Reimagining Capitalism in a World on Fire
Shortlisted for the FT & McKinsey Business Book of the Year Award 2020Select a format:
Retailers:
Summary
***SHORTLISTED FOR FT & MCKINSEY BUSINESS BOOK OF THE YEAR 2020***
FT Best books of 2020: Business
'In a world on fire, status quo is not a great option. Henderson rightfully argues for the refoundation of capitalism and offers thought-provoking ideas on what needs to be done to address some of the world's greatest challenges.' Hubert Joly, former chairman and CEO, BestBuy
_____
What if business could help solve the greatest problems of our time?
Free market capitalism is one of humanity's greatest inventions, and the greatest source of prosperity the world has ever seen. But it's also on the verge of destroying the planet and destabilizing society in its single-minded pursuit of maximizing shareholder value.
Rebecca Henderson, McArthur University Professor at Harvard University, argues for a new framework; one that can simultaneously make a positive societal impact by confronting the realities of the environment and the need to address social and economic inequality, while also delivering sustained financial performance to ensure economic growth that brings prosperity and wellbeing to society as a whole.
Drawing on the lessons of companies from around the world who are acting on this responsibility - who are not only surviving but are thriving, becoming leaders in their industries and beginning to drive the wheels of change - Professor Henderson proves that this is not only a moral imperative for business but also the only way to remain competitive in our changing world.
_____
'You need to read Rebecca Henderson's Reimagining Capitalism in a World on Fire. This is a book for the realist with a heart.' Arthur C. Brooks, president emeritus, American Enterprise Institute; senior fellow, Harvard Business School; and author of Love Your Enemies
'Reimagining Capitalism in a World on Fire is a breath of fresh air. Written in lively prose, easily accessible to lay readers, and chock-full of interesting case studies, Henderson comprehensively surveys what we need to do to secure a workable future.' Larry Kramer, president, Hewlett Foundation
FT Best books of 2020: Business
'In a world on fire, status quo is not a great option. Henderson rightfully argues for the refoundation of capitalism and offers thought-provoking ideas on what needs to be done to address some of the world's greatest challenges.' Hubert Joly, former chairman and CEO, BestBuy
_____
What if business could help solve the greatest problems of our time?
Free market capitalism is one of humanity's greatest inventions, and the greatest source of prosperity the world has ever seen. But it's also on the verge of destroying the planet and destabilizing society in its single-minded pursuit of maximizing shareholder value.
Rebecca Henderson, McArthur University Professor at Harvard University, argues for a new framework; one that can simultaneously make a positive societal impact by confronting the realities of the environment and the need to address social and economic inequality, while also delivering sustained financial performance to ensure economic growth that brings prosperity and wellbeing to society as a whole.
Drawing on the lessons of companies from around the world who are acting on this responsibility - who are not only surviving but are thriving, becoming leaders in their industries and beginning to drive the wheels of change - Professor Henderson proves that this is not only a moral imperative for business but also the only way to remain competitive in our changing world.
_____
'You need to read Rebecca Henderson's Reimagining Capitalism in a World on Fire. This is a book for the realist with a heart.' Arthur C. Brooks, president emeritus, American Enterprise Institute; senior fellow, Harvard Business School; and author of Love Your Enemies
'Reimagining Capitalism in a World on Fire is a breath of fresh air. Written in lively prose, easily accessible to lay readers, and chock-full of interesting case studies, Henderson comprehensively surveys what we need to do to secure a workable future.' Larry Kramer, president, Hewlett Foundation
Reviews
This powerful and readable book is a clarion call for reimagining and remaking capitalism. The market economy, which used to generate rapid productivity growth and shared prosperity, has done much less of that over the last four decades. The shifting balance of power in favor of large companies and lobbies, the gutting of basic regulations, the increasing ability of corporations and the very rich to get their way in every domain of life, and the unwillingness of the government to step up to protect its weakest citizens are likely responsible for low productivity growth and ballooning inequality in the US economy. Rebecca Henderson argues that the market system can be reformed and this can be done without unduly harming corporations. We can have a more moral and more innovative capitalism. There is hope!
Daron Acemoglu, coauthor of Why Nations Fail
