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SoBrief
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The Development of the Modern State
by Gianfranco Poggi • 1978
How the modern state, from feudalism to liberalism, created its own crisis of legitimacy.
3.48
86
The Development of the Modern State Summary
The Development of the Modern State 91%
How the modern state, from feudalism to liberalism, created its own crisis of legitimacy.
by Gianfranco Poggi 1978
3.48
86 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
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 91%
Your zip code decides your Medicaid benefits. It also decides whether you bother with politics.
by Jamila Michener 2018
4.23
120 ratings
Bringing the State Back In
by Peter B. Evans • 1985
The state is an actor, not just an arena, with autonomous power to reshape society.
3.64
53
Bringing the State Back In Summary
Bringing the State Back In 90%
The state is an actor, not just an arena, with autonomous power to reshape society.
by Peter B. Evans 1985
3.64
53 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 90%
Government grew. Bureaucracy didn't. The case for hiring federal workers to make it smaller.
by John DiIulio 2014
3.22
32 ratings
Political Order and Political Decay
by Francis Fukuyama • 2014
Build democracy before the state, and politics becomes clientelism, not good government.
4.34
5k+
Political Order and Political Decay Summary
Political Order and Political Decay 90%
Build democracy before the state, and politics becomes clientelism, not good government.
by Francis Fukuyama 2014
4.34
5k+ 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
Nation Building
by Andreas Wimmer • 2018
Ethnic diversity doesn't predict state failure. A missing centralized state centuries ago does.
4.08
36
Nation Building Summary
Nation Building 90%
Ethnic diversity doesn't predict state failure. A missing centralized state centuries ago does.
by Andreas Wimmer 2018
4.08
36 ratings
End Times
by Peter Turchin • 2023
Ten millennia of data point to two conditions for state collapse. America now meets both.
4.06
3k+
End Times Summary
End Times 90%
Ten millennia of data point to two conditions for state collapse. America now meets both.
by Peter Turchin 2023
4.06
3k+ ratings
The First New Nation
by Seymour Martin Lipset • 1963
Before the developing world could fail, America figured out how to make a new nation survive.
4.13
16
The First New Nation Summary
The First New Nation 90%
Before the developing world could fail, America figured out how to make a new nation survive.
by Seymour Martin Lipset 1963
4.13
16 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 90%
Every eighty years America's government breaks; every fifty, its economy. Now both arrive at once.
by George Friedman 2020
4.05
3k+ ratings
Shitbürgertum
by Ulf Poschardt • 2025
Moral posturing, language control, contempt for ambition: how a parasitic class captured Germany.
3.21
301
Shitbürgertum Summary
Shitbürgertum 90%
Moral posturing, language control, contempt for ambition: how a parasitic class captured Germany.
by Ulf Poschardt 2025
3.21
301 ratings
The Case Against Socialism
by Rand Paul • 2019
Why socialism always ends in bread lines and body counts, from Venezuela to Mao's China.
4.18
1k+
The Case Against Socialism Summary
The Case Against Socialism 90%
Why socialism always ends in bread lines and body counts, from Venezuela to Mao's China.
by Rand Paul 2019
4.18
1k+ ratings
Nationalism
by Liah Greenfeld • 1992
Nationalism was born from aristocratic vanity. One form built liberty; the other, tyranny.
3.77
66
Nationalism Summary
Nationalism 90%
Nationalism was born from aristocratic vanity. One form built liberty; the other, tyranny.
by Liah Greenfeld 1992
3.77
66 ratings
Liberty in the Age of Terror
by A.C. Grayling • 2009
The West answered terrorism by curtailing the very liberties it claimed to protect.
3.57
143
Liberty in the Age of Terror Summary
Liberty in the Age of Terror 90%
The West answered terrorism by curtailing the very liberties it claimed to protect.
by A.C. Grayling 2009
3.57
143 ratings
Ungoverning
by Nancy L. Rosenblum • 2024
Shrinking government is one thing. Breaking it on purpose is another.
3.79
90
Ungoverning Summary
Ungoverning 90%
Shrinking government is one thing. Breaking it on purpose is another.
by Nancy L. Rosenblum 2024
3.79
90 ratings
The Project
by David A. Graham • 2025
A manual for capturing the state: gut the civil service, politicize the DOJ, and nullify Congress.
