Book Review: Capital in the Twenty-First Century and Social Research

This report presents a book review of Thomas Piketty's 'Capital in the Twenty-First Century' and 'Rethinking Social Inquiry: Diverse Tools, Shared Standards' edited by Henry E. Brady and David Collier. The review of Piketty's work focuses on the distribution of wealth, income inequality, and the evolution of capital concepts since the 18th century, drawing on historical and comparative data. It examines the book's structure, including its four parts and sixteen chapters, which cover topics like income, capital dynamics, inequality, and capital regulation. The review of 'Rethinking Social Inquiry' discusses research methodology, the relationship between qualitative and quantitative approaches, and the core ideas of Designing Social Inquiry (DSI). The report considers critiques of quantitative templates and explores how these books relate to political science, social inquiry, and research methods. The conclusion summarizes the key aspects of both books, highlighting discussions on capitalism and research methodologies.

Book Review

Table of Contents
Book Review................................................................................................................................................ 1
INTRODUCTION......................................................................................................................................... 3
Review of Capital in the twenty first century............................................................................................ 3
Review of Rethinking Social Enquiry....................................................................................................... 3
CONCLUSION............................................................................................................................................. 4
REFERENCES............................................................................................................................................ 5

INTRODUCTION
This study will review books which are Capital in Twenty First century written by Thomas Piketty
and Rethinking Social Enquiry Diverse Tools, Shared Standard written by Henry E. Brandy and David
Collier.
Review of Capital in the twenty first century
This book is about distribution of wealth in various classes of the society and how the concept
and its understanding have evolved since 18th century. Data and information in the book is based on
historical and comparative data. This book considers that though through modern economic growth and
dispersal of knowledge avoided Marxist Approach but deep structure and distribution of capital is like as it
was earlier (Albertus and Menaldo, 2016). This book contains four parts which are divided in sixteen
chapters and these are Income and Capital, The Dynamics of the Capital/Income Ratio, The Structure of
Inequality and Regulating Capital in the Twenty First Century. in part 1 chapter first of the book contains
various concepts related to national income these are national income, capital and capital income ratio.
Later this includes evolution of global distribution of capital and income. Chapter 2 of the part 1 link the
capital evolution in the world with growth of population and output resulted from industrial revolution.
Part 2 of the book includes discussion over capital stock by capital income ratio and division of capital into
various types of assets. In this author have considered various forms and types of wealth which is not
limited to cash and money but land, building, machinery, patent, natural resources are also part of and
form wealth.
Review of Rethinking Social Enquiry
Introductory part of discusses methodology of research. In this shared standards of methodology
and research design have been considered as enduring concern for social sciences and search for
relationship between qualitative and quantitative. In this part mainstream quantitative methods have been
considered as one view of relation between quantitative and qualitative methodology.
Second chapter in introduction part provides an overview of DSI (Designing Social Inquiry). This chapter
also discusses fundamental ideas in DSP which are criteria for scientific research, concept of inference
and assumption that justify social inference (Khan, 2017). Second part of the book involves Critiques of
Quantitative Templates. Doing good and doing better and where Quantitative Templates lead us, is the
first chapter in 2 part of the report. This part of the book describes aspects of theory formulation, case
selection, descriptive and casual inference and drawing valid conclusion on that basis. This chapter at the
end also provide some of the rules and guidelines which can be used to summarize the recommendation
of Designing Social Inquiry. Along with this some unfulfilled promises of Quantitative Imperialism also
involves critic of quantitative imperialism. This part of the book links this book with power and influence.

This part of the book also links the research and DSI with politics. This book can be related with political
science as this discusses social inquiry and research that can be carried out in that regard. Political
science is also a part of social inquiry with help of research theories and method which have been
designed in this book one can also carry out research about political science. Tools and new approach
which have been discussed in this book can also be very helpful for the social research and its relevant
subjects.
CONCLUSION
From the above discussion it can be concluded that both the books one involved discussion over
capitalism and other includes discussion and analysis of various research mythologies and related
aspects of DSI.

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Albertus, M. and Menaldo, V., 2016. Capital in the Twenty-First Century—in the Rest of the World. Annual
Review of Political Science. 19. pp.49-66.
Khan, G., 2017. Designing political enquiry.