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Best Books on Democracy

Explore the cornerstones of liberty with the best books on democracy, collated from authoritative blogs and publications, ordered by their prominence in expert reviews.

Recommendations from 18 articles, Barack Obama, Bill Gates, Nigella Lawson and 46 others.
92 books on the list
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Grace for President book cover
Grace for President
Kelly Dipucchio - 2008-02-26 (first published in 2007)
Goodreads Rating
This engaging book tells the story of Grace, a young girl who decides to run for president after learning there has never been a female president of the United States. As she faces challenges and setbacks, Grace stays determined to be the best person she can be. The book not only provides a fun introduction to the American electoral system, but also delivers a powerful message about the importance of hard work, courage, and independent thinking when choosing our leaders.
Democracy in America book cover
Democracy in America
Alexis de Tocqueville - 2003-07-01 (first published in 1835)
Goodreads Rating
Discover the definitive book on both democracy and America. Alexis de Tocqueville's Democracy in America captures the essence of America's equality of conditions and democracy. This classic is often quoted because it has something insightful to teach everyone. With this new translation by Harvey Mansfield and Delba Winthrop, readers can fully appreciate the nuances of Tocqueville's original language and gain a deeper understanding of Tocqueville's thoughts and insights. Perfectly placed annotations and a powerful introduction provide readers with a modern perspective to appreciate a timeless masterpiece.
Recommended by
Patrick Collison
Lillian's Right to Vote book cover
Lillian's Right to Vote
A Celebration of the Voting Rights Act of 1965
Jonah Winter - 2015-07-14
Goodreads Rating
African American woman Lillian, 100, recalls her family’s history of voting rights as she makes her way to the polling place. She sees her great-grandfather voting for the first time after the Fifteenth Amendment's passage, her parents trying to register, and herself protesting from Selma to Montgomery. In this picture book, Jonah Winter and Shane W. Evans powerfully recall America’s civil rights battle and the importance of every voice.
How Democracies Die book cover
How Democracies Die
Steven Levitsky - 2018-01-16
Goodreads Rating
Discover the dangers of eroding democratic institutions and norms in "How Democracies Die". Written by Harvard professors Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt, this eye-opening book uses historical and global examples to show how democracies can break down and ultimately fail. From Trump's presidency to political crises in Latin America and Europe, Levitsky and Ziblatt offer insightful research and perspectives on how to save democracies from authoritarianism. This nonpartisan book is a must-read for all Americans concerned about the current state of affairs.
When You Grow Up to Vote book cover
When You Grow Up to Vote
How Our Government Works for You
Eleanor Roosevelt - 2018-09-25
Goodreads Rating
This iconic book by Eleanor Roosevelt has been revised and updated for a contemporary audience. "When You Grow Up to Vote" explains to young people how our government is designed to work, from local to national stages. With updated information and bold art from award-winning artist Grace Lin, this book is a must-read for parents and teachers looking to teach children about citizenship and the importance of voting.
V Is for Voting book cover
V Is for Voting
Kate Farrell - 2020-07-21
Goodreads Rating
Explore concepts of democracy and civil rights with in V Is for Voting, a playful ABC book that reminds readers that every vote counts! With engaging rhyming text and bold illustrations, this book introduces progressive families to concepts like social justice and activism. Perfect for fans of A Is for Activist, Woke Baby, and Feminist Baby, V Is for Voting is a crucial addition to every young reader's library.
What's the Big Deal About Elections book cover
What's the Big Deal About Elections
Ruby Shamir - 2018-08-28
Goodreads Rating
Discover the importance of elections in this informative and fun-filled chapter book! From local elections to national races, "we the people" get to decide who runs the show. Get ready to be amazed by fascinating facts about US government and elections, including the sheer number of state and local governments, early Election Day celebrations, and George Washington's unique presidency. With a simple but powerful message, this book reminds readers that everyone can play a part in shaping our future through elections.
What Can a Citizen Do? book cover
What Can a Citizen Do?
Dave Eggers - 2018-09-11
Goodreads Rating
Discover how children turn a lonely island into a community and explore the power of small actions in shaping a better world. Follow the journey from what the world should be to what it could be, as connected actions by different children come together in this inspiring read.
Duck for President book cover
Duck for President
Doreen Cronin - 2004-03-02
Goodreads Rating
Looking for a humorous children's book about politics? Look no further than this hilarious tale of a duck who rises from humble beginnings to become the President of the United States! Follow along on Duck's journey as he goes from pond-dweller to governor, and finally to the highest office in the land. This charming and witty book will entertain both children and adults alike.
