On writing the history of capitalism.

Political theorist Corey Robin talks to Alex H and Alex G about what is wrong with Sven Beckert's monumental new Capitalism: A Global History.

Have historians returned to writing about big themes and grand narratives?

Why does Beckert date capitalism's emergence to 12th century Arabia?

Is capitalism essentially about free markets and free trade – or about the state, coercion, violence?

If capitalism has no beginning and no end, then does that mean we're still at the end of History?

Links:

The Long Revolution, Corey Robin (review of Sven Beckert), The Nation

/481/ Everything is Plausible: Oligarchy – or Worse ft. Corey Robin