Author(s): Grace Blakeley

Economics | Politics | 2024 Women's Prize for Non-Fiction

All over the world, democracy is in crisis. Liberal political systems are straining under the pressure imposed by authoritarian strong men undermining institutions, the rule of law and the international system that governs relations between countries. Obvious examples include Donald Trump and Boris Johnson, but these issues stretch around the world from Brazil, to Hungary, to the Philippines. People see this liberal collapse stemming from 'populist' leaders, working class voters and rogue states. But what if the threat to liberal democracy does not come from the outside, but from within? Liberal democracy and free market capitalism always go hand in hand but it is capitalism that is responsible for the crisis of liberalism. In the modern world, democracy and competition have been replaced with oligarchy and monopoly. What we are left with is corporatocracy- societies governed by a tight-knit cartel of big monopolies, financiers, states and international institutions. From technology to food, healthcare to capital, the decisions made by senior execs at the top of the world's most powerful corporations increasingly determine the conditions of life for everyone else. In Vulture Capitalism, Grace Blakeley takes on the world's most powerful corporations by showing how the causes of our modern crisis are a result of our capitalist system. And she shows how it is too full of contradictions for it to even be 'fixed' instead, it must be replaced. Searing, explosive and extremely timely, Vulture Capitalism will upend how we relate to capitalism and the world around us.

Review: A galvanising takedown of neoliberalism's "free market" logic, one rooted as much in history as it is in current events. Blakeley's argument is well researched, clear and devastating. Most important of all, she charts a path forward based in hope, democracy and liberation -- Naomi Klein
Brilliantly exposes the lie at the heart of capitalism - that there is no alternative - and systematically demolishes the myths that bolster its power. Rigorous and forensic, this ultimately hopeful book hands us the keys to redesign our own destiny. Another world is possible - and Grace Blakeley expertly charts the roadmap to reach it -- Caroline Lucas
Grace Blakeley's excellent new book brings up to date Bevan's insight. Capitalism, she shows by means of pertinent case studies, is the mortal enemy of freedom and democracy. A must-read for anyone keen to put the demos back into democracy -- Yanis Varoufakis
Blakeley's magnificent book is frightening, yes, but it brilliantly gives the lie to the concept that the (man-made) ties that bind us cannot be burst. It arms the reader with detailed knowledge of the history we're normally discouraged from looking into, lest we organize, fight, and very likely win the freedom and peace we deserve. It's the sort of book that will help us make a better world -- Rob Delaney
In this trenchant book, Grace Blakeley shows how it is the logic of ultra-monopoly capitalism, rather than greed of the elite or money politics, that is at the root of our socio-economic problems. Using sharp theoretical arguments and instructive real life examples, she tells us that only greater collectivism and a democracy that goes beyond the ballot box will allow us to create a system that can restrain that logic and make society better. Read this book if you want to make fundamental changes to the world -- Ha-Joon Chang
If you've ever wondered why you (and everyone you know) feel so out of control of the world around you, this book will give you the answer. Grace Blakeley brilliantly reveals that, for elites, economics is a weapon. This book wrests that power out of their hands -- Ash Sarkar
If you want to understand the evolution of corporate power structures that run our governments and world - then this book is for you. Breaking through all the commonly misused political and financial cliches, this book is a dive right to the heart of why money, power and control flow upwards and crystallise into a structure of irresponsible gambles, aggression, immunity and self-perpetuation -- Mike Galsworthy

Author Biography: Grace Blakeley is a staff writer at Tribune magazine and author of Stolen: How to Save the World from Financialisation and The Corona Crash. She previously worked as a research fellow for the Institute for Public Policy Research and as the New Statesman's economic commentator. She appears regularly in the media as a political and economic commentator, including appearances on Question Time, BBC This Week, and BBC Breakfast.