This book argues that the growing and seemingly unstoppable centralization of capital undermines national democracies, fuels wars, destroys the environment, and, tragically, exacerbates global hunger. In an era of overwhelming confusion, this book seeks to bring clarity by relying on empirical data and the insights of intellectuals from diverse and pluralistic schools of thought. These thinkers, often overlooked by the mainstream, remain unaligned with specific interest groups and offer critical, honest, and deeply human perspectives on the world. The book’s central goal is to place the theme of peace at the forefront of public debate, demonstrating that movements for environmental and social justice are fundamentally part of the same struggle for human survival.

This book situates current events within their historical context and a broader historical continuum. It acknowledges that today’s unfolding polycrisis is deeply rooted in global politics over the past half-century, with origins that trace back to early industrialization and colonization—key processes that established the West as a global hegemon. By offering this historical perspective, the book directly challenges dominant public narratives, which often frame contemporary crises as isolated, immediate events disconnected from their historical roots.