Over the past decades, capitalism has undeniably brought about tremendous prosperity. So why—this being the central question of the book—is capitalism repeatedly called into question, and in some cases, even fiercely opposed? Critics argue that capitalism is the root cause of social injustice, rising poverty, and the climate crisis. They claim that capitalism, by its very nature, depends on infinite growth—something that is no longer viable in a world of finite resources. Capitalist competition, they say, fosters a selfish, cutthroat society instead of the solidarity that is urgently needed. Many in the younger generation, in particular, are increasingly disillusioned with capitalism.

This book explores the reasons behind the shift toward a capitalism-critical society and outlines possible paths toward a reformed capitalism—one that is more social, ecological, and values-driven.