— Greg M
Save 62%
Yearly
$119.88 $44.99/year/yr
$3.75/mo
Monthly
$9.99/mo
Start a 3-Day Free Trial
3 days free, then $44.99/year. Cancel anytime.
Unlock a world of fiction & nonfiction books
26,000+ books for the price of 2 books
Read any book in 10 minutes
Discover new books like Tinder
Request any book if it's not summarized
Read more books than anyone you know
#1 app for book lovers
Lifelike & immersive summaries
30-day money-back guarantee
Download summaries in EPUBs or PDFs
Cancel anytime in a few clicks
Scanner
Find a barcode to scan

We have a special gift for you
Open
38% OFF
DISCOUNT FOR YOU
$79.99
$49.99/year
only $4.16 per month
Continue
2 taps to start, super easy to cancel
Settings
General
Widget
Loading...
We have a special gift for you
Open
38% OFF
DISCOUNT FOR YOU
$79.99
$49.99/year
only $4.16 per month
Continue
2 taps to start, super easy to cancel