Summaries of books about Politics & Social Sciences:
The Quick Fix
Why Fad Psychology Can't Cure Our Social Ills
Jesse Singal
The book critically examines the popularity and impact of various psychological concepts and interventions that have gained mainstream attention, such as power posing and grit. It delves into how these ideas, despite being based on shaky scientific evidence, have been oversold to the public as solutions to complex social and personal issues.
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The Rise of the Creative Class
Richard Florida
The book explores the emergence of a new social class driven by creativity and innovation, which is reshaping the economy and culture of cities. It discusses how this class's values, preferences, and lifestyles are influencing urban development, work environments, and community life.
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The Code of Capital
How the Law Creates Wealth and Inequality
Katharina Pistor
The book examines how laws and regulations are designed to protect and enhance the value of certain assets, thereby creating wealth for their owners. It argues that this legal coding of capital contributes to increasing inequality by favoring the interests of the wealthy elite over the rest of society.
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Here Comes Everybody
The Power of Organizing Without Organizations
Clay Shirky
The book explores the impact of the internet on group dynamics and social organization, illustrating how digital tools enable people to collaborate and mobilize without traditional hierarchical structures. It delves into case studies and theoretical frameworks to show how these new forms of collective action can disrupt established institutions and change the way society operates.
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Playing the Whore
The Work of Sex Work (Jacobin)
Melissa Gira Grant
The book challenges the prevailing narratives about sex work, arguing that it should be understood as labor and advocating for the rights and agency of sex workers. It critiques the ways in which media, law enforcement, and feminist discourse often marginalize and misrepresent sex workers, and calls for a shift in perspective that recognizes their autonomy and humanity.
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The Economics of Inequality
Thomas Piketty
The book delves into the causes and consequences of economic disparities, analyzing historical trends and the role of political and economic institutions in shaping inequality. It also discusses potential policies and reforms aimed at reducing inequality and promoting more equitable wealth distribution.
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Uncivil Agreement
How Politics Became Our Identity
Lilliana Mason
The book examines the increasing polarization in American politics, arguing that political identities have merged with other social identities to create a tribal division. It explores how this alignment of party affiliation with personal identity intensifies partisanship, leading to societal divisions that extend beyond policy preferences into personal relationships and social interactions.
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Squeezed
Why Our Families Can't Afford America
Alissa Quart
The book examines the financial struggles of middle-class American families who are grappling with the costs of living, including housing, education, healthcare, and childcare. It explores the systemic issues that lead to economic insecurity and the personal stories of those who are working hard yet still unable to achieve financial stability.
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The Managerial Revolution
What is Happening in the World
James Burnham
The book presents a theory that capitalist societies are transitioning towards a new form of socio-economic organization dominated by managers and technocrats who control the means of production and distribution. It argues that this managerial class is replacing the traditional roles of the old capitalist owners and is central to understanding the changing dynamics of power and wealth in modern societies.
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What Works
Gender Equality by Design
Iris Bohnet
The book presents evidence-based interventions to overcome gender biases in education and the workplace, drawing on behavioral economics to design tools and policies that promote gender equality. It offers practical solutions to close gender gaps in hiring, promotion, leadership, and pay by changing organizational structures and practices rather than individuals' mindsets.
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