Because the fundamental premise of capitalism is ever increasing capital accumulation, capitalism must always expand, and the expansion has usually been geographical, explains Li (economics, U. of Utah). He argues that China was the last large territory to be integrated into the global capitalist system, so when that process is complete, global capitalism, with no place to expand to, will rot and die. He draws on Marxism and world systems theory, and considers as well the tension between an economic theory that posits eternal growth, and a planet with finite resources. Annotation 2009 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
