The World's Best Book Summaries
What are the principles of Communism? What do they mean and how would they work in a Communist society? The principles of Communism revolve mainly around taking wealth and power from the bourgeoisie class and giving it to the Proletariat, the working people. Read more about the principles of Communism and what they mean.
Why do the rich get richer? Is there a system failure that allows the rich to accumulate massive wealth, while everyone else struggles? Competitive exclusion is the concept of needing success to be successful or the rich getting richer. The reason why the rich get richer has to do with societal and economic systems failures that encourage it. Read about why the rich get richer, and how we might begin to correct this system failure.
What does The New Jim Crow book say about how to improve the flawed criminal justice system? Is it possible incrementally or does it require sweeping action? The New Jim Crow book is authored by Michelle Alexander. It is about mass incarceration in the age of colorblindness. Read more about The New Jim Crow book and its perspectives on addressing the issue of mass incarceration in the age of colorblindness.
What is Jim Crow racism? Are Jim Crow and racism the same thing? Jim Crow racism is a type of subtle racial discrimination. Laws are set up to reinforce institutions that disadvantage non-whites without explicitly being against any race. Read on to understand Jim Crow racism and its effects.
What are the different types of Socialism? Is socialism similar to Communism as they’re defined in The Communist Manifesto? In The Communist Manifesto, the authors describe three types of socialism: reactionary, conservative/bourgeois, and critical-utopian. These definitions are meant to help characterize different types of people within a social system. Read more about the 3 types of socialism described in The Communist Manifesto.
What is mass incarceration? How is mass incarceration the new Jim Crow? Mass incarceration and race show a significant connection. Because of this, Michelle Alexander argues that mass incarceration is the new Jim Crow. Read more about mass incarceration, The New Jim Crow, and the mass incarceration of African Americans.
What is Orange Is the New Black: My Year in a Women’s Prison about? What does Piper Kerman learn from her experiences in prison? In Orange Is the New Black: My Year in a Women’s Prison Piper Kerman describes the friends she makes and the humiliation she faces while she is incarcerated. By the time of her release, Piper learned valuable lessons about justice, inequality, and more. Read more about Orange Is the New Black: My Year in a Women’s Prison.
What is being institutionalized like? How does Piper Kerman describe this experience in Orange is the New Black? In her memoir, Piper Kerman discusses details of being institutionalized, including her intake process and dealing with her homophobic counselor. Read more about Piper Kerman’s experience being institutionalized and how she maintained her humanity.
What are systems in society? How do these systems work and why do we need them? There are many different systems in society. When societal systems work well, they help us function and be successful. When systems fail, they create more difficult living conditions and dangers. Read more about systems in society and how they work.
What is the purpose of an AA sponsor? How does the AA sponsor help others and themselves? The AA sponsor is a person who has worked the program. It is part of the program and philosophy of AA to have alcoholics “treat” other alcoholics because only they can understand. Read more to understand the purpose and role of the AA sponsor.