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‘This book is an excellent explanation of why capitalism is not just successful, but morally right’ Elon Musk

‘A joyful counterblast… packed with vivid examples… decisive’ The Economist

‘Compelling… Masterful’ Daily Mail

‘A timely reminder of the benefits of free and open trade’ Financial Times

A vital exploration of capitalism and the benefits it brings to global society.

Marx and Engels were right when they observed in The Communist Manifesto that free markets had in a short time created greater prosperity and more technological innovation than all previous generations combined. A century and a half later, all the evidence shows that capitalism has lifted millions from hunger and poverty.

Nonetheless, today’s story about global capitalism, shared by right-wing and left-wing populists – and by large sections of the political and economic establishment – accepts that prosperity has been created, but says it ended up in far too few hands. This in turn has made it popular to talk about the global economy as a geopolitical zero-sum game, where we must fight to control new innovations, introduce trade barriers and renationalize supply chains. More generally, capitalism is also accused of fuelling glaring inequality, populist revolts, climate change and China’s global conquest.

In this incisive and passionate investigation, Johan Norberg instead restates the case for capitalism and the vital role played by the free market in today’s uncertain world. Ultimately, he argues that a move away from global capitalism would not only squeeze the growth out of the economy but also deepen an already large social exclusion for the vulnerable – for the world’s poor, it would be a killing blow.

Publisher Review

Norberg’s paean of praise for the market economy is compelling. With masterful command of statistics, he demonstrates just how much the global switch away from state domination…. has led us to as rapid a decline in levels of absolute poverty as has been witnessed in history. — Dominic Lawson * Daily Mail * [The Capitalist Manifesto] is a timely reminder of the benefits of free and open trade. * Financial Times * A joyful counterblast… a book packed with vivid examples… decisive. * The Economist * Norberg’s elegant manifesto has much to commend it * Spectator * The Capitalist Manifesto is essential reading for everyone that wants to understand global capitalism. You may not agree with everything in the book, but you have to understand and confront the arguments Norberg makes. This is a book that people will be debating not just in a year’s time, but a decade’s time. — Andrew O’Brien, Director of Policy and Impact, Demos Clear, colourful and convincing, marshalling evidence from a range of eras and civilisations…The author is often amusing as well as illuminating. * The Economist on OPEN * Johan Norberg’s superb book demonstrates, with hundreds of examples, how openness has been the key to the success of our species over 10,000 years and is the secret of prosperity and peace today. * Matt Ridley on OPEN * No person or society is smart enough or wise enough or noble enough to solve the wicked problems of life by themselves. With clarity and grace, Johan Norberg reminds us that openness to things and ideas from others is the only route to well-being. * Steven Pinker on OPEN * A prophet of anti-pessimism. — Simon Jenkins * Guardian on OPEN *