Book Review: Hatred of Democracy

 Hatred of Democracy by JACQUES RANCIERE 

Where things like reality TV, homosexual marriage and artificial insemination increase in popularity. and social security is running a deficit; unconcerned, people generally behave the way it pleases them.

What causes this is called democracy, that is, the reign of the limitless desire of individuals in modern mass society. 

The book begins by a real description of the success of democracy, how it brought the beneficial effects like  a constitutional State, and also the disorderly ones like a limitless desire. After a short discussion about Greek classics, the next chapter traces the source of such evils, finding all those lying further in the past. The third chapter is about marrying the ideas of democracy and the republic. Here, the book talks of the need to separate the exercise of governance from the representation of the society. Next chapter looks at the issue of the 'reign of the limitless desire'. How, 'democracy' turns into something like an 'oligarchy' that leaves enough room for democracy to become such a reign. Next and the last chapter effectively summarizes things brought out by all chapters. How, we now blame all of humanity's misfortunes on a single evil called democracy, and how we can avoid it.

Book Review: Overdoing Democracy

 Overdoing Democracy by ROBERT B TALISSE asks and answers a question that attracted me a lot - Why We Must Put Politics in its Place. It begins with an overview of the ills, politics lives with, while proclaiming, better politics cannot be the solution because politics is the problem. And it goes on to examine a lot of issues in this regard.

Like, can democracy be overdone? Is there a desirable degree of democracy? How, because of the ever-increasing reach of democracy, overdoing it becomes an internal, significant issue. On further diagnosis, political saturation and polarization are found to be critical issues, and the book goes on to prescribe remedies also. Not attending to these shall end up undermining democracy by overdoing it.

I find this an eye-opening study. How, a good ideal like the popularization of diversity in areas like race, or religion, has been accompanied by a not-so-good one like increased homogeneity of the same dimension, among the very same people. So, there is a need to put politics in its place, without derogating or reprimanding of democracy. As the book makes it clear, if we disregard these signs, an overdone democracy’s place shall lie with the privileged few. 

Book Review: Bring One Home

 Bring One Home, by Thomas I Pelissero, is about boyhoods buoyant with basketball. It begins with a sketch of the Bessemer Speed Boys, narrating the wins and struggles that keep waking up the complete town.

Few initial chapters chronicle, the hard days of miners, logging camps, and rail roads, and many other activities that support the small city of Bessemer. The book then goes on to acquaint us with the city board of education and the laurels it brought. Followed by chapters dealing with big topics of the times, like the assassination of Kennedy, President Johnson and the Vietnam conflict, and the toll, all these had on the Speedboys.

All the sixty four chapters of this book beats with youth, fun, and games, and tells how the Speedboys rose to hold their flag high by winning district tournaments, regional titles, and state championship. I found it an engaging work with a fast pace. A good collection of old photographs are also there to bring a few forgotten days, back to life. 

Book Review: ROLE MODELSHIP

 ROLE MODELSHIP by ELI POTTER is about the impact of role models and roles, in the age of AI. Part 1 begins by listing ten habits, one can practice to positively influence AI. Here, charting our future requires defining new human products and roles that can add greater value, it says. And a role modelship that can demonstrate things like unification and harmony between various disciplines, or educating AI on decision frameworks. Also, a close look at different role models like detractors, multipliers, or stabilizers. A crucial element for success is covered next, which involves regular assessments of human, organizational, and product health. Part 2 discuss multidisciplinary role models, the organizations, techniques, and the need to adapt, evolve, and integrate new paradigms into their lives. Part 3 discuss the importance of change, and how to choose the kind of role model that fits best. Come to part 4, and the talk is about inspiring future generations by building on past lessons. How, role modelship can be the antidote to AI’s limitations, while offering the human, guardrails and grounding that AI lacks today. 

This is a very interesting book. It lays the foundation for wiring humans and AI to perform together as a role model. When every one is looking out for fresh principles and techniques to address effectively and keep in step with the fast changing world, this book proposes 'Role Modelship in the age of AI' that can ensure complete, compassionate leadership.

Book Review: Make Now Matter

 Make Now Matter by Julie Williamson PhD
Why, how we lead together matters much, especially for businesses today that are highly interconnected and with massive dependencies? This book tries to answer this, noting - when the world moves too fast, a business cannot be slow to transform.
Part 1 of the book begins by elaborating techniques to identify and eliminate such elements, and enable a business to meet its most ambitious goals. Followed by a deep analysis of the transformation that happens as a result, and gaps, the failures will cause. How and why, in business, its leadership is the one that needs to transform first. Part 2 is about putting all this into practice. Mentioning the importance of habits, it introduces certain formal behavior model that can be an effective way to move through the Failure Gap. Also, new ways of working and fresh techniques for leadership, followed by practical tips about the actual implementation, and a review of the all that is covered in the book.
I found this book a good collection of new ideas, techniques and studies. Those are elaborated well, supported by notes, tables, and worksheets that can simplify its adoption. Case studies help in appreciating the effectiveness and versatility of the ideas presented.

Book Review: Democracy-The God that Failed

 Democracy-The God that Failed, by Hans-Hermann Hoppe examines the economics and politics of monarchy, democracy, and natural order. It begins with a discussion about universal idea of preference - earlier over later goods, more over less durable, etc. It then traces the transition of monarchy to democracy - a process from early eighteenth to early twentieth century. Public opinion and distribution of social needs is then analyzed, effects of transition of power taking a prime spot. Then comes a thought experiment - if the world decides to go democratic, China, or India, or both, shall be the ruler. How monopoly of jurisdiction for the redistribution of income and wealth, as well as uncontrolled migration, gives democracy, monarchic powers, without undermining one's own position, as it is in the case of a king. Thus the book goes on to list the pitfalls of both monarchy and democracy, explaining how, a system based on private wealth stands to fare better, while interpreting fitting historical events that are of significance.