In 'The Socialist Manifesto', Bhaskar Sunkara provides a detailed history of socialism from the mid-1800s and presents a compelling case for its relevance in the 21st century. He argues that socialism offers a means to combat inequality, racism, and sexism, and outlines a vision for a democratic and decentralized socialist future.
In 'The Family Firm', Emily Oster uses her background as an economist and business school professor to provide a framework for parents to make informed decisions about their children's education, health, extracurricular activities, and independence. The book introduces the 'Family Firm Toolbox', which includes the 'Four F's': Framing the Question, Fact-Finding, Final Decision, and Follow-Up. Oster emphasizes the importance of a systematic approach to family decision-making, drawing parallels between managing a business and managing a family. The book covers various topics such as choosing the right school, encouraging a healthy diet, and navigating day-to-day family logistics, all with a focus on reducing stress and making better decisions[2][3][5].
In 'Cribsheet', Emily Oster applies her economic perspective to the challenges of early parenting. The book debunks myths and conventional wisdom by analyzing research and scientific studies on various parenting issues such as breastfeeding, circumcision, sleep training, and childcare. Oster emphasizes that there is often no single 'right' answer and that decisions should be based on a combination of data and what works best for each family's unique circumstances. The book aims to empower parents with a decision framework, helping them navigate the complexities of parenting with a calm and informed approach.
In 'The Epic of America', James Truslow Adams provides a comprehensive historical overview of the United States from the English settlement to the twentieth century. He defines the 'American Dream' as a vision of a land where life should be better and richer for everyone, with opportunities for each person according to their ability or achievement. Adams emphasizes that this dream is not merely about material prosperity but about a social order where individuals can attain their full potential regardless of their birth or position. The book is significant for its articulation of the American Dream during a period of economic crisis, the Great Depression, and for its broader historical context that underscores the enduring ideals of American society.
In *Expecting Better*, Emily Oster, an award-winning economist, evaluates the data behind conventional pregnancy rules and discovers that many are misguided or flat-out wrong. The book explains everything from the real effects of caffeine and alcohol to the surprising dangers of gardening, aiming to empower pregnant women to make their own informed decisions and enjoy a healthy and relaxed pregnancy. It is organized into sections covering conception, each trimester, and labor and delivery, making it accessible and practical for pregnant women.
This book traces the rise and fall of the American Dream, focusing on how democratic capitalism flourished in the mid-20th century to make the dream possible, only to be corrupted in the latter decades to serve the privileged few. Leonhardt examines the economic changes, labor laws, and government policies that contributed to this shift. He critiques both the right's championing of corporate greed and the left's abandonment of working-class issues, highlighting key figures and grassroots movements that shaped the American dream. The narrative is rich in innovation, grit, and hope, offering a diagnosis of America's socioeconomic malaise and suggesting ways to revive the dream through public investment, collective bargaining, and civic activism.
This book, part of The ParentData Series, addresses the often-unspoken complications that can arise during pregnancy, such as preeclampsia, miscarriage, hyperemesis gravidarum, preterm birth, and postpartum depression. Emily Oster and Dr. Nathan Fox provide readers with data on the recurrence and treatments for these conditions, as well as road maps for productive conversations with healthcare providers. The book aims to bridge the knowledge gap and make difficult conversations about pregnancy complications more manageable, ensuring that readers feel less alone and more empowered to make informed decisions[1][3][5].
The American dream is the most important of our national myths. It’s the idea that, with hard work and determination, anyone in this country can achieve middle-class security, own a home, start a family, and provide the children they raise with a better life than they had. Is that still true?
On the one hand, our economy is the envy of the world. We are the richest country, leading the pack when it comes to innovation. And more people choose to move here for economic opportunity than to any other nation.
And yet, everywhere you look in this country, there is a growing sense of pessimism. A sense that you can work hard, play by the rules, even go to college, and still end up saddled with debt and unable to afford the basics, like a home.
Americans were told that higher education would be their ticket to the good life. Now, there’s more than $1.7 trillion dollars in student loan debt hanging over a generation. Americans were told that free trade would make everyone prosper. But try telling that to the 4.5 million people who lost their manufacturing jobs in the last 30 years.
Perhaps all of this is why a July Wall Street Journal poll found that only 9 percent of Americans say they believe that financial security is a realistic goal. And only 8 percent believe that a comfortable retirement is possible for them.
Now, do those numbers reflect reality? Or just negative vibes?
Last week, we convened four expert debaters in Washington, D.C., to hash out the question: Is the American dream alive and well?
Arguing that yes, the American dream is alive and well, is economist Tyler Cowen. Tyler is a professor of economics at George Mason University and faculty director of the Mercatus Center. He also writes the essential blog Marginal Revolution. Joining Tyler is Katherine Mangu-Ward, editor in chief of the libertarian Reason magazine and co-host of The Reason Roundtable podcast.
Arguing that no, the American dream is not flourishing, is David Leonhardt, senior writer at The New York Times and the author of Ours Was the Shining Future: The Story of the American Dream. David has won the Pulitzer Prize for commentary. Joining David is Bhaskar Sunkara, the president of The Nation magazine and the founding editor of Jacobin. He is the author of The Socialist Manifesto: The Case for Radical Politics in an Era of Extreme Inequality.
Before the debate, 71 percent of our audience said that yes, the American Dream is alive and well, and 29 percent voted no. At the end of the night, we polled them again—and you’ll see for yourself which side won.
This debate was made possible by the generosity of the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression. If you care about free speech, FIRE is an organization that should be on your radar.
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Honestly with Bari Weiss 
