The CCDC Book Club will be meeting on Monday, April 27th @6:00pm.

This month, we’ll discuss Capitalism: A Global History by Sven Beckert.

Capitalism: A Global History by Sven Beckert is a monumental book that argues capitalism was born global, emerging from interconnected trading communities across Asia, Africa, and Europe, not just the West, and was propelled by a violent alliance between states and merchants. The book traces the last millennium of capitalism, showing how it was built on exploitation, state power, and unprecedented organization, challenging the idea that it’s a purely Western or “natural” phenomenon. It examines the system’s history through a global lens, from slave plantations to modern factories, highlighting its dynamism and inherent inequalities. 

We will also discuss The Games Ethic and Imperialism by J.A. Mangan

The Games Ethic and Imperialism: Aspects of the Diffusion of an Ideal, by J. A. Mangan, is a landmark 1986 book that explores how the “games ethic” (the moral and cultural values of sport) from British public schools spread throughout the British Empire. It argues that organized sports like cricket and rugby were used to instill Victorian ideals of manliness, discipline, and fair play, which were seen as essential for creating loyal and effective imperial administrators and soldiers. The book is a key text in the history of sport and imperialism, analyzing the cultural and psychological aspects of this diffusion. 

We will also discuss organizing a A Civics 201 speakers program at Democratic HQ

 Pick up a copy and join us!

The discussion will be held at Cortland County Democratic Committee Headquarters: 129 Port Watson St, Cortland, NY