The best 60 Socialism & Capitalist Critique books

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Socialism & Capitalist Critique Books: Why Nations Fail by Daron Acemoglu & James A. Robinson

Why Nations Fail

Daron Acemoglu & James A. Robinson
The Origins of Power, Prosperity, and Poverty
4.6 (424 ratings)

What's Why Nations Fail about?

Why Nations Fail revolves around the question as to why even today some nations are trapped in a cycle of poverty while others prosper, or at least while others appear to be on their way to prosperity. The book focuses largely on political and economic institutions, as the authors believe these are key to long-term prosperity.

Who should read Why Nations Fail?

  • Anyone who is interested in world politics and foreign aid
  • Anyone who wants to find out why some countries are poor while others prosper
  • Anyone who has thought about how we can tackle inequality in the world

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Socialism & Capitalist Critique Books: The Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan

The Omnivore's Dilemma

Michael Pollan
A Natural History of Four Meals
4.5 (84 ratings)

What's The Omnivore's Dilemma about?

We face an overwhelming abundance of choices when it comes to what we eat. Should you opt for the local, grass-fed beef, or save time and money with cheap chicken nuggets? Organic asparagus shipped from Argentina, or kale picked from your neighbor’s garden? The Omnivore’s Dilemma examines how food in America is produced today and what alternatives to those production methods are available.

Who should read The Omnivore's Dilemma?

  • Anyone thinking about changing their eating habits – whether by becoming a vegetarian, switching to organic produce or trying their hand at hunting, gathering or growing their own food
  • Anyone interested in sustainability, food policy or food politics

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Socialism & Capitalist Critique Books: Manufacturing Consent by Edward S. Herman and Noam Chomsky

Manufacturing Consent

Edward S. Herman and Noam Chomsky
The Political Economy of the Mass Media
4.5 (180 ratings)

What's Manufacturing Consent about?

Manufacturing Consent (1988) takes a critical view of the mass media to ask why only a narrow range of opinions are favored whilst others are suppressed or ignored. 

It formulates a propaganda model which shows how alternative and independent information is filtered out by various financial and political factors allowing the news agenda to be dominated by those working on behalf of the wealthy and powerful. Far from being a free press, the media in fact maintain our unequal and unfair society.

Who should read Manufacturing Consent?

  • Anyone who wants to know who sets the agenda of the mass media
  • Anyone who would like to know whose interests the media serve
  • Anyone who wants to understand why the mass media suppress independent voices

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Socialism & Capitalist Critique Books: No Logo by Naomi Klein

No Logo

Naomi Klein
4.1 (64 ratings)

What's No Logo about?

No Logo takes a look at how the power of brands has grown since the 1980s, and how companies have emphasized their brand image rather than their actual products. No Logo shows how this strategy has affected employees in both the industrial and the non-developed world. No Logo also introduces the reader to the activists and campaigners who are leading the fight back against multinationals and their brands.

Who should read No Logo?

  • Anyone who wants to understand why brands are so prevalent in modern society
  • Anyone who wonders how multinationals wield global power
  • Anyone who wants to learn how activists can fight back against the brands

 


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Socialism & Capitalist Critique Books: The Shock Doctrine by Naomi Klein

The Shock Doctrine

Naomi Klein
4.2 (72 ratings)

What's The Shock Doctrine about?

The Shock Doctrine (2008) offers insights into the dark world of disaster capitalism, in which crises serve as an instrument to undo the trade regulations and national protections which prevent international megacorporations from totally exploiting poorer countries. Rooted in the findings of the CIA-sponsored "MKUltra" psychological torture experiments, economic shock treatment has left behind a legacy of blood and destruction since it first began to be taken seriously in the 1970s.

Who should read The Shock Doctrine?

  • Anyone interested in economics
  • Anyone interested in foreign policy
  • Anyone interested in history

 


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Socialism & Capitalist Critique Books: The Communist Manifesto by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels

The Communist Manifesto

Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels
4.2 (735 ratings)

What's The Communist Manifesto about?

The Communist Manifesto is the result of a meeting of international communists in London. It vividly portrays the first common position of political communism regarding the class struggle between the working class and the capitalist bourgeoisie.

Who should read The Communist Manifesto?

  • Anyone who works for someone else
  • Anyone who’s wondered why wealth seems to concentrate at the top
  • Anyone remotely interested in politics

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Socialism & Capitalist Critique Books: The Zero Marginal Cost Society by Jeremy Rifkin

The Zero Marginal Cost Society

Jeremy Rifkin
The Internet of Things, the Collaborative Commons and the Eclipse of Capitalism
4.2 (33 ratings)

What's The Zero Marginal Cost Society about?

The Zero Marginal Cost Society (2014) lays out a strong case for the self-destructive nature of capitalism, demonstrating how it is sowing the seeds of its own destruction. But in its wake, a new, collaborative, democratized economy will materialize – one made possible by the internet.

Who should read The Zero Marginal Cost Society?

  • People who are interested in the future of our global economy
  • Anyone who wants to learn about the personal and social impact of cutting-edge technology
  • Committed capitalists

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Socialism & Capitalist Critique Books: The Wealth of Nations by Adam Smith

The Wealth of Nations

Adam Smith
4.4 (890 ratings)

What's The Wealth of Nations about?

