The World's Best Book Summaries
What is an asset-based community development approach? Why should you focus on assets when reducing poverty? In When Helping Hurts, Steve Corbett and Brian Fikkert say that sometimes outside resources are not the solution to reducing poverty in communities. Instead, you should first look at what the community already has and work from there. Below we’ll look at how assets can change how you approach poverty alleviation.
Why is there a national debt relief lawsuit? Why do some opponents call Biden’s plan illegal or unfair? Millions are cheering President Biden’s plan to forgive hundreds of billions of dollars in student debt, with about 40 million people eligible to benefit from the plan. However, others are calling the plan unfair, inadequate, and even illegal. Read on to learn about the national debt relief lawsuit and why Biden’s plan has fallen under criticism.
How do immigrants help the economy in the United States? What are the domestic benefits of immigration? The U.S. is facing an unprecedented influx of immigrants seeking asylum. While many advocate deportation, research suggests the U.S. could benefit economically by allowing immigrants currently in the U.S. to stay and work. Keep reading to learn the two major ways that immigrants help the economy.
Who is eligible for student loan forgiveness? Could your loans be entirely eliminated? What other debt relief perks are you eligible for? President Biden announced his debt relief plan in August, which will forgive hundreds of billions of dollars in student debt. Millions of people are applauding the plan’s aim to help current and former college students survive the burden of student loan debt. Read on to learn who is eligible for student loan forgiveness under Biden’s debt relief plan.
What are short-term mission trips? Why might these trips be unethical? In short-term mission trips, missionaries move for a short period to spread God’s word and help others in need. However, these intentions often hurt people since the missionaries neglect to give people what they really need to thrive. Let’s look at the history of short-term mission trips and how everybody can get the most out of these trips.
What are the functions of religion? What societal needs does it fulfill? Is religion necessary for these functions? Many contend that religion explains the existence of the universe, provides morality and social stability, binds people together, and gives rise to comfort and hope. While religion does serve these functions, some argue that these roles can be fulfilled by alternatives to religion. Keep reading for an overview of the functions of religion in society, drawing on ideas from Jonathan Haidt, Will and Ariel Durant, Richard Dawkins, Nassim Nicholas Taleb, and others.
Why is there a national rise in immigration in the United States? What are the solutions? Although immigration has documented economic benefits, there’s also evidence that immigration causes some job disruptions and wage depression, as opponents of immigration fear. Work restrictions and deportation are two of the solutions to immigration established by the U.S. government. Read on for an overview of the national rise in immigration, including the proposed solutions.
What did Du Bois mean by “double consciousness”? How did the idea of double consciousness influence racial theory? The concept of “double consciousness” was introduced by W.E.B. Du Bois in his work The Souls of Black Folk published in 1903. The idea of double consciousness is important because it put the position of Black people in post-slavery America into perspective and encouraged other critical theorists to develop it further. Keep reading to learn about Du Bois’s double consciousness theory and what it meant in the context of post-slavery America.
How should you prepare for a disaster? What are the most important things to know? The Covid-19 pandemic brought more than illness—it demonstrated the scarcity that can accompany a disaster. In its wake, and as climate change threatens more disruptions to supply chains as well as more severe weather events, society is discovering the importance of preparing for a disaster. Read on to learn the eight most important ways to prepare for a disaster to keep you and your family safe.
What is Ibram X. Kendi’s theory of racism? What comes first—racist ideas or racist policies? In his book Stamped from the Beginning, Ibram X. Kendi presents a new theory of racism. Common wisdom holds that racist ideas lead to racist policies, but Kendi argues that the opposite is true. Keep reading to learn about Kendi’s theory of racism.