Creating a World Without Poverty: Social Business and the Future of Capitalism

In this manifesto for a new economic paradigm, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus argues that traditional capitalism is ill-equipped to address global poverty because it reduces human motivation to profit-seeking alone. Yunus proposes 'social business' as a viable alternative: enterprises designed to solve specific social problems—such as hunger, housing, and healthcare—while remaining financially self-sustaining and non-dividend-paying. Drawing on his experience with the Grameen Bank and microfinance, he outlines how this model can harness entrepreneurial energy for humanitarian ends without relying on charity or state intervention.

The writing style is persuasive and visionary, blending economic theory with anecdotal evidence from various industries. Yunus adopts an optimistic, forward-looking register, positioning social business not as a niche charity model but as the future of global commerce. The text serves as both a theoretical framework and a practical guide, illustrating how diverse sectors can adopt this approach to create a more equitable world.

Description adapted from Open Library ↗.