The Wealth of Nations is a profoundly influential work in the study of economics and examines exactly how nations become wealthy. Adam Smith advocates that by allowing individuals to freely pursue their own self-interest in a free market, without government regulation, nations will prosper.

Who should read The Wealth of Nations?

  • Anyone who wants to understand the foundations of capitalism and the free market
  • Anyone curious about the core tenets of a fundamental work of economic theory

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Socialism & Capitalist Critique Books: The Monopolists by Mary Pilon

The Monopolists

Mary Pilon
Obsession, Fury and the Scandal Behind the World's Favorite Board Game
4.3 (8 ratings)

What's The Monopolists about?

The Monopolists (2015) unveils the true yet checkered history of Parker Brothers's most successful board game, Monopoly. It tells the tale of the game’s origins in progressive, anti-capitalist thinking to its evolution under the control of Parker Brothers, a company that went to extraordinary lengths to rewrite Monopoly’s history and crush any competition in the process.

Who should read The Monopolists?

  • Fans of the board game Monopoly
  • Lawyers or specialists in trademark or property rights laws
  • Historians or popular culture fanatics

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Socialism & Capitalist Critique Books: First as Tragedy, Then as Farce by Slavoj Žižek

First as Tragedy, Then as Farce

Slavoj Žižek
4.5 (57 ratings)

What's First as Tragedy, Then as Farce about?

First as Tragedy, Then as Farce (2008) sets out to uncover the hidden ideology that surrounds us in our everyday lives. In examining how capitalist society affects our lives and permeates the way we think, the book ultimately offers a new and better alternative to the way our world is structured today.

Who should read First as Tragedy, Then as Farce?

  • People interested in politics, society and philosophy
  • Fans of Noam Chomsky, Naomi Klein and Alan Badiou
  • Students of philosophy or psychoanalysis

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Socialism & Capitalist Critique Books: Phishing for Phools by George A. Akerlof and Robert J. Shiller

Phishing for Phools

George A. Akerlof and Robert J. Shiller
The Economics of Manipulation and Deception
4.0 (104 ratings)

What's Phishing for Phools about?

Phishing for Phools (2015) reveals the ways in which modern free-market systems, so often praised as the epitome of rational exchange, are fueled instead by willful deceit, with the goal of pushing you to act against your self-interest.

Who should read Phishing for Phools?

  • Economists or students examining free-market systems
  • Any consumer interested in how the market works
  • Socially-conscious business owners

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Socialism & Capitalist Critique Books: The House of Rothschild by Niall Ferguson

The House of Rothschild

Niall Ferguson
Money’s Prophets 1798–1848
4.3 (96 ratings)

What's The House of Rothschild about?

The House of Rothschild (1998) offers a detailed, insider look into the famed Rothschild family’s multinational partnership. By examining the relationships and strategies that launched the Rothschilds to success, the book demystifies this historic family, making their meteoric rise to tremendous wealth and fame much easier to understand.

Who should read The House of Rothschild?

  • Anyone with an interest in European history
  • Anyone curious about the world of banking in the nineteenth century
  • Anyone fascinated by the enduring Rothschild myth

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Socialism & Capitalist Critique Books: PostCapitalism by Paul Mason

PostCapitalism

Paul Mason
A Guide to Our Future
3.9 (112 ratings)

What's PostCapitalism about?

Postcapitalism (2015) offers a close examination of the failures of current economic systems. The 2008 financial crisis showed us that neoliberal capitalism is falling apart, and these blinks outline the reasons why we’re at the start of capitalism’s downfall, while giving an idea of what our transition into postcapitalism will be like.

Who should read PostCapitalism?

  • Capitalists and anti-capitalists
  • Students of sociology or politics
  • Anyone interested in what the future holds for modern-day societies

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Socialism & Capitalist Critique Books: Restart by Mihir Sharma

Restart

Mihir Sharma
The Last Chance for the Indian Economy
3.7 (9 ratings)

What's Restart about?

A few decades ago, India seemed poised to become a major player in the global economy. Today, a number of serious problems hold the country back. Restart (2015) explains what caused India’s decline and offers insights about what could be done to fix it.

Who should read Restart?

  • Students of economics, political science and sociology
  • Anyone interested in India

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Socialism & Capitalist Critique Books: Raw Deal by Steven Hill

Raw Deal

Steven Hill
How the “Uber Economy” and Runaway Capitalism are Screwing American Workers
3.2 (22 ratings)

What's Raw Deal about?

Raw Deal (2015) reveals the ugly truth behind the new sharing economy and the harm that companies like Uber or Airbnb are inflicting upon societies around the world. There’s a major crisis on the horizon, and it will affect not only these companies’ exploited employees. We’re all at risk, and we’ll need to choose our next steps wisely to prevent an economic collapse.

Who should read Raw Deal?

  • Students of economics and politics
  • Readers interested in the job market and labor regulations
  • Employees worried about declining workplace standards

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Socialism & Capitalist Critique Books: Barbarians at the Gate by Bryan Burrough, John Helyar

Barbarians at the Gate

Bryan Burrough, John Helyar
The Fall of RJR Nabisco
4.1 (45 ratings)

What's Barbarians at the Gate about?

