vincenthowland 's review for:

The Origin of Capitalism: A Longer View by Ellen Meiksins Wood

4.0

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Wood argues that capitalism's roots required specific legal, ideological, and institutional support within a particular historic setting in feudal England to extend and ultimately globalize: a narrow but ultimately-compelling premise. I found her passages about the inherent market-based compulsions to exploitation upon capitalists, renters, and laborers especially interesting and applicable to thin soup of modern reformist policies which do not meaningfully address the difficulties faced by modern attempts to opt out of competition and alienation.

I did find some passages a bit dry and repetitive, if relatively brief.