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SoBrief
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The Human Cost of Welfare
by Phil Harvey • 2016
Welfare was built to end poverty. Its rules punish work, marriage, and saving instead.
4.45
20
The Human Cost of Welfare Summary
The Human Cost of Welfare 91%
Welfare was built to end poverty. Its rules punish work, marriage, and saving instead.
by Phil Harvey 2016
4.45
20 ratings
The Three Worlds of Welfare Capitalism
by Gøsta Esping-Andersen • 1989
Three welfare-state logics, not one spectrum; three distinct futures for work, class, and conflict.
3.93
352
The Three Worlds of Welfare Capitalism Summary
The Three Worlds of Welfare Capitalism 91%
Three welfare-state logics, not one spectrum; three distinct futures for work, class, and conflict.
by Gøsta Esping-Andersen 1989
3.93
352 ratings
Work Won't Love You Back
by Sarah Jaffe • 2021
From unpaid interns to burned-out coders, one ideology fuels it all: devotion to the job.
3.94
5k+
Work Won't Love You Back Summary
Work Won't Love You Back 90%
From unpaid interns to burned-out coders, one ideology fuels it all: devotion to the job.
by Sarah Jaffe 2021
3.94
5k+ ratings
No Shame in My Game
by Katherine S. Newman • 1999
The job everyone ridicules might be the best shot at dignity for America's working poor.
3.75
466
No Shame in My Game Summary
No Shame in My Game 90%
The job everyone ridicules might be the best shot at dignity for America's working poor.
by Katherine S. Newman 1999
3.75
466 ratings
Fragmented Democracy
by Jamila Michener • 2018
Your zip code decides your Medicaid benefits. It also decides whether you bother with politics.
4.23
120
Fragmented Democracy Summary
Fragmented Democracy 90%
Your zip code decides your Medicaid benefits. It also decides whether you bother with politics.
by Jamila Michener 2018
4.23
120 ratings
In Our Hands
by Charles Murray • 2006
Eliminate every welfare program. Send every adult one check. It costs less and ends poverty.
3.74
290
In Our Hands Summary
In Our Hands 90%
Eliminate every welfare program. Send every adult one check. It costs less and ends poverty.
by Charles Murray 2006
3.74
290 ratings
Private Government
by Elizabeth S. Anderson • 2017
The workplace is an authoritarian state that most economic thought pretends does not exist.
3.94
856
Private Government Summary
Private Government 90%
The workplace is an authoritarian state that most economic thought pretends does not exist.
by Elizabeth S. Anderson 2017
3.94
856 ratings
In the Shadow of the Poorhouse
by Michael B. Katz • 1986
American welfare was designed to deter, not to help. The poorhouse closed; the logic stayed.
3.74
138
In the Shadow of the Poorhouse Summary
In the Shadow of the Poorhouse 89%
American welfare was designed to deter, not to help. The poorhouse closed; the logic stayed.
by Michael B. Katz 1986
3.74
138 ratings
Bullshit Jobs
by David Graeber • 2018
Up to 40 percent of workers believe their jobs are pointless. They are probably right.
4.02
35k+
Bullshit Jobs Summary
Bullshit Jobs 89%
Up to 40 percent of workers believe their jobs are pointless. They are probably right.
by David Graeber 2018
4.02
35k+ ratings
Getting a Job
by Mark Granovetter • 1995
The finding that changed sociology: casual acquaintances land you jobs that close friends cannot.
3.64
50
Getting a Job Summary
Getting a Job 89%
The finding that changed sociology: casual acquaintances land you jobs that close friends cannot.
by Mark Granovetter 1995
3.64
50 ratings
The Divided Welfare State
by Jacob S. Hacker • 2002
America didn't skip the welfare state. It hid it in tax breaks and employer benefits.
3.70
60
The Divided Welfare State Summary
The Divided Welfare State 89%
America didn't skip the welfare state. It hid it in tax breaks and employer benefits.
by Jacob S. Hacker 2002
3.70
60 ratings
Respect in a World of Inequality
by Richard Sennett • 2003
Invisibility is inequality's deepest cut; the systems meant to heal it often cut deeper.
3.69
244
Respect in a World of Inequality Summary
Respect in a World of Inequality 89%
Invisibility is inequality's deepest cut; the systems meant to heal it often cut deeper.
by Richard Sennett 2003
3.69
244 ratings
Men Without Work
by Nicholas Eberstadt • 2016
Seven million prime-age men have quit the workforce entirely. The problem isn't a lack of jobs.
