Best Comparative Politics Books of 2025

Discrimination and Disparities by Thomas Sowell examines the origins of economic disparities and challenges the idea that different economic outcomes can be explained by any one factor, be it discrimination, exploitation, or genetics. The book analyzes the human consequences of prevailing social visions of these disparities and the policies based on that vision. The author presents a well-researched and thought-provoking argument that is both accessible and relevant. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the complex issues surrounding economic disparities.

The Accidental Superpower by Peter Zeihan is an insightful analysis of the American power and deglobalization. The author examines how geography, energy, and demographics are shaping the future of the world and how the hard rules of geography are eroding the American commitment to free trade. Zeihan argues that America's geography is sublime and will matter more than ever in a de-globalizing world. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the shifting global order and the role America plays in it.

Why Nations Fail by Daron Acemoglu and James Robinson is a well-researched book that answers the age-old question of why some nations are rich while others are poor. The authors argue that economic success is determined by man-made political and economic institutions, not by culture, geography, or weather. They draw on historical evidence from various nations, including the Roman Empire, the Mayan city-states, and modern-day China, to build a new theory of political economy. Overall, this book is an eye-opener that challenges conventional wisdom and provides a fresh perspective on the factors that determine a nation's prosperity.

The Road to Unfreedom: Russia, Europe, America by Timothy Snyder is a thought-provoking book that offers a chilling account of the rise of authoritarianism in Russia, Europe, and America. Snyder argues that the triumph of liberal democracy after the Cold War was short-lived, and the spread of authoritarianism has been enabled by Russian cyberwar and warfare in Ukraine. The book delves into the history of ideas and political philosophy to expose the true nature of the threat to democracy and law. This book is a must-read for anyone wishing to understand the political crisis engulfing the world today.

The Chicken Soup for the Soul 20th Anniversary Edition is a timeless collection of stories about the everyday miracles that illuminate the best of the human spirit. The book features all the original stories that made it a New York Times bestseller, with 20 new bonus stories for the next 20 years. Whether you're a first-time reader or a long-time fan, this book is sure to inspire you to be a better person, overcome your challenges and embrace the world around you. The book is a must-read for anyone who needs a dose of positivity and motivation in their life.

Eye to Eye: Facing the Consequences of Dividing Israel is an expanded edition that highlights over one hundred billion-dollar catastrophes and events occurred while US presidents were pressuring or calling on Israel to divide their covenant land. The book has sixty-percent new content, including maps, tables, and a copy of the letter delivered to President Bush after Hurricane Katrina. The book argues that the US, the UN, and the EU do not have the authority to divide God's covenant land and that dividing Jerusalem will lead to Armageddon. It's a thought-provoking read that challenges the conventional narrative and provides a different perspective on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The "Constitution of the United States (Books of American Wisdom)" is a beautiful gift edition that contains the complete text of the U.S. Constitution, including all amendments. The Constitution outlines the powers and responsibilities of the three chief branches of the Federal Government, as well as the basic rights of the citizens of the United States. This elegant edition is sure to be prized by Americans of all ages who want to learn more about the founding document of their country. It's a must-have for anyone interested in U.S. history and politics.

The Flag and the Cross is a thought-provoking examination of white Christian nationalism and its threat to American democracy. The authors, Philip S. Gorski and Samuel L. Perry, provide a clear explanation of what this ideology is and how it has evolved over the past three centuries. They also demonstrate how it has been used to oppress minority groups and maintain privilege for white Protestants. The book is deeply researched and offers a sobering account of the history of white Christian nationalism. Anyone who cares about the fate of American democracy should read this book.

American Schism by Seth David Radwell is a compelling exploration of the two American Enlightenments that shaped our country's founding and continue to divide us. Through a deeply informed and well-researched narrative, Radwell argues that the only way to heal our nation's political division is through reasoned analysis and historical perspective. This book won the 2022 International Book Award in General Nonfiction and is a finalist in Best New Nonfiction. It is a must-read for anyone seeking to understand the roots of America's political polarization and a hopeful call to nonviolent arms.

“In her careful, evenhanded series of thoughtful essays, Partanen, who just became an American citizen, parses the recipe for Nordic success that even the self-congratulatory ‘exceptional’ American may want to ponder and adapt. . . . An earnest, well-written work worth heeding, especially in our current toxic political climate.” — Kirkus ReviewsA Finnish journalist, now a naturalized American citizen, asks Americans to draw on elements of the Nordic way of life to nurture a fairer, happier, more secure, and less stressful society for themselves and their children.Moving to America in 2008, Finnish journalist Anu Partanen quickly went from confident, successful professional to wary, self-doubting mess. She found that navigating the basics of everyday life—from buying a cell phone and filing taxes to education and childcare—was much more complicated and stressful than anything she encountered in her homeland. At first, she attributed her crippling anxiety to the difficulty of adapting to a freewheeling new culture. But as she got to know Americans better, she discovered they shared her deep apprehension. To understand why life is so different in the U.S. and Finland, Partanen began to look closely at both.In The Nordic Theory of Everything, Partanen compares and contrasts life in the United States with life in the Nordic region, focusing on four key relationships—parents and children, men and women, employees and employers, and government and citizens. She debunks criticism that Nordic countries are socialist “nanny states,” revealing instead that it is Americans who are far more enmeshed in unhealthy dependencies than we realize. As Partanen explains step by step, the Nordic approach allows citizens to enjoy more individual freedom and independence than we do.Partanen wants to open Americans’ eyes to how much better things can be—to show her beloved new country what it can learn from her homeland to reinvigorate and fulfill the promise of the American dream—to provide the opportunity to live a healthy, safe, economically secure, upwardly mobile life for everyone. Offering insights, advice, and solutions, The Nordic Theory of Everything makes a convincing argument that we can rebuild our society, rekindle our optimism, and restore true freedom to our relationships and lives.