The Historical Foundations of Capitalism

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Exploring the pivotal developments from the 1500s onward that shaped capitalism, this chapter delves into the impact of colonial conquest, slavery, and the privatization of land. It discusses how these practices, driven by commodification and exploitation, set the stage for the rise of capitalism and the concentration of wealth among the elite few.

From the voyages of Columbus and Vasco da Gama to colonial conquest and the Atlantic Slave Trade, to the privatization of land in western Europe: humanity’s turn toward the capitalist world we live in now.

By John Biewen, with co-host Ellen McGirt. Interviews with Jayati Ghosh, Jason Hickel, Jessica Moody, Charisse Burden-Stelly, Silvia Federici, and Eleanor Janega. Story editor: Loretta Williams. Music by Michelle Osis, Lilli Haydn, Chris Westlake, Alex Symcox, and Goodnight, Lucas. Music consulting by Joe Augustine of Narrative Music. "Capitalism” is a production of the Kenan Institute for Ethics at Duke University, in partnership with Imperative 21.