#5100
Mentioned in 6 episodes

The dictator's handbook

Book • 2011
This book, written by Bruce Bueno de Mesquita and Alastair Smith, challenges conventional wisdom by asserting that leaders, whether in democracies or dictatorships, act primarily to maintain their power.

The authors argue that political behavior is driven by the need to please a core group of supporters, and that policies are often dictated by self-interest rather than the welfare of the people.

The book draws on economics, history, and political science to illustrate how leaders amass and retain power, and how this affects the quality of life and governance in different political systems.

Mentioned by

Mentioned in 6 episodes

Mentioned by
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Kaja Kallas
as a book she gave to several world leaders to help them understand Putin's thinking.
49 snips
Estonia’s Prime Minister Kaja Kallas on leading with strength and sincerity
Mentioned by
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Jordan Harbinger
as a book he had on his list for years, discussing corruption and power games of dictators.
19 snips
794: Alastair Smith | The Dictator's Handbook Part One
Mentioned by
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Erik Prince
as a book explaining how dictators maintain power.
13 snips
Blackwater founder Erik Prince | PBD Podcast | Ep. 372
Mentioned by
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Jordan Harbinger
as the book co-authored by
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Alastair Smith
and Bruce Bueno de Mesquita.
12 snips
795: Alastair Smith | The Dictator's Handbook Part Two
Recommended by
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Kaja Kallas
to understand Vladimir Putin's thinking and decision-making.
Estonia’s Prime Minister Kaja Kallas on leading with strength and sincerity
Mentioned by
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Speaker 1
when explaining the rules that lead someone to hold on to power.
#1731 Raw Power, the Presidency, the Courts, and Democracy in the Balance
Mentioned by
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Sam Harris
as one of the books that go well with 'The 48 Laws of Power' for people that like to be manipulative and authoritarian.
The 48 Laws of Power - Robert Greene

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