A History of the World in Seven Cheap Things

Raj Patel and Jason W. Moore examine how capitalism has shaped world history through seven key elements they term "cheap things" - nature, money, work, care, food, energy, and lives. The authors trace these elements from the dawn of modern capitalism in the 15th century through to present day. The book analyzes how the pursuit of low-cost resources and labor has driven colonialism, industrialization, and globalization across centuries. Each chapter focuses on one "cheap thing," exploring its role in economic systems and its impact on human societies and the environment. Through historical examples and economic analysis, the text demonstrates how the exploitation of these seven elements has created both unprecedented wealth and devastating inequalities. The analysis spans continents and centuries, connecting historical events to contemporary challenges. The work presents a critical framework for understanding capitalism's relationship with the natural world and human society. Its examination of how "cheapness" functions as a strategy reveals deeper patterns in economic systems and their consequences for the planet's future.

Readers find the book offers a thought-provoking framework for understanding capitalism through seven key resources: nature, money, work, care, food, energy, and lives. What readers liked: - Clear explanations of complex economic concepts - Historical examples that connect past to present - Fresh perspective on familiar topics - Accessible writing style for non-academics What readers disliked: - Some found the "seven cheap things" framework forced - Several noted repetitive passages - Academic jargon in certain sections - Some wanted more concrete solutions From online reviews: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (1,200+ ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (90+ ratings) Sample reader comments: "Makes you rethink everyday items and their true costs" - Goodreads "Dense but rewarding analysis" - Amazon "The framework feels artificial at times" - Goodreads "Would benefit from more real-world examples" - LibraryThing Most complaints center on academic language and organization rather than the core arguments.

Capital in the Twenty-First Century by Thomas Piketty Traces the history of wealth and inequality through centuries of economic data, offering a complementary perspective on capitalism's long-term patterns.

The Death of Nature by Carolyn Merchant Chronicles how the Scientific Revolution transformed views of nature from a living organism to a machine for human exploitation.

Caliban and the Witch by Silvia Federici Examines the transition to capitalism through the lens of gender relations and the exploitation of women's labor and bodies.

The Great Transformation by Karl Polanyi Documents how market economies emerged by separating economic activities from social relations and converting nature and human life into commodities.

Sweetness and Power by Sidney W. Mintz Explores how sugar production connected colonialism, slavery, and industrial capitalism while transforming global food systems.

🔍 The book was co-authored by Raj Patel and Jason W. Moore, combining their expertise in food systems and environmental history respectively. 📚 The concept of "cheap nature" discussed in the book was first developed through studying the sugar plantations of Madeira in the 15th century. 🌍 Patel previously worked for the World Bank and WTO, but became a critic of their policies after witnessing their impact on global food systems. 💭 The "seven cheap things" framework was inspired by the "Four Cheaps" theory of economist Jason W. Moore (cheap labor, food, energy, and raw materials). 🏭 The book traces the origins of modern capitalism to the long 16th century (1450-1640), when European colonization began transforming global resource management.