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, the book 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: Paperback / softback
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 interrelationship of the three moments of capital, shedding light on their intricate interplay and revealing the complex web of forces shaping our contemporary world.

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. Through meticulous analysis of formally and thematically diverse novels by authors such as Fiston Mwanza Mujila, Marlon James, Jennifer Egan, Eugene Lim, Rafael Chirbes, Neel Mukherjee, Rachel Kushner, and others, Jelly-Schapiro unveils the diverse patterns of feeling and consciousness that emerge within the realm of capitalist society. By proposing a way beyond the contradictions of capital, the book offers a fresh conceptual framework for mapping contemporary theory, world literature, and global capital itself.

In conclusion, Moments of Capital is a groundbreaking work that delves into the complex dynamics of global capital in the postcolonial era. Through its interdisciplinary approach, the book provides a comprehensive understanding of the unity and heterogeneity of global capital, shedding light on its historical roots, economic structures, and cultural manifestations. By offering a rich literary exploration and proposing a way beyond the contradictions of capital, Moments of Capital emerges as a valuable contribution to contemporary scholarship and intellectual discourse.

Weight: 412g
Dimension: 152 x 228 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781503635432