The best 54 Democracy books

1
The WEIRDest People in the World

The WEIRDest People in the World

Joseph Henrich
How the West Became Psychologically Peculiar and Particularly Prosperous
4.1 (91 ratings)

What's The WEIRDest People in the World about?

The WEIRDest People in the World (2020) describes why Westerners think and behave so differently from most other people. It also explains how the policies of the Western Church in the realms of marriage and kinship have helped cultivate these odd cultural attributes, transforming the world and helping the West flourish in the process. 

Who should read The WEIRDest People in the World?

  • Anyone interested in the confluence of history, anthropology, culture, and economics
  • Westerners seeking a greater understanding of cross-cultural differences
  • Fans of experimental psychology

2
Animal Farm

Animal Farm

George Orwell
A Political Satire on the Corrupting Influence of Power
4.8 (255 ratings)

What's Animal Farm about?

Animal Farm (1945) is a classic satirical novella that transplants the events of the Russian Revolution of 1917 to a small English farm. Once the animals stage an uprising, a political battle ensues between an ideological pig named Snowball and a power-hungry pig named Napoleon. 

Who should read Animal Farm?

  • Fans of political satire
  • Animal lovers
  • Anyone who likes a classic story

3
Pegasus

Pegasus

Laurent Richard and Sandrine Rigaud
How a Spy in Our Pocket Threatens the End of Privacy, Dignity, and Democracy
4.3 (273 ratings)

What's Pegasus about?

Pegasus (2023) follows the thrilling, worldwide investigation into one of the most powerful and insidious pieces of cyber surveillance software known to date. Beginning with a massive data leak to a small, independent news outlet, it tells the story of how Pegasus came to be, the hundreds of innocent individuals who have had their privacy taken away by it, and the global team of reporters and editors who risked everything to bring the story to light.

Who should read Pegasus?

  • Followers of the Pegasus Project and other cyber security international bombshells like the Panama Papers, or Wikileaks.
  • Fans of investigative journalism who want to know the stories behind the reports that shake the world.
  • Anyone who owns a phone and wants to know just how fragile their privacy really is.

4
Capitalism, Socialism and Democracy

Capitalism, Socialism and Democracy

Joseph Schumpeter
Essential analysis on where the world economy is headed
4.2 (556 ratings)

What's Capitalism, Socialism and Democracy about?

Capitalism, Socialism and Democracy (1942) is a seminal work of economics. Its ideas have proven prophetic, and remain relevant to this day. It claims that capitalism will ultimately be eroded by the very processes that define it. It also explains the differences between capitalism and socialism and their relationship to democracy, and helps readers understand the role of entrepreneurship and creative destruction in modern capitalism.

Who should read Capitalism, Socialism and Democracy?

  • Students of the social sciences
  • Those interested in politics, economy, and their histories
  • Critical thinkers curious about the future of capitalism

5
The Constitution of Liberty

The Constitution of Liberty

Friedrich A. Hayek
In Defense of Freedom and a Free Society
3.9 (277 ratings)

What's The Constitution of Liberty about?

The Constitution of Liberty (1960) is a classic of economic philosophy. As one of the seminal texts of modern liberalism, it reminds us of the values of individual freedom, limited government, and universal principles of law. First published in the 1960s, it contends that social progress depends on the free market rather than on socialist planning. This work remains relevant in an age where socialist ideas are gaining new popularity. 

Who should read The Constitution of Liberty?

  • Students of twentieth-century history, politics, and economy 
  • Progressives and conservatives curious about liberalism 
  • Anyone interested in economic philosophy

6
Putin's People

Putin's People

Catherine Belton
How the KGB Took Back Russia and Then Took On the West
4.3 (343 ratings)

What's Putin's People about?

Putin’s People (2020) is a shocking account of the corruption and political schemes that swirl around Russia’s infamous president, Vladimir Putin, and his close inner circle. The KGB is well-known as the former Soviet Union’s secret police force – but that was far from its only role in the Soviet government and economy. This is the story of how the KGB lost its power, gained it back, and has been exploiting it ever since.

Who should read Putin's People?

  • Fans of political intrigue and international relations
  • Students of Russian history and culture
  • Anyone curious about the inner workings of Vladimir Putin’s regime

7
How Democracies Die

How Democracies Die

Steven Levitsky
And how we can save ours
4.0 (146 ratings)

What's How Democracies Die about?