Barbarians at the Gate (1989) tells the story of one of the largest corporate deals in US history, the leveraged buyout of RJR Nabisco. These blinks provide a gripping portrait of the extreme and extravagant behavior in corporate America during the 1980s.

Who should read Barbarians at the Gate?

  • Anyone working in finance or business who wants to learn about a legendary deal
  • Citizens appalled by the excesses of corporate America
  • Anyone enthralled by hostile takeovers and cutthroat dealings

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Socialism & Capitalist Critique Books: First They Killed My Father by Loung Ung

First They Killed My Father

Loung Ung
A Daughter of Cambodia Remembers
4.5 (15 ratings)

What's First They Killed My Father about?

First They Killed My Father (2006) is Loung Ung’s memoir of her childhood experiences living under the brutal Khmer Rouge regime in Cambodia during the 1970s. She begins her story as the Khmer Rouge take power, forcing her family to flee the country’s capital, Phnom Penh, only to find themselves living as slave laborers, in constant fear that they would be personally targeted by the regime.

Who should read First They Killed My Father?

  • Anyone who’s seen the Oscar-winning film The Killings Fields
  • History buffs
  • Fans of autobiographies and memoirs

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Socialism & Capitalist Critique Books: Bad Blood by John Carreyrou

Bad Blood

John Carreyrou
Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup
4.2 (115 ratings)

What's Bad Blood about?

Bad Blood (2018) is the harrowing inside story of a how a tech start-up rooted in Silicon Valley’s fake-it-till-you-make-it culture risked the lives of millions with a blood-testing device that proved too good to be true. Written by Pulitzer-winning journalist John Carreyrou, who broke the story and pursued it to its end, this is the account of Theranos and its wunderkind CEO Elizabeth Holmes’ meteoric rise and epic fall from grace.

Who should read Bad Blood?

  • Anyone working in a start-up
  • Fans of true stories that you just can’t make up
  • Professionals in the medical industry

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Socialism & Capitalist Critique Books: Us vs. Them by Ian Bremmer

Us vs. Them

Ian Bremmer
The Failure of Globalism
4.4 (72 ratings)

What's Us vs. Them about?

Us vs. Them (2018) explores how globalism has created both winners and losers and explains how the losers are now looking to set things right. In countries from the United States to China, from Venezuela to Turkey, unhappy citizens are making new demands of their governments, and populist politicians are promising easy answers. Us vs. Them offers a lucid take on the forces disrupting societies around the world and suggests potential solutions for the future.

Who should read Us vs. Them?

  • Anyone interested in understanding populist forces and their origins
  • People concerned about the impact of robots on the workforce and society
  • Readers interested in foreign affairs and political science

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Socialism & Capitalist Critique Books: Glass House by Brian Alexander

Glass House

Brian Alexander
The 1% Economy and the Shattering of the All-American Town
3.7 (24 ratings)

What's Glass House about?

Glass House (2017) tells the cautionary tale of Lancaster, Ohio, a town that went from boom to bust over the course of the past fifty years. At the heart of this downfall is the Anchor Hocking glass factory, a major source of employment that turned into a bitter disappointment. This story is essential reading for anyone wishing to understand the current state of affairs in American society and politics.

Who should read Glass House?

  • Politicians and policy-makers
  • Students of history and American studies
  • People interested in the current state of American affairs

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Socialism & Capitalist Critique Books: The Curse of Bigness by Tim Wu

The Curse of Bigness

Tim Wu
Antitrust in the New Gilded Age
4.6 (26 ratings)

What's The Curse of Bigness about?

The Curse of Bigness (2018) deals with topics and questions that have become especially pressing in recent times. How and why have markets become dominated by a handful of corporate giants? And what can we do about it? To answer these questions, the author recounts the political, economic and legal history of economic concentration. Along the way, he examines the dangers that come with it, and how they can be mitigated.

Who should read The Curse of Bigness?

  • Citizens worried about unchecked corporate power  
  • People interested in the intersection between politics, economics and law
  • Late-nineteenth and twentieth-century US history buffs

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Socialism & Capitalist Critique Books: Socialism by Michael Newman

Socialism

Michael Newman
A Very Short Introduction
4.4 (170 ratings)

What's Socialism about?

Socialism (2005) is a dash through the history of the term after which the book is named. Socialism has played an important role over the past 200 years of human history, but its original goal of achieving an egalitarian society has, in recent decades, been somewhat forgotten. This book is a thorough tour of socialism’s history. It’s also an exploration of the various ways the word has been implemented and a guide to ways we might use it in the future.

Who should read Socialism?

  • Anyone tired of their unstable economic condition
  • Students of politics, economics or history
  • Those who want more information on a commonly misunderstood term

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Socialism & Capitalist Critique Books: The Future Is History by Masha Gessen

The Future Is History

Masha Gessen
How Totalitarianism Reclaimed Russia
4.2 (91 ratings)

What's The Future Is History about?

