Politics Archives

The Virtues of Decentralized Government

What are the downsides of a centralized government? Why is managing decentralized power structures (ironically) easier than centralized systems? In his book Skin in the Game, Nassim Taleb criticizes centralized power structures in which a few people make decisions that affect everyone. He argues that centralized systems are far too complex for individuals to effectively manage from the top down. Instead, Taleb advocates for the decentralization of power—smaller territories are more likely to govern themselves effectively. In this article, we’ll explore the benefits of decentralized government: greater accountability and more democratic representation.

History Is Biased: There Wasn’t Always War

Are history books an accurate reflection of the past? Is the human past really as bloody as history books portray it to be? According to Nassim Taleb, the author of Skin in the Game, academic accounts of human history give a warped perspective on our past. Historical accounts of the events emphasize conflict, creating an impression that human history is largely a record of warfare. However, history books tend to leave out unremarkable periods of peace, making the past seem more violent than it really was. Here is why history is biased in its representation of the human past.

How Do Social Class Hierarchies Develop?

How do social class hierarchies—such as the caste systems seen in America, India, and Nazi Germany—come into being? Why are castes so hard to abolish once they are established? A caste is a social class hierarchy that is formed based on arbitrary characteristics of difference (e.g. race, religion). According to Isabel Wilkerson, the author of Caste, there are eight tenets that form a caste system: 1) laws of divinity, 2) ingrained superiority, 3) dehumanization at the group level, 4) laws of heritage, 5) laws of love, 6) the purity of the dominant caste, 7) division of labor, and 8) terror

Poor Charlie’s Almanack: The Lollapalooza Effect

The 25 Cognitive Biases: The Lollapalooza Effect

What is Charlie Munger’s lollapalooza effect? How do you know when this phenomenon is influencing your actions? The lollapalooza effect is triggered when more than one of the cognitive biases work together to influence your behavior. The cognitive biases reinforce each other, often leading to extreme consequences. You can recognize the phenomenon when you see extreme behaviors in individuals or a group. Read on to learn more about the impact of the lollapalooza effect.

How the Dominant Caste Maintains Its Superiority

How does the dominant caste in a hierarchical social system maintain its power over the “low-level” citizens? What methods do they use to ensure their continuing rule? In her book Caste, Isabel Wilkerson discusses how the dominating class in a caste system establishes and maintains its control over the lower classes. They do so in four ways: 1) dehumanization at the group level, 2) laws of heritage, 3) laws of love, and 4) purity of blood. Let’s explore each in detail.

The Aftermath of the 2016 Presidential Election

Why did the rates of violence increase following the 2016 presidential election? How did the election of Donald Trump invoke white supremacism? In her book Caste, Isabel Wilkerson discusses how the caste system in America led to violence after Donald Trump’s election. According to Wilkerson, many white Americans had been feeling threatened because people of color were gaining more recognition and the election of Trump gave them permission to act on their white supremacist beliefs. Here’s what happened in the aftermath of the 2016 presidential election.

The Legacy of the United States Caste System

Is there still a caste system in the United States? What lasting effects did the caste system of the early United States have? Despite the fact that slavery was abolished in the 1800s, there are still many lasting effects of the racial caste system in the United States. Many Southerners still cling to Confederate symbols and consider the Old South a “Lost Cause,” healthcare has fallen behind because of racial agendas, and Confederate statues are still spread all over the country. In this article, we’ll discuss the ways the caste system has left a lasting impact on the United States.

The Fallout of Progressive Politics in America

Why have progressive politics in America started to slow down and, in some cases, even move backward? How did the election of Barack Obama divide the country? The election of Barack Obama as the 44th president of the United States was an important step forward for Black representation and for racial equality. However, the election had some unexpected consequences and ended up setting back some diversity and equality progress due to many white Americans wanting revenge. Here’s what Isabel Wilkerson, the author of Caste, had to say about the fallout of progressive politics in America.

What Is Casteism?—Explained With Examples

What is casteism? How do caste systems contribute to social injustice? Casteism is a practice of maintaining a hierarchical social order where an inherent characteristic is used as a tool to designate people’s rank in society. Historically, powerful groups have used religion, ethnicity, or skin color to stratify societies. In this article, we’ll explore the notion of casteism and how it works on three real-world examples: America, India, and Nazi Germany.

Nudge: Libertarian Paternalism and Choice Design

What is libertarian paternalism in the book Nudge? How would choice designers manipulate the public’s decisions? In Nudge, libertarian paternalism is prioritizing personal freedom while limiting choice to bring about better results. Authors Thaler and Sunstein thought it would be a good system, but critics don’t agree. Learn about how libertarian paternalism works in Nudge