If I Ran For President book cover
If I Ran For President
Catherine Stier - 2007-01-01
Goodreads Rating
Running for the highest office in the land is no easy feat, but this engaging children's book takes young readers through the process step by step. From analyzing national issues to debating opponents, If I Ran For President provides an accessible and informative guide to what it takes to run for president. Complete with colorful illustrations, this book is a must-read for any aspiring future leaders.
Democracy in Hard Places by Scott Mainwaring
So You Want to Be President? by Judith St. George
From Development to Democracy by Dan Slater, Joseph Wong
Why We're Polarized by Ezra Klein
On Tyranny by Timothy Snyder
Political Order and Political Decay by Francis Fukuyama
The People vs. Democracy by Yascha Mounk
Breaking the Two-Party Doom Loop by Lee Drutman
Let them Eat Tweets by Jacob S. Hacker
Democracy and Dictatorship in Europe by Sheri Berman
Liberalism and Its Discontents by Francis Fukuyama
Against Elections by David van Reybrouck
PEOPLE VS TECH, THE by J. Bartlett
Winner-Take-All Politics by Jacob S. Hacker
Grace Goes to Washington by Kelly Dipucchio
We The People by Aura Lewis
Civil Resistance by Erica Chenoweth
If I Were President by Catherine Stier
Ill Winds by Larry Jay Diamond
Around America to Win the Vote by Mara Rockliff
Vote for Me! by Ben Clanton
Backsliding by Stephan Haggard
The Politics of Institutional Weakness in Latin America by Daniel M. Brinks
The Revolutionary City by Mark R. Beissinger
The Anti-Oligarchy Constitution by Joseph Fishkin, William E. Forbath
The Decline and Rise of Democracy by David Stasavage
Uncounted by Gilda R. Daniels
Democracy Erodes from the Top by Larry M. Bartels
Resisting Backsliding by Laura Gamboa
The Problem of Democracy by Shadi Hamid
Reset by Ronald J. Deibert
A World Safe for Democracy by G. John Ikenberry
Twilight of Democracy by Anne Applebaum
The 1619 Project by Nikole Hannah-Jones
Tightrope by Nicholas D. Kristof
The Tyranny of Merit by Michael J Sandel
The Age of Surveillance Capitalism by Shoshana Zuboff
Capital and Ideology by Thomas Piketty
The Hidden History of Burma by Thant Myint-U
Light that Failed by Stephen Holmes Ivan Krastev
The Revenge of Power by Moisés Naím
The Upswing by Robert D. Putnam
This Is Not Propaganda by Peter Pomerantsev
A Brief History of Equality by Thomas Piketty
Four Threats by Suzanne Mettler, Robert C. Lieberman
Votes, Drugs, and Violence by Guillermo Trejo, Sandra Ley
Become America by Eric Liu
Crises of Democracy by Adam Przeworski
Open Democracy by Hélène Landemore
Politics and Expertise by Zeynep Pamuk
The Autocratic Middle Class by Bryn Rosenfeld
Understandings of Democracy by Jie Lu, Yun-han Chu
Religion and Brazilian Democracy by Amy Erica Smith
Ruling by Other Means by Grzegorz Ekiert
Neoliberal Resilience by Aldo Madariaga
After Repression by Elizabeth R. Nugent
Shock to the System by Michael K. Miller
Land, the State, and War by Jennifer Brick Murtazashvili, Ilia Murtazashvili
Assault on Democracy by Kurt Weyland
Populism and Liberal Democracy by Takis S. Pappas
The Far Right Today by Cas Mudde
Revolution and Dictatorship by Steven Levitsky, Lucan Way, Joe Barrett, Tantor Audio
Why Cities Lose by Johnathan A. Rodden
Modi's India by Christophe Jaffrelot
Deaths of Despair and the Future of Capitalism by Anne Case, Angus Deaton
Memes to Movements by An Xiao Mina
Technopopulism by Christopher J. Bickerton, Carlo Invernizzi Accetti
The Great Experiment by Yascha Mounk
A Lot of People Are Saying by Nancy L. Rosenblum, Russell Muirhead
On Democracy by Robert A. Dahl
The Civic Culture by Gabriel Abraham Almond
Democracy by Petition by Daniel Carpenter
Democracies and International Law by Tom Ginsburg
Democracy Rules by Jan-Werner Müller
After Democracy by Zizi Papacharissi
Migration and Democracy by Abel Escribà-Folch, Joseph Wright, Covadonga Meseguer
The Emergence and Revival of Charismatic Movements by Caitlin Andrews-Lee
Campaigns and Voters in Developing Democracies by Noam Lupu
Europe's Burden by Alina Mungiu-Pippidi
Freedom by Nathan Law
Conservative Party-Building in Latin America by James Loxton
The Moral Economy of Elections in Africa by Nic Cheeseman, Gabrielle Lynch, Justin Willis