Talking Smack

In 'Globalists: The End of Empire and the Birth of Neoliberalism,' Quinn Slobodian challenges the common perception that neoliberals aim to shrink government and abolish regulations. Instead, he argues that neoliberalism emerged to redeploy government and regulatory frameworks at a global level to protect and expand capitalism. The book follows a group of thinkers from the ashes of the Habsburg Empire to the formation of the World Trade Organization, highlighting their efforts to create supranational institutions that insulate global markets from national governments and democratic demands. Slobodian's work provides a nuanced analysis of the 'Geneva School' of neoliberalism and its impact on global economic integration and democracy.

Michel Foucault's "Discipline and Punish" is a seminal work in social theory that examines the evolution of punishment and its relationship to power. Foucault traces the shift from public executions to more subtle forms of disciplinary control in modern societies. He argues that power operates not only through repression but also through the normalization of behavior. The book's analysis of surveillance, discipline, and the creation of docile bodies has had a profound impact on various fields, including criminology, sociology, and literary studies. It remains a crucial text for understanding the workings of power in contemporary society.

The Art of the Deal to książka autorstwa Donalda Trumpa i Tony'ego Schwartz'a, wydana w 1987 roku. Opisuje ona filozofię biznesową i strategie negocjacyjne Trumpa, prezentując jego podejście do zawierania umów i osiągania sukcesu w świecie nieruchomości. Książka zawiera liczne anegdoty z kariery Trumpa, ilustrujące jego metody działania i myślenia. 'The Art of the Deal' szybko stała się bestsellerem, umacniając pozycję Trumpa jako wpływowego przedsiębiorcy. Publikacja ta przedstawia również jego determinację, pewność siebie i umiejętność przekonywania, które stały się jego znakami rozpoznawczymi. Dla wielu czytelników 'The Art of the Deal' jest inspiracją do działania i dążenia do sukcesu w biznesie.

'Natural Symbols' explores the relationship between social structures and symbolic systems, particularly in the context of ritual and belief. Mary Douglas examines how cultural symbols reflect and reinforce social hierarchies, group boundaries, and power dynamics. The book analyzes how body symbolism and cosmological beliefs are used to maintain social order. It investigates the ways in which rituals and symbolic practices express and negotiate social meanings. 'Natural Symbols' argues that symbols are not arbitrary but are deeply embedded in social life, providing a framework for understanding cultural experiences.