Despite the spread of democratization following the end of the Cold War, all signs indicate that we are currently witnessing a resurgence of authoritarianism. About forty percent of the world's population lives under some form of authoritarian rule, and authoritarian regimes govern roughly one-third of the countries in the world. In "Authoritarianism: What Everyone Needs to Know," Erica Frantz guides us through today's wave of authoritarianism, explaining how it emerged and what characteristics it displays. She also examines the authoritarians themselves, focusing particularly on the techniques they use to gain power, the strategies they employ to survive, and how they ultimately fail. As she demonstrates, it is more important than ever to understand how politics functions in authoritarian regimes and to recognize the factors that either lead to their rise or trigger their downfall. This book paves the way for such understanding.