The Dictator's Handbook
Ratings/reviews counts are updated frequently.
Check link for latest rating. ( 10,349 ratings, 1,232 reviews)Read More
The Dictator's Handbook
Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?
The Dictator's Handbook
Now featuring a new chapter on the rise of illiberalism worldwide.
The essential book that lays out the real rules of politics: leaders do whatever keeps them in power, regardless of the national interest.
As featured in the viral video "Rules for Rulers," which has been viewed over fifteen million times.
In The Dictator's Handbook, Bruce Bueno de Mesquita and Alastair Smith unveil the stark and often unsettling mechanisms that underpin political power. Through their incisive analysis, they argue that leaders, regardless of their political system, are primarily motivated by the desire to remain in power. This gripping and eye-opening book acts as a masterclass in political realpolitik, explaining how leaders navigate complex systems of governance and loyalty to maintain their authority.
Central to their thesis is the idea that the differences between democracies and dictatorships are not rooted in ideology but in the size of the group that the leader needs to keep satisfied to stay in power. This so-called "selectorate theory" posits that the primary determinant of political outcomes is the number of essential supporters a leader must appease. In democracies, this group is relatively large, requiring broader policies and more public-focused governance, whereas in dictatorships, the group is much smaller, often limited to a few key elites whose support must be secured through patronage and favouritism.
Recently updated to address the alarming global rise in authoritarian regimes, The Dictator's Handbook reinforces its chillingly pragmatic conclusions with contemporary examples. The book dismantles romantic notions of political leadership, offering a sobering look at how leaders exploit resources, manipulate institutions, and sideline rivals to consolidate power. Through real-world case studies, the authors dissect the actions of politicians and despots alike, from the intricacies of policy decisions to the brutal efficiency of political purges.
Accessible yet profound, Bueno de Mesquita and Smith's work challenges readers to rethink their understanding of political structures. They emphasise that the health of a government, and the well-being of its citizens, largely hinges on the number of people involved in the critical acts of governance. By illuminating these underlying principles, The Dictator's Handbook provides a roadmap for understanding political behaviour, urging us to critically engage with the mechanisms of power that shape our world.
The Dictator's Handbook does not merely diagnose problems; it also hints at solutions. Recognising the nature of political power and the necessary shifting of power back to the people is essential in fostering more transparent, accountable, and ultimately just systems of governance. This enlightening and provocative book is essential reading for anyone interested in the true dynamics of political leadership and the forces that shape our societies.
Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?
The Dictator's Handbook by Bruce Bueno de Mesquita and Alastair Smith offers a sharp, insightful analysis of political behaviour, revealing how both democrats and dictators prioritise political survival. Critics praise its clear writing and wide-ranging use of historical, economic, and political insights. Reviewers laud it as thought-provoking and enlightening, comparing it to Machiavelli’s The Prince, and recommend it as essential reading for understanding governance.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9781541701366
Publisher: PublicAffairs,U.S.
Format: Paperback / softback
Date Published: 12 May 2022
Country: United States
Imprint: PublicAffairs,U.S.
Audience: Tertiary education, Professional and scholarly
DIMENSIONS
Spine width: 30.0mm
Width: 140.0mm
Height: 210.0mm
Weight: 340g
Pages: 400
About the Author
Bruce Bueno de Mesquita is the Julius Silver Professor of Politics and director of the Alexander Hamilton Center for Political Economy at New York University. He is the author of sixteen books, including The Predictioneer's Game.
Alastair Smith is professor of politics at New York University. The recipient of three grants from the National Science Foundation and author of three books, he was chosen as the 2005 Karl Deutsch Award winner, given biennially to the best international relations scholar under the age of forty. They are also the authors of The Spoils of War: Greed, Power, and the Conflicts That Made Our Greatest Presidents.More from Politics & Current Affairs
View allWhy buy from us?
Book Hero is not a chain store or big box retailer. We're an independent specialist on a mission to help more Kiwis rediscover a love of books and reading!
Service & Delivery
Our cozy 200m2 warehouse in Auckland holds over 10,000 books in-stock so you're not waiting for books to arrive from overseas.
Auckland Pick Ups
We're an online-only store but for your convenience you can pick up your order for free from our warehouse in Hobsonville.
Our Gifting Service
Books make wonderful thoughtful gifts and we're here to help with gift-wrapping and cards. We can even send your gift directly to your loved one.