Why the Cycle of Poverty and Eviction Is So Vicious

A poor family of four standing in front of a house with an Evicted sign on the door

What is the cycle of poverty and eviction? Why is it so difficult to escape the cycle? How can this lead to crime? Sociologist Matthew Desmond argues that it’s nearly impossible to break out of the cycle of poverty and eviction because each situation exacerbates the other. Some who end up in this loop end up living in motels or even turning to crime. Continue reading for a deeper look at the poverty-eviction cycle.

Globalization After WWII: Peter Zeihan on the Era of World Trade

A container ship in a harbor at nighttime with a lighted world map in the sky illustrates globalization after WWII

How did the world become so interconnected? What factors led to the era of globalization after WWII? Peter Zeihan’s book The End of the World Is Just the Beginning explores the rise of global trade and its impact on our modern world. He delves into the historical, geographical, and technological factors that shaped international commerce following the Second World War. Keep reading to discover how the United States reshaped the world order and ushered in an unprecedented era of economic growth and stability.

How Stagnant Wages Are Contributing to the Housing Crisis

A cartoon of a woman with stagnant wages and an empty wallet holding a bill and looking stressed

When was the last time you got a raise at work? How much has the minimum wage increased since 1970? According to Matthew Desmond, the author of Evicted, a big contributor to the housing and eviction crisis is stagnant wages. Over the years, the cost of housing has risen, however, wages have not increased to meet it. Keep reading to understand why eviction rates are rising.

What’s Causing the Eviction Crisis? The 2 Reasons

A man handing a rent check to his landlord. The renter looks stressed because of the eviction crisis and low wages

Why is there an eviction crisis in the United States? How much is a household supposed to pay in rent? Matthew Desmond, the author of Evicted, says that there are two major causes of the eviction crisis: stagnant wages and renters who don’t stand up for each other. These two issues combined are resulting in eviction rates higher than during the Great Depression. Here’s a closer look at the two causes of the rising eviction rates.

Evicted by Matthew Desmond: Book Overview and Exercises

A mother and two children stand outside a house that has an "Evicted" sign on the door

Why are eviction rates rising in the United States? Why is the poverty-eviction cycle so hard to break? Can anything be done to help the situation? Imagine living with the knowledge that you could lose your home at any time, for any reason. In Evicted, sociologist Matthew Desmond explains that millions of Americans live every day under the threat of eviction, and it takes a heavy toll on them both psychologically and financially.  Keep reading for our brief overview of Desmond’s book Evicted.

Evictions in the US Rise Because There Is No Solidarity Anymore

A group of people standing in front of an apartment complex opposing evictions in the US

What does community have to do with evictions? How has renter solidarity changed since the Great Depression? Matthew Desmond, sociologist and the author of Evicted, says that a primary reason why evictions in the US are rising is that renters don’t stand up for each other anymore. Renters are allowing predatory landlords to walk all over them in fear of losing housing. Here’s a look at how renter solidarity has changed.

How to Fix the Housing Crisis: Matthew Desmond’s Suggestions

A hand holding keys to an apartment because the housing crisis has been fixed

Do you want to know how to fix the housing crisis in America? Is rent control a good idea? How helpful are rental assistance programs? In his book Evicted, sociologist Matthew Desmond lays out three ways that the United States government could fix the housing crisis. In fact, some federal programs already exist and just need to be expanded. Here are Desmond’s suggestions from Evicted.

The Innovation Strategy of Starbucks That Saved the Company

Two new Starbucks drinks on a ledge as part of the innovation strategy at Starbucks

What’s the innovation strategy of Starbucks? What cuts did CEO Howard Schultz have to make to raise Starbucks’s profits? One of Schultz’s initial turnaround strategies in 2008 was to improve Starbucks’ financial standing. He achieved this by focusing on two objectives: frugalizing operations and shifting in focus from expansion to innovation. Let’s explore these innovative changes in more detail.

Starbucks in 2010: Howard Schultz’s Plan for a Better Future

A Starbucks store in 2010

What was Starbucks’s plan for success in 2010? How did Starbucks reward its employees in the same year? In 2010, Starbucks lifted itself out of an economic rut thanks to former CEO Howard Schultz. Schultz’s not only stemmed Starbucks’ financial downturn but also bolstered its reputation as a socially responsible corporation. Here’s how Schultz planned to keep Starbucks in a positive state after 2010.

2 Ways Democracy and Economic Inequality Are Connected

people standing on stacks of coins of different heights illustrate the link between democracy and economic inequality

Is economic inequality eroding the foundations of democracy? How does the widening wealth gap affect our social fabric? Democracy and economic inequality are increasingly intertwined in modern society. We draw insights from a philosopher and an economist to understand the complex relationship between these two factors, examining how growing social divisions and reduced social mobility can threaten democratic systems. Continue reading for perspectives on this crucial issue shaping our world today.