Using the 20th century as a case in point, during which close to 170 million people died under ruthless dictators such as Hitler, Stalin, Mao, and Ceausescu, the book shows how authoritarianism can take hold of a society, grow, and sustain itself. To prevent state capture by the powerful, the book recommends building guard-rails through constitutionalism, the rule of law, competitiveness, anti-monopoly laws, collective bargaining, and the equitable distribution of wealth and resources.

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