The World's Best Book Summaries
What was China’s one-child policy? How did the one-child policy affect China? Between 1980 and 2016, China had a one-child policy designed to combat overpopulation by limiting families to having one child. The policy restricted women’s rights, caused higher child mortality rates, and led to more crime in the nation. Continue reading to learn more about the impact of China’s one-child policy, according to Amartya Sen in Development as Freedom.
Is poverty a social problem? Why is poverty heavily associated with wealth and income? Should it be? While income is still widely considered an income problem, economist and philosopher Amartya Sen says that poverty is created and enhanced by a lack of human rights and freedom. In Development as Freedom, Sen claims that focusing only on income just creates more social issues. Let’s look at three reasons why poverty is a social problem.
What’s Amartya Sen’s approach to development? Why does he believe an income-centered approach to poverty is harmful? According to Sen, development is the process of expanding human freedom. A country’s growth and stability rely on the rights of its citizens and their well-being, rather than the wealth of its people. Here’s more of Amartya Sen on development, described in his book Development as Freedom.
What’s the relationship between democracy and economic growth? Does democracy have a direct effect on the growth of a nation’s economy? Policymakers around the world are conflicted on the role democracy plays in economic growth. Amartya Sen, author of Development as Freedom, says that the key to helping poor economies thrive is to implement a democracy into their government. Let’s look at Sen’s argument that supports establishing democracies in underdeveloped nations—and why some people disagree with him.
What is economic freedom? Why is freedom important when improving underdeveloped economies? Many economies focus on establishing a utilitarian market to benefit everyone in their country, but people are left with little to no economic choices. In Development as Freedom, Amartya Sen says that free markets allow people to make their own choices and create a freer society. Keep reading to learn why economic freedom is important for a country’s development.
What are ways to increase economic growth? Why is it so difficult for poor economies to develop? Two of the major reasons underdeveloped countries have poor economies are government intervention in markets and restricted women’s rights. In Development as Freedom, Amartya Sen says that establishing free markets and empowering women are two key ways to increase economic growth. Read below to learn how to increase economic growth.
Do you want to learn about investing but aren’t sure where to start? What are the best investing resources to learn from? Investing can be a daunting subject. There are so many investing gurus pitching their advice and “winning formulas” on the web. Their advice is varied and often contradictory. No wonder, many wannabe investors are at a loss. If you feel like you don’t even know where to start, you’ve come to the right place! We’ve scoured the web for the best resources to learn investing including books, blogs, and podcasts. It’s not an exhaustive list by any means,
What are three theories of economic justice examples? How do they all differ in ethics and values? In Development as Freedom, Amartya Sen outlines three theories of economic justice: utilitarianism, libertarianism, and Rawlsian justice. All of these theories have their own pros and cons, which means no theory is the “right” approach to economics. Let’s look at these economic justice examples by exploring their advantages and disadvantages.
What are market limitations? Is a free market a perfect solution for a failing economy? A free market has many advantages: individual choice, innovation, and economic growth. However, there are many disadvantages as well, such as an inequitable distribution of wealth and the neglect of public goods. Let’s take a deeper look into market limitations, explained by Amartya Sen in Development as Freedom.
Why are free markets important for a nation’s economic development? What are the advantages of free-market systems? Not only do free markets protect the rights of individuals, but they also have lifted people out of poverty. In Development as Freedom, Amartya Sen argues that a free market is a way for a nation to experience economic prosperity. Here are the advantages of free markets that Sen highlights and how they compare to a utilitarian market.