The story of cotton is inexorably tied to the story of modern capitalism, a constant global struggle between slaves and planters, merchants and statesmen, workers and factory owners. On this week's Please Explain, we dive into how cotton changed history, and how the industry, and the product, reaches our homes today. Sven Beckert is the author of Empire of Cotton: A Global History, and Mike Watson is the Vice President of Fiber Competition for Cotton Incorporated.