The Dictator's Handbook: Why Bad Behavior is Almost Always Good Politics

by Bruce Bueno de Mesquita

First, politics is about getting and keeping political power. It is not about the general welfare of “We, the people.” Second, political survival is best assured by depending on few people to attain and retain office.

Politics, like all of life, is about individuals, each motivated to do what is good for them, not what is good for others.

Autocratic politics is a battle for private rewards. Democratic politics is a battle for good policy ideas.

There’s no election better than a rigged one, so long as you’re the one rigging it.

If we have learned anything in the preceding pages it is to be suspicious of people’s motives.