It's Not You, It's Capitalism: Why It's Time to Break Up and How to Move On

by Malaika Jabali

A biting, brilliant, often hilarious guide to socialism for budding anti-capitalists who know it’s time to dump their toxic ex (Capitalism) and try something finer. Journalist Malaika Jabali debunks myths, centers forgotten socialists of color who have shaped our world, and shows socialism is not all Marx and Bernie Bros—it can be pretty sexy.

We’ve all dated someone who took control of the relationship—you know, someone who makes you feel like you’re unhappy because you’re just not putting in the work, or it’s all in your head. But when you think about trying to meet new people, it feels terrifying. Like, have you looked at Tinder recently? It’s rough out there!

Your tough-love new best friend, award-winning journalist, policy attorney, and life-long socialist Malaika Jabali is here to we are all in a generations-long toxic relationship with Capitalism, and it is time to get the h*ll out of there and move ALONG.

She gives you everything you need to know about what a healthy relationship could actually look like, issue by issue—from healthcare and housing to the whole concept of American democracy—with our new Socialism. And no, Socialism isn’t the boring, grey, authoritarian, Cold-War-era monster that you’ve heard about. 

With accessible explanations and illustrations, often surprising graphs and stats, and some Drake memes, this book will show you that we NEED to build a world that’s safer, kinder, cleaner, healthier, and more equal. And that this isn’t a utopian dream – it’s within our grasp, if we collectively decide to call out Capitalism for what it really is and wake up to a better future.
 
Fun, smart, and inspiring, It’s Not You It’s Capitalism is the hottest new relationship in your life!

Genres: Nonfiction, Politics, Economics, Social Justice, Audiobook, History, Sociology

224 pages, Hardcover

First published October 24, 2023

Reviews

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Overall, I think this was a good introduction to the issues of capitalism and how socialism can make our quality of life better. The style and tone is geared more towards the younger generation, treating capitalism as a toxic ex. This make the realities in the text a bit less harsh, and instead makes it seem like it really is possible to make a change.

I loved that throughout the book there were stories of local socialist movements that worked and affected their community in a positive way. It was also great to read about the history of capitalism, and its roots in racism. This intersectionality is often overlooked when the conversation about capitalism and socialism occurs.

This is a must-read for anyone looking to become more active in changing the harmful way our country and local communities are run.

[Taylor Bush · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finished it!!!

[Meg · Rating 5 out of 5]

They don’t want us to have libraries because libraries carry books exactly like this one

[Donna Ciccarelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this little book. Ms. Jabali explained many of the issues in our society that have bothered me for so many years. Most of them can be traced back to one major problem: our capitalist system is not intended to be fair, or just, or to provide equal opportunity to all. It's time for a change.

[Hilary (Melted Books) · Rating 4 out of 5]

For such a short book, it's surprisingly jam-packed with info. I loved the graphics and overall design. I recommend this as a starting point for understanding the basics of capitalism and the main reasons why it causes so much damage. It's mostly US-centered, but there are some global perspectives as well. An engaging, clever read!

[tteise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wisconsin mentioned 🦅🦅

[Cami · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is full of great information, presented in an engaging way. I'll be honest, though: The physical format of the book does not appeal to me. It looks cute and small on the outside, but it feels too cramped and elaborate on the inside. I'm sure that this would be great for some people, and I'm sure that I could have gotten through the physical book if I'd set my mind to it, but I chose to listen to the audiobook instead, and I'm very glad that I did! The chapters felt more cohesive than they looked in the print version, and I'm glad that I didn't have to navigate the charts myself and could simply listen to Malaika Jabali read it out. She does a great job, by the way, both in crafting/writing this book and in narrating it. The conceit (comparing capitalism to a toxic partner) is funny and apt, and while I would have read a book about the horrors of capitalism regardless of how much it strove for humor, I appreciate the attempt to temper such a serious topic with a bit of lightheartedness.

[Emily St. Amant · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really nice (and humorous even) summary of capitalism. It outlines its origins, structures, flaws, and the destruction it’s causing to our environment. If you don’t care to do all the work to study history and our economy this is great. She does the work for the reader, which some people may be looking for. I most appreciated the focus on how it is erroneous to believe that our current system or Cuba/Soviet Union style systems are the only two possible options. Spoiler alert, the oppressive systems in those countries are dictatorships not true communism/socialism. Other ways are possible! I wish she’d touched on how Indigenous societies are also some other examples instead of just mentioning European ones and collectivism in general.

