What is, and to what end do we criticize, capitalism?

Abstract

Based on a famous phrase by the philosopher Friedrich Schiller about universal history, Elmar Altvater makes the same question regarding capitalism and reflects on the importance of criticizing it. He analyzes the transformations of this economic system since its origins in the 18th century and critically addresses the functioning of current capitalism and its consequences, particularly its lack of sustainability in the medium term. He suggests the vital importance of studying this system, not only from an economic point of view, but from a multidisciplinary perspective that includes other social sciences such as politics and sociology, as well as natural sciences in order to comprise capitalism from all its angles and open spaces for new ideas.