A History of the World in Seven Cheap Things: Capitalism, Nature & Planet's Future - Perfect for Environmental Studies & Political Economy Discussions

Highly recommended. A wide and illuminating history with which to better understand the origins and evolution of capitalism. In expertly identifying its appetites and assessing its damage, the authors are able to show how capitalism has always depended on the undervaluation of what is most valuable, what effects this cheapening has had, and why this fundamental dependency can no longer be depended on.Raj Patel has always been particularly adept at shedding light on the nature and workings of capitalism. He is able to do so partly because he doesn't dwell on laying blame or pointing fingers, but doggedly endeavors to show us how capitalism is only a relatively recent political construct, created and perpetuated by a specific class of people for certain self-interested ends, and we should not be surprised that it is unjust (and in these times, plain dangerous). We should also not expect it to govern our global civilization for the duration. Capitalism is coming to a close. This book gives us a broad, connected-dots view of its history and modus operandi, so we have a better sense of what we need to disentangle ourselves from.And please never mind the one-star "reviews" from people who obviously haven't read the book.