3.41
501
Men Without Work Summary
Men Without Work 89%
Seven million prime-age men have quit the workforce entirely. The problem isn't a lack of jobs.
by Nicholas Eberstadt 2016
3.41
501 ratings
Not Working
by D.W. Gibson • 2012
What a paycheck conceals: Americans on the identity, health, and dignity that left with the job.
3.68
60
Not Working Summary
Not Working 89%
What a paycheck conceals: Americans on the identity, health, and dignity that left with the job.
by D.W. Gibson 2012
3.68
60 ratings
Regulating the Poor
by Frances Fox Piven • 1971
Welfare has one rhythm: expand during riots, contract during calm, always to enforce cheap labor.
4.24
321
Regulating the Poor Summary
Regulating the Poor 89%
Welfare has one rhythm: expand during riots, contract during calm, always to enforce cheap labor.
by Frances Fox Piven 1971
4.24
321 ratings
The Skilled Communicator in Social Work
by Karen Healy • 2017
Poststructuralism doesn't end critical social work; it saves it from its own certainties.
4.00
4
The Skilled Communicator in Social Work Summary
The Skilled Communicator in Social Work 89%
Poststructuralism doesn't end critical social work; it saves it from its own certainties.
by Karen Healy 2017
4.00
4 ratings
All You Can Eat
by Joel Berg • 2008
America has the food to feed everyone. Why 35 million still go hungry.
3.88
137
All You Can Eat Summary
All You Can Eat 89%
America has the food to feed everyone. Why 35 million still go hungry.
by Joel Berg 2008
3.88
137 ratings
Maid
by Stephanie Land • 2019
A single mother cleans houses while barely holding onto her own: life inside the working poor.
3.86
114k+
Maid Summary
Maid 89%
A single mother cleans houses while barely holding onto her own: life inside the working poor.
by Stephanie Land 2019
3.86
114k+ ratings
Is Your Work Worth It?
by Christopher Wong Michaelson • 2024
Your salary answers the wrong question. A philosopher's guide to what work is actually worth.
3.61
82
Is Your Work Worth It? Summary
Is Your Work Worth It? 89%
Your salary answers the wrong question. A philosopher's guide to what work is actually worth.
by Christopher Wong Michaelson 2024
3.61
82 ratings
From Welfare to Workfare
by Jennifer Mittelstadt • 2005
Reformers taught poor mothers to work to save welfare; they built the case for workfare instead.
3.91
11
From Welfare to Workfare Summary
From Welfare to Workfare 89%
Reformers taught poor mothers to work to save welfare; they built the case for workfare instead.
by Jennifer Mittelstadt 2005
3.91
11 ratings
The Sorrows of Work
by The School of Life • 2019
Work fulfillment is nearly impossible by design. The reasons are structural, not personal.
3.84
505
The Sorrows of Work Summary
The Sorrows of Work 89%
Work fulfillment is nearly impossible by design. The reasons are structural, not personal.
by The School of Life 2019
3.84
505 ratings
Hell to Pay
by Michael Lind • 2023
Stagnant wages aren't fate. They were engineered by a decades-long campaign to crush worker power.
3.93
80
Hell to Pay Summary
Hell to Pay 89%
Stagnant wages aren't fate. They were engineered by a decades-long campaign to crush worker power.
by Michael Lind 2023
3.93
80 ratings
The New Feminist Agenda
by Madeleine Kunin • 2012
Most rich nations mandate paid family leave. The US does not. A former governor on why.
3.76
119
The New Feminist Agenda Summary
The New Feminist Agenda 89%
Most rich nations mandate paid family leave. The US does not. A former governor on why.
by Madeleine Kunin 2012
3.76
119 ratings
The Great Risk Shift
by Jacob S. Hacker • 2006
Income swings five times more than in the 1970s; the safety net was dismantled on purpose.
3.81
274
The Great Risk Shift Summary
The Great Risk Shift 89%
Income swings five times more than in the 1970s; the safety net was dismantled on purpose.
by Jacob S. Hacker 2006
3.81
274 ratings
What We Owe Each Other
by Minouche Shafik • 2021
The safety net is fraying from childhood to old age. A single plan to rewire it.
3.85
1k+
What We Owe Each Other Summary
What We Owe Each Other 89%
The safety net is fraying from childhood to old age. A single plan to rewire it.
by Minouche Shafik 2021
3.85
1k+ ratings
The Submerged State
by Suzanne Mettler • 2011
Half of Americans who use government programs say they never have. That gap is no accident.