How Democracies Die (2018) examines the fundamental principles of democracy, with a look at historical cases – particularly in Latin America – where democracies have turned into dictatorships or autocracies. The authors examine how these democratic downfalls have happened, whether it could happen again in the future, and what could be done to prevent this dangerous and often lethal outcome. Attention is also given to the presidency of Donald Trump, to question his motives and determine whether he qualifies as an American autocrat.

Who should read How Democracies Die?

  • Anyone interested in current affairs
  • Students of political science or government
  • Readers interested in the historical relevance of the Trump presidency

8
Evil Geniuses

Evil Geniuses

Kurt Andersen
The Unmaking of America: A Recent History
3.8 (149 ratings)

What's Evil Geniuses about?

Evil Geniuses (2020) describes the rise of the economic right after the 1960s and the consequences of their policies today. From Milton Friedman to Ronald Reagan, it looks at the significance of some of the right’s central figures while also sketching a broader narrative that explains how the US has ended up as it has today.

Who should read Evil Geniuses?

  • Anyone interested in American history
  • Americans looking for a way to explain their present situation
  • Fans of political history and economics

9
Leviathan

Leviathan

Thomas Hobbes
or the Matter, Forme and Power of a Commonwealth Ecclesiasticall and Civil
4.5 (111 ratings)

What's Leviathan about?

Leviathan (1651) examines the relationship of society and rulers and is widely held as a classic work on the nature of statecraft. English philosopher Thomas Hobbes believed that man’s natural inclination to war could only be tamed by a strong, centralized government. In these blinks, you’ll learn why Hobbes felt a commonwealth of men under a strong monarch was the only solution to securing peace and security for all.

Who should read Leviathan?

  • Sociologists, historians and political scientists or students of political science
  • People interested in how certain forms of government came to be
  • Students examining the origins of law and early government

10
Woke, Inc.

Woke, Inc.

Vivek Ramaswamy
Inside Corporate America's Social Justice Scam
4.0 (160 ratings)

What's Woke, Inc. about?

Woke, Inc. (2021) explores how the ideology of wokeness has come to infect America’s corporate sphere. While paying lip service to various social-justice causes, major American companies are acting in ways that are anything but just –⁠ and generating major profit in the process. Aside from being a nefarious way for corporations to make money, this strategy is also doing lasting damage to American democracy in surprising ways, and it’s time to snuff it out.

Who should read Woke, Inc.?

  • Conservatives and centrists worried about the excesses of progressivism
  • Liberals who want to hear the other side’s perspective
  • Anyone interested in American social ills

11
Move Fast and Break Things

Move Fast and Break Things

Jonathan Taplin
How Facebook, Google and Amazon Cornered Culture and Undermined Democracy
3.6 (65 ratings)

What's Move Fast and Break Things about?

Move Fast and Break Things (2017) takes a look at the grim reality of how giant tech companies are harming society in ways both big and small. By dodging taxes, they’re keeping money from government programs that have been behind some of our greatest innovations, and in their desperate hunt for data and profits, they’re invading our privacy while fleecing the creators of art and high-quality entertainment. Author Jonathan Taplin offers some light at the end of this dark tunnel, suggesting there may be better ways of negotiating with this technology.

Who should read Move Fast and Break Things?

  • Anyone concerned about the ethics of modern technology
  • Creative types interested in the economics of art
  • Socially conscious artists interested in alternative distribution methods

12
The Myth of the Strong Leader

The Myth of the Strong Leader

Archie Brown
Political Leadership in the Modern Age
3.9 (71 ratings)

What's The Myth of the Strong Leader about?

The Myth of the Strong Leader (2014) explores why people tend to favor charismatic leaders, those they perceive as “strong.” These blinks show which factors allow such leaders to rise to power and why such a personality type shouldn’t necessarily lead a democratic society. Importantly, you’ll learn what can happen on an international scale when ill-suited “strong leaders” take the reins of a democracy.

Who should read The Myth of the Strong Leader?

  • Students of politics or history
  • People curious how authoritarian leaders rise to power
  • Aspiring leaders who want to lead fairly

13
Weapons of Math Destruction

Weapons of Math Destruction

Cathy O’Neil
How Big Data Increases Inequality and Threatens Democracy
4.1 (135 ratings)

What's Weapons of Math Destruction about?

