The World's Best Book Summaries
Why can’t the countries in the West impose democracy and capitalism on developing nations? Is there another way to fix bad governments? In his book The White Man’s Burden, economist William Easterly argues that the West needs to stop trying to fix bad governments. He says that imposing top-down aid is not what’s going to help struggling nations. Here’s why Easterly thinks democracy and capitalism can’t be imposed.
Why does the bottom-up aid model work better than the top-down model when it comes to international aid? In what ways is the bottom-up aid model more effective? American economist and professor William Easterly explores the top-down and bottom-up international aid models in his book The White Man’s Burden. He comes to the conclusion that the bottom-up aid model is much more effective than the top-down model because it empowers locals and doesn’t treat them like needy children. Continue reading to learn more about the benefits of bottom-up humanitarian aid.
Is democracy dying? Is America sliding into authoritarianism? What can be done to salvage democratic norms? According to Levitsky and Ziblatt, the authors of How Democracies Die, democracy operated successfully throughout most of the 20th century, despite some challenges. But, they warn, democratic norms are under siege today and may be slipping away entirely. In this article, we’ll explore some key structural transformations in United States politics over the past few decades that are pushing democratic norms to the brink.
Can American democracy be salvaged? What can be done to save the country from democratic decay? According to Levitsky and Ziblatt, the authors of How Democracies Die, democracy is a shared enterprise in which all participate together. The key to preserving democracy, they argue, is to transcend the partisan divide. To this end, they propose some reforms that can help rescue and strengthen it. In this article, we’ll discuss what can be done to save democracy in America, according to Levitsky and Ziblatt.
What is asymmetric polarization? Why are the political parties becoming increasingly polarized in America? Asymmetric polarization is where one party becomes more extreme than the other in its political stance. In their book How Democracies Die, Levitsky and Ziblatt argue that growing asymmetric polarization in American politics is due to two factors: 1) the power of conservative interest groups, and 2) the cultural homogeneity of the party’s base. We’ll discuss both of these factors below.
What does it mean to be a good woman? How is the modern idea of a good woman changing? Traditionally, being a “good woman” meant being a good wife and a good mother. However, society is changing and women are starting to break free from these expectations. In her book Girl, Stop Apologizing, Rachel Hollis asserts that to be a “good woman” is to be true to yourself and to follow your individual desires. Here is how to be a “good woman”, according to Rachel Hollis.
How did millennials become the burnout generation? How do millennials compare to other generations in terms of health and well-being outcomes? Millennials (born between 1981 and 1996) are the most stressed-out generation, both physically and emotionally. They have the highest rates of hypertension, depression, anxiety, and even suicide. Continue reading to learn how the focus on efficiency is causing millennial burnout.
Are you putting off your ambitions and goals because you’re worried about what other people will think about them? Did you know that other people rarely think about you? In her book Girl, Stop Apologizing, Rachel Hollis says that you need to stop seeking validation from others and go after your dreams. As it turns out, people rarely think about you or what you’re doing and you could be holding yourself back for no reason at all. Here’s why you should stop worrying about what others think about you.
What should you buy the book lover in your life for Christmas? What are the best gifts for bookworms that aren’t just more books? You might think the perfect Christmas gift for a book lover is a book. But trust us when we say that they most likely have shelves of books they still haven’t read. So, why not buy them something different this Christmas? From floating bookshelves to Jane Austen doormats and a book summary subscription, we’ve pulled together the most unique gifts for bookworms this Christmas.
Do you trust your inner voice? Why do many women struggle to trust themselves without validation from men? Traditionally, voices of authority were male. Although that trend is finally starting to change, many women still subconsciously struggle to trust themselves. This lack of trust and fear of ambition among women has caused a leadership gap in many industries. Here’s why you need to learn to trust yourself, according to Hollis.