Capitalism and the Sea: The Maritime Factor in the Making of the Modern World

The global ocean has served as a trade route, strategic space, fish bank, and supply chain for the modern capitalist economy, but it has also absorbed toxic discharges, warming, expanding, and acidifying the blue water part of the planet. Campling and Colás' book argues that the earth's geographical separation into land and sea has significant consequences for capitalist development, leading to new alignments of sovereignty, exploitation, and appropriation in the capture and coding of maritime spaces and resources.

Format: Hardback
Length: 432 pages
Publication date: 05 January 2021
Publisher: Verso Books

The global ocean has played a vital role throughout centuries as a crucial trade route, strategic space, fish bank, and supply chain for the modern capitalist economy. While sea beds are explored for their fossil fuels and minerals, coastlines are developed for real estate and leisure purposes, the oceans continue to absorb the harmful toxic discharges of our carbon-based civilization. This absorption leads to warming, expansion, and acidification of the blue water portion of the planet, posing unpredictable yet irreversible consequences for the entire biosphere.

In their groundbreaking and thought-provoking book, Campling and Colás examine these and other sea-related phenomena through a historical and geographical lens. The authors delve into the political economy, ecology, and geopolitics of the sea, highlighting the profound impact of Earth's geographical division into land and sea on capitalist development. Throughout the book, they argue that the distinctive features of this mode of production relentlessly strive to transcend the land-sea binary, driven by an insatiable quest for profit. This pursuit generates novel alignments of sovereignty, exploitation, and appropriation in the capture and coding of maritime spaces and resources.

The authors explore the complex interplay between political, economic, and ecological factors that shape the dynamics of the sea. They examine how the sea has been used as a tool for imperial expansion, resource extraction, and geopolitical competition. They also shed light on the environmental challenges posed by marine pollution, overfishing, and climate change, which have significant implications for the health and sustainability of the ocean ecosystem.

Furthermore, the book delves into the historical and cultural significance of the sea, exploring how it has shaped human societies, economies, and identities. The authors highlight the role of the sea in shaping world trade, maritime exploration, and cultural exchange, as well as the challenges and opportunities associated with coastal development and maritime governance.

In conclusion, Campling and Colás' book is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the complex and multifaceted relationship between the global ocean and the modern capitalist economy. Through their insightful analysis and compelling storytelling, the authors offer a fresh perspective on the challenges and opportunities facing the ocean in the 21st century. By recognizing the vital role of the ocean in shaping our world, we can work towards a more sustainable and equitable future for all.

Weight: 612g
Dimension: 242 x 162 x 35 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781784785239