This textbook provides a straightforward and comprehensive introduction to basic macro and microeconomic concepts. It is designed to be accessible and is widely used in introductory economics courses. The book covers fundamental principles and theories in economics, making it a valuable resource for students and those new to the subject.
In this highly personal and witty book, Roger Scruton explains how to live as a conservative despite the pressures to exist otherwise. He draws on his own experience as a counter-cultural presence in public life to argue that while humanity might survive without the conservative outlook, it certainly won't flourish. The book examines the principles and values that underpin conservative thought, including civil society, the rule of law, freedom, morality, property rights, and the role of the state. Scruton also discusses the influence of conservative ideas through the careers of politicians such as Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Disraeli, Ronald Reagan, and Margaret Thatcher, and analyzes the relationship between conservative politics, capitalism, and free markets in the UK and the US[1][3][4].
Daron Acemoglu and James Robinson argue that the success or failure of nations is determined by their political and economic institutions. They present a comprehensive theory based on 15 years of research, using historical examples from the Roman Empire, the Mayan city-states, the Soviet Union, and various other regions to demonstrate how inclusive institutions foster economic growth and prosperity, while extractive institutions lead to poverty and stagnation. The authors discuss critical questions such as China's economic growth, the future of the United States, and the most effective ways to help countries move from poverty to prosperity[1][4][5].
In this influential book, Hayek argues that the abandonment of individualism and classical liberalism leads to a loss of freedom, the creation of an oppressive society, and ultimately, the tyranny of a dictator. He challenges the view that fascism and Nazism are capitalist reactions against socialism, instead positing that these ideologies share common roots in central economic planning and the empowerment of the state over the individual. The book emphasizes the dangers of collectivism and the importance of maintaining a free market system to preserve human freedom and dignity.
In this book, Jonathan Haidt draws on twenty-five years of research on moral psychology to explain why people's moral judgments are driven by intuition rather than reason. He introduces the Moral Foundations Theory, which posits that human morality is based on six foundations: care/harm, fairness/cheating, loyalty/betrayal, authority/subversion, sanctity/degradation, and liberty/oppression. Haidt argues that liberals tend to focus on the care/harm and fairness/cheating foundations, while conservatives draw on all six. The book also explores how morality binds and blinds people, leading to social cohesion but also to conflicts. Haidt aims to promote understanding and civility by highlighting the commonalities and differences in moral intuitions across political spectra.
Season seven is almost upon us and we’ll be starting with an epic two-parter on Thatcherism, so consider this bonus episode a warm-up. We’re unravelling the unusual story of Kemi Badenoch and what her vexed leadership says about the state of the Conservative Party.
As soon as Badenoch became an MP in 2017, she was tipped for big things: a black woman with a compelling backstory, a Thatcherite heart and a strong stomach for culture wars. But the messiness of her victory in last year’s leadership race illuminated MPs’ growing ambivalence about her, and her subsequent performance has only amplified those doubts. Even her allies admit that her weaknesses are more visible than her strengths. As she fights to win back right-wing voters from Reform while disdaining the moderates lost to Labour and the Liberal Democrats, are her days numbered?
We start by examining Badenoch’s upbringing under military dictatorship in Nigeria, and the confusing stories she tells about it. She moves to London at the age of 16 and, after a rocky start, becomes a computer engineer. At 25, she joins the Conservative Party. At 30, she’s fighting her first election (unsuccessfully). We follow her through Coutts bank, The Spectator and the London Assembly to Westminster, where she acquires a mixed reputation. Diligent and nuanced in some areas, stubborn and lazy in others. Willing to stand up to the Brexit hardliners yet increasingly radicalised on cultural issues. Some Tory MPs hail her as the future of the right while others mutter that she is arrogant, bullying and unfriendly. And she does say some very odd things.
How did Nigeria shape Badenoch’s politics? When did she start talking like a right-wing podcast? Are her prejudices more powerful than her values? Can she really revive the Tory Party or simply drive it further down a hard right cul-de-sac? Why did Michael Gove lose faith in his protégé? And if Badenoch is trying to follow Margaret Thatcher’s playbook, does her copy have half the pages missing? The story is stranger than you think.
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Reading list
Articles
• Aubrey Allegretti and Nicola Woolcock, ‘Kemi Badenoch: “epidemic” of children being told they’re trans’ (2023)
• Richard Assheton, ‘Nigeria roots for Kemi Badenoch’s fighting spirit’ (2022)
• Kemi Badenoch, maiden speech in the House of Commons (2017)
• Kemi Badenoch, ‘I want to set us free by telling people the truth’, The Times (2022)
• Kemi Badenoch, ‘Gagging of the brave has let gender ideologues seize control’, Sunday Times (2024)
• Katy Balls and Michael Gove, ‘“I will die protecting this country’: Kemi Badenoch on where she plans to take the Tories’, The Spectator (2024)
• Conservative Home, ‘Speech of the year: Kemi Badenoch on critical race theory’, Conservative Home (2020)
• Rachel Cunliffe, ‘How Kemi Badenoch became the Tory front runner’, The New Statesman (2024)
• Annabelle Dickson, ‘Kemi Badenoch: The Conservative Party’s next leader but one?’, Politico (2022)
• Joe Murphy, ‘Kemi Badenoch: New vice chairman of the Conservatives talks about her fight to recruit a more diverse range of MPs’, Evening Standard (2018)
• Parliament Square, ‘Questioning “Kemi”’s Comments’, The Critic (2024)
Radio and podcasts
• Political Thinking with Nick Robinson, Radio 4 (2020)
• Kemi Badenoch’s Commons speech on Critical Race Theory (2020)
• Profile, Radio 4 (2022)
• Political Thinking with Nick Robinson, Radio 4 (2024)
• Honestly with Bari Weiss: Is Kemi Badenoch the Next Margaret Thatcher? (2024)
• Triggernometry with Kemi Badenoch (2025)
Written and presented by Dorian Lynskey and Ian Dunt. Produced by Simon Williams. Music by Jade Bailey. Art by Jim Parrett. Logo by Mischa Welsh. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Origin Story is a Podmasters production
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