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

by Bruce Bueno de Mesquita

Anyone who thinks leaders do what they ought to do—that is, do what is best for their nation of subjects—ought to become an academic rather than enter political life. In politics, coming to power is never about doing the right thing. It is always about doing what is expedient.

This is the essential lesson of politics: in the end ruling is the objective, not ruling well.

Highly educated people are a potential threat to autocrats, and so autocrats make sure to limit educational opportunity.