Freakonomics: Chapter 2 Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

What is the title of the chapter?

How is the Ku Klux Klan Like a Group of Real-Estate Agents?

What was the KKK founded after?

the Civil War

What does 'Kuklos' mean?

circle

What was the purpose of the KKK?

to frighten and kill emancipated slaves and white people who supported them Signup and view all the answers

Who were the supporters of the KKK?

former Confederate generals and plantation owners Signup and view all the answers

What activities did the KKK engage in?

pamphleting, lynching, shooting, burning, castrating and pistol-whipping Signup and view all the answers

The KKK was designed to promote the rights of Black people.

False Signup and view all the answers

What significant legal case allowed full-scale segregation?

Plessy vs. Ferguson Signup and view all the answers

What helped to spark the Klan's rebirth?

The Birth of a Nation Signup and view all the answers

How many followers did the KKK have in the 1920s?

8 million Signup and view all the answers

What did Will Rogers claim about the KKK?

Hitler was copying the KKK Signup and view all the answers

What did the KKK do post-V-J Day?

burned a 300-foot cross Signup and view all the answers

What city became the Klan's headquarters?

Atlanta Signup and view all the answers

Who was Stetson Kennedy?

a folklorist and author against bigotry Signup and view all the answers

What did Kennedy perceive the KKK as?

a terrorist group Signup and view all the answers

What was the Klan's Death Benefit Association?

sold insurance policies to Klan members Signup and view all the answers

What role did radio play in relating to the KKK?

exploited the KKK to millions Signup and view all the answers

What does 'information asymmetry' refer to?

one party having better information than another party Signup and view all the answers

What currency of the internet is referred to?

information Signup and view all the answers

What did the discovery of the Eron Tapes reveal?

secretly recorded conversations indicating wrongdoing Signup and view all the answers

What is one reason for the success of dating websites?

they are the most successful subscription-based businesses Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of embarrassment on voting?

prevents people from voting off women and black people Signup and view all the answers

What correlates with a higher sale price in real estate?

granite, state-of-the-art, corian, maple, gourmet Signup and view all the answers

What are examples of terms that correlate with lower sale prices?

fantastic, spacious, charming, great neighborhood Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Ku Klux Klan (KKK) Overview

Founded after the Civil War by six former Confederate soldiers to intimidate emancipated slaves and their allies.
"Kuklos" means circle in Greek, reflecting the group's secretive nature.
Early KKK supporters included former Confederate generals and plantation owners.

KKK Activities and Tactics

Engaged in violent tactics such as lynching, castrating, and shooting to instill fear.
Promoted its image through media, notably the film "The Birth of a Nation," which framed the Klan as defenders of white civilization.

KKK Expansion and Targets

In the 1920s, the KKK's membership peaked at 8 million, targeting not just Blacks, but also Catholics, Jews, immigrants, and more.
Post-WWII, the Klan reemerged with visible acts like burning a cross at Stone Mountain, marking its resurgence.

Stetson Kennedy's Opposition

Stetson Kennedy, a folklorist and Klan infiltrator, exposed the group's inner workings through his writings and radio broadcasts.
His memoir, "The Klan Unmasked," detailed Klan rituals, codes, and leadership structures.

KKK Structure and Language

The KKK employed unique terminology, such as 'KL' prefixes and specific phrases for greetings.
Key positions in the KKK included titles like Imperial Wizard and Grand Dragon, each with its own hierarchy.

The KKK utilized fear as a tool, which perpetuated a culture of second-class citizenship among African Americans.
Despite the imagined threat of lynching, statistical analysis revealed it was often overestimated when KKK membership was low.

Information Dynamics and KKK Decline

Fear and information asymmetry played significant roles in the KKK's power; as knowledge spread, Klan activities diminished.
The introduction of the internet reduced the information gap, allowing consumers to compare services like life insurance more effectively.

Broader Implications of Information

Information acts as a powerful tool, influencing perspectives and societal behaviors.
Scandals of the early 2000s highlighted how unregulated information flow could lead to significant repercussions.

Real-Estate Insights

The role of real-estate agents evolved with the internet, decreasing their margin on transactions.
Specific terms (e.g., granite, gourmet) were found to correlate with higher home sale prices, while other words suggested lower values.

Public displays of bigotry have consequences, illustrated by Trent Lott's departure from Senate leadership after comments supporting segregation.
Dating websites exemplify how perceptions of attractiveness are influenced, with paradoxical outcomes favoring those who present themselves authentically.

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Description

Explore the fascinating concepts from Chapter 2 of Freakonomics. This quiz focuses on the historical context and implications of the Ku Klux Klan, including its origins and symbolism. Test your knowledge on these pivotal ideas through flashcards designed for deeper understanding.