Explore the tumultuous lives and legacies of history's most influential dictators with Kalyani Mookherji's compelling exploration, "7 Dictators who Changed the World." Step into the shadows of power and tyranny as Mookherji delves into the lives of seven of the most notorious dictators in history. From their rise to power to their reigns of terror, Mookherji offers a fascinating glimpse into the personalities, motivations, and impact of these larger-than-life figures who left an indelible mark on the world. Themes of power, ambition, and oppression resonate throughout the narrative, inviting readers to contemplate the complexities of authoritarian rule and its lasting consequences. With insight and analysis, Mookherji explores the factors that propelled these dictators to power and the ideologies that shaped their rule, from fascism to communism and beyond. Through meticulous research and vivid storytelling, Mookherji brings to life a cast of unforgettable characters, from the charismatic leaders to the ruthless tyrants who shaped the course of history. From Adolf Hitler to Joseph Stalin, from Mao Zedong to Saddam Hussein, each dictator is presented in all their complexity, shedding light on the forces that drove them to greatness and ultimately to downfall. The overall tone of the book is one of intrigue and caution, as Mookherji warns against the dangers of unchecked power and the allure of authoritarianism. With its blend of history, biography, and political analysis, "7 Dictators who Changed the World" offers a comprehensive and compelling portrait of the rise and fall of dictatorial regimes. "7 Dictators who Changed the World" has earned praise for its engaging storytelling, meticulous research, and thought-provoking analysis. Critics and readers alike have praised Mookherji's ability to navigate the complexities of dictatorship with clarity and insight, making this book a must-read for anyone interested in the forces that shape our world. Whether you're a student of history, a political enthusiast, or simply curious about the lives of history's most infamous leaders, "7 Dictators who Changed the World" offers a captivating journey through the dark heart of power and tyranny. It's a compelling exploration of the human condition and the forces that drive individuals to greatness and infamy. Don't miss your chance to uncover the secrets of power and tyranny with Kalyani Mookherji as your guide. Grab your copy now and embark on a journey through the lives and legacies of history's most notorious dictators.

Explains how dictatorships rise, survive, and fall, along with why some but not all dictators wield vast powers.

A serious introduction to the use of nonviolent action to topple dictatorships. Based on the author's study, over a period of forty years, on non-violent methods of demonstration, it was originally published in 1993 in Thailand for distribution among Burmese dissidents.

“Essential.” —Margaret Atwood An urgent call to action and a field guide to spotting the insidious patterns and mechanisms of the populist wave sweeping the globe from an award-winning journalist and acclaimed political thinker. How to Lose a Country is a warning to the world that populism and nationalism don’t march fully-formed into government; they creep. Award-winning author and journalist Ece Temelkuran identifies the early warning signs of this phenomenon, sprouting up across the world from Eastern Europe to South America, in order to arm the reader with the tools to recognise it and take action. Weaving memoir, history and clear-sighted argument, Temelkuran proposes alternative answers to the pressing—and too often paralysing—political questions of our time. How to Lose a Country is an exploration of the insidious ideas at the core of these movements and an urgent, eloquent defence of democracy. This 2024 edition includes a new foreword by the author.

An urgent and accessible handbook for peaceful protesters, activists, and community organizers—anyone trying to defend their rights, hold their government accountable, or change the world Blueprint for Revolution will teach you how to • make oppression backfire by playing your opponents’ strongest card against them • identify the “almighty pillars of power” in order to shift the balance of control • dream big, but start small: learn how to pick battles you can win • listen to what people actually care about in order to incorporate their needs into your revolutionary vision • master the art of compromise to bring together even the most disparate groups • recognize your allies and view your enemies as potential partners • use humor to make yourself heard, defuse potentially violent situations, and “laugh your way to victory” Praise for Blueprint for Revolution “The title is no exaggeration. Otpor’s methods . . . have been adopted by democracy movements around the world. The Egyptian opposition used them to topple Hosni Mubarak. In Lebanon, the Serbs helped the Cedar Revolution extricate the country from Syrian control. In Maldives, their methods were the key to overthrowing a dictator who had held power for thirty years. In many other countries, people have used what Canvas teaches to accomplish other political goals, such as fighting corruption or protecting the environment.”—The New York Times “A clear, well-constructed, and easily applicable set of principles for any David facing any Goliath (sans slingshot, of course) . . . By the end of Blueprint, the idea that a punch is no match for a punch line feels like anything but a joke.”—The Boston Globe “An entertaining primer on the theory and practice of peaceful protest.”—The Guardian “With this wonderful book, Srdja Popovic is inspiring ordinary people facing injustice and oppression to use this tool kit to challenge their oppressors and create something much better. When I was growing up, we dreamed that young people could bring down those who misused their power and create a more just and democratic society. For Srdja Popovic, living in Belgrade in 1998, this same dream was potentially a much more dangerous idea. But with an extraordinarily courageous group of students that formed Otpor!, Srdja used imagination, invention, cunning, and lots of humor to create a movement that not only succeeded in toppling the brutal dictator Slobodan Milošević but has become a blueprint for nonviolent revolution around the world. Srdja rules!”—Peter Gabriel “Blueprint for Revolution is not only a spirited guide to changing the world but a breakthrough in the annals of advice for those who seek justice and democracy. It asks (and not heavy-handedly): As long as you want to change the world, why not do it joyfully? It’s not just funny. It’s seriously funny. No joke.”—Todd Gitlin, author of The Sixties and Occupy Nation

Focusing on portrayals of Mussolini's Italy, Hitler's Germany, and Stalin's Russia in U.S. films, magazine and newspaper articles, books, plays, speeches, and other texts, Benjamin Alpers traces changing American understandings of dictatorship from the la

A rigorous and comprehensive account of recent democratic transitions around the world From the 1980s through the first decade of the twenty-first century, the spread of democracy across the developing and post-Communist worlds transformed the global political landscape. What drove these changes and what determined whether the emerging democracies would stabilize or revert to authoritarian rule? Dictators and Democrats takes a comprehensive look at the transitions to and from democracy in recent decades. Deploying both statistical and qualitative analysis, Stephen Haggard and Robert Kaufman engage with theories of democratic change and advocate approaches that emphasize political and institutional factors. While inequality has been a prominent explanation for democratic transitions, the authors argue that its role has been limited, and elites as well as masses can drive regime change. Examining seventy-eight cases of democratic transition and twenty-five reversions since 1980, Haggard and Kaufman show how differences in authoritarian regimes and organizational capabilities shape popular protest and elite initiatives in transitions to democracy, and how institutional weaknesses cause some democracies to fail. The determinants of democracy lie in the strength of existing institutions and the public's capacity to engage in collective action. There are multiple routes to democracy, but those growing out of mass mobilization may provide more checks on incumbents than those emerging from intra-elite bargains. Moving beyond well-known beliefs regarding regime changes, Dictators and Democrats explores the conditions under which transitions to democracy are likely to arise.