The Enigma of Capital: And the Crises of Capitalism

Description

For three centuries the capitalist system has shaped western society, informed its rulers, and conditioned the lives of its people. Has the time come to move beyond it? Using his unrivalled knowledge of the subject, Harvey lays bare the follies of the international financial system, looking at the nature of capitalism, how it works and why sometimes it doesn't. He examines the vast flows of money that surge round the world in daily volumes well in excess of the sum of all its economies. He looks at the cycles of boom and bust in the world's housing and stock markets and shows that periodic episodes of meltdown are not only inevitable in the capitalist system but essential to its survival. The Enigma of Capitalism is a timely call-to-arms for the end of the capitalism, and makes a compelling case for a new social order that would allow us to live within a system that could be responsible, just and humane. 'a lucid and penetrating account of how the power of capital shapes our world' - Andrew Gamble, Independent - Book of the Week 'a well-timed call for the overthrow of capitalism . elegant . entertainingly swashbuckling' - John Gapper, FT

David Harvey is Distinguished Professor of Anthropology at the City University of New York Graduate School and former Professor of Geography at Johns Hopkins and Oxford Universities. The author of numerous books, he was awarded the Patron's Medal of the Royal Geographical Society in 1995 and elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 2007.

A lucid and penetrating account of how the power of capital shapes our world -- Andrew Gamble * Independent - Book of the Week * A well-timed call for the overthrow of capitalism ... elegant ... entertainingly swashbuckling -- John Gapper * Financial Times *