BOOK REVIEW Oftentimes, we are urged to tolerate the worst of economic strains. Inequality, overworking, environmental destruction and privatisation of services for basic needs are all justified on the basis that these are necessary to maintain some standard of life.

We’re told that humankind will be blessed with a self-regulating market fulfilling all needs at fair prices that match wages, courtesy of the freedom exercised by billionaires and their gradually trickling down of ‘goodwill’.  

But when probed further, the yearning for a profitable universe is not so practical after all: ultimately logic says that no such perfect market has ever existed.