Books matching: political science
100 result(s)
"The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness" by Michelle Alexander is a powerful and thought-provoking exploration of the systematic subjugation of black men in America. Through meticulously researched arguments, Alexander reveals the deeply embedded racial biases within the criminal justice system, highlighting the disparities and injustices faced by black and brown individuals. The book traces the historical trajectory of mass incarceration, exposing the racial motivations behind the criminal industrial complex and shedding light on a new caste system that mirrors the oppressive nature of the Jim Crow era.
The writing style of the book is described as intelligent, powerful, and gut-wrenching, challenging readers to confront uncomfortable truths about systemic racism in the United States. Alexander blends academic sources with common sense observations to create a compelling narrative that not only educates but also urges readers to take action against the injustices perpetuated by the current criminal justice system.
For more than one hundred years, scholars have written about the illusory nature of the Emancipation Proclamation. President Abraham Lincoln issued a declaration purporting to free slaves held in Sout...- #2
Save:Francis Fukuyama's book 'The Origins of Political Order: From Prehuman Times to the French Revolution' is a comprehensive study that delves into the development of societies and governments from prehistorical times to the French Revolution. The book explores how different regions across the globe evolved to form their current political structures, covering topics such as the influence of cultural norms, the role of religion in politics, and the challenges of governance in various societies. Fukuyama's writing style is informative and thought-provoking, providing a thorough examination of the origins and development of political institutions.
At the beginning of the second decade of the twenty-first century, malaise in the democratic world took several distinct forms. The first was the outright reversal of democratic gains that had occurre... 'How Democracies Die: What History Reveals About Our Future' by Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt is a thought-provoking analysis of the gradual decline and collapse of democracies worldwide. The authors provide insights into how modern democracies have perished due to movements seizing power from within, using historical examples like Hitler's rise in Germany and the erosion of democratic norms in countries like Venezuela and Turkey. They highlight the vulnerability of democratic institutions, including the United States, and offer practical suggestions for strengthening and protecting democracies.
The book delves into the erosion of democratic norms and institutions, emphasizing the slow and incremental process rather than sudden events like coups. It also addresses the role of norms in constitutional systems, focusing on unwritten standards of behavior and their link to matters of race in the US. Through a historical overview, the authors shed light on the importance of shared codes of conduct in democracies, such as mutual toleration and institutional forbearance, providing a compelling argument for the future of democracy.
A quarrel had arisen between the Horse and the Stag, so the Horse came to a Hunter to ask his help to take revenge on the Stag. The Hunter agreed but said: “If you desire to conquer the Stag, you must...- #4
Save:James C. Scott's book, 'Seeing Like a State', delves into the failures of high modernist ideology and its implementation in various projects. Through detailed case studies ranging from forestry to city planning, Scott explores how the logic of high modernism leads to the downfall of these systems. The book highlights the consequences of simplifying assumptions made by states for legibility, showcasing how interventions can often be imprecise and result in unintended negative outcomes. Scott's writing style is engaging and informative, offering insights into the complexities of state interventions and the impact on society.
Would it not be a great satisfaction to the king to know at a designated moment every year the number of his subjects, in total and by region, with all the resources, wealth & poverty of each place; [... 'The Divide: A Brief Guide to Global Inequality and its Solutions' by Jason Hickel delves into the topic of global inequality, shedding light on the stark disparities between the developed and developing world. Through a combination of economic analysis and historical context, the author challenges the conventional approach to development and offers viable solutions to address the pressing issues faced by society. The writing style is described as thought-provoking, eye-opening, and compelling, with the author skillfully weaving together narratives of past injustices and present realities to paint a comprehensive picture of the world's socio-economic landscape.
It began as a public-relations gimmick. Harry Truman had just been elected to a second term as president of the United States and was set to take the stage for his inaugural address on 20 January 1949...- #6
Save:'Prisoners of Geography: Ten Maps That Tell You Everything You Need to Know About Global Politics' by Tim Marshall is a comprehensive exploration of how physical geography shapes geopolitics and influences world history. The book delves into the intricate relationships between nations, resources, and borders, providing insightful explanations on why conflicts arise and how nations interact based on their geographical advantages and disadvantages. Tim Marshall's writing style is described as accessible, engaging, and informative, making complex geopolitical topics understandable for readers of all backgrounds. Through the lens of geopolitics, the book offers a unique perspective on global politics, history, and current affairs, shedding light on the significant role geography plays in shaping the world we live in.
Its forests, lakes, rivers, frozen tundra, steppe, taiga, and mountains are all vast. This size has long seeped into our collective conscious. Wherever we are, there is Russia, perhaps to our east, or... 'The Righteous Mind: Why Good People Are Divided by Politics and Religion' by Jonathan Haidt delves into moral psychology from an evolutionary perspective, proposing a theory of Moral Foundations that underlie observable moral systems. Haidt's exploration of the drives behind people's feelings of right and wrong offers insight into actions driven by tribalism or politics. also provides copious data on experimental results, making it a thought-provoking read that sheds light on human behavior and the development of social manifestations of morality.
If you are like most of the well-educated people in my studies, you felt an initial flash of disgust, but you hesitated before saying the family had done anything morally wrong. After all, the dog was...- #8
Save:Hannah Arendt's 'The Origins of Totalitarianism' is a comprehensive exploration of the rise of totalitarian movements, with a focus on Nazi Germany and Stalinist Russia. Arendt delves into the roots of totalitarianism, tracing its development from historical events such as anti-Semitism and imperialism. She skillfully connects pivotal historical facts to overarching ideas, enhancing the reader's understanding of totalitarianism and its manifestations throughout history. The book is described as engaging, clear, and accessible, despite its complex subject matter, making it a valuable resource for those interested in totalitarianism, imperialism, and related historical topics.
Many still consider it an accident that Nazi ideology centered around antisemitism and that Nazi policy, consistently and uncompromisingly, aimed at the persecution and finally the extermination of th... 'Capitalist Realism: Is There No Alternative?' by Mark Fisher is a philosophical and critical breakdown of capitalism, exploring the disparity between the idealized vision of capitalism and its actual oppressive nature. Fisher draws examples from popular culture, literature, and philosophy to illustrate his arguments, discussing the entrapment of individuals within the capitalist system. He delves into the concept of 'Capitalist Realism' and challenges the normalization of capitalism in society, highlighting the pervasive influence of capitalism on various aspects of contemporary culture.
In one of the key scenes in Alfonso Cuarón’s 2006 film Children of Men, Clive Owen’s character, Theo, visits a friend at Battersea Power Station, which is now some combination of government building a...- #10
Save:'Debt: The First 5,000 Years' by David Graeber is a wide-ranging exploration of the historical, anthropological, moral, and economic aspects of human society and its relationship with debt, money, and economics. The book challenges popular myths about markets, debt, and politics while delving into the interplay between debt and society throughout history. Graeber's writing style is described as dense and thought-provoking, providing deep insights into the meaning of debt, its history, and its implications for the future. The author takes an anthropological approach to studying debt, offering a unique perspective on how human relationships, trust, and morality are intertwined with economic systems.
TWO YEARS AGO, by a series of strange coincidences, I found myself attending a garden party at Westminster Abbey. I was a bit uncomfortable. It’s not that other guests weren’t pleasant and amicable, a...
