A history of the world in seven cheap things

Sunday, 13 May 2018 - 11:00am to 11:30am

"It's easier to imagine the end of the world than the end of capitalism" - Mark Fisher

Imagining the end of capitalism, that's our task on this 200th anniversary of the birth of Karl Marx, the most influential theorist of capitalism.

On today’s show, Raj Patel helps us un-pack the history of capitalism, and how it has radically altered the ecology of this planet. Patel is the co-author, with Jason W. Moore of the book 'A History of the World in Seven Cheap Things : A Guide to Capitalism, Nature, and the Future of the Planet' This episode we hear Patel outline these 7 cheaps, and he explains the crisis capitalism is facing. In this crisis Patel encourages us to see the possibility of a world beyond capitalism.

Raj Patel is an award-winning writer, activist and academic. Patel also co-produces a food politics podcast, it’s called The Secret Ingredient, and it comes out of radio KUT in Austin, Texas.

Audio for today's episode comes from a recording of Patel's talk at the Revolutionary University Weekend, organised by Speak Out Now, October 2017.

Earth Matters #1139 was produced by Teishan Ahearne.

Earth Matters

A banner that's painted in the aboriginal flag colours. The banner says Always Was Always Will Be

Sunday 11:00am to 11:30am

Local and global environmental issues from grassroots, activist perspectives with a strong social justice focus. Distributed nationally on the Community Radio Network.