21. LIFE (w/ Blaise Agüera y Arcas)

In *Who Are We? The Challenges to America's National Identity*, Samuel P. Huntington argues that America's national identity is under threat from various factors, including large-scale immigration, particularly from Hispanic countries, bilingualism, multiculturalism, and the 'denationalization' of American elites. He contends that the core values of American identity, such as the English language, Protestant values, individualism, and respect for law, are being eroded. Huntington advocates for a renewal of these values to sustain American identity, warning that the American Creed alone is insufficient to maintain national unity. The book is a controversial and thought-provoking analysis of the identity crisis in the United States.

In this book, James C. Scott examines the failures of centrally managed social plans and the destructive consequences of high-modernist ideologies. Scott argues that states often impose simplistic visions on complex societies, ignoring local, practical knowledge and leading to disastrous outcomes. He identifies four conditions common to all planning disasters: administrative ordering of nature and society, high-modernist ideology, authoritarian state power, and a prostrate civil society. The book critiques various utopian projects, including collective farms, compulsory villagization, and urban planning, and advocates for a more nuanced approach that respects local diversity and practical knowledge.

Francis Spufford's "Red Plenty" is a work of historical fiction that explores the Soviet Union's ambitious quest for economic abundance during the Khrushchev era. The narrative weaves together fictional characters with real historical figures, offering a nuanced portrayal of the era's complexities. Spufford masterfully blends factual events with imaginative storytelling, creating a compelling narrative that challenges traditional historical accounts. The book delves into the Soviet Union's attempts to implement cybernetics and mathematical planning to improve economic efficiency, highlighting the inherent challenges of a centrally planned economy. Ultimately, "Red Plenty" offers a thought-provoking exploration of the Soviet dream and its ultimate failure.