The World's Best Book Summaries
What is Keynesian economic theory? What are the ideas associated with this theory, and do they work? Keynesian economic theory promotes aggressive federal spending. The theory posits that in times of depression or recession, the government can keep things stable by infusing cash into the economy. Read more about Keynesian economic theory below.
What is endogamous marriage? What role does endogamy play in preserving the social structure in a caste society? Endogamous marriage is the practice of marrying within one’s own group or social unit. In the context of racial casteism, endogamous marriage is one of the means of protecting the dominant caste’s bloodline and maintaining the caste structure. Read about the practice of endogamous marriage, its history, and the lasting effects of endogamy laws.
What is the welfare state? Why do conservatives distrust and dislike the welfare state? The “welfare” state refers to government social systems like disability, unemployment, and more. The welfare state also includes public services like the Post Office and infrastructure. Conservatives believe that others, like glamorous “welfare queens” take advantage of government hand-outs while they struggle and work hard for their money. Read more about the conservative views on the welfare state below.
What is the history of the Confederate statues in America? Why did some people resist the removal of these statues? What do they celebrate? Confederate statues in America are monuments and memorials that have been erected to celebrate the leaders of the American Confederacy. The Confederacy was a faction formed by anti-democracy, pro-slavery group of states that seceded from the US after the election of Abraham Lincoln. Read about the history of the Confederate statues in America, what they represent, and why their removal sparked such a heated debate in the American society.
What caused the End Ordovician extinction? When did it start and which animals were affected? The End Ordovician extinction was the first of the Big Five mass extinction events in the history of the Earth. The term actually refers to two extinction periods, which together wiped out 86% of the marine species. Scientists attribute it to a sudden cooling of the climate that began around 444 million years ago. Read about the causes and effects of the End Ordovician extinction.
What is Keynesian economics criticism? What are the major issues with Keynesian economics? Keynesian economics criticism comes from those who support free-market capitalism. Maynard Freidman argues that this theory is ineffective and gives the government too powerful of a role. Read more about Keynesian economics, criticism, and more.
What is the social structure of India and how was it created? How many castes does it consist of and what are the implications of this division? The social structure of India is an intricate system of many castes and sub-castes. The five main castes are the 1) Brahmin, 2) Kshatriya, 3) Vaishya, 4) Shudra, and 5) the Dalits. Read about the social structure of India and its impact on society.
What is the history of racial segregation? How did the dominant caste use skin color as a tool to stratify society and justify different living standards? According to Isabel Wilkerson, the author of Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents, one of the ways racial segregation is upheld and justified is through the narrative of the purity of blood. The concept of pure vs tainted blood created restrictions around who is allowed into the dominant caste. Read about the history of racial segregation.
What are ammonites? When did they become extinct? What are the suggested causes behind ammonites’ extinction? Ammonites are a group of coil-shelled mollusk animals that went extinct 66 million years ago. Scientists don’t know the exact cause of ammonites’ extinction, but it is theorized that they died as a result of ocean changes due to the asteroid strike. Keep reading to learn about ammonites’ extinction causes.
What was the Federal Reserve’s role in the Great Depression? Did the Federal Reserve cause the depression, and how did they respond? The Federal Reserve in the Great Depression played an important role. The Fed failed to act in the run-up to the Depression, worsening the effects. Read more about the Federal Reserve, the Great Depression, and how they’re connected.