The Future Is History (2017) tackles the complex issue of Russia’s love/hate relationship with democracy. By looking at the lives of a select few, Masha Gessen takes us from the collapse of the Communist Party to deep within the activism of the Putin era – all in an attempt to show us how and why Russia’s modern brand of totalitarianism came about.

Who should read The Future Is History?

  • Readers curious about Russian politics
  • Students of sociology and world politics
  • History buffs

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Socialism & Capitalist Critique Books: The Age of Surveillance Capitalism by Shoshana Zuboff

The Age of Surveillance Capitalism

Shoshana Zuboff
The Fight for a Human Future at the New Frontier of Power
4.5 (285 ratings)

What's The Age of Surveillance Capitalism about?

The Age of Surveillance Capitalism (2019) provides a revealing look at just how committed companies like Google and Facebook are to tracking every one of your actions and selling that data to advertisers. Over the past few years, this business practice has become one of the most prominent worldwide, and the harmful effects it has on personal liberty and democracy are becoming more apparent.

Listed on The Guardian’s Best 100 Books of the 21st Century

Who should read The Age of Surveillance Capitalism?

  • Users of Google or Facebook
  • People who value privacy and free will
  • Anyone curious about how much personal data is being collected

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Socialism & Capitalist Critique Books: The Origins of Totalitarianism by Hannah Arendt

The Origins of Totalitarianism

Hannah Arendt
4.6 (358 ratings)

What's The Origins of Totalitarianism about?

The Origins of Totalitarianism (1951) is a landmark work by Hannah Arendt, in which she traces the anti-Semitic and imperialist roots of modern-day totalitarianism in Europe. Starting with the rise of the nation-state in the seventeenth century, Arendt reveals the prejudices and myths that empowered the Nazism and Stalinism of the early twentieth century, and that can lead to the erosion of free-thinking democracy. She also gives clear warning on how to avoid predatory totalitarian movements in the future.

Who should read The Origins of Totalitarianism?

  • Students of philosophy and political science
  • Anyone interested in how history can teach us about the present
  • People concerned about human rights

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Socialism & Capitalist Critique Books: Utopia for Realists by Rutger Bregman

Utopia for Realists

Rutger Bregman
And How We Can Get There
4.4 (254 ratings)

What's Utopia for Realists about?

Utopia for Realists (2016) is a call to arms for a radical rethinking of life, work and how society functions. It argues that the world enjoys unprecedented wealth and material comfort but is still full of problems, from soul-destroying jobs to inequality and poverty. We have the power to solve these problems and build a better future if we embrace utopian thinking.

Who should read Utopia for Realists?

  • Blue-sky thinkers
  • Socially engaged people who want to eradicate poverty 
  • Frustrated citizens who feel there must be a better way to organize our society and economy

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Socialism & Capitalist Critique Books: The Third Pillar by Raghuram Rajan

The Third Pillar

Raghuram Rajan
The Revival of Community in a Polarized World
4.4 (39 ratings)

What's The Third Pillar about?

The Third Pillar (2019) traces the evolving relationship between the three “pillars” of human life – the state, markets and communities – from the medieval period to our own age. Economist Raghuram Rajan argues that, throughout history, societies have struggled to find a sustainable balance between these pillars. Today is no different: caught between uncontrolled markets and a discredited state, communities everywhere are in decline. That, Rajan concludes, is jet fuel for populist movements. But a more balanced kind of social order is possible.

Who should read The Third Pillar?

  • Anyone apprehensive about the rise of intolerant political movements
  • Historians and economists
  • Community organizers and neighborhood activists

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Socialism & Capitalist Critique Books: New Dark Age by James Bridle

New Dark Age

James Bridle
Technology and the End of the Future
4.0 (86 ratings)

What's New Dark Age about?

New Dark Age (2018) investigates the fundamental paradox of our digital age: as new technologies allow us to gather more and more data on our world, we understand less and less of it. Examining the history, politics and geography of the complex digital network we are enmeshed in, James Bridle sheds new light on the central issues of our time, from climate change to wealth inequality to post-factual politics, and explains how we can live with purpose in an era of uncertainty.

Who should read New Dark Age?

  • Tech skeptics and tech enthusiasts
  • Critical thinkers fascinated by the geopolitics of our networked world
  • Anyone interested in the silly and profound ways technology shapes our lives

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Socialism & Capitalist Critique Books: Imagined Communities by Benedict Anderson

Imagined Communities

Benedict Anderson
Reflections on the Origin and Spread of Nationalism
4.6 (98 ratings)

What's Imagined Communities about?

Imagined Communities (1983) is one of the most influential studies of the origins of nationalism. In it, Benedict Anderson asks a question that had long vexed his fellow historians: Why did nations become such a potent source of identity in the modern world? In these blinks, we’ll unravel Anderson’s fascinating answer to this conundrum as we delve into the history of capitalism, the printing press, religious belief systems, and nationalism. 

Who should read Imagined Communities?

  • History buffs
  • Thinkers and theorists who love bold ideas
  • Anyone who’s wondered why we live in a world of nation-states

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Socialism & Capitalist Critique Books: Why Women Have Better Sex Under Socialism by Kristen Ghodsee

Why Women Have Better Sex Under Socialism

Kristen Ghodsee
And Other Arguments for Economic Independence
3.7 (39 ratings)

What's Why Women Have Better Sex Under Socialism about?

