The Beauty of Capitalism: And why it thrives despite its many critics (The six pillars for the good of humanity Book 1)

Product Description The book is divided in three parts—foundations of capitalism, its supremacy, and challenges. The foundations of capitalism (Chapters 1 through 4) start by defining capitalism. This is followed by an overview of its six fundamental institutions, a clarification of the main types of capitalism, and an examination of the roots of anticapitalism ideologies. The supremacy of capitalism (Chapters 5 through 8) is shown to be not only economic but also social: a major driver of freedom, democracy, and equality, which so often have been invoked to denigrate capitalism. Finally, the challenges to capitalism (Chapters 9 through 14) discuss the threats internal to market capitalism, with a special emphasis on those related to a growing financialization of the economy and a perverse evolution of finance theory. This section also includes an examination of how regulation may interfere with capitalism and a clarification of what one can and cannot expect from capitalism. This part concludes with a speculative analysis of how capitalism may end. From the Back Cover 'The financial crash that shook the world in2007, and the growing inequality in income and wealth in capitalisteconomies in the last three decades, has called into question whether moderncapitalism can ever work for the benefit of all. In his latest provocativebook, Antonio Marques-Mendes, defends capitalism against its critics. Readersmay not be convinced by all the arguments, but the book is written in anelegant and persuasive style, drawing on history and case examples, and willcertainly act as a tonic for those whose faith in capitalism may be waning.'Tony Thirlwall,Professor of AppliedEconomics,Keynes College,University of Kent About the Author Antonio J. Marques Mendes is associate professor of international finance in the School of Economics at the University of Coimbra. He is also the founder of SADIF-Investment Analytics, an independent research provider, and the author of its award-winning rating system StockMarksTM. He is a devoted academic despite taking prolonged leaves to follow distinguished careers as a member of the European Parliament and banker at the EBRD. He has also authored other books, including a ground-breaking book on economic integration and economic growth in Europe and a book of short essays in economics and finance.