A sweeping history of capitalism as seen through the eyes of its fiercest critics
At a time when we are faced with fundamental questions about the sustainability and morality of the economic system, Capitalism and Its Critics provides a kaleidoscopic history of global capitalism, from colonialism and the Industrial Revolution to the ecological crisis and artificial intelligence.
John Cassidy adopts a bold new approach: he tells the story through the eyes of the system’s critics. From eighteenth-century weavers who rebelled against early factory automation to Eric Williams's paradigm-changing work on slavery and capitalism, to the Latin American dependistas, the international Wages for Housework campaign of the 1970s, and the modern degrowth movement, this absorbing narrative traverses the globe. It looks at familiar figures – Smith, Marx, Luxemburg, Keynes, Polanyi – from a fresh perspective, but also focuses on many less familiar, including William Thompson, the Irish proto-socialist whose work influenced Marx; Flora Tristan, the French proponent of a universal labour union; John Hobson, the original theorist of imperialism; and J. C. Kumarappa, the Indian exponent of Gandhian economics.
Blending biography, panoramic history, and lively exploration of economic theories, Capitalism and Its Critics illuminates the deep roots of many of the most urgent issues of our time.
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Capitalism and Its Critics 9780241457009 Hardback
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Capitalism and Its Critics
This is a really excellent review of capitalism from a number of historical and political perspectives right up to the present day. Deeply researched and extremely well-written, it is certainly of topical interest. Each chapter addresses a different critic and consists of around 15-20 pages, making …
This is a really excellent review of capitalism from a number of historical and political perspectives right up to the present day. Deeply researched and extremely well-written, it is certainly of topical interest. Each chapter addresses a different critic and consists of around 15-20 pages, making it easily readable but without taking the 'dummies' approach. Perhaps the most cogent message is a timely reminder that capitalism is a relatively new phenomenon, not the inevitable product of human nature and certainly not the most equitable or effective way of addressing human need. I have recommended this book to family and friends and feel profoundly grateful to John Cassidy for bringing it into the world.
- Authors:
- Cassidy, John
- Year Published:
- 2025
- Country of Publication:
- United Kingdom
- Format:
- Hardback
- ISBN:
- 9780241457009
- Number of Pages:
- 624
- Publication Date:
- 13/05/2025
- Publisher:
- Penguin Books Ltd
- Language:
- English
- Place of Publication:
- London
- SKU:
- 9780241457009