A Must-Watch History of Capitalism

Capitalism, a six-part, 320 minute documentary epic, is a highly informative and refreshingly absorbable look at the economic system dominating our social and political lives. Directed by Ilan Ziv, the series spans over 500 years of history, and features commentary by the likes of David Graeber, Thomas Piketty, Michael Hudson, Kari Polanyi Levitt, and many others. It can be rented online, here.

Like Marx’s Capital, it succeeds in putting capitalism in historical context - a history that does indeed come dripping from head to foot, from every pore, with blood and dirt. There is nothing permanent about Capitalism. Like all previous relations of production, it too contains progressive qualities alongside immense contradictions, leading to conflict and instability.