{"id":2097953,"date":"2019-01-23T10:59:55","date_gmt":"2019-01-23T05:29:55","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/stockviz.biz\/index.php\/?p=2097953"},"modified":"2019-01-23T11:01:15","modified_gmt":"2019-01-23T05:31:15","slug":"book-review-the-dictators-handbook","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stockviz.biz\/index.php\/2019\/01\/23\/book-review-the-dictators-handbook\/","title":{"rendered":"Book Review: The Dictator’s Handbook"},"content":{"rendered":"

In the book, The Dictator’s Handbook: Why Bad Behavior is Almost Always Good Politics<\/em> (Amazon<\/a>,) authors Bruce Bueno de Mesquita and Alastair Smith systematically present the idea that whether it be an autocracy, a democracy or something in between, leaders do whatever keeps them in power, regardless of the national interest.<\/p>\n

From the book:<\/strong>
\nOur starting point is the realization that any leader worth her salt wants as much power as she can get, and to keep it for as long as possible. <\/p>\n

Paying supporters, not good governance or representing the general will, is the essence of ruling.<\/p>\n

In politics, coming to power is never about doing the right thing. It is always about doing what is expedient.<\/p>\n

Having competent ministers, or competent corporate board members, can be a dangerous mistake. Competent people, after all, are potential (and potentially competent) rivals. <\/p>\n

The three most important characteristics of a coalition are: (1) Loyalty; (2) Loyalty; (3) Loyalty. Successful leaders surround themselves with trusted friends and family, and rid themselves of any ambitious supporters.<\/p>\n

Recommendation: Worth a read. Or, you could just watch this video instead:<\/p>\n