Nic Cheeseman is professor of democracy at the University of Birmingham and founding editor of the Oxford Encyclopedia of African Politics. Brian Klaas is assistant professor of global politics at University College London and a weekly columnist for the Washington Post.
“Democracy is in a worldwide recession dating back at least a
decade, as unscrupulous and powerful people successfully abuse
every part of the electoral process. That is the depressing message
of this lively book. . . . [Cheesman and Klaas’s] chirpy tone
belies the thorough research and bleak message.”—Edward Lucas,
Times (UK)
“Excellent.”—Richard Cockett, Literary Review
“In How to Rig an Election, Nic Cheeseman and Brian Klaas describe
how—in contrast to historic autocrats who boosted their status by
bumping off their opponents—modern ones do so by holding cosmetic,
compromised elections; ‘by using the image of democracy to entrench
authoritarian rule.’”—Eliane Glaser, Times Literary Supplement
“How to Rig an Election is not just a fascinating read, but offers
opposition parties, civil society and voters precious tools to
preempt the worst abuses.”—Michela Wrong, The Spectator (Books of
the Year 2018)
“This book is a thoroughly documented, broadly accessible, and
timely contribution that calls new attention to the problem of
counterfeit democracy.” —Alberto Simpser, Journal of Democracy
“Accessible and engaging, it clearly lays out why we should be
interested in . . . election (mis)management in its myriad forms,
and is thus essential reading for even the most casual student of
democracy.”— Anna C. Rader, African Affairs Review
“Essential reading for everyone who wants to get democracy right
again.”—A. C. Grayling, author of War
“Cheeseman and Klaas hit the nail on the head: in many countries
elections are a sham. The problem is getting worse, while the
international community connives at being deceived. The
implications for public policy are profound and will take years to
digest. An excellent book.”—Sir Paul Collier, author of Wars, Guns
and Votes
“A concise, penetrating examination of why and how a growing number
of governments are rigging elections, brimming with telling
examples and practical recommendations for how concerned
international actors can do more to help reverse this disturbing
global trend.”—Thomas Carothers, Carnegie Endowment for
International Peace
“Rigging elections has become an art to which the most impressive
array of resources are brought to bear even in the poorest
countries. This work is a most timely addition to all who care
about this important piece in the great democratic jigsaw on which
so many basic freedoms depend.”—John Githongo
“Drawing on a rich evidence base, Nic Cheeseman and Brian Klaas
explain why authoritarian leaders can get away with setting up
counterfeit democracies, and how to put an end to this façade. This
book adopts a novel approach and is clear, engaging, beautifully
written, and utterly compelling. One of my favourite books of the
year.”—Alice Evans, King’s College, London
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