In 'Debt', David Graeber challenges the conventional understanding of money and credit, tracing the origins of debt back to ancient civilizations. He reveals how social relationships shaped the development of economic systems, weaving narratives from anthropology, history, and economics. Graeber argues that the moral implications of debt extend beyond finance, impacting societal norms and personal identity. The book prompts readers to question the very foundations of debt and its pervasive influence in modern life. Prepare to have your perspectives shifted as Graeber unveils the hidden power dynamics behind our financial systems.
By David Graeber
Published: 2014
"'Debt is not just an economic issue; it’s a fundamental mechanism of power and social control that has shaped human relationships throughout history.'"
The groundbreaking international best-seller that turns everything you think about money, debt, and society on its head—from the “brilliant, deeply original political thinker” David Graeber (Rebecca Solnit, author of Men Explain Things to Me) Before there was money, there was debt. For more than 5,000 years, since the beginnings of the first agrarian empires, humans have used elaborate credit systems to buy and sell goods—that is, long before the invention of coins or cash. It is in this era that we also first encounter a society divided into debtors and creditors—which lives on in full force to this day. So says anthropologist David Graeber in a stunning reversal of conventional wisdom. He shows that arguments about debt and debt forgiveness have been at the center of political debates from Renaissance Italy to Imperial China, as well as sparking innumerable insurrections. He also brilliantly demonstrates that the language of the ancient works of law and religion (words like “guilt,” “sin,” and “redemption”) derive in large part from ancient debates about debt, and shape even our most basic ideas of right and wrong. We are still fighting these battles today.
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“'Debt is not just an economic issue; it’s a fundamental mechanism of power and social control that has shaped human relationships throughout history.'”
Debt
By David Graeber
Discover a world of knowledge through our extensive collection of book summaries.
David Graeber was a renowned anthropologist, activist, and author known for his incisive critiques of capitalism and profound insights into human societies. He gained significant recognition for his influential works, including 'Debt: The First 5,000 Years', where he explores the historical context of debt and its implications on social relations, and 'Bullshit Jobs: A Theory', which critiques the nature of contemporary employment. Graeber's writing style is characterized by its clarity, wit, and a deep engagement with both theoretical concepts and practical realities, making complex ideas accessible to a broad audience. His work often bridges academic analysis with activist perspectives, advocating for social justice and economic alternatives.
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