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The Invention of Power by Bruce Bueno de Mesquita

The Invention of Power

By Bruce Bueno de Mesquita

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About The Invention of Power

Bruce Bueno de Mesquita develops an argument about Western political development through the bargaining between medieval rulers and the church. He connects institutional incentives with the distribution of power, offering a historical explanation to compare with broader accounts of culture and civilization.

Why I include it

I include this as an argument to test. Compare the institutional explanation with the other historical frameworks in this section.

Reading guide · Read 8

Foundations of Power & Movements

Offers a provocative institutional explanation of Western development through medieval church–state bargaining; an argument to test.

What to look for while reading

Which evidence supports the author's argument, and how does this account change the questions you bring to the other books in this section?

Perspective & context

I bring these books together to compare perspectives and develop judgment. No single author has the final word.

Key themes

  • Foundations of Power & Movements

Praise & Reviews

“Medieval history buffs will be impressed.”
— Publishers Weekly

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