The Random Factor

The Random Factor by Mark Robert Rank

“Much of the power of the book comes from the discussion of ‘chance and luck’ operating at a far more mundane level in the lives of ordinary people. . . . Whether a person winds up in poverty is largely the result of factors outside their control.”—Jacobin A poverty expert reveals how truly random the world is—including how economic inequality is experienced—and how we can learn to acknowledge chance and appreciate it.    It’s comforting to think that we can be successful because we work hard, climb ladders, and get what we deserve, but each of us has been profoundly touched by randomness. Chance is shown to play a crucial role in shaping outcomes across history, throughout the natural world, and in our everyday lives. In The Random Factor, Mark Robert Rank draws from a wealth of evidence, including interviews and research, to explain how luck and chance play out and reveals how we can use these lessons to guide our personal lives and public policies.   The Random Factor traverses luck from macro to micro, from events like the Cuban Missile Crisis to our personal encounters and relationships. From his perspective as a scholar of poverty, Rank also delves into the class and race dynamics of chance, emphasizing the stark disparities it brings to light. This transformative book prompts a new understanding of the twists and turns in our daily lives and encourages readers to fully appreciate the surprising world of randomness in which we live.

"Much of the power of the book comes from Rank’s discussion of 'chance and luck' operating at a far more mundane level in the lives of ordinary peopleRank makes a strong case, in particular, that whether a person winds up in poverty is largely the result of factors outside their control." * Jacobin *

Mark Robert Rank is Herbert S. Hadley Professor of Social Welfare at Washington University in St. Louis. He has received numerous awards for his scholarship and books, and his research has been reported in a wide range of national and international media.

SKU	Nicht verfügbar
ISBN 13	9780520390966
ISBN 10	0520390962
Titel	The Random Factor
Autor	Mark Robert Rank
Buchzustand	Nicht verfügbar
Bindungsart	Hardback
Verlag	University of California Press
Erscheinungsjahr	2024-04-23
Seitenanzahl	302
Hinweis auf dem Einband	Die Abbildung des Buches dient nur Illustrationszwecken, die tatsächliche Bindung, das Cover und die Auflage können sich davon unterscheiden.
Hinweis	Nicht verfügbar