The Cotton Empire from the very beginning was the scene of constant global struggle between slaves and planters, merchants and statesmen, workers and manufacturers. Sven Beckert clearly shows how Europeans combined the power of capital and the power of the state to forge a global manufacturing complex and then, through capital, craftsmanship, networks, and cotton-related institutions, usher in the explosion of technology and wealth that defines the modern world. Exploring the past of capitalism, this book tells the story of capitalism in action. The author does not look for explanations in one part of the world and understands capitalism in the only way it can be properly understood - in a global framework. At the heart of this book and the great transformation of capitalism are the movements of capital, people , goods and raw materials across the planet and connections established between distant areas of the world.