John McWhorter & Jason Riley – The Affirmative Action Myth

Jason Riley's "The Affirmative Action Myth" presents a critical examination of affirmative action policies in the United States. Riley argues that these policies, implemented with the goal of promoting racial equality, have instead created unintended negative consequences. He contends that affirmative action has primarily benefited upper-class Black Americans while leaving behind those in lower socioeconomic brackets. The book uses historical data and economic analysis to support its claims, suggesting that progress for Black Americans was more significant before the widespread adoption of affirmative action. Riley proposes a shift towards colorblind policies, emphasizing individual merit and opportunity over race-based preferences. Ultimately, the book challenges readers to reconsider the effectiveness and long-term impact of affirmative action on racial equality.

First published in 1998, *The Shape of the River* by William G. Bowen and Derek Bok is a seminal work that examines the long-term consequences of considering race in college and university admissions. The book provides extensive data on the academic, employment, and life outcomes of students from diverse backgrounds, arguing that race-conscious admissions policies have been effective in promoting equal opportunity and diversity in higher education.

In this book, Melissa S. Kearney presents a provocative case for the economic benefits of marriage, highlighting how the decline of marriage has exacerbated economic and social inequalities in the US. Based on over a decade of economic research, Kearney argues that households with two married parents offer significant economic and non-economic benefits to both the parents and their children, particularly in terms of financial stability, educational outcomes, and social mobility. She emphasizes that the decline in marriage is more pronounced among lower socioeconomic groups, leading to a 'two-parent privilege' that advantages children from higher socioeconomic backgrounds. Kearney also discusses the underlying causes of the marriage decline, including changes in male wages and female labor market participation, and suggests policy implications to address these issues.

The book relates the management succession and increasingly unorthodox ethos of Semco. Semler transformed the company by implementing radical policies such as allowing workers to set their own production quotas, practicing profit sharing down to the factory floor level, and simplifying business processes. This approach led to significant success and made the book a worldwide bestseller.