Why Women Have Better Sex Under Socialism (2018) makes an argument that’s even more provocative than its title suggests. More than just better sex, it claims that women have better lives in general under socialism. To prove this claim, it compares and contrasts women’s lives under state socialism, democratic socialism, and neoliberal capitalism. 

Who should read Why Women Have Better Sex Under Socialism?

  • Socialists wanting ammunition for their next argument 
  • Capitalists wanting food for thought 
  • Women and men wanting a fresh take on gender equality

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Socialism & Capitalist Critique Books: The Romanovs by Simon Sebag Montefiore

The Romanovs

Simon Sebag Montefiore
1613-1918
4.5 (115 ratings)

What's The Romanovs about?

The Romanovs (2016) charts the stunning rise and dramatic fall of one of the world’s great dynasties. The Romanov family helmed the Russian empire for three centuries filled with family dramas, power struggles, political upheaval, and opulent spending.

Who should read The Romanovs?

  • Russophiles and Romanov fans
  • Fans of history with a taste for juicy drama
  • Revolutionaries brushing up on old-school socialist revolts

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Socialism & Capitalist Critique Books: Americana by Bhu Srinivasan

Americana

Bhu Srinivasan
A 400-Year History of American Capitalism
4.3 (73 ratings)

What's Americana about?

Americana (2017) traces the history of the USA from one key perspective: capitalism. Bhu Srinivasan shows how the development of the country has been closely bound up with the development of capitalism, from the New England colonies’ earliest days to the most recent innovations of Silicon Valley or Wall Street.

Named by The Economist as one of the best books of 2017

Who should read Americana?

  • American history enthusiasts
  • People interested in the economy past and present
  • Fans – or enemies – of capitalism

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Socialism & Capitalist Critique Books: Private Government by Elizabeth Anderson

Private Government

Elizabeth Anderson
How Employers Rule Our Lives (and Why We Don't Talk about It)
4.1 (77 ratings)

What's Private Government about?

Private Government (2017) boldly asserts a provocative thesis: most modern companies are run more like communist dictatorships than the “free enterprises” their often libertarian-minded owners, managers, and defenders believe them to be. Drawing on a wide range of ideas, facts, and data from economics, political philosophy, and history, Private Government backs this thesis up with a strong, compelling argument that’s well worth reckoning with.

Who should read Private Government?

  • Employees unhappy with their employment
  • Employers wondering why their employees might be so unhappy
  • Anyone else wanting to know what’s wrong with the modern workplace

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Socialism & Capitalist Critique Books: Angrynomics by Eric Lonergan and Mark Blyth

Angrynomics

Eric Lonergan and Mark Blyth
4.0 (101 ratings)

What's Angrynomics about?

Angrynomics (2020) examines the growing atmosphere of anger around the globe. Part political theory, part social science, this approachable text diagnoses the cause of the rising resentment and proposes a few popular solutions.

Who should read Angrynomics?

  • News junkies seeking fresh takes on the current political climate
  • Activists wishing to understand popular movements
  • Anyone with an interest in where the world is headed

35
Socialism & Capitalist Critique Books: The Economists’ Hour by Binyamin Appelbaum

The Economists’ Hour

Binyamin Appelbaum
False Prophets, Free Markets, and the Fracture of Society
4.3 (65 ratings)

What's The Economists’ Hour about?

The Economists’ Hour (2019) is a compact history of how economists came to dominate our political discourse. This work traces the rise of neoliberal ideology from the 1960s to today.

Who should read The Economists’ Hour?

  • Political wonks wanting to parse the current climate
  • Citizens concerned about America’s rightward shift
  • Anyone asking, “how did things get so bad?”

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Socialism & Capitalist Critique Books: Chaos Under Heaven by Josh Rogin

Chaos Under Heaven

Josh Rogin
America, China, and the Battle for the 21st Century
4.2 (59 ratings)

What's Chaos Under Heaven about?

Chaos Under Heaven (2021) brings to life the behind-the-scenes negotiations and deliberations that dictated the Trump administration’s policy toward China. America’s understanding of the inner workings of the Chinese state has changed a great deal, yet competing interests have so far led to a chaotic response as the US grapples with this foreign policy challenge. 

Who should read Chaos Under Heaven?

  • Policy wonks
  • News junkies
  • People interested in world affairs

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Socialism & Capitalist Critique Books: How to Be an Anticapitalist in the 21st Century by Erik Olin Wright

How to Be an Anticapitalist in the 21st Century

Erik Olin Wright
4.2 (105 ratings)

What's How to Be an Anticapitalist in the 21st Century about?

How to Be an Anticapitalist in the 21st Century (2019) is both a moral critique of capitalism and a pragmatic strategy guide to building an alternative economic system. Drawing from Erik Olin Wright’s four decades of work in sociology, it provides a nuanced account of why democratic socialism is both possible and desirable.

Who should read How to Be an Anticapitalist in the 21st Century?

