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SoBrief
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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 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 90%
How the modern state, from feudalism to liberalism, created its own crisis of legitimacy.
by Gianfranco Poggi 1978
3.48
86 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
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
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. 90%
A global network of dictators runs autocracies like for-profit firms. Democracies bankroll them.
by Anne Applebaum 2024
4.16
19k+ 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
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
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 90%
The state's monopoly on violence is ending. Networked technology handed individuals strategic power.
by Benjamin Wittes 2014
3.42
318 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
The Tech Coup
by Marietje Schaake • 2024
When tech companies became the state, democracy became a user agreement no one reads.
3.78
468
The Tech Coup Summary
The Tech Coup 89%
When tech companies became the state, democracy became a user agreement no one reads.
by Marietje Schaake 2024
3.78
468 ratings
Homo Sacer
by Giorgio Agamben • 1994
Sovereignty's hidden purpose, revealed by a forgotten Roman law: the power to produce killable life.
4.06
5k+
Homo Sacer Summary
Homo Sacer 89%
Sovereignty's hidden purpose, revealed by a forgotten Roman law: the power to produce killable life.
by Giorgio Agamben 1994
4.06
5k+ ratings
The Tyranny of Good Intentions
by Paul Craig Roberts • 2000
Good intentions retooled criminal justice into a weapon, and the Constitution is losing.
4.06
127
The Tyranny of Good Intentions Summary
The Tyranny of Good Intentions 89%
Good intentions retooled criminal justice into a weapon, and the Constitution is losing.
by Paul Craig Roberts 2000
4.06
127 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
Strongmen
by Ruth Ben-Ghiat • 2020
Authoritarians from Mussolini to Trump run the same playbook. A century of evidence shows how.
4.27
5k+
Strongmen Summary
Strongmen 89%
Authoritarians from Mussolini to Trump run the same playbook. A century of evidence shows how.
by Ruth Ben-Ghiat 2020
4.27
5k+ 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 89%
Moral posturing, language control, contempt for ambition: how a parasitic class captured Germany.
by Ulf Poschardt 2025
3.21
301 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
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 89%
What ordinary citizens did wrong last century, and what you can do right this one.
by Timothy Snyder 2017
4.29
112k+ ratings
Fascism
by Madeleine K. Albright • 2018
Democracies are dismantled one law at a time. The 1930s playbook is back.
4.25
21k+
Fascism Summary
Fascism 89%
Democracies are dismantled one law at a time. The 1930s playbook is back.
by Madeleine K. Albright 2018
4.25
21k+ 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 89%
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
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
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
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
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 89%
The West answered terrorism by curtailing the very liberties it claimed to protect.
by A.C. Grayling 2009
3.57
143 ratings
"I Have Nothing to Hide"
by Heidi Boghosian • 2021
Mass surveillance survives on one belief: privacy is for wrongdoers. Twenty myths keep it expanding.
3.64
191
"I Have Nothing to Hide" Summary
"I Have Nothing to Hide" 89%
Mass surveillance survives on one belief: privacy is for wrongdoers. Twenty myths keep it expanding.
by Heidi Boghosian 2021
3.64
191 ratings
Nothing to Hide
by Daniel J. Solove • 2011
Sacrificing privacy for security is a false bargain; the real cost is liberty itself.
3.85
182
Nothing to Hide Summary
Nothing to Hide 89%
Sacrificing privacy for security is a false bargain; the real cost is liberty itself.
by Daniel J. Solove 2011
3.85
182 ratings
The Perfect Police State
by Geoffrey Cain • 2021
China's Xinjiang AI state predicts crimes before they happen, and exports the blueprint globally.
4.23
1k+
The Perfect Police State Summary
The Perfect Police State 89%
China's Xinjiang AI state predicts crimes before they happen, and exports the blueprint globally.
by Geoffrey Cain 2021
4.23
1k+ ratings
Breakneck
by Dan Wang • 2025
China's leaders trained as engineers. America's as lawyers. The world is shaped by the difference.
4.09
11k+
Breakneck Summary
Breakneck 89%
China's leaders trained as engineers. America's as lawyers. The world is shaped by the difference.
by Dan Wang 2025
4.09
11k+ 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 89%
America's definition of freedom is broken. Less government has produced not liberty but oligarchy.
by Timothy Snyder 2025
4.28
5k+ 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 89%
Built for a small farm nation, the Constitution cannot equip a superpower. One reform can.
by William G. Howell 2016
3.41
101 ratings
The Problem of Political Authority
by Michael Huemer • 2012
No social contract was ever signed. Every argument for state authority collapses under scrutiny.
4.39
715
The Problem of Political Authority Summary
The Problem of Political Authority 89%
No social contract was ever signed. Every argument for state authority collapses under scrutiny.
by Michael Huemer 2012
4.39
715 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 89%
Your zip code decides your Medicaid benefits. It also decides whether you bother with politics.
by Jamila Michener 2018
4.23
120 ratings
Politics As a Vocation
by Max Weber • 2013
The modern state's one true monopoly is not mail or schools. It is the legitimate use of force.
3.77
709
Politics As a Vocation Summary
Politics As a Vocation 89%
The modern state's one true monopoly is not mail or schools. It is the legitimate use of force.
by Max Weber 2013
3.77
709 ratings
Globalismo
by Agustín Laje • 2024
Social engineering survived the Terror and went global. Your sovereignty is its target.