Weapons of Math Destruction (2016) offers a critical look at the growing number of algorithms that could be impacting your day-to-day life in ways you’re not even aware of. As more businesses and services, including schools and police, use algorithms to automate jobs, an increasing number of people are suffering the adverse effects. So don’t leave yourself at the mercy of automation – find out what you can do to protect yourself and your data.

Who should read Weapons of Math Destruction?

  • Students and enthusiasts of computer science and statistics
  • Internet activists
  • Readers worried about their privacy rights

14
The Road to Unfreedom

The Road to Unfreedom

Timothy Snyder
Russia, Europe, America
4.2 (229 ratings)

What's The Road to Unfreedom about?

The Road to Unfreedom (2018) chronicles the extraordinary political age we are now living in. Russian expansionism, led by Vladimir Putin, threatens to encroach on the freedoms that people in Europe and America enjoy. After having successfully helping to bring about Brexit, the Kremlin set its gaze on the United States and, in doing so, played a central role in ushering in the Donald Trump presidency. And with Europe in the midst of a right-wing ascendancy, Russia is wielding a greater influence than ever before.

Who should read The Road to Unfreedom?

  • Anyone hoping to understand why right-wing populism is on the rise
  • Americans looking to find out how Russia influenced the 2016 election
  • Students of political science, international relations or history

15
Adrift

Adrift

Scott Galloway
America in 100 Charts
4.3 (300 ratings)

What's Adrift about?

Adrift (2022) argues that the United States is flailing, despite all its success and global dominance since World War II. It’s a country struggling to adapt to revolutionary changes in technology, facing deep economic and political divisions and threats of extremism, and quickly losing ground to rivals like China. Despite all of this, Scott Galloway still sees reason for hope, but first lays out what he sees as the biggest challenges facing the nation. 

Who should read Adrift?

  • Those who feel overwhelmed by the anger and divisiveness on social media
  • Investors who want to understand an evolving market
  • People wondering if higher education is worth their time

16
A Warning

A Warning

Anonymous
A political tell-all of an administration in disarray
4.1 (37 ratings)

What's A Warning about?

A Warning (2019) presents a harrowing view of the inner workings of the Donald Trump presidency. Penned by an anonymous White House insider, it details the tensions and turmoil behind the scenes of the most chaotic administration in modern American history.

Who should read A Warning?

  • Concerned citizens seeking to understand the current political zeitgeist
  • Political junkies eager for the latest White House gossip
  • Activists hoping to hamper the current administration

17
The Dying Citizen

The Dying Citizen

Victor Davis Hanson
How Progressive Elites, Tribalism, and Globalization Are Destroying the Idea of America
2.7 (649 ratings)

What's The Dying Citizen about?

The Dying Citizen (2021) explores the ways in which modern American democracy is being weakened. Touching on issues like globalization and identity politics, it discusses how left-wing progressives are damaging the foundations of the United States. 

Who should read The Dying Citizen?

  • Conservatives looking for fresh insights
  • Fans of Donald Trump 
  • Anyone interested in politics and current affairs

18
The Future Is History

The Future Is History

Masha Gessen
How Totalitarianism Reclaimed Russia
4.3 (81 ratings)

What's The Future Is History about?

The Future Is History (2017) tackles the complex issue of Russia’s love/hate relationship with democracy. By looking at the lives of a select few, Masha Gessen takes us from the collapse of the Communist Party to deep within the activism of the Putin era – all in an attempt to show us how and why Russia’s modern brand of totalitarianism came about.

Who should read The Future Is History?

  • Readers curious about Russian politics
  • Students of sociology and world politics
  • History buffs

19
Political Order and Political Decay

Political Order and Political Decay

Francis Fukuyama
From the Industrial Revolution to the Globalization of Democracy
4.0 (187 ratings)

What's Political Order and Political Decay about?

Political Order and Political Decay (2014) contrasts the history of democracy in America with its current condition to reveal the fundamental flaws of our modern democracy. From a declining middle class to selfish lobbyists and unadaptable institutions, these blinks explain just a few sources of political decay in the United States.

Who should read Political Order and Political Decay?