3.88
267
The Submerged State Summary
The Submerged State 89%
Half of Americans who use government programs say they never have. That gap is no accident.
by Suzanne Mettler 2011
3.88
267 ratings
Chokepoint Capitalism
by Rebecca Giblin • 2022
A few corporations hold the gates between artists and audiences. The plan to pry them open.
4.25
1k+
Chokepoint Capitalism Summary
Chokepoint Capitalism 89%
A few corporations hold the gates between artists and audiences. The plan to pry them open.
by Rebecca Giblin 2022
4.25
1k+ ratings
The Corrosion of Character
by Richard Sennett • 1996
Flexible work promised freedom. It delivered the slow erosion of loyalty, trust, and a stable self.
3.94
2k+
The Corrosion of Character Summary
The Corrosion of Character 89%
Flexible work promised freedom. It delivered the slow erosion of loyalty, trust, and a stable self.
by Richard Sennett 1996
3.94
2k+ ratings
Kids These Days
by Malcolm Harris • 2017
Childhood became a competition for human capital. Millennials are what that competition produces.
3.77
2k+
Kids These Days Summary
Kids These Days 89%
Childhood became a competition for human capital. Millennials are what that competition produces.
by Malcolm Harris 2017
3.77
2k+ ratings
The Two Percent Solution
by Matt Miller • 2003
America's biggest domestic problems cost two percent of GDP to fix. That's the whole argument.
3.98
89
The Two Percent Solution Summary
The Two Percent Solution 89%
America's biggest domestic problems cost two percent of GDP to fix. That's the whole argument.
by Matt Miller 2003
3.98
89 ratings
The Great Divide
by Joseph E. Stiglitz • 2015
Inequality isn't fate; it's a policy choice, and the architects designed it for themselves.
3.82
1k+
The Great Divide Summary
The Great Divide 89%
Inequality isn't fate; it's a policy choice, and the architects designed it for themselves.
by Joseph E. Stiglitz 2015
3.82
1k+ ratings
The End of Burnout
by Jonathan Malesic • 2022
Burnout is a cultural crisis, not a personal illness. The cure is fewer hours and real leisure.
3.73
587
The End of Burnout Summary
The End of Burnout 88%
Burnout is a cultural crisis, not a personal illness. The cure is fewer hours and real leisure.
by Jonathan Malesic 2022
3.73
587 ratings
In Praise of Idleness
by Bertrand Russell • 1935
Worshipping work keeps some overworked and others jobless; technology can sustain a four-hour day.
4.03
8k+
In Praise of Idleness Summary
In Praise of Idleness 88%
Worshipping work keeps some overworked and others jobless; technology can sustain a four-hour day.
by Bertrand Russell 1935
4.03
8k+ ratings
Do What You Love and Other Lies About Success and Happiness
by Miya Tokumitsu • 2015
Loving your job is what your boss wants. It is also making you tired, compliant, and broke.
3.91
501
Do What You Love and Other Lies About Success and Happiness Summary
Do What You Love and Other Lies About Success and Happiness 88%
Loving your job is what your boss wants. It is also making you tired, compliant, and broke.
by Miya Tokumitsu 2015
3.91
501 ratings
A World Without Work
by Daniel Susskind • 2020
Past automation always created more jobs than it killed. The evidence that this time is different.
3.83
2k+
A World Without Work Summary
A World Without Work 88%
Past automation always created more jobs than it killed. The evidence that this time is different.
by Daniel Susskind 2020
3.83
2k+ ratings
From Poor Law to Welfare State
by Walter I. Trattner • 1974
How America turned helping the poor from an act of justice into a judgment on character.
3.69
318
From Poor Law to Welfare State Summary
From Poor Law to Welfare State 88%
How America turned helping the poor from an act of justice into a judgment on character.
by Walter I. Trattner 1974
3.69
318 ratings
Why Women Have Better Sex Under Socialism
by Kristen R. Ghodsee • 2018
East German women had more orgasms. The reason: they didn't need men's money.
3.98
8k+
Why Women Have Better Sex Under Socialism Summary
Why Women Have Better Sex Under Socialism 88%
East German women had more orgasms. The reason: they didn't need men's money.
by Kristen R. Ghodsee 2018
3.98
8k+ ratings
The Future of Work
by Darrell M. West • 2018
Automation threatens half of all jobs. Our safety nets were designed for a different economy.
