"Two decades ago, Francis Fukuyama famously argued. . . that the world would inevitably evolve toward liberal democracy and market economics. Yet 2013 represents the seventh consecutive year that declines in freedom outweighed gains, according to the Freedom House index. Kurlantzick offers keen insights into what has gone wrong."--Trudy Rubin, Philadelphia Inquirer

"Think democracy's the up-and-coming thing in the developing world? This book may shatter more than few illusions of free markets and polities."--Kirkus Reviews

"Think democracy's the up-and-coming thing in the developing world? This book may shatter more than few illusions of free markets and polities."--Kirkus Reviews

A Wall Street Journal Best Book of 2013

A Business Week Best Book of 2013

"This book offers a very well-informed and global exploration of political developments over the past decade, with a particular emphasis on the state of democracy. Kurlantzick brings it all together in a unique, original, and compelling manner."--Brian Joseph, Senior Director, Asia and Global Programs, National Endowment for Democracy

"Simply put, Kurlantzick raises the specter of a world where democracy is in full retreat. But this book accomplishes much more than a simple hand wringing over the problem. It conscientiously works through the major factors that are eating away at new and more established democracies and preventing the establishment of future ones. Kurlantzick shines in bringing to the fore something previously ignored. Few--if any--other books cover the topic so soundly and broadly, and for the future safety, security, and international position of the U.S., it is of vital importance."--Samantha F. Ravich, Ph.D., author of Marketization and Democracy: East Asian Experiences