  • Anyone curious as to how the American political system has developed over time
  • American voters interested in the underlying problems with their government
  • Political science students seeking an introduction to the more complex aspects of democracies

20
Blowout

Blowout

Rachel Maddow
Corrupted Democracy, Rogue State Russia, and the Richest, Most Destructive Industry on Earth
4.2 (81 ratings)

What's Blowout about?

Blowout (2019) takes a deep dive into the murky waters of the global gas and oil industry and reveals just how toxic it is. Author Rachel Maddow looks at evidence of this in the US, along with the corrupt deals being made in Russia and Equatorial Guinea, and makes a strong case for why big gas and oil needs to be held accountable for its actions – before things get any worse.

Who should read Blowout?

  • Citizens worried about the erosion of democracy
  • Close followers of news about US-Russian relations 
  • People concerned about corporate influence on world affairs

21
Suicide of the West

Suicide of the West

Jonah Goldberg
How the Rebirth of Tribalism, Populism, Nationalism, and Identity Politics is Destroying American Democracy
4.2 (64 ratings)

What's Suicide of the West about?

Suicide of the West (2018) answers two vitally important questions: what made the triumph of Western civilization possible and how can we preserve its achievements. Tribalism, Goldberg argues, might be deeply rooted in human nature, but it can be held in check. If we want to discover how that can be done, we need to look at the two greatest examples of what he calls the “miracle” – the revolutions that put England and, later, America on the path to liberty and greatness. And the stakes couldn’t be higher. If we fail to learn history’s lessons, we’ll end up contributing to nothing less than the suicide of the West.

Who should read Suicide of the West?

  • Politics buffs of all stripes
  • Anyone who’s perplexed by the rise of tribalism and populism
  • Anyone interested in the foundations of liberalism

22
Propaganda

Propaganda

Edward Bernays
The Art of Public Communication and Relations
4.6 (328 ratings)

What's Propaganda about?

Propaganda (1928) is a plain-speaking and unashamed defense of the techniques of political and social manipulation. Far from being a dark art practiced by despots and dictators, Bernays suggests that propaganda instead plays an essential and necessary role in the life of modern democracies. Not everyone agrees, of course, but nearly 100 years later the enduring influence of Bernays’s arguments is reason enough to engage with them.

Who should read Propaganda?

  • Anyone who works in PR, advertising, or marketing
  • History buffs
  • Politicos interested in American democracy

23
Identity

Identity

Francis Fukuyama
The Demand for Dignity and the Politics of Resentment
4.3 (85 ratings)

What's Identity about?

Today, there is an increasing tendency for groups of people to form alliances based on shared traits, like gender, religion or sexual orientation; this is known as identity politics. But while we should be proud of our identities, they can also divide us. In Identity (2019), Francis Fukuyama charts the evolution of one of modern society’s most divisive topics, explains the problems it raises, and suggests what can be done to fix this situation.

Who should read Identity?

  • Progressive citizens curious about the weakness of left-wing politics
  • History buffs puzzled over the origins of identity
  • Activists searching for a different opinion on their objectives

24
After the Fall

After the Fall

Ben Rhodes
Being American in the World We've Made
4.0 (228 ratings)

What's After the Fall about?

After the Fall (2021) takes a sobering look at the rise of nationalism and authoritarianism in places like Hungary, China, Russia, and the United States of America. It examines how the standing and influence of the US changed in the years following the Cold War, and how this has led to the current challenges facing democracy around the world. 

Who should read After the Fall?

  • Political junkies
  • Fans of democracy
  • Students of modern history

25
The American Presidency

The American Presidency

Charles O. Jones
A Very Short Introduction
4.3 (29 ratings)

What's The American Presidency about?

The American Presidency (2007) offers an introduction to the US presidency and the unique role each president must play in world politics. Find out what kind of thinking went into the creation of this job and how it has changed over the years. America’s Founding Fathers created a uniquely experimental government when they broke free from British influence; even today, their experiment continues to surprise us.

Who should read The American Presidency?

  • Readers interested in American history
  • Students of politics or public policy
  • Frustrated voters trying to understand the electoral college

26
The Soul of America

The Soul of America

Jon Meacham
The Battle for Our Better Angels
4.1 (62 ratings)

What's The Soul of America about?

The Soul of America (2018) takes readers on an enlightening tour of America’s tumultuous past. From the final moments of the Civil War to the long overdue civil rights and voting legislation of the 1960s, the book reveals the United States for what it has always been: a nation of deep and lasting conflict. By looking to America’s past, we can see both where today’s political divides stem from and why the nation will likely be able to persevere.

