Reimagining Capitalism in a World on Fire by Rebecca Henderson, a renowned Harvard professor, debunks prevailing orthodoxy with a new intellectual foundation and practical pathway forward for a system that has lost its moral and ethical foundation. Henderson acknowledges that free market capitalism is one of humanity’s greatest inventions and the greatest source of prosperity the world has ever seen—but this success has been costly, with capitalism on the verge of destroying the planet and destabilizing society as wealth rushes to the top. Drawing on rigorous research in economics, psychology, and organizational behavior, as well as years of work with companies worldwide, Henderson debunks the worldview that the only purpose of business is to make money and maximize shareholder value, showing how capitalism can become an engine of prosperity in harmony with environmental realities, social justice, and truly democratic institutions.
Why it matters: The time for action is running short, and Henderson provides what many critiques of capitalism lack: a pragmatic foundation for transformation grounded in a deep understanding of how change actually takes place in complex systems. Through fascinating stories of companies making first steps toward reimagining capitalism, combined with rich discussion of the government’s role and how finance, governance, and leadership must evolve, the book offers both an inspiring vision and a practical pathway. Henderson addresses those who recognize capitalism’s destructive trajectory but need more than critique—they need a roadmap for navigating unprecedented challenge while seizing extraordinary opportunity.