3.47
203
The Future of Work Summary
The Future of Work 88%
Automation threatens half of all jobs. Our safety nets were designed for a different economy.
by Darrell M. West 2018
3.47
203 ratings
Life at the Bottom
by Theodore Dalrymple • 2001
Poverty didn't wreck the underclass. A set of ideas did—and intellectuals handed them down.
4.23
4k+
Life at the Bottom Summary
Life at the Bottom 88%
Poverty didn't wreck the underclass. A set of ideas did—and intellectuals handed them down.
by Theodore Dalrymple 2001
4.23
4k+ ratings
The Culture of the New Capitalism
by Richard Sennett • 2006
Flexible capitalism swapped stable careers for disposable skills and turned politics into shopping.
3.76
599
The Culture of the New Capitalism Summary
The Culture of the New Capitalism 88%
Flexible capitalism swapped stable careers for disposable skills and turned politics into shopping.
by Richard Sennett 2006
3.76
599 ratings
Shifting the Color Line
by Robert C. Lieberman • 1998
New Deal welfare was a racial sorting machine, not by intent but by institutional design.
3.69
16
Shifting the Color Line Summary
Shifting the Color Line 88%
New Deal welfare was a racial sorting machine, not by intent but by institutional design.
by Robert C. Lieberman 1998
3.69
16 ratings
The Conscience of a Liberal
by Paul Krugman • 2007
Extreme inequality didn't just happen: a political movement used race to dismantle the middle class.
3.97
6k+
The Conscience of a Liberal Summary
The Conscience of a Liberal 88%
Extreme inequality didn't just happen: a political movement used race to dismantle the middle class.
by Paul Krugman 2007
3.97
6k+ ratings
How Much Is Enough? Money and the Good Life
by Robert Skidelsky • 2012
Keynes predicted 15-hour workweeks by 2030. Here is why the money came but the time never did.
3.56
2k+
How Much Is Enough? Money and the Good Life Summary
How Much Is Enough? Money and the Good Life 88%
Keynes predicted 15-hour workweeks by 2030. Here is why the money came but the time never did.
by Robert Skidelsky 2012
3.56
2k+ ratings
Protecting Soldiers and Mothers
by Skocpol • 1992
Why America built a welfare state for soldiers and mothers, not workers, and never recovered.
3.79
107
Protecting Soldiers and Mothers Summary
Protecting Soldiers and Mothers 88%
Why America built a welfare state for soldiers and mothers, not workers, and never recovered.
by Skocpol 1992
3.79
107 ratings
The Conservative Heart
by Arthur C. Brooks • 2015
Half of happiness is genetic. The other half: that is what conservatism should actually be about.
4.11
1k+
The Conservative Heart Summary
The Conservative Heart 88%
Half of happiness is genetic. The other half: that is what conservatism should actually be about.
by Arthur C. Brooks 2015
4.11
1k+ ratings
Holding It Together
by Jessica Calarco • 2024
America's safety net is women's unpaid labor. That's not an accident. It was designed.
4.13
1k+
Holding It Together Summary
Holding It Together 88%
America's safety net is women's unpaid labor. That's not an accident. It was designed.
by Jessica Calarco 2024
4.13
1k+ ratings
The Color of Welfare
by Jill Quadagno • 1994
Racial backlash, not liberal ideals, unraveled the American welfare state, program by program.
4.16
90
The Color of Welfare Summary
The Color of Welfare 88%
Racial backlash, not liberal ideals, unraveled the American welfare state, program by program.
by Jill Quadagno 1994
4.16
90 ratings
Improving Poor People
by Michael B. Katz • 1995
Why America keeps trying to fix the poor instead of poverty, and what history reveals.
3.83
12
Improving Poor People Summary
Improving Poor People 88%
Why America keeps trying to fix the poor instead of poverty, and what history reveals.
by Michael B. Katz 1995
3.83
12 ratings
Chavs
by Owen Jones • 2011
The British working class wasn't only abandoned. It was mocked so the abandonment felt deserved.
4.08
11k+
Chavs Summary
Chavs 88%
The British working class wasn't only abandoned. It was mocked so the abandonment felt deserved.
by Owen Jones 2011
4.08
11k+ ratings
Unfinished Business
by Anne-Marie Slaughter • 2015
Closing the gender gap means changing work, not women: revaluing care and rewriting the rules.
3.91
3k+
Unfinished Business Summary
Unfinished Business 88%
Closing the gender gap means changing work, not women: revaluing care and rewriting the rules.
by Anne-Marie Slaughter 2015
3.91
3k+ ratings
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