How Did Fulcher Write A Very Brief Summary Of Capitalism

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In the first chapter of Capitalism: A Very Short Introduction, James Fulcher explores the definition of capitalism by outlining its history and development over time. Within the first paragraph, the reader quickly recognizes that capitalism cannot simply be defined by a fixed set of characteristics. Rather, it contains different phases that derive from the same foundation. Fulcher categorizes capitalism into three phases: merchant capitalism, industrial capitalism, and finance capitalism, all of which involve the “investment of money in order to make a profit.” Although each of these is rooted in the same principle, they have distinct characteristics. Merchant capitalism, often referred to as mercantilism, is epitomized by the large state-backed