Capital in the Twenty-First Century

By: Thomas Piketty, Arthur Goldhammer - translator

Narrated by: L. J. Ganser

Length: 24 hrs and 58 mins

Publisher's summary

What are the grand dynamics that drive the accumulation and distribution of capital? Questions about the long-term evolution of inequality, the concentration of wealth, and the prospects for economic growth lie at the heart of political economy. But satisfactory answers have been hard to find for lack of adequate data and clear guiding theories. In Capital in the Twenty-First Century, Thomas Piketty analyzes a unique collection of data from 20 countries, ranging as far back as the 18th century, to uncover key economic and social patterns. His findings will transform debate and set the agenda for the next generation of thought about wealth and inequality.

Piketty shows that modern economic growth and the diffusion of knowledge have allowed us to avoid inequalities on the apocalyptic scale predicted by Karl Marx. But we have not modified the deep structures of capital and inequality as much as we thought in the optimistic decades following World War II. The main driver of inequality - the tendency of returns on capital to exceed the rate of economic growth - today threatens to generate extreme inequalities that stir discontent and undermine democratic values. But economic trends are not acts of God. Political action has curbed dangerous inequalities in the past, Piketty says, and may do so again.

A work of extraordinary ambition, originality, and rigor, Capital in the Twenty-First Century reorients our understanding of economic history and confronts us with sobering lessons for today.

Download the accompanying reference guide.

©2014 the President and Fellows of Harvard College (P)2014 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"L.J. Ganser's voice and accents are superb, and emphasis is well placed." ( AudioFile)

Wealth Inequality

It was okay. Nothing groundbreaking. Many interesting points made. Better to read the book and analyze the charts than to simply listen. I can't help myself from saying that no, I don't agree with Piketty's proposed solutions to wealth inequality or international relations, but the book was well made.

Nothing less than a bomshell

This book has helped me greatly in understanding current economics, it's a mark of a great book that it brings understanding of urgent issues clearly to the public. I strongly suggest you read this book if you want to make underpinned desisions in the next elections!

Brilliant

This new classic belongs in every household and on every listening device. Erudite, unpretentious. Refreshing writing style. Continually fascinating.

Extremely Informative

The book was extremely informative about the troubles of managing capitalism in the upcoming century. Also, it provided a lot of insight into the nature of modern capitalism.

Great idea if you want one global mega-state

The author basically says capital accumulates into higher concentration over time. His solution is to strip all individuals of property and privacy for “the greater good” lipstick on a pig

Capital

I was an economic major in college. An a AS deg in global logistics. I found very excellent

Illuminating

Picketty does an impressive job making a complicated and technical subject accessible. The charts are very helpful to understanding and I’d recommend looking them up as you go. He also makes clear the different economic theories without condescending or setting up straw men. We all need the level of economic fluency this book provides. Required reading.

One part is missing

Picketty is clearly a bright and hard working fellow who has done a fine job of explaining and illustrating how economic growth occurs. But while he spends considerable time & effort to explain why concentration of wealth occurs and some possible remedies, I did not find a clear argument for why an "inegalitarian" society is good or bad. One chapter dedicated to the elucidation of the best objective level of inequality would be time well spent.

Inspiring book

This book made it immediately to my top five most important books. These perspectives and thoughts really need to be present in the public debate. The ending sentence was one of the best sentences ever put to text in the history of mankind.

Outstanding Economics Text

Piketty is an essential text among economics literature. The author devotes long pages to reviewing the economic conditions of the 18th and 19th centuries, before analyzing the global distribution of wealth today. He raises important questions that we must grapple with as a society and presents fascinating conclusions and recommendations for the future of taxes and central banking.