Problem
Political outcomes are often determined by a small group rather than the public.
Action
Identify the people whose support is necessary to gain and keep power.
Outcome
Political decisions become easier to understand and predict.
Chapter: The Rules of Politics
Problem
People rarely gain power without enough backing from influential supporters.
Action
Build a coalition of supporters before challenging existing leaders.
Outcome
Your chances of gaining power increase.
Chapter: Coming to Power
Problem
Leaders lose power when important supporters switch their allegiance.
Action
Provide valuable benefits to the supporters whose backing keeps you in power.
Outcome
Political stability strengthens.
Chapter: Staying in Power
Problem
Resources are usually too limited to satisfy everyone.
Action
Concentrate valuable benefits on the supporters most important to your survival.
Outcome
Support from key allies becomes more secure.
Chapter: Steal from the Poor, Give to the Rich
Problem
Resources alone do not protect a leader’s position.
Action
Use available resources to maintain the loyalty of essential supporters.
Outcome
Your hold on power becomes stronger.
Chapter: Getting and Spending
Problem
Supporters may defect when rewards are easy to obtain elsewhere.
Action
Provide benefits that supporters can keep only by remaining loyal.
Outcome
Defections become less likely.
Chapter: If Corruption Empowers, Then Absolute Corruption Empowers Absolutely
Problem
Foreign aid can strengthen leaders without helping citizens.
Action
Examine how aid changes the incentives of leaders and their supporters.
Outcome
The real effects of aid become clearer.
Chapter: Foreign Aid
Problem
Public dissatisfaction can grow into organized resistance.
Action
Respond to serious complaints before large groups mobilize against you.
Outcome
The risk of revolt decreases.
Chapter: The People in Revolt
Problem
National interests do not always drive international decisions.
Action
Assess how war or peace affects a leader’s political survival.
Outcome
International behavior becomes more predictable.
Chapter: War, Peace, and World Order
Problem
Democratic systems weaken when leaders can rely on narrow groups.
Action
Strengthen institutions that hold leaders accountable to many voters.
Outcome
Government becomes more responsive to citizens.
Chapter: Is Democracy Fragile?
Problem
Leaders serve narrow interests when too few people influence power.
Action
Increase participation and competition in the selection of leaders.
Outcome
Public interests receive greater attention.
Chapter: What Is to Be Done?