  • Anticapitalists looking for new ways of thinking
  • Pro-capitalists who want to understand their opponents’ views
  • Skeptics who aren’t sure which side of the debate is right

38
Socialism & Capitalist Critique Books: Capitalism, Socialism and Democracy by Joseph Schumpeter

Capitalism, Socialism and Democracy

Joseph Schumpeter
Essential analysis on where the world economy is headed
4.2 (602 ratings)

What's Capitalism, Socialism and Democracy about?

Capitalism, Socialism and Democracy (1942) is a seminal work of economics. Its ideas have proven prophetic, and remain relevant to this day. It claims that capitalism will ultimately be eroded by the very processes that define it. It also explains the differences between capitalism and socialism and their relationship to democracy, and helps readers understand the role of entrepreneurship and creative destruction in modern capitalism.

Who should read Capitalism, Socialism and Democracy?

  • Students of the social sciences
  • Those interested in politics, economy, and their histories
  • Critical thinkers curious about the future of capitalism

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Socialism & Capitalist Critique Books: The Lonely Century by Noreena Hertz

The Lonely Century

Noreena Hertz
How Isolation Imperils Our Future
4.2 (154 ratings)

What's The Lonely Century about?

The Lonely Century (2021) explores the loneliness that characterizes the twenty-first century. Drawing on a decade of research, it reveals how neoliberal policies, new technologies, and mass migration to cities have contributed to us becoming so lonely – and what shifts need to occur for us to reconnect.

Who should read The Lonely Century?

  • Isolated individuals interested in understanding our current crisis of loneliness
  • Political thinkers who want to understand the roots of far-right movements
  • Community leaders looking for ways to bring people together

40
Socialism & Capitalist Critique Books: Mission Economy by Mariana Mazzucato

Mission Economy

Mariana Mazzucato
A Moonshot Guide to Changing Capitalism
4.0 (207 ratings)

What's Mission Economy about?

Mission Economy (2021) explains how we can rethink our approaches toward government and capitalism through the concept of missions – huge, ambitious projects that inspire people across society to think big. These blinks show how we can change the world by taking inspiration from one of the most famous missions of all: the moon landing.

Who should read Mission Economy?

  • Visionary thinkers who want to transform society
  • Economists and politics fans in search of bold new ideas
  • Critics of capitalism who want to see change

41
Socialism & Capitalist Critique Books: The Constitution of Liberty by Friedrich A. Hayek

The Constitution of Liberty

Friedrich A. Hayek
In Defense of Freedom and a Free Society
3.9 (290 ratings)

What's The Constitution of Liberty about?

The Constitution of Liberty (1960) is a classic of economic philosophy. As one of the seminal texts of modern liberalism, it reminds us of the values of individual freedom, limited government, and universal principles of law. First published in the 1960s, it contends that social progress depends on the free market rather than on socialist planning. This work remains relevant in an age where socialist ideas are gaining new popularity. 

Who should read The Constitution of Liberty?

  • Students of twentieth-century history, politics, and economy 
  • Progressives and conservatives curious about liberalism 
  • Anyone interested in economic philosophy

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Socialism & Capitalist Critique Books: After the Fall by Ben Rhodes

After the Fall

Ben Rhodes
Being American in the World We've Made
4.0 (229 ratings)

What's After the Fall about?

After the Fall (2021) takes a sobering look at the rise of nationalism and authoritarianism in places like Hungary, China, Russia, and the United States of America. It examines how the standing and influence of the US changed in the years following the Cold War, and how this has led to the current challenges facing democracy around the world. 

Who should read After the Fall?

  • Political junkies
  • Fans of democracy
  • Students of modern history

43
Socialism & Capitalist Critique Books: Maoism by Julia Lovell

Maoism

Julia Lovell
A Global History
4.3 (84 ratings)

What's Maoism about?

Maoism (2019) is a deep dive into Maoist ideology, tracing the origins of the movement in the caves of northwest China to the jungles of India, the high Andean sierra, and the California city parks where The Black Panthers did their military drills. Maoism is a movement that’s hardly limited to China or even Asia.

Who should read Maoism?

  • Anyone looking to bone up on Chinese history
  • Followers of leftist politics
  • Those interested in transnational historical arcs

44
Socialism & Capitalist Critique Books: The Dawn of Everything by David Graeber & David Wengrow

The Dawn of Everything

David Graeber & David Wengrow
A New History of Humanity
4.1 (355 ratings)

What's The Dawn of Everything about?

The Dawn of Everything (2021) is a reimagining of the history of humanity, based on new discoveries in the worlds of anthropology and archeology. According to the authors, new findings challenge what we thought we knew about hierarchies, inequality, property, and the state. 

Who should read The Dawn of Everything?

  • Anyone who’s ever shaken their fist at bureaucracy
  • History lovers of all stripes
  • Those who want to be Indiana Jones when they grow up

45
Socialism & Capitalist Critique Books: The Raging 2020s by Alec Ross

The Raging 2020s

Alec Ross
Companies, Countries, People – and the Fight for Our Future
3.8 (93 ratings)

What's The Raging 2020s about?

