Karthik Ramanna

Published in 1759, 'The Theory of Moral Sentiments' is Adam Smith's first major published work, based on his lectures at Glasgow University. The book argues that morality is driven by humanity's natural sociability and the need for approval from peers, rather than by rational calculation or innate moral sense. Smith introduces key concepts such as sympathy, the impartial spectator, and the invisible hand, which explain how individuals judge the conduct and character of themselves and others. The work delves into the emotional and social aspects of human behavior, highlighting the role of emotions like pity and compassion in shaping moral sentiments and behaviors.

This book provides simple strategies to help readers manage stress and anxiety by focusing on what truly matters. It emphasizes the importance of living in the present, letting go of minor irritations, and cultivating a more relaxed and compassionate approach to life. The book was a huge success, spending over 101 weeks on the New York Times Best Seller list and being published in 135 countries and translated into numerous languages.

In this book, Huntington expands on his 1993 thesis that future wars will be fought not between countries, but between cultures. He argues that the primary axis of conflict in the post–Cold War world will be along cultural lines, with different civilizations, such as Western, Islamic, and Sinic, becoming increasingly significant in analyzing potential conflicts. Huntington also discusses the shift of economic, military, and political power from the West to other civilizations and critiques the Western belief in the universality of its values and political systems.

Published in 1776, 'The Wealth of Nations' is Adam Smith's magnum opus that laid the groundwork for modern economics. The book critiques mercantilist economic theories and introduces the concept of the 'invisible hand,' which describes how individual self-interest leads to societal benefit. It emphasizes the division of labor, the accumulation of capital, and the importance of free markets. Smith argues that a nation's wealth is not measured by its gold and silver reserves but by the stream of goods and services it produces. The book also outlines the core functions of government, such as maintaining defense, enforcing civil law, and promoting education, while advocating for limited government intervention in market activities.

In this influential essay, Milton Friedman posits that the sole social responsibility of a business is to use its resources and engage in activities designed to increase its profits, so long as it stays within the rules of the game, which means engaging in open and free competition without deception or fraud. Friedman argues that corporate executives are agents of the shareholders and should not spend company resources on social causes without the shareholders' approval. He believes that shareholders, customers, or employees can individually decide how to support social causes with their own money, rather than through the company's actions.

In 'The End of History and the Last Man', Francis Fukuyama posits that with the ascendancy of Western liberal democracy following the Cold War and the dissolution of the Soviet Union, humanity has reached the end point of its ideological evolution. Fukuyama draws on the philosophies of Hegel and Marx, arguing that history is a linear progression towards liberal democracy, driven by the mechanisms of natural science and the human desire for recognition (thymos). He contends that liberal democracy satisfies every man’s thymotic longing for dignity and recognition, making it the final form of human government. However, Fukuyama clarifies that this does not mean the end of historical events or conflicts, but rather that all future developments will be within the framework of liberal democracy.

This book provides a framework for leaders to navigate the increasing outrage in modern society. Based on his popular Oxford leadership course and case studies on organizations like IKEA, Nestlé, and the Vatican, Karthik Ramanna offers practical steps to analyze the root causes of outrage, develop mission-consistent responses, and build resilience. The book addresses the current drivers of outrage, including economic and social prospects, historical grievances, and ideological divisions, and presents a five-step framework to 'turn down the temperature' and manage crises effectively.

In 'Hillbilly Elegy,' J.D. Vance recounts his life growing up in a dysfunctional family in Middletown, Ohio, with roots in Kentucky's Appalachia. The book details his experiences with poverty, addiction, and family violence, as well as his journey to joining the marines and eventually graduating from Yale Law School. Vance provides a personal and insightful look into the decline of the white working class in America, exploring themes of family, culture, and the loss of the American dream. The memoir also touches on the political swing of the region, particularly in relation to the 2016 presidential election and the appeal of Donald Trump to this demographic.