Politics Archives

Economics in One Lesson by Henry Hazlitt: Overview

What are the key takeaways of Economics in One Lesson by Henry Hazlitt? What are the secondary consequences of the economic policies the government puts in place? In this often-cited book Economics in One Lesson, Henry Hazlitt gives a clear, concise explanation of the secondary consequences of a range of economic policies. He posits that failure to consider the long-term, broad effects of policies leads the government to make decisions that sometimes exacerbate the problem they intend to solve. Here is a brief overview of Economics in One Lesson: The Shortest and Surest Way to Understand Basic Economics by Henry

Is There Truth in the Media Anymore? Postman’s Take

Is there any truth in media? Is society so focused on entertainment that it’s removed epistemology? How has the form of culture’s media changed throughout history? As society moved from the print era to the television era, serious news has become drowned in trivial nonsense. This is worrisome because it is creating a society where the general public would rather be entertained than well-informed. Continue below for examples of truth in media from the past and an analysis of the effects of television on media.

The Free-Market System: Benefits of Supply & Demand

Does the free-market system help or hinder the national interest? Do you think it’s better to let the economy run its course or to intervene? Many people believe that a free-market system—one in which supply and demand dictate prices for goods—serves the desires of greedy businesses rather than the consumers and the national wealth. But the price system naturally diverts capital and manpower to the industries that produce most efficiently and contribute the most to national wealth. Here’s why the free-market system is actually better for both consumers and the national interest.

Thomas Paine’s Best Common Sense Quotes

Are you looking for Common Sense quotes by Thomas Paine? What are some of the most noteworthy passages worth revisiting? Thomas Paine’s Common Sense provides both an intellectual backing and a roadmap for full American independence from England. While it is often read as a book that’s only concerned with questions related to America and England, Paine also lays out a comprehensive political philosophy. The following Common Sense quotes encapsulate the essense of his argument.

Public Policy and Housing Segregation in the 1950s

How did the government enable housing segregation in the 1950s? What was the role of the Housing Act of 1949 in facilitating this segregation? The segregationist stance of the government with policies such as school placement, slum clearance, and segregated housing projects all contributed to pervasive housing segregation in the 1950s. The Housing Act of 1949 permitted public authorities to segregate within housing projects which gave legal justification to segregationist practices in 1950s housing. Read on to learn more about housing segregation in the 1950s.

Common Sense: The Pamphlet by Thomas Paine

Why did Thomas Paine write the 1776 pamphlet Common Sense? What were its purpose and historical significance? Common Sense was written by English-borne philosopher Thomas Paine to provide intellectual backing for American independence from England. While Paine’s ultimate goal certainly included convincing Americans of the righteousness of separation from England, the pamphlet itself is actually more directly concerned with larger questions of political philosophy. In this article, we’ll take a look at the main principles of Paine’s Common Sense argument.

How Regulatory Agencies Enabled Racism in Housing

Which regulatory agencies facilitated racism in housing? What are the effects of systemic racism in housing? The IRS, FHA, and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) all introduced and enforced discriminatory housing policies that entrenched racism in housing. The primary effect of systemic racism in housing is that it prevents Blacks from building wealth through property ownership, which has led to the massive racial wealth gap seen today. Read on to fully understand how government institutions enabled racism in housing.

Thomas Paine: Revolution and Common Sense

How did Thomas Paine influence the American Revolution? What was his argument for separating America from England? Thomas Paine is known for paving the way for the American Revolution by urging the colonies to fight for their independence in his 1776 pamphlet Common Sense. In it, he argued that America could establish a republican form of government that is a model for the rest of the world by separating from England. In this article, we’ll discuss Thomas Paine’s revolution pamphlet Common Sense, and its arguments for liberating America.

Suburban Flight and the Role of the Government

What does suburban flight mean? How did the government encourage white flight to the suburbs? Suburban flight describes the migration phenomenon of predominantly white families from the urban areas in cities to suburban tracts. The government encouraged white flight by promoting the phenomenon as a mechanism to avoid racial tension and excluding African Americans from the financial support offered to the white families that moved out. Read on to learn more about the role of the government in the rise of suburban flight.

How Exclusionary Zoning Perpetuated Racial Inequality

What is exclusionary zoning? How did exclusionary zoning laws turn black neighborhoods into slums? Exclusionary zoning is the use of racial zoning laws to prohibit Blacks from owning homes in white neighborhoods and vice versa. These racial zoning laws were structured to ensure blacks were confined in densely packed zones adjacent to industrial areas or the pollution industry leading to the deterioration of these neighborhoods into slums. Read on to learn more about how exclusionary zoning laws disadvantaged African Americans.