“Today, the voice of populist infantile politics is amplified by social media allowing the ignorant to claim equality with the informed.”
How to Lose A Country is a comprehensive analysis of how democracies function, and a reckoning with the surge of populist movements around the world. Ece Temelkuran’s thought-provoking analysis of political identity and the erosion of democratic values has resonated with countless readers, particularly as the concerns around disinformation, populism and global tensions continue to rise. Whether you’re interested in books about authoritarianism, nationalism or social change, we here at What We Reading have you covered with our political nonfiction books like How to Lose A Country. These books examine the decline in democracy, the dangers of populist movements and the complex dynamics of political powers, offering fresh insights into topics that shape our world today.
The Road To Unfreedom: Russia, Europe, America – Timothy Snyder
Kicking off our list of books like How to Lose A Country is Timothy Snyder’s acclaimed work, The Road to Unfreedom, a compelling exploration of the rise of authoritarianism and the decline of democracy in the twenty-first century. Snyder examines how populism and nationalism have fueled the erosion of political freedoms and undermined democratic institutions, offering a sobering analysis of global political trends.
Snyder dissects the rise of figures such as Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump, drawing connections between their actions and the broader global shift toward authoritarianism. Through a detailed exploration of political identity, social media manipulation and the dangers of fake news, Snyder highlights how democracy is increasingly under threat. The Road to Unfreedom is a compelling look at how political forces are undermining democracies and crucially offers a lens on how these forces can be resisted.
The People Vs. Democracy: Why Our Freedom Is In Danger And How To Save It – Yascha Mounk
In The People vs. Democracy, Yascha Mounk explores the growing tension between liberal democracy and populism, offering a critical analysis of how contemporary movements across the globe pose a direct threat to values such as pluralism, individual rights and the rule of law.
Utilising case studies from across the world, Mounk examines how populist leaders manipulate public opinion and create divisions within societies to consolidate power. Like How to Lose A Country, the book also delves into the rise of authoritarianism and nationalism, showcasing how these movements undermine democratic norms. For readers interested in political nonfiction books that examine the decline of democracy, The People vs. Democracy is a compelling guidebook on how populism exploits the weaknesses of modern democracies, and what can be done to safeguard them.
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The Shock Doctrine: The Rise Of Disaster Capitalism – Naomi Klein
Naomi Klein’s The Shock Doctrine is a groundbreaking exploration of how neoliberal economic policies are routinely imposed on nations in times of crisis, using shock and disorientation to usher in radical changes. Klein argues that disasters – whether natural, political or economic – create a ‘shock’ that presents an opportunity for powerful elites to implement free-market reforms that benefit corporations at the expense of democracy.
Through historical examples such as the military coup in Chile, the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and the Iraq War, Klein illustrates how governments and corporations exploit times of crisis to weaken social safety nets, privatise resources and concentrate power. Like How to Lose A Country, The Shock Doctrine is a book about social injustice that highlights the relationship between disaster capitalism, economic exploitation and the fragility of democratic institutions.
What’s The Matter With Kansas? How Conservatives Won The Heart Of America – Thomas Frank
What’s the Matter with Kansas? by Thomas Frank examines the rise of conservative populism in the American Midwest, offering a critical analysis of how working-class voters in Kansas and across the United States have increasingly supported right-wing policies that go against their economic interests. Frank explores the paradox of how issues like abortion, gun rights and religious values have become central to the identity of many working-class voters, despite these issues not aligning with their economic needs.
The book explores the role of political elites, media and religious organisations in shaping this shift toward conservatism, using Kansas as a framework for wider national trends. For anyone looking for another politics book like How to Lose A Country about nationalism and the intricacies of political identity, What’s the Matter with Kansas is a thought-provoking take on how populist rhetoric has manipulated working-class voters.
The Authoritarian Moment: How The Left Weaponized America’s Institutions Against Dissent – Ben Shapiro
Ben Shapiro’s The Authoritarian Moment argues that a cultural and ideological shift is leading to the rise of left-wing authoritarianism, where progressive movements are pushing for the suppression of free speech, the silencing of dissenting voices and the consolidation of political power. He critiques the role of academia, media and social institutions in cultivating a climate of political correctness and intolerance, warning that these trends are undermining true democratic principles.
