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The Despot's Accomplice
Book

The Despot's Accomplice

How the West Is Aiding and Abetting the Decline of Democracy

Oxford UP, 2017 mais...


Editorial Rating

8

Qualities

  • Innovative
  • Eye Opening
  • Overview

Recommendation

Brian Klaas of the London School of Economics believes in the transformative power of democracy. In this comprehensive book, he offers prescriptions for Western powers seeking to spread political freedom and critiques many of the halfhearted pro-democracy efforts of recent decades. The United States’ recent misadventures in Iraq and Afghanistan chastened many who once espoused nation-building. But Klaas argues ceasing to promote democracy is a mistake. In addition to offering insights and examples gleaned from his global travels to investigate pseudo-democracies, Klaas also explores America itself, taking the US tradition of gerrymandering to task. At times, Klaas’s crusade seems a bit too idealistic, but, ultimately, he makes a passionate and persuasive case for trying to expand democracy’s shrinking reach.

Take-Aways

  • The global spread of democracy stalled in 2006, and political freedom beat a slow but sure retreat in the years that followed. 
  • As democracy loses momentum, many in the West are scaling back on its promotion.    
  • Despite preaching democracy, the West often embraces autocratic regimes. 

About the Author

Brian Klaas is a fellow in comparative politics at the London School of Economics. A native of Minnesota, he received his doctorate from the University of Oxford.


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