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The Dictator's Learning Curve: Inside the Global Battle for Democracy Kindle Edition

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William J. Dobson (Author)
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William J. Dobson (Author)
4.4 out of 5 stars 30 customer reviews
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Length: 352 pages Enhanced Typesetting: Enabled
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Product Details

  • File Size: 3262 KB
  • Print Length: 352 pages
  • Publisher: Anchor (June 5, 2012)
  • Publication Date: June 5, 2012
  • Language: English
  • ASIN: B006V3E1RI
  • Text-to-Speech: Enabled
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  • Word Wise: Not Enabled
  • Lending: Not Enabled
  • Enhanced Typesetting: Enabled
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #632,972 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

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Customer Reviews

Top Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 starsBrilliant analysis
By Fastbreak on June 13, 2012
Format: Hardcover
Every once in a while -- and by while I mean at least several years -- a book comes along that stops you in your tracks. The Dictator's Learning Curve is one of those books. Dobson's well researched and proven thesis of how dictators manipulate the trappings of democracy to in fact become more autocratic is simply breathtaking. The way he demonstrates how Mubarak, Putin, Chavez and China's repressive leaders all essentially mimic one another in their techinques is extraordinary. The stories of the opposition leaders in these countries, many of them youthful, are heroic. And the timing of this book could not be better with Putin's return to the presidency, Egypt in transition, and Chavez's bid for reelection. A book for both the foreign policy wonk and the reader who follows the news abroad but wants a deeper understanding of what's really happening.
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5.0 out of 5 starsA Fantastic Historical Review!
By Angelica on December 29, 2012
Format: Hardcover Verified Purchase
This author's research is sound. He presents historical facts and comparisons that keep the reader interested.
The text provides a good background knowledge of what tricks dictators used in the past to control their countries and how they have improved utilization of today's technology to manipulate for even tighter control.
One's heart goes out to the people in these countries who dare to raise the specter of more freedom or recognition of human rights; they are either severely threatened or become invisible over night. Our thoughts and prayers for all those who suffer under dictators as we hope for future freedom.
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5.0 out of 5 starsAn inside look at the war between authoritarian regimes and pro-democracy dissidents
By X-Diplo on April 22, 2013
Format: Hardcover Verified Purchase
Dictatorships these days are trying to project a kinder, gentler image and preserve at least the appearance of democratic institutions and the rule of law, while preserving the authority of the regime. Dissidents are less likely to be killed or imprisoned for long terms than under, say, Stalin; most of today's authoritarians (North Korea and Iran aside) prefer harassment and FUD (fear, uncertainty, and doubt) to the brutal methods of their predecessors. Facebook can be as much a battleground as the streets outside the presidential palace. Dobson does a superb job of illuminating this shadow war with face-to-face interviews from the front lines. I especially like his way of setting the scene and putting the reader on-site. You can see the walls of a Venezuelan women's prison and feel the restricted life of a former judge, imprisoned by the Chavez regime for freeing an illegally imprisoned businessman.

Dobson illustrates the struggle for democratic reform in China, Russia, Egypt, Venezuela, and Malaysia. In each place he focuses on a few reformers and their relationship to the government - how the democracy activists manage to convoke protests that are not protests (a stroll in Beijing, for instance) and make the government look ridiculous (inducing them to arrest stuffed toys in Russia). Activists embarrass authoritarian regimes by forcing them to act against their own written laws. In turn, the governments intimidate would-be protesters with trumped-up criminal charges, street violence, computer spying, and a whole range of other tactics. Dobson's intimate, one-on-one interviews with pro-democracy leaders give his writing a liveliness that is absent in much that is written about the struggle for democracy.

Dobson has many insights beyond what is in the daily press.Read more ›
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5.0 out of 5 starsBrilliant and portentous
By L. Lueders on February 25, 2013
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
Dobson's report from the dictator front benefits from his close contacts with the significant players at the top of these despotic regimes, and outlines in terrifying detail how those who wish to oppress their people are getting more and more sophisticated in their diabolical plans. The fight for freedom and democracy continues. Thanks for reminding us not to fall asleep at the wheel Mr. Dobson!
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3.0 out of 5 starsMixed but Worthwhile
By Charles Shahar on March 2, 2013
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
I have mixed feelings regarding this book. The negatives: This book is all over the place, jumping from descriptions of struggling freedom activists in Venezuela to Egypt to China in a single chapter. This disjointedness somewhat harms the flow of the book. It is not a critical issue, but more a question of style. The other negative is that the writing style is a bit casual. The author is after all a journalist not an academic, but I am used to reading historical analyses done by academics and their style is more formal yet authoritative. Again, this is not a critical flaw.

The positives: This book is definitely a worthwhile read. It lets us know about the courage and fortitude of people fighting for democracy in brutal and vicious regimes. I take my hat off to these people. They are heroes in every sense of the word, and I want to express my appreciation to the author for bringing their existence to my attention. In that sense, I recommend this book wholeheartedly!
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4.0 out of 5 starsFrom Demorcacy to autocracy and the possible way back
By Paul van Dare on March 21, 2013
Format: Hardcover Verified Purchase
It is a true picture of democracy being perverted to produce constitutional dictators. I would recommend reading it toghethe with Sharps "From dictatorship to democracy". It is a true piture of Chinese, Russian, Myanmar, Singapore, Venezuelan and other autocracies where the constitution is mocket by the subversion of balance of powers.
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5.0 out of 5 starsBrilliant and Gripping
By Jeremy Bailenson on June 13, 2012
Format: Hardcover Verified Purchase
This book is a must read. While I am not an expert in the area of foreign policy, this book is extremely accessible to anyone who wants to understand dictatorship in the world today. Dobson's expertise makes him THE person to write this book. I recommend it highly.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 starsbut I like it.

Sorta jumps around, but I like it.

Published 4 months ago by Sam Spencer
5.0 out of 5 starsFive Stars

Great read. Read this for my graduate studies but it could easily be read in a more casual manner.

Published 8 months ago by Gabriel
5.0 out of 5 starsDictators vs. Democrats

I was lucky enough to do a joint book signing with Dobson in Portland in October 2013. Since his book was about dictators getting smarter and mine about democratization NGOs, the... Read more

Published 13 months ago by Julie Fisher
5.0 out of 5 starsGreat analysis of nonviolent protest movements across the world

"The Dictator's Learning Curve" is a thoroughly researched book that dissects modern day dictators and repressive states. Read more

Published 16 months ago by Ionut Trestian
5.0 out of 5 starsAs it is new to my library, I haven't ...

As it is new to my library, I haven't read it yet, only scanned it. But it is certainly well-written, comprehensive and important. Read more

Published 18 months ago by Monique Sue
4.0 out of 5 starsDICTATOR'S LEARNING CURVE

Highly recommended for anyone who wants insights into how dictatorships are modifying their approach to repression in response to the information age. Read more

Published on January 7, 2014 by JKW
3.0 out of 5 starsslightly wide eyed

Mr. Dobson, despite well traveled, seems to truly believe that the western model of democracy is the "way to go", he kinda dissects quite interestingly some of the worlds worst... Read more

Published on May 8, 2013 by marc hofer
4.0 out of 5 starsDisturbing but logical!

Some interesting examples of how modern dictators are changing their methods to more sophisticated ones. Read more

Published on March 13, 2013 by James M. Hammond
4.0 out of 5 starsInteresting book

Required reading for a class I'm taking and very enjoyable. Based on interviews with many of the movers and shakers who actually were involved. Very timely.

Published on February 19, 2013 by Diane's Fiance

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