The End of Capitalism

  • The first book to describe a way out of capitalism without destroying our liberal democracy in the process
  • #1 SPIEGEL Bestseller
  • 120,000 copies sold
  • English synopsis and sample translation by Rose Jones available

Capitalism has led to many positive developments. Yet, at the same time, it is not sustainable. Economic expert and bestselling author Ulrike Herrmann explains clearly and incisively why “Green growth” is not the answer, and why what we need instead is “degrowth.”

The climate crisis is getting worse every day, but in practice almost nothing is changing. Greenhouse gases are increasing, dramatically and unchecked. This failure is no accident, because the climate crisis aims at the heart of capitalism. Prosperity and growth are only possible through the use of technology and the burning of energy. Unfortunately, green energy from the sun and wind will never be enough to fuel global growth. So industrialized countries are going to have to say goodbye to capitalism and strive for a circular economy in which we only consume what we can recycle.

How do we manage the transition without the collapse of the economy? The best model, as it turns out, is the British wartime economy after 1940.

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China: Zhejiang People's Publishing House / Croatia: VBZ / Denmark: Lindhardt & Ringhof / Finland: Tammi / Italy: Lit/Castelvecchi / Netherlands: Starfish Books / Romania: Cetatea de Scaun / Spain: Nola Editores / Sweden: Fri tanke / Taiwan: Walkers Cultural Enterprise / World English: Scribe

  • Publisher: Kiepenheuer&Witsch
  • Release: 08.09.2022
  • ISBN: 978-3-462-00255-3
  • 352 Pages
  • Author: Ulrike Herrmann
The End of Capitalism
Ulrike Herrmann The End of Capitalism
Andrew James Johnston
© Andrew James Johnston
Ulrike Herrmann

Ulrike Herrmann , born in Hamburg in 1964, trained as a bank clerk, studied philosophy and history, and graduated from the Henri Nannen school of journalism. Since 2000, she has been an economics correspondent for taz and a journalist writing about social and economic policy issues. She has previously published four books which were all SPIEGEL Bestsellers. The End of Capitalism is her first book published by Kiepenheuer & Witsch.