The World's Best Book Summaries
Is there a difference between legality vs ethics? Is one more fragile than the other? It’s entirely possible for a legal or ethical system to be fragile. Especially when stakes are low, both legality and ethics are easy to look past. But this can cause systems to collapse. Read more about legality vs ethics and what they mean for an antifragile system.
Was the Clinton impeachment an example of abuse of power in the government? Why should we take abuses of power like this seriously? In the 1990s, the rise of pundit-like political figures like Newt Gingrich changed the political landscape. This paved the way for further party polarization, and abuse of power in government wherein one party uses government systems to harm another, such as the Clinton impeachment. Keep reading to find out why the Clinton impeachment was an abuse of power in government.
Do you think public shaming is an effective form of punishment? What are the potential consequences of public shaming for the victimized? Although the methods have changed, public humiliation is still used as a way to inflict punishment for contemptuous behavior, and for a reason—it works. However, public shaming can have serious consequences for the victim because people who’ve been publicly shamed may lose their friends, family, and career, potentially forever. Keep reading to learn about public shaming, its history, and the consequences for the victimized.
Is the restoration of democracy possible? Does American democracy need to be restored, and what steps are required to make it happen? After years of authoritarianism and testing democratic norms, the U.S. faces challenges to our democracy like never before. In the Trump era and beyond, restoration of democracy needs to take center stage. Read more about restoration of democracy below.
What is the process for dismantling democracy? How do authoritarians dismantle democracy to gain more power? Dismantling democracy is something that most authoritarians do at some point. It involves removing democratic safeguards and centralizing power to one person, the authoritarian. Read more about dismantling democracy and tools authoritarians use.
What are some of the biggest political issues in America? Are any of these issues a direct threat to the principles of democracy? One of the biggest political issues in America is voting rights and voting access. Republicans have worked to make it more difficult for marginalized people and communities to vote since they believe it will help weaken political opponents. Not only is this a major political issue, but threatens the very fundamentals of democracy. Read more about one of the biggest political issues in America.
What is the meaning of identity politics? How do identity politics shape our political landscape today? Identity politics have shaped everything about modern politics. Identity politics, meaning you affiliate politically with those you identify with racially, culturally, or otherwise, can increase polarization both in political parties and in our culture. Read more about the identity politics meaning and how it affects us today.
What was Lindsey Stone shamed for? And what happened to her after the incident? In October 2012, Lindsey Stone was publicly shamed for posting a disrespectful photo on Facebook, where she posed behind the cemetery sign that read “Silence and Respect.” The photo became the centerpiece of Stone’s online presence for two years until an online reputation agent agreed to take her case pro bono to create her a new online identity. Keep reading for the story of Lindsey Stone’s public shaming.
What are democratic norms? What are the two main norms that dictate how governments operate? Democratic norms are an important part of how political systems govern. They help keep everything operating smoothly, and ensure that systems don’t collapse. Read more about two major democratic norms, mutual tolerance, and institutional forbearance.
What’s the problem with fast food? How can average consumers fight back against this industry? The problem with fast food is in part that it’s difficult to fight. Fast food is a colossal industry that controls farming, food production, work conditions, and more. But fighting back is possible. Keep reading for a rundown of fast food issues and how to fight back.