Political Behavior

“A lucidly written, shrewdly argued meditation on how democrats and dictators preserve political authority.” —Wall Street Journal Bruce Bueno de Mesquita and Alastair Smith’s canonical book on political science turns conventional wisdom on its head. They start from a single proposition...

Can reading a book make you more rational? Can it help us understand why there is so much irrationality in the world? Steven Pinker, author of Enlightenment Now (Bill Gates’s "new favorite book of all time”) answers all the questions here Today humanity is reaching new heights of scientific...

The modern world has changed. The influence of the masses over politics, culture, and social behavior has never been so intense. Ortega y Gasset offers a deep and thought-provoking vision of the challenges that arise when society is dominated by the collective and individuality is threatened. In The Revolt of the Masses, you will find a precise analysis of how the habits, values, and expectations of large groups shape the course of history and directly impact our daily choices. This book is not merely a work of philosophy, but a guide to understanding the dynamics of social and cultural ...

A former public defender takes us behind the closed doors of America's criminal courts, revealing how the institutions that claim to protect us are doing the exact opposite—and offering a blueprint for finally fixing it. “A searing, compassionate, and utterly necessary book that pulls back...

A Behavioral Scientist Notable Book of 2024 “An eye-opening analysis of why our politics have become so polarized….Keith Payne illuminates one of the biggest problems of our time and lights the way toward some promising solutions.” —Adam Grant, #1 New York Times bestselling author of...

What happens when Americans lose faith in their religious institutions—and politicians fill the void? From the Puritans to Donald Trump, this sweeping history will change your understanding of the forces that create leaders and hold their followers captive. “Elegant and insightful...

An invaluable guide to understanding how the internet has broken our brains—and what we can do to fix it. "Vivid and unforgettable.” ―Jonathan Haidt, New York Times bestselling author of The Righteous Mind The original internet was not designed to make us upset, distracted, confused, and...

The nationally recognized, leading authority on choice exposes the surprising truths behind the decisions we make everyday. Every day we make choices. Coke or Pepsi? Save or spend? Stay or go? Whether mundane or life-altering, the choices we make define us and shape our lives. Sheena Iyengar...

Two  MIT economists  show  how  game theory—the ultimate theory of rationality—explains irrational behavior   We like to think of ourselves as rational. This idea is the foundation for classical economic analysis of human behavior, including the awesome achievements of game...

Red teaming. It is a practice as old as the Devil's Advocate, the 11th-century Vatican official charged with discrediting candidates for sainthood. Today, red teams - comprised primarily of fearless skeptics and those assuming the role of saboteurs who seek to better understand the interests, intentions, and capabilities of institutions or potential competitors - are used widely in both the public and private sector.

"Conquer the CLEP American Government Exam" is your comprehensive guide to mastering the complexities of American government and politics, tailored specifically for success on the CLEP American Government exam. Covering essential topics such as the Presidency, Bureaucracy, Congress, Federal Courts, Civil Liberties, Civil Rights, Political Parties, Interest Groups, Political Beliefs, Behavior, the Constitution, and American Democracy, this study guide provides in-depth explanations, clear examples, and strategic insights to help you navigate through the exam confidently. Inside, you'll find:...

If Americans want to know why their health care is so costly and getting costlier, they need only look in the mirror. Americans are notoriously unhealthy—we eat too much, drink too much, and sit too much. When roughly 80 percent of cardiovascular disease and 40 percent of all cancer cases...

The most famous and important book on politics ever written The Prince remains as lively and shocking today as when it was written almost five hundred years ago. Initially denounced as a collection of sinister maxims and a recommendation of tyranny, it has more recently been defended as the...

"The Psychology of Values: Meaning, Purpose, and its Impacts on Lives, Business, and Politics" by Ali Muattar is a thought-provoking exploration of the role and significance of values in shaping our lives, businesses, and political landscapes. In this insightful book, Muattar delves into the intricate workings of human values, their origins, and their profound impact on individuals and society. Drawing from psychological theories, philosophical insights, and real-world examples, Muattar comprehensively examines the nature and dynamics of values. He explores the fundamental questions ...

President Obama’s former United States chief of protocol looks at why diplomacy and etiquette matter—from the international stage to everyday life. History often appears to consist of big gestures and dramatic shifts. But for every peace treaty signed, someone set the stage, using hidden...

Power has changed its clothing, but it has not changed its face. In the age of social media, corporate politics, family drama, medical systems, courtroom battles, advertising, leadership, and public outrage, the old games of power are still being played every day. The only difference is that the palace now has fluorescent lights, smartphones, insurance forms, office meetings, hashtags, and Thanksgiving dinner. The Big Mack: Machiavelli in the Modern World takes the sharp, unsettling, and surprisingly practical ideas associated with Niccolò Machiavelli and brings them into the world we ...

A riveting behind-the-scenes account of the new stars of the far right—and how they’ve partnered with billionaire donors, idealogues, and political insiders to build the most powerful youth movement the American right has ever seen In the wake of the Obama presidency, a group of young...

When a company's workers are literally dying on the job, and its business model relies on preying on local businesses and even their own companies, and its CEO is the richest person in the world while its workers make minimum wage with impossible quotas...wouldn't you want to resist? Danny Caine, owner of Raven Book Store in Lawrence, Kansas, compiled this zine about his commitment to fighting Amazon. Includes: the open letter he wrote to Jeff Bezos, examples of successful social media activism, links to other resources, and some sobering words about boycotting.

"Forget the lions, the modern world is ruled by the lens" This book charts the evolution of power from fist to sword, from structure to story, and finally, into perception itself. It reveals the hidden architecture behind how we are guided, how our dictionaries are rewritten, and how our choices are curated before we even make them. A fascinating, human look at the invisible forces that shape our collective psyche. Read it to understand how the room you speak in was built—and who holds the key to the door.

Fear is not just felt. It is put to work. Most people think fear lives inside individuals: a racing pulse, a sleepless night, a weakness to be conquered. They are wrong. Fear lives in systems. In Fear: How Dread Built Empires, Sold Products, and Shaped Modern Life, Joel Thomas examines fear not as a private emotion, a personal failing, or a disorder to be treated, but as a structural force that determines how societies are governed, defended, persuaded, stabilized, and controlled. Across history, populations have been ruled less by force than by anticipation, because fear organizes itself ...