1. What is the nature of current dictatorships and how do they operate?
The book 'Spin Dictators' attempts to explain the nature of current dictatorships. It grew out of a mixture of research and personal experience, with the authors tracking the rise of Putin's system in Russia. The book explores why these regimes emerged, how they work, what threats they pose, and how the West can best resist them. The key to understanding these regimes is deception, as most dictators today conceal their true nature. The book is based on theoretical and empirical research published in economics and political science journals, with references to published studies and data. The authors hope to make the key ideas more accessible and provide evidence in the form of tables and graphs in an online supplement. The book acknowledges the contributions of various colleagues and friends who shared thoughts on the ideas presented. The authors are solely responsible for any remaining mistakes in the manuscript.
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