4.02
2k+
The Project Summary
The Project 90%
A manual for capturing the state: gut the civil service, politicize the DOJ, and nullify Congress.
by David A. Graham 2025
4.02
2k+ ratings
Whose Keeper? Social Science and Moral Obligation
by Alan Wolfe • 1989
Markets and states each fail at moral obligation. The answer hides where neither governs.
4.08
13
Whose Keeper? Social Science and Moral Obligation Summary
Whose Keeper? Social Science and Moral Obligation 90%
Markets and states each fail at moral obligation. The answer hides where neither governs.
by Alan Wolfe 1989
4.08
13 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
Two Cheers for Anarchism
by James C. Scott • 2012
The anarchist's case: local know-how, small defiance, and messy disorder beat grand plans.
3.96
2k+
Two Cheers for Anarchism Summary
Two Cheers for Anarchism 90%
The anarchist's case: local know-how, small defiance, and messy disorder beat grand plans.
by James C. Scott 2012
3.96
2k+ ratings
Nationalism
by Craig J. Calhoun • 1998
The nation you belong to was not discovered. It was built, mapped, and made to feel ancient.
3.86
58
Nationalism Summary
Nationalism 90%
The nation you belong to was not discovered. It was built, mapped, and made to feel ancient.
by Craig J. Calhoun 1998
3.86
58 ratings
Why Liberalism Failed
by Patrick J. Deneen • 2018
Liberalism didn't fail despite its successes. Its successes broke it.
3.84
4k+
Why Liberalism Failed Summary
Why Liberalism Failed 89%
Liberalism didn't fail despite its successes. Its successes broke it.
by Patrick J. Deneen 2018
3.84
4k+ ratings
The Politics of Collective Violence
by Charles Tilly • 2003
Violence isn't chaos; it's politics, shaped by regimes and the relationships leaders exploit.
3.85
151
The Politics of Collective Violence Summary
The Politics of Collective Violence 89%
Violence isn't chaos; it's politics, shaped by regimes and the relationships leaders exploit.
by Charles Tilly 2003
3.85
151 ratings
The Narrow Corridor
by Daron Acemoğlu • 2019
Freedom dies in tyranny and in anarchy. It only lives when society fights the state to a standstill.
4.22
4k+
The Narrow Corridor Summary
The Narrow Corridor 89%
Freedom dies in tyranny and in anarchy. It only lives when society fights the state to a standstill.
by Daron Acemoğlu 2019
4.22
4k+ ratings
Power to the Public
by Tara Dawson McGuinness • 2021
Government services fail because they skip users. The fix: design with people, real data, iterate.
3.98
320
Power to the Public Summary
Power to the Public 89%
Government services fail because they skip users. The fix: design with people, real data, iterate.
by Tara Dawson McGuinness 2021
3.98
320 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? 89%
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 Sociology of Anthony Giddens
by Steven Loyal • 2003
Giddens built his sociology around individual freedom. It was always politics dressed as theory.
4.31
16
The Sociology of Anthony Giddens Summary
The Sociology of Anthony Giddens 89%
Giddens built his sociology around individual freedom. It was always politics dressed as theory.
by Steven Loyal 2003
4.31
16 ratings
Building a New American State
by Stephen Skowronek • 1982
Before the New Deal, there was the Progressive Era: how America built its administrative state.
3.75
57
Building a New American State Summary
Building a New American State 89%
Before the New Deal, there was the Progressive Era: how America built its administrative state.
by Stephen Skowronek 1982
3.75
57 ratings
The Network State
by Balaji S. Srinivasan • 2022
Startup companies become unicorns. What if startup communities become countries?
3.92
1k+
The Network State Summary
The Network State 89%
Startup companies become unicorns. What if startup communities become countries?
by Balaji S. Srinivasan 2022
3.92
1k+ ratings
States and Power in Africa
by Jeffrey Herbst • 2000
Europe built states through war. Africa skipped that step, and its borders now protect failure.
3.99
269
States and Power in Africa Summary
States and Power in Africa 89%
Europe built states through war. Africa skipped that step, and its borders now protect failure.
by Jeffrey Herbst 2000
3.99
269 ratings
The Decline and Rise of Democracy
by David Stasavage • 2020
Democracy did not begin in Athens. It emerges where the state is too weak to rule alone.