Who should read The Soul of America?

  • Readers eager for perspective on current events
  • Students of history and politics
  • Fans of historical insight

27
The Making of Modern South Africa

The Making of Modern South Africa

Nigel Worden
The Making of Modern South Africa
4.7 (177 ratings)

What's The Making of Modern South Africa about?

The Making of Modern South Africa (2012) traces the history of South Africa from the colonial conquests of the eighteenth century to the birth of an inclusive democracy in 1994. Along the way, it unpacks how struggles over land, natural resources, and belonging shaped the country’s development. 

Who should read The Making of Modern South Africa?

  • Historians 
  • Politics buffs
  • Anyone interested in race and equality

28
Adults in The Room

Adults in The Room

Yanis Varoufakis
My Battle With Europe’s Deep Establishment
4.1 (61 ratings)

What's Adults in The Room about?

Adults in the Room (2017) is a fascinating behind-the-scenes account of what it’s like to deal with the European Union establishment, as experienced by the former Minister of Finance of Greece. This scathing exposé shows that, when it comes to global politics, the best interests of weaker nations aren’t always of the utmost importance to those in charge.

Who should read Adults in The Room?

  • European citizens
  • Anyone interested in European politics
  • Students of economics and world affairs

29
The January 6th Report

The January 6th Report

Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol
The Final Report on the Capitol Insurrection That Shook America
3.6 (208 ratings)

What's The January 6th Report about?

The January 6th Report (2022) is the official Congressional report into the storming of the US Capitol on January 6, 2021. The report confirms that Donald Trump, the outgoing president, was the root cause of the attack on the Capitol, and the committee recommended that he broke numerous laws in the process and should be brought to justice.

Who should read The January 6th Report?

  • News addicts who were gripped by the events of January 6
  • Politics enthusiasts
  • Anyone with an interest in democracy – and its limits

30
ISIS

ISIS

Michael Weiss and Hassan Hassan
Inside the Army of Terror
4.1 (36 ratings)

What's ISIS about?

ISIS: Inside the Army of Terror (2015) charts the rapid rise of the Islamic State in the Middle East, from its early beginnings to its self-proclaimed caliphate in Iraq and Syria. Grippingly told, the story of ISIS’s domination over al-Qaeda in Iraq and its slow but ruthless push in Syria also shines light on the failings of the West in dealing with this fanatical yet disciplined jihadi group.

Who should read ISIS?

  • People interested in international politics and the rise of terrorism
  • Historians or students of Middle Eastern studies
  • Anyone with an interest in examples of religious extremism

31
Zucked

Zucked

Roger McNamee
Waking Up to the Facebook Catastrophe
4.3 (233 ratings)

What's Zucked about?

Zucked (2019) is one early Facebook investor’s personal warning about the dangers of the platform. It vividly describes how Facebook is damaging both public health and the health of our democracies. From manipulating public opinion to building our addiction to technology, the picture painted in Zucked is of a business unmoored from civic or moral responsibility.

Who should read Zucked?

  • Everyone who uses Facebook
  • People concerned about data privacy, the manipulation of public opinion or tech-addiction
  • Anyone interested in the future of social media and tech-giants

32
The People Vs Tech

The People Vs Tech

Jamie Bartlett
How the Internet is Killing Democracy (And How We Save It)
4.6 (47 ratings)

What's The People Vs Tech about?

The People Vs Tech (2018) examines the rise of digital technology. It argues this process is undermining six of the key pillars of democracy: active citizenship, a shared democratic culture, free elections, free association, equality, and governmental authority. Looking to the future and observing how it is already unfolding in the present, it paints a chilling picture of the possible dystopian world to come. However, it also shows the paths that are leading us to that world and suggests that these paths can be redirected, pointing the way to a better future.

Who should read The People Vs Tech?

  • Citizens concerned about how the internet is impacting society 
  • Workers who fear their jobs may be replaced by AI
  • Fans of dystopian science fiction literature, movies, and television series

33
Fascism

Fascism

Madeleine Albright
A Warning
4.3 (74 ratings)

What's Fascism about?

Fascism (2018) examines fascism, both as a historical phenomenon and a present-day threat. It explores the factors that lead to fascist governments as well as the common threads connecting them, while also cautioning citizens against complacency. Even today, there are many reasons to fear for the health of democracy.

