Condorcet's "Sketch for a Historical Picture of the Progress of the Human Mind" is a seminal work that outlines a progressive view of history and the potential for human perfectibility.
In this seminal work, Malthus explores the dynamics between population growth and subsistence. He posits that population increases at a geometric rate, while food production can only increase arithmetically, leading to natural checks such as famine, disease, and vice. The essay discusses the implications of these ideas on societal improvement and human existence, emphasizing the necessity of understanding population dynamics for meaningful discourse on societal advancement. Malthus also details preventive and positive checks on population, such as birth control and higher mortality rates, and their effects on economic stability and human well-being.
Written during the winter of 1857-58, the 'Grundrisse' develops the arguments outlined in the 'Communist Manifesto' and explores themes that would dominate Marx's later work 'Capital'. It includes Marx's own version of Hegel's dialectics and his mature views on labor, surplus value, and profit, offering insights into alienation, automation, and the dangers of capitalist society. The work provides a unique insight into Marx's wider-ranging philosophy and his hopes for the foundation of a communist state[2][4][5].
In 'Being and Time', Heidegger delves into the fundamental question of what it means to 'be'. The book is divided into two main divisions: the first analyzes the existentials of Dasein, or 'being-in-the-world', while the second grounds these existentials in temporality. Heidegger introduces key concepts such as 'Dasein', 'Being-with', and the three temporal ecstases (having-been, present, and to-come), emphasizing that Dasein's existence is essentially futural and characterized by its possibilities and projects. The work challenges traditional philosophical notions of subject and object, instead positing that Dasein is inseparable from its world and historical context[2][4][5].
Published in 1859, 'On Liberty' is a seminal work by John Stuart Mill that argues for the protection of individual freedoms from the tyranny of the majority and government interference. Mill uses utilitarian philosophy to justify the value of liberty, emphasizing the importance of freedom of thought, discussion, and action. He introduces the 'harm principle,' which states that individuals should only be restrained from acting when their conduct may harm others. The essay is structured into five chapters, each addressing different aspects of liberty, including the liberty of thought and discussion, individual liberty, the limits of authority, and practical applications of his theories. Mill argues that protecting individual liberties is essential for societal progress and the avoidance of social stagnation[2][3][5].
Ronald Coase's "The Problem of Social Cost" is a highly influential article in economics that examines the nature of externalities and the role of transaction costs in determining efficient resource allocation. Coase challenged the traditional Pigouvian approach to externalities, arguing that the assignment of property rights, rather than government intervention, could lead to efficient outcomes. He demonstrated that when transaction costs are low, private bargaining can resolve externality problems. The article introduced the concept of "Coase Theorem," which states that if property rights are well-defined and transaction costs are low, efficient outcomes will result regardless of the initial allocation of property rights. Coase's work has had a profound impact on law and economics, environmental economics, and the broader understanding of market mechanisms.
Walter Benjamin's "Theses on the Philosophy of History" is a concise yet profound work that critiques traditional historical narratives and offers a revolutionary approach to understanding the past. Benjamin challenges the linear and progressive view of history, arguing that it often serves to legitimize the status quo and obscure the experiences of the oppressed. He introduces the concept of 'historical materialism,' emphasizing the importance of material conditions in shaping historical events. The famous image of the 'Angel of History' powerfully captures the complexities of the past and its impact on the present. Benjamin's work has had a lasting influence on critical theory and historical studies.
Published in 1968, 'The Population Bomb' by Paul and Anne Ehrlich predicts catastrophic consequences, including mass starvation and environmental ruin, due to unchecked population growth. The book argues that immediate action is necessary to control population growth to prevent these dire outcomes. Although many of the Ehrlichs' predictions did not come to pass, the book significantly raised awareness about population and environmental issues and influenced public policy in the 1960s and 1970s. The authors emphasize the need for conscious regulation of human numbers and highlight the strain that growing populations place on the natural world[1][4][5].
Published in 1776, 'The Wealth of Nations' is Adam Smith's magnum opus that laid the groundwork for modern economics. The book critiques mercantilist economic theories and introduces the concept of the 'invisible hand,' which describes how individual self-interest leads to societal benefit. It emphasizes the division of labor, the accumulation of capital, and the importance of free markets. Smith argues that a nation's wealth is not measured by its gold and silver reserves but by the stream of goods and services it produces. The book also outlines the core functions of government, such as maintaining defense, enforcing civil law, and promoting education, while advocating for limited government intervention in market activities.
Liberalism is in crisis. Its parties and institutions are suffering one setback after another across the West, and forces described as “illiberal” are on the rise globally. But when did this crisis begin? Was liberalism ever not in crisis? Is liberalism itself a kind of crisis? In the first episode of a longer series on the meanings and legacies of liberalism, Ashley Frawley and Geoff Shullenberger lay out the themes and questions that will inform their exploration of an ideology that has received plenty of blame from both the right and the left—in part because it has been the dominant one for hundreds of years. In this conversation, Ashley explains why the conflict between social and political liberalism and economic liberalism is foundational to the modern world, and constitutes a crisis that liberalism has never been able to transcend.
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