It is time to leave capitalism behind. We live in a system of economic feudalism that has nothing to do with a free market economy. The innovations we need for the solution of our truly important problems are not forthcoming. How can it be that technological developments financed by the taxpayer end up enriching private companies even if their activities violate public interests? We should reward talent and real performance and promote start-ups with good ideas.Based on a clear analysis and concrete proposals, Sahra Wagenknecht launches a discussion on new forms of ownership and sketches the outlines of an innovative and just economy.

ContentsTranslator's Foreword 7Preface 9Part IPerformance, individual responsibility and competition: the grand illusions of capitalism1. The Rogue Economy: Is Greed a Virtue? 292. Rise and Decline: How Innovative is our Economy? 373. Dishwasher Legends, Feudal Dynasties, and the Disappearing Middle 513.1 Top incomes without work 513.2 On the futility of saving as a method of accumulating capital 593.3 Inherited privilege: Capital feudalism 643.4 Upward mobility was yesterday: the "new middle class" moves to the bottom 724. Robber Barons and Tycoons-Power Instead of Competition 794.1 Industrial oligarchs: no chances for newcomers 794.2 Controlled markets: market power kills innovation and quality 884.3 Data monsters: monopoly on the Internet 934.4 The visible hand of the state 1065. Why Genuine Entrepreneurs do not need Capitalism 1195.1 Entrepreneurs without profit 1205.2 "Competition and capitalism are a contradiction in terms" 123Part IIMarket Economy instead of Economic Feudalism: Sketch of a Modern Economic Order6. What Makes Us Rich? 1316.1 The social order is of our own making 1316.2 How do ideas emerge? 1417. How Do We Want to Live? 1497.1 Tricky measure 1497.2 A self-reinforcing process 1588. Another Way is Possible: Cooperative Banks 1678.1 Master or servant: What kind of financial industry do we need? 1678.2 Where does money come from? 1778.3 Money is a public good 1969. Rethinking Property 2199.1 Property theories since Aristotle 2199.2 Ownership without liability: the genius of capitalism 2309.3 Profits as a "public good" 2439.4 Entrepreneurial freedom without neo-feudalism 247Acknowledgements 261Endnotes 263