Who should read Fascism?

  • History buffs curious about the origins of fascism
  • Citizens concerned about the state of political debate and government in America
  • Defenders of democracy

34
Failed States

Failed States

Noam Chomsky
The Abuse of Power and the Assault on Democracy
4.2 (50 ratings)

What's Failed States about?

In Failed States, author Noam Chomsky details the ways in which the United States has used its power to relentlessly pursue its own geopolitical and economic interests. The book cites examples from throughout history to demonstrate why the United States’ stated goal of promoting democracy is inconsistent with its own actions, at home and abroad.

Who should read Failed States?

  • Anyone critical of US foreign policy
  • Anyone interested in international politics
  • Anyone interested in history

35
Shattered

Shattered

Jonathan Allen & Amie Parnes
Inside Hillary Clinton’s Doomed Campaign
3.7 (23 ratings)

What's Shattered about?

Shattered (2017) takes you behind the scenes of the 2016 US presidential election campaign of Hillary Rodham Clinton. In these blinks, you’ll learn what went wrong for Clinton and her team, leading a seasoned politician to come second to a reality TV star in a tumultuous and bitter race for the nation’s highest office.

Who should read Shattered?

  • News and politics junkies
  • Citizens concerned about the future of the United States and the global political order
  • American voters who can’t figure out what happened in 2016

36
Un-Trumping America

Un-Trumping America

Dan Pfeiffer
A Plan to Make America a Democracy Again
3.9 (89 ratings)

What's Un-Trumping America about?

Un-Trumping America (2020) is former Obama advisor Dan Pfeiffer’s playbook for beating Donald Trump and fixing the broken system of American democracy. Filled with practical campaigning and policy suggestions, it’s an ambitious guide to a brighter future.

Who should read Un-Trumping America?

  • Democrats eager for a plan to beat Trump
  • Policymakers and those interested in getting involved in politics
  • Citizens concerned with the direction the USA is headed in

37
Revolutionary Iran

Revolutionary Iran

Michael Axworthy
A History of the Islamic Republic
4.0 (45 ratings)

What's Revolutionary Iran about?

Revolutionary Iran (2013) tells the story of modern Iran, from the early twentieth-century origins of the 1979 revolution through to reactions to Ahmadinejad’s second presidential victory, in 2009. The book also dispels misconceptions and examines internal politics and cultural debates within the country.

Who should read Revolutionary Iran?

  • Students of contemporary global politics
  • Curious minds wanting to know more about contemporary Iranian history
  • Followers of the Middle East interested in understanding the relationship between religion and democracy

38
The Myth of the Rational Voter

The Myth of the Rational Voter

Bryan Caplan
Why Democracies Choose Bad Policies
3.4 (33 ratings)

What's The Myth of the Rational Voter about?

The Myth of the Rational Voter (2007) is all about the barriers our democracy faces and why they matter. These blinks break down the various misconceptions people have regarding democracy, explaining how they connect to flaws in the democratic method and show why our current forms of democracy don’t work.

Who should read The Myth of the Rational Voter?

  • People who care about politics and leadership
  • Anyone with an interest in economics and its everyday applications
  • Any reader wondering how democratic elections can consistently produce such bad results

39
On Tyranny

On Tyranny

Timothy Snyder
Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century
4.5 (54 ratings)

What's On Tyranny about?

On Tyranny (2017) is a guide to recognizing the warning signs of tyranny, which, unfortunately, is a political climate that many are all too familiar with. Find out what you can do to protect yourself and keep your community vigilant and resistant to dangerous political leaders.

Who should read On Tyranny?

  • Citizens against oppressive regimes
  • Freedom fighters
  • Activists and demonstration organizers

40
Honeybee Democracy

Honeybee Democracy

Thomas D. Seeley
A fascinating story of collective wisdom and effective decision-making
4.5 (55 ratings)

What's Honeybee Democracy about?

Honeybee Democracy (2010) traces the fascinating story of how bees decide where to build their new hive. Using highly evolved skills, like independent research and community debate, the bees’ deeply democratic decision-making process is a model we can all learn from. 

Who should read Honeybee Democracy?

