Foreign Affairs Recommends: Books on Modern Authoritarianism

Ben-Ghiat’s illuminating study covers a range of authoritarian rulers, from early-twentieth-century fascists to modern autocrats. Read More

Meng draws on data from 46 countries in Africa to show that authoritarian regimes last longer when the ruler’s power is constrained by institutions. Read More

Tapscott’s analysis of Uganda’s security sector underlines the truism that, in authoritarian states, the army and the police serve the regime, not the public. Read More

Ottaway sketches a portrait of the polarizing Saudi crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman. Read More

In this carefully structured analysis, Blaydes draws on Iraqi secret police files to argue that Saddam, brutal as he was, was trapped by Iraq’s unique characteristics into adopting repressive but self-destructive policies.

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Corrales rigorously examines the perseverance of the Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro—but argues that Maduro’s rule remains tenuous, well short of true autocratic consolidation. Read More

How Dictatorships Endure Read More

The Roots of Autocratic Resurgence Read More