8 New Capitalism Books Reshaping the Field in 2025

Kentaro Kawamori challenges the common narrative that capitalism is solely to blame for the climate crisis by illustrating how the same market forces can also drive solutions. He walks you through how various sectors—government, finance, fossil fuels—have intertwined to accelerate global warming, but also how innovation within capitalism is sparking a climate technology renaissance. You’ll gain insights into the evolving energy industry and how free-market incentives can be harnessed to include climate stakeholders meaningfully. This book suits those curious about the intersections of economics and environmental change, offering a fresh perspective on harnessing capitalism’s power for climate progress.

Ruchir Sharma explores the unintended consequences of a century-long expansion of government intervention on capitalism, arguing that what many label as capitalism's failure is better understood as a distortion caused by excessive state involvement. You gain insights into how government policies, originally designed to protect during economic downturns, have evolved into pervasive bailouts and regulations that hinder market efficiency and fuel inequality. The book traces historical shifts from a 19th-century laissez-faire approach to today's expansive welfare and bailout culture, highlighting the rise of monopolies and "zombie" firms as symptoms of this intervention. If you're interested in understanding the nuanced relationship between government action and economic outcomes, this book offers a clear diagnosis of current challenges and why simply expanding the state further won't resolve them.

This tailored book explores the breakthrough developments reshaping capitalism in 2025, focusing on your unique interests and background. It examines the latest economic shifts, emerging trends, and new discoveries transforming global markets and governance. By concentrating on areas you find most relevant, it reveals how capitalism adapts to cultural, environmental, and political challenges today. The book covers innovative research and evolving economic dynamics, providing a personalized lens on the forces influencing capitalism's future. This approach allows you to engage deeply with cutting-edge insights that match your goals, making complex changes accessible and relevant to your perspective.

Political philosopher Jason Brennan challenges the common view that capitalism thrives only because humans are inherently selfish. He argues instead that even morally perfect individuals would find capitalism the superior system for fostering cooperation, justice, and prosperity. Brennan dismantles the moral high ground claimed by socialism by comparing ideal forms of both systems, showing capitalism’s advantages at every turn. The book’s expanded second edition adds fresh critiques of egalitarianism and outlines minimal moral principles necessary for a just capitalist society. If you're interested in rethinking economic assumptions and exploring capitalism beyond typical debates, this book offers thoughtful, provocative insights.

Dr John Bredfeldt, a conservative economist, wrote this book to clarify the U.S. capitalist system for general readers. You get a structured breakdown of capitalism's foundations as Adam Smith envisioned, followed by an analysis of how these principles play out in today’s American economy. The book dives into practical economic issues with ample data and offers conservative-aligned recommendations to address governmental shortcomings in applying capitalist concepts. If you seek to understand both the theory and current challenges of U.S. capitalism through a traditional lens, this book will deepen your grasp, though it may not satisfy those looking for progressive economic perspectives.

This book challenges the conventional wisdom that global capitalism is a fixed system, offering instead a thorough diagnosis of its current state and potential futures. David Lane, a seasoned political economist, draws on his deep understanding of economic and political coordination to propose a hybrid model blending market socialism with state planning. You'll gain insights into how these alternatives could reshape economic governance beyond traditional neoliberal frameworks, with detailed discussions that contrast social democracy and various forms of state capitalism. This book is particularly suited for those interested in economic theory, policy innovation, and the evolving dynamics of global markets.

This tailored exploration dives into capitalism's evolving landscape, focusing on the freshest insights shaping the market and policy arenas in 2025. It examines emerging trends, recent discoveries, and the complex interplay between economic forces and societal shifts. Crafted to match your background and interests, the book reveals how new developments redefine capitalism's role in global markets and governance. By concentrating on your specific goals, it offers a stimulating journey through current debates and future possibilities, helping you grasp the nuances of capitalism's transformation. This personalized approach ensures you engage deeply with the material most relevant to your perspective and aspirations.

Jonathan McMillan challenges the common notion that capitalism is simply a free-market economy, revealing a critical flaw in how banking disrupts its balance. He argues that neither tighter regulations nor technological fixes will solve the systemic issues, instead offering a fresh framework that situates banking troubles within a broader economic context. You’ll gain insight into why capitalism falters today and explore McMillan’s thoughtful proposals for reforming the economic order. This book suits anyone curious about the structural dynamics of capitalism and seeking a deeper understanding beyond surface-level critiques.

Unlike many analyses of capitalism that focus on shareholder returns, Hunter Hastings and Stephen Denning trace the evolution of the corporation from its entrepreneurial roots centered on customer value to its current state dominated by financialization. You’ll explore how managerial shifts diverted focus from innovation and customer experience to enriching executives and shareholders instead. The book lays out this historical arc clearly, culminating in a discussion of how digital-era corporations could revive customer-centric capitalism. If you want to understand the structural shifts undermining capitalism’s original promise and what might restore it, this concise volume offers a sharp lens and fresh perspective.

Jon Greenaway challenges the conventional wisdom that capitalism can be understood purely through economics by exploring its darker cultural and philosophical dimensions. You’ll encounter a blend of film criticism and cultural theory that unpacks capitalism’s haunting presence in gothic literature and modern media, from Frankenstein to contemporary cinema. This book is particularly insightful if you want to grasp how horror as a genre reflects and critiques capitalist politics and how it opens pathways to revolutionary hope through what Greenaway calls Gothic Marxism. If your interest lies in the cultural narratives underpinning economic systems, this book offers a unique perspective that goes beyond traditional economic analysis.