⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Capitalism without Capital by Haskel
| Full Title | Capitalism without Capital: The Rise of the Intangible Economy |
|---|---|
| Authors | Jonathan Haskel, Stian Westlake |
| Year Published | 2017 |
| Date Read | January 16, 2022 |
| Rating | 5/5 stars |
I found this to be quite a stimulating book that opened many enjoyable avenues of thought for me. The way that it frames intangibles reminded me of Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind, though this book is far less abstract and focuses more so on the immediate past / near future. I found many of the authors’ arguments compelling and some even pushed my opinions away from where they have been for a few years. In particular, I found their defense of at least some form of intellectual property compelling — similarly to how nations that cannot enforce physical property rights create a disincentive for businesses to acquire physical assets, nations that either do not enforce or irregularly enforce intellectual property rights may discourage investment in intangible assets.
Having been released just before the pandemic, one also considers how some of the things the authors discuss as being current limitations, in particular around the drop-off to innovation when we get
further from a city center, might be changing.
Would highly recommend to readers with an interest in the economy, finance, or government.