Summaries of books about Politics & Social Sciences:
Perfectly Legal
The Covert Campaign to Rig Our Tax System to Benefit the Super Rich--and Cheat E verybody Else
David Cay Johnston
The book exposes how the American tax system is manipulated by the wealthy and powerful to minimize their tax burdens at the expense of the middle and lower classes. It delves into the loopholes, political influence, and legal strategies that enable the rich to avoid paying their fair share, highlighting the resulting inequality and fiscal impact on society.
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Against Democracy
New Preface
Jason Brennan
The book presents a critical examination of the democratic system, arguing that it often leads to suboptimal outcomes due to irrational and ill-informed voter behavior. It proposes an alternative "epistocracy," where political power is vested in the hands of the knowledgeable.
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Radical Markets
Uprooting Capitalism and Democracy for a Just Society
Eric A. Posner|Eric Glen Weyl
The book presents a series of innovative and provocative economic reforms designed to reduce inequality, stimulate growth, and revitalize democracy. It introduces concepts like the Common Ownership Self-Assessed Tax (COST) on assets to encourage optimal use and a new voting system called Quadratic Voting to better reflect collective preferences.
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Hot, Flat, and Crowded 2.0
Why We Need a Green Revolution--and How It Can Renew America
Thomas L. Friedman
The book argues that the convergence of global warming, global flattening (increased global competition), and global population growth is creating a crisis that necessitates a green energy revolution. It posits that such a revolution could restore America's leadership role in the world and improve the planet's environmental health.
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Google Leaks
A Whistleblower's Exposé of Big Tech Censorship
Zach Vorhies|Kent Heckenlively
The book presents the account of a former Google employee who claims to have uncovered evidence of the tech giant's political bias and censorship practices. It details the alleged manipulation of search results and news feeds, aiming to expose the company's influence on public opinion and information access.
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America's Secret War
Inside the Hidden Worldwide Struggle Between the United States and Its Enemies
George Friedman
The book delves into the strategic and intelligence aspects of post-9/11 conflicts, analyzing the United States' covert operations and geopolitical maneuvers against various adversaries, including terrorist organizations and rogue states. It provides insights into the complexities of global intelligence and the clandestine tactics used by the U.S. to combat threats and shape international outcomes.
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The Myth of the Rational Voter
Why Democracies Choose Bad Policies - New Edition
Bryan Caplan
The book argues that voters are systematically ill-informed and irrational about economics and policy issues, leading to suboptimal democratic outcomes. It suggests that voters' biases are entrenched and persistent, causing democracies to enact inefficient policies that cater to misconceptions rather than evidence-based solutions.
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Will He Go?
Trump and the Looming Election Meltdown in 2020
Lawrence Douglas
The book analyzes the potential for a constitutional crisis stemming from the 2020 U.S. presidential election, exploring scenarios where President Donald Trump might refuse to concede after a contested or close election. It examines the weaknesses in the American electoral system and the legal battles that could ensue, threatening the peaceful transfer of power.
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From Dictatorship to Democracy
Gene Sharp
The book is a guide for nonviolent resistance against dictatorships, providing a strategic framework for effectively undermining and dismantling authoritarian regimes. It outlines methods for organizing, planning, and executing civil disobedience and political non-cooperation to empower citizens in their struggle for democracy.
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Affluenza
How Overconsumption Is Killing Us—and How to Fight Back
John de Graaf|David Wann|Thomas H. Naylor
The book diagnoses a societal condition characterized by excessive materialism and rampant overconsumption, which it argues is leading to psychological malaise, environmental degradation, and social fragmentation. It offers a critique of consumer culture and provides strategies for individuals and communities to break free from the cycle of consumption and pursue more fulfilling, sustainable lifestyles.
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