Moments of Capital: World Theory, World Literature

Moments of Capital explores the unity and heterogeneity of global capital in the postcolonial present, arguing that it is composed of three synchronous moments: primitive accumulation, expanded reproduction, and the synthetic dispossession facilitated by financialization and privatization. Through literary readings, it reveals the uneven texture and experience of capitalist modernity and develops a new conceptual key for mapping contemporary theory, world literature, and global capital.

Format: Hardback
Length: 266 pages
Publication date: 03 April 2023
Publisher: Stanford University Press

Undertaking a profound exploration at the crossroads of critical theory and world literature, Moments of Capital emerges as a groundbreaking endeavor to comprehend the intricate unity and diverse manifestations of global capital in the postcolonial era. Eli Jelly-Schapiro posits that global capital is comprised of three interconnected and interdependent moments: primitive accumulation, expanded reproduction, and the synthetic dispossession facilitated by financialization and privatization. These moments correspond to distinct economic and political structures, as well as distinct strands of theory and fiction.

Moments of Capital skillfully weaves together a rich tapestry of intellectual traditions, drawing from diverse trajectories of Marxist thought, Weberian inquiries into the essence of capitalism, and anticolonial accounts of racial depredation. Through this comprehensive lens, the book unveils the simultaneous interconnection of the three moments of capital, shedding light on their intricate interplay and revealing the complex web of forces shaping contemporary society.

In addition to its theoretical insights, Moments of Capital offers a literary exploration that brings to life the uneven texture and lived experiences of capitalist modernity. By analyzing formally and thematically diverse novels, ranging from the works of Fiston Mwanza Mujila to Marlon James, Jennifer Egan, Eugene Lim, Rafael Chirbes, Neel Mukherjee, Rachel Kushner, and others, Jelly-Schapiro delves into the diverse patterns of feeling and consciousness that emerge within the realm of capitalist society. Through these literary readings, she not only illuminates the contradictions of capital but also proposes a way beyond them, offering a new conceptual key for mapping contemporary theory, world literature, and global capital itself.

In conclusion, Moments of Capital is a groundbreaking work that offers a comprehensive and multifaceted perspective on the complex dynamics of global capital in the postcolonial present. Through its interdisciplinary approach, it provides a valuable contribution to our understanding of the world and offers a roadmap for navigating the challenges and contradictions of capitalist modernity.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781503634718