  • Popular science enthusiasts with a fondness for insects
  • Politics buffs who want to learn about democratic systems
  • Anyone and everyone who thinks bees are cool

41
Impeachment

Impeachment

Jeffrey A. Engel
An American History
4.2 (36 ratings)

What's Impeachment about?

Impeachment (2018) details how the Framers of the US Constitution envisioned the process of removing a president, and how the three impeachment proceedings prior to Trump’s have played out. Spanning the years right after the American Revolution to the late twentieth century, Impeachment looks at how the Framers imagined impeachment as a safety valve for democracy, as well as how Congress used impeachment to sanction Presidents Andrew Johnson, Richard Nixon, and Bill Clinton. 

Who should read Impeachment?

  • News junkies who’ve read every think piece about the Trump impeachment
  • History hounds obsessed with the American experiment 
  • Anyone looking for a better grasp on current US affairs

42
Go Back to Where You Came From

Go Back to Where You Came From

Sasha Polakow-Suransky
The Backlash Against Immigration and the Fate of Western Democracy
4.1 (22 ratings)

What's Go Back to Where You Came From about?

Go Back to Where You Came From (2017) takes a look at the current international political landscape and explains how the increase in refugees in Europe has contributed to the rise of the right-wing populist movement. It also explains why Muslim immigrants are the subject of such political demonization, how this issue has strengthened political extremism and why the populist movement is a serious threat to democracy as we know it.

Who should read Go Back to Where You Came From?

  • Political science students or avid news readers
  • Immigrants, refugees and activists
  • Legislators and political decision makers

43
Second Treatise of the Government

Second Treatise of the Government

John Locke
An Essay Concerning the True Origin, Extent and End of Civil Government
4.4 (37 ratings)

What's Second Treatise of the Government about?

Locke’s Second Treatise offers an in-depth analysis on the origin of our right to liberty and the rights of governments. It shows how, by respecting the laws of nature, we can limit the power of government to best protect ourselves and our property from destruction or worse, tyranny.

Who should read Second Treatise of the Government?

  • Anybody interested in politics
  • Anybody interested in the history of ideas and philosophy
  • Anybody interested in the foundations of liberalism and democracy

44
The Spirit Level

The Spirit Level

Richard Wilkinson & Kate Pickett
Why Equality is Better for Everyone
4.2 (17 ratings)

What's The Spirit Level about?

This book provides a detailed explanation of how inequality is responsible for many of our present-day problems, including violence and mental illness. It provides detailed explanations and studies to support this and shows how inequality not only hurts the poor but everybody in a society.

Who should read The Spirit Level?

  • Anyone interested in sociology, politics or ethics
  • Anyone interested in the topics of equality and the distribution of wealth
  • Anyone who wants to learn about a new approach to solving worldwide problems

45
Frontier Justice

Frontier Justice

Andy Lamey
The Global Refugee Crisis and What to Do About It
3.9 (76 ratings)

What's Frontier Justice about?

Frontier Justice (2011) offers a detailed historical account of the plight of refugees. It also presents viable solutions that could improve the lives of refugees while ensuring a higher degree of safety for their host countries.

Who should read Frontier Justice?

  • Anyone with an interest in global politics
  • People interested in the origins and impacts of international refugee crises
  • Anyone concerned about human rights violations and humanitarian efforts

46
The Conservative Mind

The Conservative Mind

Russell Kirk
From Burke to Eliot
3.7 (29 ratings)

What's The Conservative Mind about?

The Conservative Mind (1953) offers insights into the axioms that underpin modern conservative thought by looking at conservatism’s historical roots.

Who should read The Conservative Mind?

  • Historians studying the development of conservative thought
  • Students of political science curious about the history of conservatism
  • People interested in politics and American history

47
The Great Degeneration

The Great Degeneration

Niall Ferguson
How Institutions Decay and Economies Die
3.8 (46 ratings)

What's The Great Degeneration about?

The Western world seems to be in crisis. It is faced with huge levels of public and private debt, and the economies of the rest of the world are fast catching up. After 500 years of total global dominance, the era of Western powers could be coming to an end.

The Great Degeneration (2014) aims to tackle why this is the case. It suggests that a decline in Western institutions is partly to blame. Only by arresting this decline through radical reform can the West recover.

Who should read The Great Degeneration?

