What is capitalism? This book attempts to sketch some important answers to this question. The chapters combine insights into the historical development of capitalism with the analytical advances and insights it enabled. The impasse into which absolute global authoritarian capitalism currently seems to be running is analyzed from several perspectives. The major obstacle, which capitalism in its latest form probably will not be able to master, is identified as the rapidly approaching environmental collapse, combined with multiple local wars and general economic downturn.

Nevertheless, the book ends on an optimistic note: the human species, in principle, can secure its survival. 500 years of capitalism were also 500 years of scientific development. We do already have most of the tools we need. What is missing is a new form of social organization, a framework of social institutions for self-governance; in short, global democracy.

This is a book on capitalism, but it also points beyond capitalism, as the apparent shortcomings of this mode of production threaten the survival of the human species.