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.

The Art of Being Wrong: Embracing the Wonders of Error

a woman looking at a painting of a turtle flying over orange mountains and purple trees illustrates the art of being wrong

Have you ever wondered why art and humor captivate us so deeply? What role does being wrong play in our creativity and individuality? In her book Being Wrong, Kathryn Schulz explores the art of being wrong and its surprising benefits. She argues that our mistakes and misperceptions are not just inevitable—but essential—to our humanity. She shows how wrongness fuels humor, art, and personal uniqueness. Read on to discover why embracing our errors might be the key to unlocking our full potential.

The Potential of AI: What Will It Take to Achieve Strong AI?

a tech developer working at a computer with a depiction of a human brain on the screen illustrates the potential of AI

What’s the true potential of AI? What if AI could think and learn more like humans do? What would it take to get there? In Rebooting AI, Gary Marcus and Ernest Davis explore the future of artificial intelligence. They argue that, to unlock the potential of AI, developers must create systems capable of human-level cognition. This entails drawing on research in neuroscience and psychology rather than relying solely on big data and current machine-learning techniques. Keep reading to discover how strong AI could transform our world and why higher engineering standards are crucial for its development.

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.

Threats to Democracy: 3 Ways Public Confidence Is Lost

the back of a man who's looking at government buildings illustrates concerns about threats to democracy

What are the greatest threats to democracy today? How do healthy democratic states descend into illiberalism and authoritarian rule? Three significant factors that can erode public trust in democratic systems: extreme polarization, the decline of democratic norms, and wealth inequality. Each of these threats poses unique challenges to the stability and effectiveness of democratic governments. Read more to explore how these threats impact our democratic institutions.

The Benefits of Making Mistakes: 3 Reasons to Embrace Error

a smiling girl looking at a broken eggshell with smiley faces bursting out of it depicts the benefits of making mistakes

How can making mistakes be beneficial? What if being wrong wasn’t necessarily something to fear—but something to embrace? In Being Wrong, Kathryn Schulz explores the surprising benefits of making mistakes. She challenges our conventional wisdom about errors and presents a compelling case for why we should reconsider our relationship with being wrong. Read on to discover the unexpected ways that mistakes can help us survive, find truth, and even inspire joy and wonder.

Somewhere Between Certainty and Doubt: Where Beliefs Lie

a young man in a suit with a thoughtful expression looking up at question marks in the sky illustrates certainty and doubt

What’s the role of certainty and doubt in your life? How do these opposing forces shape your beliefs and decisions? In her book Being Wrong, Kathryn Schulz explores the continuum between certainty and doubt. She argues that we often default to certainty more than we know. She provides helpful insights into the necessity and dangers of our core beliefs. Read on to understand how certainty and doubt serve us in our daily lives.

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.

2 Ways Democracy and Economic Inequality Are Connected

people standing on stacks of coins of different heights illustrate the link between democracy and economic inequality

Is economic inequality eroding the foundations of democracy? How does the widening wealth gap affect our social fabric? Democracy and economic inequality are increasingly intertwined in modern society. We draw insights from a philosopher and an economist to understand the complex relationship between these two factors, examining how growing social divisions and reduced social mobility can threaten democratic systems. Continue reading for perspectives on this crucial issue shaping our world today.