1227: Sven Beckert: Empire of Cotton

12/8/15

Harvard historian Sven Beckert, author of Empire of Cotton: A Global History, tells us why cotton helps us understand capitalism (8:16). How Europe was able to dominate the global cotton trade. The difference between "mercantile" capitalism and "war" capitalism (12:23). Slavery and the growth of global cotton. How Southern slavery is a part of national and global history (15:41). Why the British Empire focused cotton production on India. How nation states were central to the development of capitalism and modern sweatshop labor and the history of capitalist development (18:07).

On The Fun Half: Debating Donald Trump's Muslim ban with our "Constitutionalist" caller Doug. Ted Cruz surges in Iowa. Donald Trump goes full Fascist and Sam gets into a heated debate with Michael Steele and your calls and IMs.

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