SHORT READING GUIDE · What Is Capitalism?
01 / The concept
Capitalism is a social system in which production is largely controlled as private property and organised for profit. Many people earn their income by selling their labour-power, while owners of capital control investment decisions.
02 / How to read
Notice the difference between owning things for personal use and controlling a workplace that depends on other people’s labour. Class concerns relationships in production, rather than simply lifestyle or the amount of money in someone’s wallet.
03 / Reading task
Open the source below. Note one main argument, one piece of evidence or example, and one unanswered question. This guide is original editorial writing, rather than a quotation or translation of the source text.
Original and further reading ↗
Discuss together
- Who decides what a workplace produces, and who bears the consequences?
- What evidence could test the explanation offered in this reading?