Brian Duignan: 18 books

Concerned more with rationality, human nature, and human interaction with society and the world than the theological questions of the Middle Ages, contemporary philosophy has advanced study of the limits of the human mind. This insightful volume traces the evolution of present-day Western philosophy and the diverging methods of inquiry that continue to inform a wide range of disciplines.

One of the greatest economic crises in history, the Great Depression of the 1930s caused much hardship both in the United States and throughout the world. The economic impact of this difficult period was reflected not only in the job market of the era but in its art, society, and politics as well....

Philosophers of the Middle Ages endeavored to reconcile two seemingly incompatible concepts: religion and reason. By drawing extensively from the work of their predecessors, like Plato and Aristotle, medieval philosophers were able to find logical bases for their theological beliefs, thus using rationality...

Banks and businesses today often deal with so many different operations, it may be seem difficult to see the purpose of each and how they relate to each other or how they relate to our daily lives. Like individuals, businesses rely on banks, and when banks are not practical, they find other means...

For as long as individuals have lived alongside one another there have been governing structures—bodies established to maintain order and justice, entrusted to provide basic needs and services to their constituents. Disparate beliefs and interests have given rise to many forms of government throughout...

The Legislative Branch, created by Article I of the Constitution, is comprised of the House of Representatives and the Senate, which together form the United States Congress. This book not only studies the powers of the legislative branch and the organization of both houses of Congress, but also examines...

The system of courts in the United States serves to enforce the laws of the nation as well as act as a check to make sure the other branches of government obey the powers set forth by the Constitution. Through a series of landmark court cases, chronicled in this book with an explanation of their lasting...

Money can be paper or metal, can come in dollars, euros, pesos, or one of many other forms of currency, and can be used to pay for goods and services. Explanations of topics such as how we determine value, what exactly capital is and how it relates to money, and more are examined through accessible...

Although individuals and countries, for centuries, have exchanged goods and services for money, the formal field of economics—the study of wealth and how it is produced and distributed—is relatively young. Since Adam Smith’s pioneering work in the 18th century, economics has developed a great...

Ethics is the business of moral philosophy by which humans try to determine what behaviors are right and wrong; good and bad; noble and ignoble. Each person strives for rectitude as they understand it, while working within the accepted values of a larger group dynamic. The moral view of the larger...

In many ways, modern economics can be seen as the sum total of the works of leading thinkers in the field. Including Adam Smith with his groundbreaking study of capitalism and Paul Krugman’s study of international trade patterns, economists have continued to increase our understanding of the principles...

Supplanting mythical explanations with those based on observation, early Greeks and some of their contemporaries sought to comprehend worldly phenomena in terms of more universal truths. This book introduces readers to the figures instrumental in implementing this refined way of thinking, including...

Although one of the shortest written constitutions in the world, the U.S. Constitution, designed to embody the rights, laws, and guiding principles of a diverse and ever-changing populace, remains an enduring document. Since its ratification in 1787, the Constitution has been applied to a broad range...

Divergence in opinions, beliefs, and interests is a fundamental aspect of every society. Such plurality often spurs the development of various factions and groups, each seeking to attain its objectives through political and governmental action. Whereas elected officials exercise political power directly,...