The Poverty of Capitalism: Economic Meltdown and the Struggle for What Comes Next - Softcover

Hilary, John

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0745333303 ISBN 13: 9780745333304

Publisher: Pluto Press, 2013

Synopsis

Capitalist growth is widely heralded as the only answer to the crisis still sweeping the global economy. Yet the era of corporate globalisation has been defined by unprecedented levels of inequality and environmental degradation. A return to capitalist growth threatens to exacerbate these problems, not solve them. In The Poverty of Capitalism, John Hilary reveals the true face of transnational capital in its insatiable drive for expansion and accumulation. He exposes the myth of ‘corporate social responsibility’ (CSR), and highlights key areas of conflict over natural resources, labour rights and food sovereignty. Hilary also describes the growing popular resistance to corporate power, as well as the new social movements seeking to develop alternatives to capitalism itself. This book will be essential reading for all those concerned with global justice, human rights and equity in the world order.

About this title

Review:

I’ve been waiting for this book all century – a subtle, thorough analysis of global capitalism that is both comprehensive enough to use as a reference on current world events, and readable enough to recommend to a new generation of prospective activists. It’s no surprise that it comes from the mind of John Hilary. For decades, he’s had his finger on the pulse, his feet on the streets and his nose deep in the best books on the planet. There are few who could so deftly point to the contradictions of today’s capitalism, and to the movements that hope to move beyond it tomorrow. (Raj Patel, author of 'Stuffed and Starved')

Chronicling the state of development in the wake of the global economic crisis, The Poverty of Capitalism stands as a powerful rejoinder to the conventional wisdom that the solution to this triple-bottomed crisis (economic, social and environmental) can be found from within, in the form of a ‘remoralized’ corporate capitalism. A vital contribution to the field of International Development and a must read for anyone who wants to understand the causes of global poverty. (Dinah Rajak, Senior Lecturer in Anthropology and Development, University of Sussex)

Comprehensive in its coverage of changes in the global economy, insightful in assessing the key dynamics and agents in current struggles, this book goes beyond traditional investigations of similar themes. Not only does it analyse developments but also points to concrete possibilities of alternatives in, against and beyond neoliberal capitalism. A must-read for progressive academics and activists alike! (Andreas Bieler, Professor of Political Economy, University of Nottingham)

In this powerful, timely book, John Hilary contends that capitalism is not only in crisis - it is the crisis! This searing indictment of global capitalism’ s ‘dispossession through devastation’ not only exposes cynical attempts to legitimize capitalist exploitation and expansion through grand illusions of “corporate social responsibility” and state complicity - it also inspires us to redouble our efforts to build, strengthen and support people's movements to struggle for a just world. (Aziz Choudry, Assistant Professor, Integrated Studies in Education, McGill University)

'The Poverty of Capitalism is an important read not only for the young social activist or those interested in capitalism, but for anyone who has a general interest in politics looking to understand the true costs of global capitalism.' (Sarah Morley, LSE Review of Books)

About the Author:

John Hilary is Executive Director of War on Want.

About this edition

• Publisher: Pluto Press
• Publication date: 2013
• ISBN 10: 0745333303
• ISBN 13: 9780745333304
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 248