23 Things They Don’t Tell You About Capitalism by Ha-Joon Chang Summary
Overview of 23 Things They Don’t Tell You About Capitalism
Economist Ha-Joon Chang shatters free-market myths in his international bestseller that's drawn comparisons to Galbraith and Stiglitz. Discover why the washing machine changed society more than the internet, and why even Cambridge economists believe government intervention is essential for true prosperity.
Similar books to 23 Things They Don’t Tell You About Capitalism
Feel the book through the author's voice
Turn knowledge into engaging, example-rich insights
Capture key ideas in a flash for fast learning
Enjoy the book in a fun and engaging way
Key takeaways
When Free Markets Aren't Really Free
Here's a provocative truth: there's no such thing as a truly free market. Every market operates within boundaries we've simply learned to accept. Consider 19th-century Britain, where factory owners argued that "labour ought to be free" when reformers proposed banning work for children under nine. Today, even the most ardent capitalists accept child labor laws as normal. What changed wasn't economics-it was our values. Markets resemble kung fu movies where masters appear to defy gravity while suspended on invisible wires. These hidden supports include restrictions on what can be traded, who can participate, and under what conditions. Even supposedly fundamental features like wages are politically determined through immigration policies. When Republican Senator Jim Bunning complained that nationalizing Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac was something that would only happen in "socialist" France, President Bush shortly after implemented the $700 billion TARP program while claiming it remained consistent with free-market principles. This reveals that no scientifically defined boundary for free markets exists-just political choices we've normalized into invisibility.
Why Your Washing Machine Changed the World More Than Your iPhone
The Hidden Cost of the American Dream
Why Africa Isn't Doomed by Geography
When Governments Successfully Pick Winners
Why Welfare States Create Dynamic Economies
Building a Capitalism That Works for Everyone
Quick Summary Mode - Read or listen to 23 Things They Don’t Tell You About Capitalism Summary in 9 Minutes
Break down key ideas from 23 Things They Don’t Tell You About Capitalism into bite-sized takeaways to understand how innovative teams create, collaborate, and grow.
Flash Card Mode - Top 11 Insights from 23 Things They Don’t Tell You About Capitalism in a Nutshell
Distill 23 Things They Don’t Tell You About Capitalism into rapid-fire memory cues that highlight Pixar’s principles of candor, teamwork, and creative resilience.
Fun Mode - 23 Things They Don’t Tell You About Capitalism Lessons Told Through 26-Min Stories
Experience 23 Things They Don’t Tell You About Capitalism through vivid storytelling that turns Pixar’s innovation lessons into moments you’ll remember and apply.
Personalize Mode - Read or listen to 23 Things They Don’t Tell You About Capitalism Summary in 0 Minutes
Ask anything, pick the voice, and co-create insights that truly resonate with you.
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
Get the 23 Things They Don’t Tell You About Capitalism summary as a free PDF or EPUB. Print it or read offline anytime.