5/5

Sprawling and exhaustive in its attempts to make sense of the evolution of inequality regimes since the end of the Middle Ages, Piketty has made an attempt at a unifying theory of political economy. Ultimately, this book will never be as influential as Capital in the 21st century but is far bolder in it’s assertions while maintaining the rigor you can expect from the french economist.

Much of the substance of this book is found in the back half, and there is a real attempt here to explain the last 4 decades of development without just handing waving about neo-Liberalism. The failure of social democratic governance to adjust its programs to meet the challenge of de-industrialization, increasingly competitive tertiary education and a globalized financial system has opened the door to right-wing nativism sounds about as convincing an argument you can find for describing a global phenomenon. Ultimately, whether he intends it or not, this is a manifesto for participatory socialism. I’m not sure this is going to attract anyone skeptical of that program but it arms those of us who desire a better world with a compelling set of arguments, explanations and programs for advocating for that future.