4.46
145
Globalismo Summary
Globalismo 89%
Social engineering survived the Terror and went global. Your sovereignty is its target.
by Agustín Laje 2024
4.46
145 ratings
The Red Web
by Andrei Soldatov • 2015
The Soviet Union fell but its surveillance state survived, rewired for the internet age.
3.95
700
The Red Web Summary
The Red Web 89%
The Soviet Union fell but its surveillance state survived, rewired for the internet age.
by Andrei Soldatov 2015
3.95
700 ratings
Phantoms of a Beleaguered Republic
by Stephen Skowronek • 2021
Two fictions, deep state and unitary executive, feed each other, dismantling American governance.
4.04
25
Phantoms of a Beleaguered Republic Summary
Phantoms of a Beleaguered Republic 89%
Two fictions, deep state and unitary executive, feed each other, dismantling American governance.
by Stephen Skowronek 2021
4.04
25 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 89%
Spotting the slow dismantling of democracy, and the citizen playbook for stopping it.
by Joyce Vance 2025
4.28
2k+ ratings
Birth of the Leviathan
by Ertman • 1997
Dark Age local government set Europe's regimes. The timing of war shaped their institutions.
3.78
49
Birth of the Leviathan Summary
Birth of the Leviathan 89%
Dark Age local government set Europe's regimes. The timing of war shaped their institutions.
by Ertman 1997
3.78
49 ratings
Popular Dictatorships
by Aleksandar Matovski • 2022
The ballot box is not a check on authoritarianism but its most powerful source of legitimacy.
3.56
16
Popular Dictatorships Summary
Popular Dictatorships 89%
The ballot box is not a check on authoritarianism but its most powerful source of legitimacy.
by Aleksandar Matovski 2022
3.56
16 ratings
On Power
by Robert A. Caro • 2017
How one man built a financial empire inside the government and became untouchable.
3.95
1k+
On Power Summary
On Power 89%
How one man built a financial empire inside the government and became untouchable.
by Robert A. Caro 2017
3.95
1k+ 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
On Fascism
by Matthew C. Macwilliams • 2020
Forty percent of Americans carry latent authoritarianism, waiting for fear to flip the switch.
3.96
738
On Fascism Summary
On Fascism 89%
Forty percent of Americans carry latent authoritarianism, waiting for fear to flip the switch.
by Matthew C. Macwilliams 2020
3.96
738 ratings
The Last American President
by Thom Hartmann • 2025
Billionaire money, racial grievance, cruel politics: how the GOP became an authoritarian machine.
4.48
321
The Last American President Summary
The Last American President 89%
Billionaire money, racial grievance, cruel politics: how the GOP became an authoritarian machine.
by Thom Hartmann 2025
4.48
321 ratings
The Oligarchs’ Grip
by David Lingelbach • 2023
Oligarchs turn money into power and power into money. The playbook predates Rome, and it's winning.
3.67
3
The Oligarchs’ Grip Summary
The Oligarchs’ Grip 89%
Oligarchs turn money into power and power into money. The playbook predates Rome, and it's winning.
by David Lingelbach 2023
3.67
3 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
Political Ponerology
by Andrew M. Lobaczewski • 2007
A small, conscienceless minority drives tyranny; your belief in fairness is their greatest weapon.
4.06
398
Political Ponerology Summary
Political Ponerology 89%
A small, conscienceless minority drives tyranny; your belief in fairness is their greatest weapon.
by Andrew M. Lobaczewski 2007
4.06
398 ratings
The Indispensable Right
by Jonathan Turley • 2024
Free speech was America's founding promise and its first betrayal. The pattern is repeating now.
4.36
414
The Indispensable Right Summary
The Indispensable Right 89%
Free speech was America's founding promise and its first betrayal. The pattern is repeating now.
by Jonathan Turley 2024
4.36
414 ratings
Rewiring Democracy
by Bruce Schneier • 2025
AI writes laws, targets voters, judges cases. Democracy is an information system; AI is the driver.
3.67
91
Rewiring Democracy Summary
Rewiring Democracy 89%
AI writes laws, targets voters, judges cases. Democracy is an information system; AI is the driver.
by Bruce Schneier 2025
3.67
91 ratings
The Technological Republic
by Alexander C. Karp • 2025
The West won the digital revolution, then stopped building weapons. Now software is the battlefield.
3.54
4k+
The Technological Republic Summary
The Technological Republic 89%
The West won the digital revolution, then stopped building weapons. Now software is the battlefield.
by Alexander C. Karp 2025
3.54
4k+ ratings
Four Threats
by Suzanne Mettler • 2020
The four forces that repeatedly broke American democracy are peaking together for the first time.
4.03
221
Four Threats Summary
Four Threats 89%
The four forces that repeatedly broke American democracy are peaking together for the first time.
by Suzanne Mettler 2020
4.03
221 ratings
How Everything Became War and the Military Became Everything
by Rosa Brooks • 2016
War, law, and state fray together. A Pentagon insider on where the seams gave way.
3.93
2k+
How Everything Became War and the Military Became Everything Summary
How Everything Became War and the Military Became Everything 89%
War, law, and state fray together. A Pentagon insider on where the seams gave way.
by Rosa Brooks 2016
3.93
2k+ ratings
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