{"title":"Alastair Smith","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAlastair Smith\u003c\/strong\u003e delivers incisive works that explore the complexities of power and governance. His writings, including titles like \u003cem\u003eThe Dictator's Handbook\u003c\/em\u003e, offer a sharp analysis of political strategy, revealing the underlying mechanisms that shape leadership and authority across the globe.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eReaders will find themselves engaged in thoughtful examinations of political behaviour and institutional dynamics. Smith’s books are essential for anyone interested in understanding the forces that drive contemporary politics and global affairs.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"the-dictators-handbook","title":"The Dictator's Handbook","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Dictator's Handbook\u003c\/em\u003e by Bruce Bueno de Mesquita and Alastair Smith is a canonical work on political science that challenges conventional wisdom. The authors begin with a striking assertion: leaders do whatever is necessary to stay in power. They are indifferent to the \"national interest\" or the welfare of their subjects unless compelled to consider them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eNewly updated to reflect the global rise of authoritarianism, this clever and accessible book elucidates how leaders acquire and maintain power. Bueno de Mesquita and Smith argue that democracy is, in essence, a convenient fiction. The distinction among governments lies not in their nature but in the number of essential supporters or backers they must satisfy. The size of this group affects almost every aspect of politics, including what leaders can get away with and the quality of life or misery experienced by the populace. It also holds the key to returning power to the people.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Hachette New Zealand Ltd","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45763284861164,"sku":"9781541701366","price":36.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9781541701366.jpg?v=1727092473"},{"product_id":"the-dictators-handbook-by-alastair-smith-9781610391849","title":"The Dictator's Handbook","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor eighteen years, Bruce Bueno de Mesquita and Alastair Smith have been part of a team revolutionising the study of politics by turning conventional wisdom on its head. They start from a single assertion: Leaders do whatever keeps them in power.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThey don't care about the \"national interest\" or even their subjects, unless they have to. This clever and accessible book shows that the difference between tyrants and democrats is just a convenient fiction. Governments do not differ in kind but only in the number of essential supporters, or backs that need scratching.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe size of this group determines almost everything about politics: what leaders can get away with, and the quality of life or misery under them. The picture the authors paint is not pretty. But it just may be the truth, which is a good starting point for anyone seeking to improve human governance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Hachette Aotearoa New Zealand","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47401895330028,"sku":"9781610391849","price":29.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/71iufTdpaEL._SL1500.jpg?v=1773802584"}],"url":"https:\/\/bookhero.live\/collections\/alastair-smith.oembed","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}