3.86
223
The Decline and Rise of Democracy Summary
The Decline and Rise of Democracy 89%
Democracy did not begin in Athens. It emerges where the state is too weak to rule alone.
by David Stasavage 2020
3.86
223 ratings
Making Democracy Work
by Robert D. Putnam • 1992
When Italy gave its regions identical governments, only those with ancient civic roots succeeded.
3.87
868
Making Democracy Work Summary
Making Democracy Work 89%
When Italy gave its regions identical governments, only those with ancient civic roots succeeded.
by Robert D. Putnam 1992
3.87
868 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
The End of Power
by Moisés Naím • 2013
Power is crumbling everywhere at once. The three hidden forces dismantling every hierarchy.
3.63
4k+
The End of Power Summary
The End of Power 89%
Power is crumbling everywhere at once. The three hidden forces dismantling every hierarchy.
by Moisés Naím 2013
3.63
4k+ ratings
The Vision of the Anointed
by Thomas Sowell • 1995
Why failed policies survive: how the elite turns evidence into heresy and failure into virtue.
4.40
3k+
The Vision of the Anointed Summary
The Vision of the Anointed 89%
Why failed policies survive: how the elite turns evidence into heresy and failure into virtue.
by Thomas Sowell 1995
4.40
3k+ ratings
In the Long Run
by Jonathan White • 2024
The future made democracy possible. Calculated, secret, and algorithmic futures are dismantling it.
3.78
85
In the Long Run Summary
In the Long Run 89%
The future made democracy possible. Calculated, secret, and algorithmic futures are dismantling it.
by Jonathan White 2024
3.78
85 ratings
The Handover
by David Runciman • 2023
Three inhuman agents run the world: states, corporations, and now AI. We have to pick one.
3.71
234
The Handover Summary
The Handover 89%
Three inhuman agents run the world: states, corporations, and now AI. We have to pick one.
by David Runciman 2023
3.71
234 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
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
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 89%
The right-wing populism unraveling democracy didn't defeat neoliberalism. It built it.
by Wendy Brown 2019
4.11
480 ratings
The Listening Society
by Hanzi Freinacht • 2017
Political systems ignore how minds grow. A blueprint for a state that develops its citizens.
4.49
402
The Listening Society Summary
The Listening Society 89%
Political systems ignore how minds grow. A blueprint for a state that develops its citizens.
by Hanzi Freinacht 2017
4.49
402 ratings
Life Without Lawyers
by Philip K. Howard • 2009
America didn't add too many laws. Law itself became the mindset, and common sense lost.
3.65
176
Life Without Lawyers Summary
Life Without Lawyers 89%
America didn't add too many laws. Law itself became the mindset, and common sense lost.
by Philip K. Howard 2009
3.65
176 ratings
The Twilight of Common Dreams
by Todd Gitlin • 1995
The Left abandoned class for identity, and the Right took the country. An anatomy of surrender.
3.43
53
The Twilight of Common Dreams Summary
The Twilight of Common Dreams 89%
The Left abandoned class for identity, and the Right took the country. An anatomy of surrender.
by Todd Gitlin 1995
3.43
53 ratings
The Future of Violence
by Benjamin Wittes • 2014
The state's monopoly on violence is ending. Networked technology handed individuals strategic power.
3.42
318
The Future of Violence Summary
The Future of Violence 89%
The state's monopoly on violence is ending. Networked technology handed individuals strategic power.
by Benjamin Wittes 2014
3.42
318 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
The Good Society
by Robert N. Bellah • 1991
Individualism gutted our institutions. Repair begins where the myth ends: we need each other.
3.66
105
The Good Society Summary
The Good Society 89%
Individualism gutted our institutions. Repair begins where the myth ends: we need each other.
by Robert N. Bellah 1991
3.66
105 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 89%
Free isn't removed walls; it's a body, a fact, a road, and solidarity.
by Theodor W. Adorno 1970
4.14
3k+ ratings
Remaking Modernity
by Julia Adams • 2004
Modernity was never a European solo act. Colonies, gender, and culture built it from the margins.
3.75
12
Remaking Modernity Summary
Remaking Modernity 89%
Modernity was never a European solo act. Colonies, gender, and culture built it from the margins.
by Julia Adams 2004
3.75
12 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
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
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