An engrossing analysis of the pseudo-democratic methods employed by despots around the world to retain control Contrary to what is commonly believed, authoritarian leaders who agree to hold elections are generally able to remain in power longer than autocrats who refuse to allow the populace to vote. In this engaging and provocative book, Nic Cheeseman and Brian Klaas expose the limitations of national elections as a means of promoting democratization, and reveal the six essential strategies that dictators use to undermine the electoral process in order to guarantee victory for themselves. Based on their firsthand experiences as election watchers and their hundreds of interviews with presidents, prime ministers, diplomats, election officials, and conspirators, Cheeseman and Klaas document instances of election rigging from Argentina to Zimbabwe, including notable examples from Brazil, India, Nigeria, Russia, and the United States—touching on the 2016 election. This eye-opening study offers a sobering overview of corrupted professional politics, while providing fertile intellectual ground for the development of new solutions for protecting democracy from authoritarian subversion.

When this book was first published in 1987, many first-time candidates unabashedly referred to it as "the Bible." Now in a new, updated edition, How to Win Your 1st Election is a step-by-step guide to the entire campaign process, from raising funds right through handling election-day jitters. Want to know where to put up signs? What to say at a candidates' forum? How to dress to make the best possible impression? Let Susan Guber, who beat out seven other candidates in her first election, show you the way. How to Win Your 1st Election is an ideal book for aspiring candidates, campaign managers, public relations consultants and students of political science and U.S. government. Written in a clear, easy-to-read style, it devotes entire chapters to topics such as hiring staff, managing the media, creating a public image, writing and delivering speeches, and campaign ethics. What's more, it's one of the few books out there that offers a full, comprehensive look at our country's unique electoral system-as seen through the eyes of an experienced insider. Susan Guber put this information to work for herself in three successful campaigns. Won't you try the same?

"This is the most practical, most detailed handbook ever published on the techniques and approaches you need to run a successful campaign for any local office." "More of a "must-do" book than a how-to book, How to Win a Local Election guides readers through the campaign process detailing what they need to accomplish along the way in order to be victorious."--BOOK JACKET.Title Summary field provided by Blackwell North America, Inc. All Rights Reserved

Presents an ancient Roman guide to campaigning for modern politicians. Presented in English and Latin.

High school elections may be popularity contests, but this guide to becoming a successful high school politician reveals that with the right strategy anyone can win. Collected from more than 1,000 students recently involved in winning campaigns, advice is presented for a wide range of campaign tactics from techniques for running against even the most popular and qualified opponents to the most effective means of publicizing a candidacy. Selections from successful high school speeches, posters, and handouts are provided, along with a large list of sample campaign slogans, and are accompanied by anecdotes from a nationwide group of students about the smarts, drive, and guile necessary to win a student government position. Battle-tested techniques for both overcoming and utilizing a major campaign obstacle adolescent political apathy are also included.

“I wasn’t lucky. I deserved it.” - Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher The Political Campaign “How-to” Guide is a book that offers step-by-step guidelines on how to win an election as well as providing answers to questions a candidate may have about campaign planning. Whether running for Chief, mayor, reeve, councillor, MLA, MP or trustee in an indigenous, provincial, federal, municipal or school board election, this detailed book will provide candidates with the knowledge they need to run a successful campaign. Nolan Crouse, MBA, CCMP(TM) served as councillor and mayor in Canada for 13 years. In this book, he shares the secrets to his success in winning four consecutive election campaigns. From making the initial decision to run for office, to putting together an effective campaign team and brand, to fundraising, door knocking, message delivery and advertising – all the way to election day and beyond – this book offers valuable tips, insights, knowledge and tactics that have been proven to be useful and effective. Complete with checklists, great stories, images and examples, The Political Campaign “How-to” Guide is a must-read for anyone with an interest in running for public office for the first time or running for re-election in Canada. Most of the key principles also apply to all orders of elected office in the United States and many other democracies around the world.