ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book considers “Crisis” as a concept that has multiple meanings. It argues that it has been over ten years since the Great Recession, which many have suggested is a terminal crisis of capitalism or a structural crisis of the modern world-system, which differs from normal business downturns. The book examines how far a purely economic history can explain the capitalist process and its crisis, excluding all external factors, such as wars, population growth, and governmental policies. It articulates the interconnectedness of political economy and cultural environments. The book examines the post-revolutionary period, presents both macro and micro case studies, and argues that the changes in cultural conditions indicate the tails of the systemic cycles. It focuses on Brazil and the recession of 2018 as well as the increasing crime rates and corruption scandals that elected a far-right politician, Jair Bolsonaro.
