Darya Sinusoid, Author at Shortform Books

Why Common Theories of War Are Ultimately Flawed

Do any theories of war actually reflect the reality of the phenomenon? Is it possible to predict the course of a war in principle? According to Carl von Clausewitz, common theories of war fail to provide an accurate model of real war. He identifies three key shortcomings that tend to undermine their accuracy. He admits that these factors are difficult for a theory to predict and clarifies his discourse on war is not intended to provide a comprehensive model. Here are three reasons why military theories are ultimately flawed, according to Clausewitz.

How to Write Good Emails: Proven Tips for Success

Do you often write emails? What are some things you should keep in mind when writing a professional email? Writing emails is an essential skill in the modern-day professional milieu. Most people read dozens of emails a day, so it’s critical that your emails convey the message with the recipient in mind—consider your goal in writing the email and make it crystal clear to understand what you want them to do with it. Here’s how to write good emails every time.

Poor Economics: Book Overview & Key Takeaways

What is Esther Duflo and Abhijit Banerjee’s book Poor Economics about? What is the key message to take away from the book? In their book Poor Economics, MIT professors Esther Duflo and Abhijit Banerjee analyze poverty by asking small, pointed questions about specific aspects of the lives of the poor. Their goal is to develop a detailed picture of how the poor live and how policy interventions affect their lives so that policymakers can better design interventions that help them. Below is a brief overview of Poor Economics by Esther Duflo and Abhijit Banerjee.

Lyndon B. Johnson’s Presidency: Crisis to Purpose

What is Lyndon B. Johnson famous for? What was the greatest accomplishment of Lyndon B. Johnson’s presidency? Lyndon B. Johnson, who was president from 1963 to 1969, inherited the country during a time of immense crisis. Despite the struggles the nation faced at the time, LBJ was able to achieve great things as a president; his most noteworthy accomplishment being the passing of the Civil Rights Law. Historian Doris Kearns Goodwin, the author of Leadership: In Turbulent Times, attributes Lyndon’s accomplishments to his clarity of purpose. Here’s how having a sense of purpose helped Lyndon unite the nation in times

Income Inequality: The 4 Potential Solutions

Can income inequality be solved? What can be done to bridge the global divide between the rich and the poor? Income inequality is a global problem—it plagues all countries to some extent. A small minority of the world’s population has amassed vast fortunes, while billions of people remain mired in extreme poverty. But hope remains. In her book Doughnut Economics, Kate Raworth proposes four income inequality solutions that can reduce the gap between the rich and the poor. Let’s take a look at Raworth’s solutions for income inequality.

What Are the Main Causes of Malnutrition?

What are the main causes of malnutrition? Why are the poor malnourished in spite of the efforts of policymakers? In Poor Economics, MIT professors Esther Duflo and Abhijit Banerjee discuss a well-known problem among the poor: malnutrition. They argue that this problem doesn’t stem from lack of food per se, but from lack of nutrition. In other words, the poor are not starving for calories, they are starving for nutrients. Here’s what MIT professors Esther Duflo and Abhijit Banerjee have to say about the causes of malnutrition amongst the poor.

Carl von Clausewitz on the Nature of War

What is the relationship between war and politics? If war is supposed to achieve a political outcome, why do military interests sometimes contradict political aims? According to Prussian general and military theorist Carl von Clausewitz, war should be subservient to political policy. He argues that letting military interests shape political policy or giving the military latitude to take action outside of political policy is ridiculous because war is a tool of politics, not the other way around. Keep reading for Carl von Clausewitz’s take on the nature of war.

How Abraham Lincoln Freed the Slaves

What is Abraham Lincoln known for? What dilemma did Lincoln face upon being inaugurated? Abraham Lincoln, who was president from 1861 to 1865, inherited a nation in crisis. By the time of his inauguration, seven Southern states had seceded from the Union, and his own party was divided. Lincoln had to decide whether they should try to keep the slave states in the Union, or if the time for compromise had ended. Here’s how Abraham Lincoln freed the slaves in spite of the backlash.

Why a Regenerative Economy Is the Future

Is economic progress destroying the planet? How does the focus on economic growth deplete the planet’s resources? Most economies are inherently extractive and wasteful. If we continue at this rate, it’s only a matter of time until we reach a point of no return. To prevent this from happening, we need a top-to-bottom redesign of our global economic order: away from an extractive economy and toward a regenerative economy. Here’s why an economic revolution is in order, according to Kate Raworth.

What Is the Purpose of War? Carl von Clausewitz’s View

What is the purpose of war? Can political objectives be achieved without resorting to war? According to Prussian general and military theorist Carl von Clausewitz, the purpose of war is to achieve a political outcome, but war is often misused. Politicians often start wars that achieve the opposite of what they wanted to achieve. Keep reading to learn about the main purpose of war, according to Clausewitz.