The Raging 2020s (2021) is an autopsy of the American social contract, which once kept companies, governments, and individuals in stable harmony but has since broken down. In particular, it describes how the power of corporations has expanded in recent years while federal might has waned –⁠ and how the result is that companies have more control over people’s lives than ever before. We must work to restore the balance and write a new social contract for the modern age.

Who should read The Raging 2020s?

  • Citizens concerned about the increasing power of corporations
  • Current or aspiring politicians and activists
  • Anyone who sees the value in capitalism but thinks it can be improved

46
Socialism & Capitalist Critique Books: Earth for All by Sandrine Dixson-Decleve, Owen Gaffney, Jayati Ghosh, Jorgen Randers, Johan Rockstrom and Per Espen Stoknes

Earth for All

Sandrine Dixson-Decleve, Owen Gaffney, Jayati Ghosh, Jorgen Randers, Johan Rockstrom and Per Espen Stoknes
A Survival Guide for Humanity
4.4 (41 ratings)

What's Earth for All about?

Earth for All (2022) is more than a book – it’s a survival guide. After centuries of industrialization, population growth, and rising inequality, our planet is now at a tipping point. We are already learning to live with pandemics, war, wildfires, and more. This guide offers timely, practical solutions for the urgent problems facing humankind.

Who should read Earth for All?

  • People concerned about climate change
  • Activists seeking a better future
  • Residents of planet Earth – in other words, all of us!

47
Socialism & Capitalist Critique Books: Financial Feminist by Tori Dunlap

Financial Feminist

Tori Dunlap
Overcome the Patriarchy's Bullsh*t to Master Your Money and Build a Life You Love
4.1 (308 ratings)

What's Financial Feminist about?

Financial Feminism (2022) debunks the money myths and exposes the systemic oppression that keeps many stuck in toxic jobs or cycles of debt. Offering practical solutions that everyone can start today to close the wage gap, ramp up financial fitness, and build the life of their dreams.

Who should read Financial Feminist?

  • Anyone feeling stuck living paycheck to paycheck
  • Those who want to retire someday
  • Anyone frustrated by the sexist wealth gap looking to build a more equal future

48
Socialism & Capitalist Critique Books: It’s OK to Be Angry About Capitalism by Bernie Sanders

It’s OK to Be Angry About Capitalism

Bernie Sanders
3.9 (279 ratings)

What's It’s OK to Be Angry About Capitalism about?

It’s OK to be Angry About Capitalism (2023) is a critique of the economic and political system in the US. It offers a blueprint on how to move past unbridled capitalism onto a fairer and freer future.

Who should read It’s OK to Be Angry About Capitalism?

  • Everyone interested in the idea of democratic socialism
  • Those who’d like to understand Bernie Sanders’s political agenda
  • Anyone concerned about inequality

49
Socialism & Capitalist Critique Books: American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis

American Psycho

Bret Easton Ellis
4.1 (27 ratings)

What's American Psycho about?

American Psycho (1991) is a controversial cult novel that uses graphic violence to satirize modern capitalism and consumer culture. It follows the life of Patrick Bateman, a wealthy and handsome investment banker living in Manhattan in the 1980s. Beneath his polished exterior lies a psychopathic killer who preys on his victims without remorse. Bateman’s exploits quickly grow more and more extreme, and his mask of sanity starts to slip.

Who should read American Psycho?

  • Fans of the the 2000 movie starring Christian Bale
  • Readers who enjoy Don DeLillo, Thomas Pynchon, and William S. Burroughs
  • Anyone who enjoys dark humor

50
Socialism & Capitalist Critique Books: Profit Over People by Noam Chomsky

Profit Over People

Noam Chomsky
Neoliberalism and Global Order
4.3 (369 ratings)

What's Profit Over People about?

Profit Over People (1999) is a deep dive into the often hidden world of neoliberalism, revealing how global power structures and US policies are influenced by corporate interests. You’ll be taken on a journey that uncovers an economic system geared toward the affluent, often to the detriment of the many.

Who should read Profit Over People?

  • Students of economics or international relations 
  • Policymakers and businesspeople
  • Curious minds interested in the way our world works

51
Socialism & Capitalist Critique Books: Animal Farm by George Orwell

Animal Farm

George Orwell
4.8 (360 ratings)

What's Animal Farm about?

Animal Farm (1945) is a classic satirical novella that transplants the events of the Russian Revolution of 1917 to a small English farm. Once the animals stage an uprising, a political battle ensues between an ideological pig named Snowball and a power-hungry pig named Napoleon. 

Who should read Animal Farm?

  • Fans of political satire
  • Animal lovers
  • Anyone who likes a classic story

52
Socialism & Capitalist Critique Books: Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller

Death of a Salesman

Arthur Miller
4.2 (29 ratings)

What's Death of a Salesman about?

Death of a Salesman (1949) is widely regarded as one of the twentieth century’s greatest plays. A poignant critique of the promises and pitfalls of capitalism and the American Dream, it follows the salesman Willy Loman, his increasingly tense relationships with his family and colleagues, and his tragic, hallucinatory descent into fantasy and madness. 

Who should read Death of a Salesman?

