Samantha LaFountain

a.k.a. @cool_trash_kid

Social & Political History/Theory


  • Corruptible: Who Gets Power and How It Changes Us

    Author:

    Brian Klaas

    Description:

    Examines the psychological, social, and institutional dynamics that predispose individuals in positions of power to engage in corrupt behavior. Drawing on a range of case studies and empirical research, it explores how individuals, once granted authority, are vulnerable to moral decay and the corrupting influence of power.

  • Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism

    Author:

    Amanda Montell

    Description:

    Delves into the powerful role language plays in creating and sustaining cults, exploring how charismatic leaders use persuasive speech to manipulate followers. Examines various high-control groups and the techniques they use to shape beliefs and behaviors, revealing the psychology behind fanaticism.

  • Mutual Aid: Building Solidarity During This Crisis (and the Next)

    Author:

    Dean Spade

    Description:

    Explores the concept of mutual aid as a practical and ethical response to crisis situations, emphasizing the importance of collective action and solidarity. Argues that mutual aid networks, grounded in principles of care and interdependence, offer a transformative alternative to state and market-based solutions, fostering resilience and social justice in times of crisis.

  • On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century

    Author:

    Timothy Snyder

    Description:

    Offers a powerful guide to recognizing and resisting the rise of authoritarianism, drawing lessons from historical events of the 20th century. Outlines twenty key actions that individuals can take to safeguard democracy and protect against the erosion of freedoms.

  • Religion and the Rise of Capitalism

    Author:

    R. H. Tawney

    Description:

    Explores the relationship between religious thought, particularly Christianity, and the development of capitalist society. Argues that religious ideas, especially Protestantism, played a significant role in shaping the values and structures that enabled the rise of capitalism in Western Europe.

  • The Notion of Authority by Alexandre Kojève

    Author:

    Alexandre Kojève

    Description:

    Written in the 1940s in Nazi-occupied France, analyzes the evolution of authority from ancient to modern times, focusing on its role in shaping social structures, human relationships, and political power, while considering its implications for freedom and individual autonomy.

  • The Origin of the Family, Private Property and the State

    Author:

    Friedrich Engels

    Description:

    Examines the historical development of family structures, private property, and state institutions, arguing that they are deeply interconnected and rooted in the rise of class-based societies. Traces how the emergence of private property led to the subjugation of women and the establishment of patriarchal family systems, which helped solidify capitalist social orders.