Capitalism Book

This is one of the best of the Very Short Introductions I've read, maybe the best, because it explains the topic so well. James Fulcher writes that "[c:]apitalism is essentially the investment of money in the expectation of making a profit," and as an economic system, it is that idea adopted as part of a social or political philosophy. Fulcher explores the different types of capitalism, from 'anarchic capitalism,' instances when people invested in money for profit in enclaves that were not directly controlled by government, to 'remarketized capitalism,' a tendency that has prevailed from the 1970s onward to implement government measures to deregulate industries that were once controlled by the government. He also talks about different expressions of capitalism in the world, particularly in the United States, Japan, and Sweden. If memory serves, the expressions of capitalism are distinguished along the following lines: US capitalism is predominantly a relationship between corporate entities and individuals; Japanese capitalism is predominantly a relationship between large, family business legacies and the individuals to whom these businesses provide health care and other services; and Swedish capitalism is predominantly nationalized, where the national government provides benefits and services to people and the relationship is between the individuals and the nation-state. Fulcher also writes of how crisis is an inherent part of capitalism, as supply and demand, among other factors, is a volatile relationship, and fraud is always a problem. In addition to being informative, the book is a little frightening as well, because the flow of money and the cycles of booms and busts are so much out of the ordinary person's hands, it makes a guy or gal a little afraid of his or her future or anyone else's.