  • Budding playwrights and theater enthusiasts
  • People curious about the dangers of unbridled capitalism
  • Anyone interested in modern drama

53
Socialism & Capitalist Critique Books: Myth America by Kevin M. Kruse and Julian E. Zelizer

Myth America

Kevin M. Kruse and Julian E. Zelizer
Historians Take on the Biggest Legends and Lies about Our Past
2.9 (110 ratings)

What's Myth America about?

Myth America (2022) is a collection of essays that examine and dismantle some of the most pervasive myths about America: how it was founded, who’s allowed to be here, and how we define a ‘real’ American or American family.

Who should read Myth America?

  • History buffs
  • Students of American politics
  • Activists and social justice warriors

54
Socialism & Capitalist Critique Books: Prosperity by Colin Mayer

Prosperity

Colin Mayer
Better Business Makes the Greater Good
4.1 (148 ratings)

What's Prosperity about?

Prosperity (2018) examines how business thinking has led to our current state of social, political, and environmental disaster. Drawing on historical, legal, and economic knowledge, it presents a radical new framework in which both corporations and the broader community can flourish together.

Who should read Prosperity?

  • Business leaders and company directors
  • MBA students
  • Economic policy developers wanting to fix our broken system

55
Socialism & Capitalist Critique Books: Capital by Karl Marx

Capital

Karl Marx
A Critique of Political Economy
4.4 (267 ratings)

What's Capital about?

Capital (1867) represents a groundbreaking analysis of money and its many roles at the height of the industrial revolution. By focusing on the exploitation of the working class, the text challenges traditional economic theories and frames a capitalist economy as a system inherently leading to social inequality and class struggle.

Who should read Capital?

  • Students studying political theory, economics, or sociology
  • Those curious about one of the most influential texts in economics
  • Readers seeking insights on class struggles and social inequalities

56
Socialism & Capitalist Critique Books: A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens

A Tale of Two Cities

Charles Dickens
4.3 (93 ratings)

What's A Tale of Two Cities about?

A Tale of Two Cities (1859) is a historical novel set against the backdrop of the tumultuous times of the French Revolution and London in the late eighteenth century. The story revolves around the lives of Charles Darnay, a French aristocrat, and Sydney Carton, a dissolute English lawyer, who share a striking physical resemblance. As the novel unfolds, it explores themes of sacrifice, resurrection, and the stark contrast between the two cities of Paris and London, ultimately culminating in a powerful and emotionally charged climax.

Who should read A Tale of Two Cities?

  • History enthusiasts
  • Literature lovers
  • Students of social justice

57
Socialism & Capitalist Critique Books: Capital in the Twenty-First Century by Thomas Piketty

Capital in the Twenty-First Century

Thomas Piketty
3.4 (104 ratings)

What's Capital in the Twenty-First Century about?

Capital in the Twenty-First Century (2013) offers a deep dive into the historical trends and dynamics of income and wealth inequality. Drawing from centuries of data, it examines how capital concentration perpetuates inequality and proposes bold solutions to address this growing divide.

Who should read Capital in the Twenty-First Century?

  • Economists studying wealth dynamics
  • Those who would like to contextualize modern economic issues with historical data
  • Advocates for social justice and economic equality

58
Socialism & Capitalist Critique Books: Birnam Wood by Eleanor Catton

Birnam Wood

Eleanor Catton
A Novel
4.0 (8 ratings)

What's Birnam Wood about?

Birnam Wood (2023) is an engrossing thriller about what happens when a group of idealistic activists cross paths with the wrong venture capitalist. What looks like an amazing opportunity soon turns into a deadly nightmare, full of lies, cover-ups, and dangerous bedfellows.

Who should read Birnam Wood?

  • Fans of suspenseful stories
  • People interested in modern eco-thrillers
  • Anyone looking for a novel filled with surprises, twists, and turns

59
Socialism & Capitalist Critique Books: Social Justice Fallacies by Thomas Sowell

Social Justice Fallacies

Thomas Sowell
3.7 (48 ratings)

What's Social Justice Fallacies about?

Social Justice Fallacies (2023) unravels the myths and misconceptions driving today's social justice movement. It turns out that many popular beliefs about how society should be improved often conflict with concrete facts. This exploration sheds light on the perilous path of good intentions paired with fallacious assertions.

Who should read Social Justice Fallacies?

  • Critical thinkers who find themselves questioning social justice movements
  • Enthusiasts of fact-driven political discourse
  • Anyone wanting to debunk widely accepted social narratives

60
Socialism & Capitalist Critique Books: American Marxism by Mark R. Levin

American Marxism

Mark R. Levin

What's American Marxism about?

American Marxism by Mark R. Levin analyzes the rise of Marxist ideology in the United States and its impact on American society and politics. With thorough research and insightful analysis, Levin examines how Marxist principles and tactics have infiltrated various institutions, influencing public discourse and policy-making. The book offers a thought-provoking critique and serves as a call to action against the spread of Marxist ideas and their potential consequences.

Who should read American Marxism?

  • Individuals interested in understanding the current state of American politics and society
  • Those looking to gain insights into the rise of Marxist ideologies within the United States
  • Readers who want to explore alternative perspectives on the challenges and threats facing the nation

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