  • Students of political and economic history
  • Anyone who wants to know why Western nations are in so much debt
  • Anyone who is interested in the future of democracy

48
The End of Power

The End of Power

Moisés Naím
From Boardrooms to Battlefields and Churches to States, Why Being in Charge Isn’t What It Used To Be
4.4 (14 ratings)

What's The End of Power about?

The End of Power makes the case for how advances changes in technology and society have caused the old fortresses of power to crumble. We now face a brand new paradigm of power, one that isn’t hoarded by an elite few, but rather split amongst us all. But what does that mean for society and government?

Who should read The End of Power?

  • Anyone interested in foreign policy
  • Anyone interested in culture and social phenomena
  • Anyone interested in political science

49
Blueprint for Revolution

Blueprint for Revolution

Srdja Popovic and Matthew Miller
How to Use Rice Pudding, Lego Men, and Other Non-Violent Techniques to Galvanize Communities, Overthrow Dictators or Simply Change the World
4.3 (33 ratings)

What's Blueprint for Revolution about?

Blueprint for Revolution (2015) is your guide to starting a social movement that inspires people to come together and make real change happen. These blinks use historical anecdotes to detail a variety of nonviolent techniques that can be used to apply political pressure, fight oppression and diminish fear.

Who should read Blueprint for Revolution?

  • Political activists who want to change the world
  • Students of politics and history
  • People who are new to the history of revolutionary movements

50
Engines of Liberty

Engines of Liberty

David Cole
The Power of Citizen Activists to Make Constitutional Law
3.6 (15 ratings)

What's Engines of Liberty about?

Engines of Liberty (2016) is an exploration into the influence citizens can have on government, and the changes that can be brought about through activism, the spreading of information and the mobilization of one’s peers. When it comes to the big issues of our time, like gay marriage, guns and human rights, it’s passionate citizens who are speaking up for what they believe in and bringing about change.

Who should read Engines of Liberty?

  • Activists passionate about civil liberties
  • Lawyers and politicians interested in the history of civil rights
  • Concerned citizens who want to become more active

51
The Net Delusion

The Net Delusion

Evgeny Morozov
How Not to Liberate the World
4.1 (11 ratings)

What's The Net Delusion about?

The Net Delusion tackles head on the beliefs we hold about the utopian power of the internet. Evgeny Morozov shows us how the internet isn’t always a force for democracy and freedom, and reveals how both authoritarian and democratic regimes control the internet for their own interests.

Who should read The Net Delusion?

  • Anyone interested in the politics of the internet
  • Anyone interested in mass media
  • Anyone interested in propaganda

52
Death Of The Liberal Class

Death Of The Liberal Class

Chris Hedges
The failures of contemporary liberal institutions
3.6 (17 ratings)

What's Death Of The Liberal Class about?

Death of the Liberal Class (2010) is a serious indictment of modern liberalism and today’s liberal leaders. It offers a scathing critique of the failures of contemporary liberal institutions while still providing a glimmer of hope for the future of American democracy.

Who should read Death Of The Liberal Class?

  • Anyone interested in politics and liberal ideas in America
  • Anyone curious about how much power corporations hold in modern society
  • Anyone interested in the history of political movements

53
Junkyard Planet

Junkyard Planet

Adam Minter
Travels in the Billion-Dollar Trash Trade

What's Junkyard Planet about?

Full of visceral details and fascinating personal narratives, Junkyard Planet digs into the history and current state of the waste management industry. Through a riveting tour of the sites that take care of our trash, Minter argues that the recycling and reclamation industry, despite its well-publicized environmental hazards, represents the most logical and sustainable solution to offset the insatiable consumption of the developed world.

Who should read Junkyard Planet?

  • Anyone who’s ever wondered what goes on in recycling plants and junkyards
  • Anyone striving to lead a more sustainable life
  • People who want to know where their trash ends up

54
A Quiet Word

A Quiet Word

Tamasin Cave and Andy Rowell
Lobbying, Crony Capitalism and Broken Politics in Britain

What's A Quiet Word about?

A Quiet Word explains what lobbyism is, how it works and why it can be dangerous for democracy. The authors reveal the extent of lobbying today, detail different strategies used by lobbyists to influence governments, and offer a solution to help defend democracy.

Who should read A Quiet Word?

  • Anyone who is interested in learning more about lobbyism
  • Anyone who is critical of big corporations’ influence on politics
  • Anyone who is losing faith in democracy

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