Problem Political

Through his vaunted philanthropy, Bill Gates transformed himself from a tech villain into one of the most admired people on the planet. Even as divorce proceedings and allegations of misconduct have recently tarnished his public image, the beneficence of the Gates Foundation, celebrated for spending billions to save lives around the globe, is taken as a given. But as Tim Schwab shows in this fearless investigation, Gates is still exactly who he was at Microsoft: a bully and monopolist.

In her award-winning interrogation of the last century of American history, Samantha Power - a former Balkan war correspondent and founding executive director of Harvard’s Carr Center for Human Rights Policy - asks the haunting question: Why do American leaders who vow “never again” repeatedly fail to stop genocide?

In The Problem with Work, Kathi Weeks boldly challenges the presupposition that work, or waged labor, is inherently a social and political good. Taking up Marxist and feminist critiques, Weeks proposes a postwork society that would allow people to be productive and creative rather than relentlessly bound to the employment relation.

Politics is everywhere now. It is in the news, on social media, at family dinners, in workplaces, in classrooms, and in conversations that used to feel simple. Every issue feels urgent. Every disagreement feels personal. Every headline demands a reaction. Many people are not just politically informed anymore. They are politically exhausted. The Problem with Politics is a short, direct, research-informed guide to why modern politics feels so broken and why ordinary people feel so angry, anxious, divided, and unable to talk to one another. Julian Mercer examines how politics became identity, ...

This program is read by the author, with contributions from Pamela Adlon and Gwen Rainbow. "The production of the audiobook...is so rich with sound effects, additional voice actors and music."—The San Francisco Chronicle "Tart, sassy, and hilariously funny from start to finish, Rainbow’s...

As Reeves shows, the growing separation between the upper middle class and everyone else can be seen in family structure, neighborhoods, attitudes, and lifestyle. Those at the top of the income ladder are becoming more effective at passing on their status to their children, reducing overall social mobility. The result is not just an economic divide but a fracturing of American society along class lines. Upper-middle-class children become upper-middle-class adults.

Is democracy really working in Africa—or are we asking the wrong question? For decades, democracy has been promoted as the ultimate solution to Africa’s political and developmental challenges. Elections are held, leaders are chosen, and institutions are established in line with global democratic standards. Yet across the continent, the results remain deeply mixed. Why do elections not always lead to accountability? Why does political competition often deepen division rather than unity? Why does democracy sometimes exist in form, but struggle in function? In The Democracy Problem in ...

Avery Tucker thought the worst thing that could happen at the Academy of Elren was losing her Bond. She was wrong. Elren is days away from hosting the Commonwealth Games. Rival teams from Khemer and Mistbound are arriving on the Floating Isle, the capital has tightened its grip, and the Academy is under orders to be flawless. Smile for the guests. Keep the peace. Make it look easy. Avery has been chosen for Team Elren, bonded to a black dragon, and officially declared a miracle story the island can celebrate. But miracles have consequences. Someone is still watching her. Someone still wants...

Have you been wondering about the big issues dominating the news? Is climate change a massive threat or not? What is really going on with immigration? More importantly, how did American politics become so divided and hostile? What if we approached American social, cultural and political problems from a purely rational perspective? What if we focus on functional systems instead of division? Careful analysis of readily available data can help us discover patterns and uncover the real issues.

The Games are here. The enemies are closer than ever. And the truth is about to set Elren on fire. Avery has spent an explosive year fighting for her place at the Academy, but today, she’s standing her ground for something much bigger. Surrounded by a team that’s become a family and a man she would die for, Avery is ready to face the conspirators who tried to erase her and her mother from history. They thought they could break her. They thought they could bury the truth. They didn’t account for Avery Tucker. Three nations. Twelve years of silence. One final choice. Don’t get in her ...

In 2012, he skewered "amateur" Barack Obama. In 2014, he revealed vicious infighting between the Obamas and the Clintons. Now, New York Times bestselling author and investigative reporter Edward Klein turns his attention to Hillary Clinton and asks: why exactly is Hillary so unlikeable?

CORRUPTION is a disease that can sweep through a society like a tidal wave, leaving in its wake a trail of negligence, lethargy, inefficiency and callous disregard of man’s inhumanity to man. What is it like to live in such a society? Why has it taken such strong root in so many countries? Is there no sense of outrage and shame against such a phenomenon among our elite? What can be done to stem the tide? Is it corruption as it is known in the West? These disturbing questions and more are answered in this book. Corruption in all its forms, bribery, nepotism and extortion, is shown for what...

Does the number of children gunned down double each year? Does anorexia kill 150,000 young women annually? Do white males account for only a sixth of new workers? Startling statistics shape our thinking about social issues. But all too often, these numbers are wrong. This book is a lively guide to spotting bad statistics and learning to think critically about these influential numbers. Damned Lies and Statistics is essential listening for everyone who reads or listens to the news....

The Dissolution of Yugoslavia: The History of the Yugoslav Wars and the Political Problems that Led to Yugoslavia’s Demise examines how the multicultural nation broke apart in the 1980s and 1990s...you will learn about the Yugoslave Wars like never before.

Successful, sensible, and settled in his ways, single dad Laurence isn’t looking for love when he runs into the young man who sweeps him off his feet...and onto his knees. With an upcoming raise on the line and a son to care for, he can’t let an unconventional relationship jeopardize the future of his family. He’s a parent first and a lover second, and that’s the way it has to be. Right?

You know him as the founder of Microsoft; the philanthropic, kind-hearted billionaire who has donated endless funds to good causes around the world. But there's another side to Bill Gates. Combining rich storytelling and ground-breaking reporting, The Good Billionaire offers listeners a provocative and timely counter-narrative about one of the world's most widely recognized individuals - a true global celebrity with a truly global audience.

New York Times bestselling author Newt Gingrich explores the lasting impact of the 2020 election on the lives of American citizens today. The election will be a decisive choice for America, especially as we emerge from the coronavirus crisis. Will the American people choose four more years of...

America's most inspiring politician pays tribute to men and woman who have exhibited composure, wisdom and intellect in the face of tough decisions. John McCain draws from experiences of both extraordinary people and people in extraordinary circumstances, culling lessons about the process and...

The Practice and Theory of Bolshevism, first published in 1920, is Bertrand Russell's critique of the Communist system he witnessed in the Soviet Union. As a proponent of collectivist ideals, Russell believed that the future happiness of humanity depended upon different ways of production and business. He observed that the Bolsheviks pursued their goals with brutality rather than with an idealistic hope which nurtured the individual. Russell concluded that Bolshevism saw itself as a religion, with practices and dogmatic beliefs that did not permit independent thinking.

People who are trying to solve tough economic, social, or environmental problems often find themselves frustratingly stuck. They cannot solve their problems in their current context; the larger system within which they are operating is too unstable or unfair or unsustainable. They cannot transform this system on their own or by working only with their friends or colleagues; the system is too complex to be grasped or shifted by any one person or organization or sector.