A review by misspalah
Capitalism: A Ghost Story by Arundhati Roy

challenging informative reflective tense medium-paced

4.0

“They (the 1%) say that we don’t have demands . . . they don’t know, perhaps, that our anger alone would be enough to destroy them. But here are some things—a few “pre-revolutionary” thoughts I had—for us to think about together. We want to put a lid on this system that manufactures inequality. We want to put a cap on the unfettered accumulation of wealth and property by individuals as well as corporations. As cap-ists and lid-ites, we demand: One: An end to cross-ownership in businesses. For example: weapons manufacturers cannot own TV stations, mining corporations cannot run newspapers, business houses cannot fund universities, drug companies cannot control public health funds. Two: Natural resources and essential infrastructure—water supply, electricity, health, and education—cannot be privatized. Three: Everybody must have the right to shelter, education, and health care. Four: The children of the rich cannot inherit their parents’ wealth. “This struggle has reawakened our imagination. Somewhere along the way, Capitalism reduced the idea of justice to mean just “human rights,” and the idea of dreaming of equality became blasphemous. We are not fighting to tinker with reforming a system that needs to be replaced. As a cap-ist and a lid-ite, I salute your struggle. Salaam and Zindabad.”

- Capitalism : A ghost story by Arundhati Roy

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Arundhati Roy doesn’t hold back in her book, offering sharp and clear arguments supported by strong evidence. While some readers might wish the book were longer, it still delivers a powerful critique of how nationalism, corporate power, and government policies in India work together in ways that harm ordinary people. One of the book’s main ideas is how the Indian government uses the idea of nationalism to justify actions like taking land, extracting resources, and militarizing areas—all to support corporate and capitalist interests. Roy explores how the Indian state, once envisioned as a protector of citizens, has become a facilitator of corporate interests. She highlights the transition from public welfare to privatization, which is central to her critique of "development" projects like the Narmada Valley Development Project that displaced hundreds of thousands of people. Roy points out that many of India's development projects, such as dams, mines, and factories, have involved the large-scale displacement of indigenous (Adivasi) communities, prioritizing economic growth over the well-being and rights of marginalized groups. Roy also explains how Hindu nationalism has deepened divisions in Indian society, distracting people from bigger issues like poverty, corruption, and displacement. She argues that when people are focused on religious or nationalist pride, it becomes easier for corporations and the government to exploit workers, farmers, and indigenous groups. The book provides an overview of how corporate entities, such as Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Industries, have undermined democracy and perpetuated inequality. Roy highlights how India's liberalization in the 1990s led to rapid economic growth, but also concentrated wealth and resources in the hands of a few powerful corporations. Roy also discussed about the role of NGOs (non-governmental organizations) and foundations like the Ford and Rockefeller Foundations in maintaining this system. She claims they often take funding from corporations or governments, which compromises their goals. Instead of driving real change, NGOs sometimes act as a way to calm protests and prevent grassroots movements from gaining strength. Roy calls this idea of “ benevolent capitalism” a clever trick to keep power in the hands of the few while controlling the masses. Overall, Arundhati Roy's book provides a powerful and insightful critique of the complex web of nationalism, corporate power, and the Indian government's development agenda. It highlights how these forces have exploited and oppressed marginalized communities, undermining democracy and perpetuating inequality. The book is an eye-opener about the dangers of unchecked capitalism. While it’s easy to feel powerless in such a system, Roy offers a small but inspiring hope that change is possible, even if it happens slowly, one step at a time.