Why Not Capitalism?

Book Details

• Author: Jason F. Brennan

• Publisher: Routledge

• Language: English

• Edition: 1st

• ISBN: 9780415732970

• Pages: 120

• Cover: Paperback

• Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.1 x 0.4 inches

• Weight: Not specified

About the Book

Why Not Capitalism? by Jason F. Brennan presents a bold and intellectually stimulating challenge to one of the most widely accepted assumptions in economic thought—that capitalism is a compromise with human selfishness, only superior to socialism because we fall short of moral perfection. Brennan flips this narrative on its head by arguing that capitalism isn't just the best system in our flawed reality—it would also be the ideal choice in a morally perfect world.

Drawing on the famous insight of Adam Smith that self-interest drives economic efficiency, Brennan makes a compelling case that private property and free markets are not just practical necessities but also moral virtues. He shows how capitalism, even under idealized conditions, fosters mutual cooperation, fairness, prosperity, and social harmony better than any form of socialism could.

Engagingly written and deeply thought-provoking, this book dismantles the idea that socialism holds the moral high ground. With clarity and sharp reasoning, Brennan argues that ideal capitalism outperforms ideal socialism on every front. As a result, Why Not Capitalism? invites readers from across the ideological spectrum to reconsider their assumptions about economic justice, human motivation, and the very foundations of a good society.

Perfect for students, academics, policy thinkers, and curious readers alike, this concise yet powerful book is a must-read for anyone exploring the philosophical and ethical dimensions of capitalism and socialism.