The Authoritarian Moment provides a provocative exploration of how the left’s approach to political power can sometimes mirror the oppressive tactics often associated with right-wing authoritarian regimes. Shapiro’s distinctive style warns of the dangers of unchecked political power, urging readers to recognise and resist the forces that threaten individual liberties and democratic governance.
The Revolt Of The Public And The Crisis Of Authority – Martin Gurri
For another book like How to Lose A Country that explores the transformative impact of digital media on politics and society, look no further than The Revolt of the Public by Martin Gurri. In it, Gurri contends that as information becomes more accessible and people can easily communicate and organise online, trust in established institutions – governments, media and corporations – has eroded, leading to sweeping political unrest.
The Revolt of the Public examines how this ‘revolt’ of the public is manifesting in populist movements, protests and the decline of democratic norms. Guerri’s insights into the rise of populism and how the digital age has upended traditional political systems make for a compelling read about how information overload and social media can fuel political division and threaten the stability of democracy.
Politics On The Edge: A Memoir From Within – Rory Stewart
Politics on the Edge by Rory Stewart offers a unique and insightful look at the state of modern politics, drawing on Stewart’s own experiences as a British politician and his travels around the world. The book examines the fragility of democratic institutions and the often absurd, frustrating and archaic ways in which they work.
Stewart delves into the personal and professional dilemmas of being a politician in an era of increasing polarisation, highlighting the tension between global forces and local political realities. Similar to How to Lose A Country, Politics on the Edge is a candid and introspective exploration of the pressures modern leaders face. Stewart’s reflections on the state of governance and political identity offer a timely warning about how democracy is tested and reshaped in the face of rising populist movements and shifting political allegiances.
Check Out The Best Books Like Politics On The Edge
This Is How They Tell Me The World Ends: The Cyberweapons Arms Race – Nicole Perlroth
Nicole Perlroth’s This Is How They Tell Me the World Ends is a gripping exploration of the global cybersecurity crisis and the dangerous world of hacking, espionage and digital warfare. Perlroth, a cybersecurity journalist, delves into the hidden realm of zero-day exploits, where hackers and governments race to find vulnerabilities in computer systems before they are brought to light. The book charts how cyberattacks have become a go-to tool for authoritarian regimes, corporations and criminals, posing a serious threat to security, democracy and individual liberty.
This Is How They Tell Me the World End is a chilling insight into how the digital age has branched new avenues for authoritarianism and geopolitical conflict. Perlroth’s investigative work reveals the vulnerabilities in the systems we rely on, emphasising the need for vigilance and reform to protect democratic institutions from the growing cyber threats.
How Democracies Die: What History Reveals About Our Future – Steven Levitsky And Daniel Ziblatt
Undoubtedly one of the best books like How to Lose A Country that analyses the decline of democracy, authoritarianism and the rise of populism, How Democracies Die is an exploration into the subtle and overlooked ways democracies can erode and ultimately collapse. Drawing on historical examples around the world, authors Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt argue that the demise of democracy is a process of a slow decay in norms, institutions and values.
The pair focus on the role of political parties, the erosion of democratic guardrails and the rise of populist leaders who challenge the integrity of these systems. How Democracies Die remains a timely and critical examination of the importance of maintaining democratic norms and a warning of how easily they can be stripped away.
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Political Order And Political Decay: From The Industrial Revolution To The Globalization Of Democracy (Political Order #2) – Francis Fukuyama
Political Order and Political Decay by Francis Fukuyama is a fascinating examination of the evolution of political institutions and the challenges they face in the modern world. Fukuyama argues that while political order is essential for stable governance, the decay of institutions – such as corruption, lack of accountability and failure to adapt – can lead to the collapse of democracies and the rise of authoritarianism.
Utilising historical examples from both the West and the developing world, Fukuyama explores how states evolve and the crucial components that contribute to the breakdown of political systems. Similar to How to Lose A Country, Political Order and Political Decay offer a rigorous analysis of the ways in which political systems can thrive as well as falter.
Part-time reader, part-time rambler, and full-time Horror enthusiast, James has been writing for What We Reading since 2022. His earliest reading memories involved Historical Fiction, Fantasy and Horror tales, which he has continued to take with him to this day. James’ favourite books include The Last (Hanna Jameson), The Troop (Nick Cutter) and Chasing The Boogeyman (Richard Chizmar).
