How Do Dictators Stay in Power? 3 Ways They Ensure Loyalty

a national leader looking out of his office window at the capital city illustrates how dictators stay in power

How do dictators stay in power? How do they keep the right people satisfied? How differently do democratic leaders behave? In their book The Dictator’s Handbook, Bruce Bueno de Mesquita and Alastair Smith reveal the tactics dictators use to maintain control, comparing them with democratic practices. They explore three key methods: rewarding supporters, punishing dissenters, and managing revolutions. Read more to understand how dictators and democrats maintain power after they seize it.

How a Decline of Democratic Standards Threatens Democracy

two men in business suits warmly shaking hands as others stand nearby illustrate democratic standards

Are democratic norms truly essential for a healthy political system? What happens when these unwritten rules start to crumble? The decline of democratic standards is a threat to the idea of democracy itself. How Democracies Die by Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt explores the concepts of mutual toleration and institutional forbearance, which they argue are necessary for democratic systems to survive. Continue reading to discover how these crucial democratic norms shape political conduct and why their erosion could spell trouble for democracy as we know it.

Dictatorial & Democratic Approaches to International Politics

chess pieces on a world map illustrate different approaches to international politics

Why do nations form alliances or go to war? What drives leaders to make these crucial decisions in international politics? In their book The Dictator’s Handbook, Bruce Bueno de Mesquita and Alastair Smith explore various approaches to international politics. They examine how leaders secure allies, distribute foreign aid, and wage wars. The authors compare the strategies of dictators and democratic leaders in these areas. Continue reading to explore how leaders navigate the complex landscape of international relations.

Key Differences Between Democracy and Dictatorship

people behind a wire fence on the left and free people on the right depict the differences between democracy and dictatorship

How are democracies and dictatorships different? How is the size of their power base related to the way different leaders operate? In The Dictator’s Handbook, Bruce Bueno de Mesquita and Alastair Smith say the primary goal of all leaders is to get power and keep it. This is true in all political systems; the differences between democracy and dictatorship can be seen in how power is gained and who holds leaders accountable. Keep reading to understand these crucial distinctions and to gain a deeper grasp on why democracy is a superior system.

How to Gain Political Power: 2 Herculean Steps to the Top

a man from behind in a business suit climbing an ornate staircase illustrates how to gain political power

How do political leaders rise to power? What strategies do they use to gain control of a party or a country? In their book The Dictator’s Handbook, Bruce Bueno de Mesquita and Alastair Smith explore how to gain political power. They outline a two-step process that both dictators and democratic leaders follow to seize control. We break down their insights on building support and replacing existing governments. Read on to uncover the secrets of political power.

NeuroTribes by Steve Silberman: Book Overview & Takeaways

A girl on a couch reading a book that has a drawn image of a brain on the page

How do autistic brains differ from allistic brains? Why isn’t Asperger’s syndrome a legitimate diagnosis anymore? What is the only cure for autism? Every day, people with autism are forced to exist in a world that’s not designed for their brains. In the book NeuroTribes by Steve Silberman, he explores the history, characterization, and evolving societal perception of autism.  Whether you or someone you know is autistic or you’re simply curious about autism, here’s an overview of NeuroTribes.

Eichmann in Jerusalem by Hannah Arendt: Book Overview

a young dark-haired man wearing a plaid shirt thoughtfully reads a book he's holding

What drives ordinary people to commit extraordinary evil? Can the most horrific acts stem from mundane motivations? The groundbreaking book Eichmann in Jerusalem by Hannah Arendt challenges our understanding of evil. The book examines Adolf Eichmann, a key figure in the Holocaust, through a surprising lens. Arendt’s analysis reveals unexpected insights about the nature of evil itself. Read on for an overview of this work that lays out Arendt’s controversial perspective on one of history’s most infamous criminals.

What Did Adolf Eichmann Do? His Role in the Nazis’ “Solutions”

a Nazi officer from behind working at a desk in an office that has maps, books, papers, and a lamp

What did Adolf Eichmann do during the Holocaust? How did his role evolve as Nazi policies changed? Hannah Arendt’s Eichmann in Jerusalem explores Adolf Eichmann’s involvement in the Nazi regime’s “Jewish question.” The book examines his progression from an advisor on Jewish emigration to a key figure in the transportation of Jews to concentration camps. Continue reading for Arendt’s analysis of Eichmann’s role in the Holocaust to discover how his actions shaped the course of history.

Adolf Eichmann’s Early Life: His Unremarkable Beginnings

a traveling salesman in a coat and hat in 1930s Germany walking along a road in the business district of a town

How much do you know about the early life of one of history’s most notorious war criminals? What led Adolf Eichmann to become a key figure in the Holocaust? In her book Eichmann in Jerusalem, Hannah Arendt explores Adolf Eichmann’s early life and his rise to power within the Nazi Party. She argues that Eichmann was an unremarkable man who went on to commit atrocious crimes. Read on to discover how a failed student and salesman became the so-called “expert” on the Jewish question, shaping the course of history in unimaginable ways.

The 2007-2008 Starbucks Crisis: What Led to Its Near Defeat?

A closed sign on the window of a Starbucks store that shows a Starbucks crisis

What was the Starbucks crisis in 2007 and 2008? What caused Starbucks stocks to drop at a worrying pace during this time? By the mid-2000s, Starbucks was in a great place as a franchise. However, the decision to focus on rapid growth over in-store experience led to customer complaints, dropping stocks, and slow financial growth. Continue reading to learn about the factors that led to Starbucks’s downfall.