Book The Making of Global Capitalism: The Political Economy of American Empire
"The most important leftist book of the year, and probably the decade." -Charles Mudede, The Stranger
The all-encompassing embrace of world capitalism at the beginning of the twenty-first century was generally attributed to the superiority of competitive markets. Globalization had appeared to be the natural outcome of this unstoppable process. But today, with global markets roiling and increasingly reliant on state intervention to stay afloat, it has become clear that markets and states aren't straightforwardly opposing forces.
In this groundbreaking work, Leo Panitch and Sam Gindin demonstrate the intimate relationship between modern capitalism and the American state. The Making of Global Capitalism identifies the centrality of the social conflicts that occur within states rather than between them. These emerging fault lines hold out the possibility of new political movements that might transcend global markets.
"Left-leaning intellectuals examine the exceptional role of the United States in the development of global capitalism ... .[a] densely detailed work." - Kirkus Reviews
"Sweeping, timely, and well-researched study of global capitalism ... compelling." - Publishers Weekly
"[G]ives an excellent history of capitalism and compares how modern capitalism in America has set the stage for the acceptance of global capitalism ... one of the best books I've read on the topic." - Book Bargains and Previews
"A meticulous history of how the American state, in conjunction with Wall Street, developed the institutional conditions that made global capitalism possible." - Infoshop News
"A masterful century-long history of US corporate activity and state economic strategy. Insofar as capitalist states are where class interests are codified, their spicy reading of dry officialdom's milquetoast narratives is absolutely vital to our knowledge about power. Most valuable are the ways these Canadians set out anti-capitalist principles and critiques of reformism, and defend socialist aspirations. In perhaps no other site in the English-speaking academic world are such committed, principled and generous leaders so warmly received by colleagues and students, and more importantly, by workers and communities in struggle. This means taking with utmost seriousness both their analysis and strategy, for even if they do not always jump the gap perfectly, no one I know has a better working model." - Red Pepper
"Readers should avail themselves of Professors Leo Panitch and his colleague Sam Gindin's excellent researching and insightful analysis, as well as their readable description and explanation of how the money part of the US empire works or doesn't. Serious activists will learn: these authors teach the how and why of the world's capitalist economic system." - Counterpunch
"Organize[d] .. Focused ... a confrontation with financial institutions that must be re-created as instruments of economic coordination and social welfare." - Book News
"There is little doubt that The Making of Global Capitalism will soon establish itself as a benchmark text on the history of global capitalism during the 20th century ... Panitch and Gindin survey global capitalism from its head office so to speak, in order to follow a train of decisions and actions which they contend demonstrate precisely how global capitalism is-and indeed can only be-the logical result of the organization and operation of a new form of American empire." - Canadian Journal of Political Science