[Gale P · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super informative, very accesible explanation of how capitalism is toxic for the masses. It seems to be targeted to a very specific audience consisting of millennial women, but if you can get past the corny relationship metaphors and references to early 2000s TV and pop culture then it’s really valuable… or maybe those references are for you & I’m just slightly too young for that.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will not make any hilarious, millennial jokes in my review because this author has already made them! Great introduction to socialism vs. capitalism and convincingly describes the failings of capitalism better than presenting alternatives.

[Laurin · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Are you bad and bougie or bad and bourgeoisie?"

This book was so delightful! I listened to the audiobook but I will need to buy the physical copy because I learned there are illustrations!

This is a must read if you've ever seen any memes about capitalism -- there's truth in humor.

[Jessica Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

this one goes on my MLB (mighty little book) list. Cute in that it reads like a love advice column from the early aughts and powerful in the community resource generating and sharing initiatives and alternatives it provides to the big C… cause we deserve better!

[Tomiko Robson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick, fun, accessible and sharp case for socialism.

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

The whole ex thing was a bit silly and not super fleshed put as a premise, but otherwise I think this was a nice primer (and reminder) of anti-capitalist rationales and strategies that is SO much more approachable than other books with similar themes.

[B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audiobook.

It felt like listening to a friend! It took me a while to finish because there are so many heavy issues and they all stem from capitalism and racism, so I had to take longer breaks than usual.

[Brooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author is very witty in describing the woes of capitalism. The book does a great job at entertaining the reader and can be difficult to put down at times. Very easy understanding of the failures of capitalism and the positives of socialism. A very great read for those who want more knowledge on the negatives of capitalism and how it intertwines with racism. Also very nicely done speaking about the relationship of race to capitalism especially in the historic & systematic oppression of Black Americans.

[Jen Bojkov · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s not that long a book, but it was still a tough (yet worthwhile) read. I feel a tad more hopeful.

[Ashley Updike · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't think I'm the audience for this book. Great introduction on socialism for a young person entering adult life. I did find the parts in the housing interesting.

[Michael McEwen]

This book is very good about laying out the problems with capitalism. There are clearly massive issues with wealth inequality and racism and I came to this book already having read extensively on the subject but I appreciated the concise data driven approach taken here. I especially liked the sections on healthcare and real estate. The tone didn’t work for me because anthropomorphizing capitalism as a bad boyfriend seems to trivialize the subject and the allegory was stretched a little thin.

The charge of “socialism” is often leveled too easily. I’m for many social programs and believe government has a responsibility to its citizens and I don’t think you’ve cleared the bar to be called socialist. I understand the idea behind free market libertarianism, but I’ve also spent enough time in business to know how unrealistic this is. The removal of restrictions and regulations has allowed the ultra wealthy to tip the scales further to their favor.

Full blown socialism however is a utopian fantasy. It fails to take into account how humans behave. I’m not into that “greed is good” bull, but there is no way you can get 100% of people to act altruistically (and I’m not even convinced that self interest for your own family is really an issue up to a point). Ever seen anybody chuck their fast food wrappers out the window of a moving car? That’s what we’re dealing with.

If socialism is a workable model, then why aren’t there any working socialist countries? I get that the USSR failed to realize true socialism and devolved into communism (and brutal authoritarianism), but that’s kind of my point. China? North Vietnam?

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want everyone I know to read (or listen) to this book.

👂 with Libby

[Claire Binkley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book's tone is as if it were written by the treasurer of one of the student organisations in the Student Union at my University. This author most likely would not have been the representative of the one I was in (which was for Off-Campus and Commuting students) but the one for African American students. It's almost the same thing but maybe it's a little different. Although to be honest I wasn't paying attention to the heritage graphs that the University was crowing about every so often in its rationale to come to our campus "due to how diverse we are" since I saw basically how they were by looking as I wandered the campus without being told by my email.
They really DID send those emails out every so often to every student's inbox bragging about how luxurious the pastures were (IRL it was a rough hike to get from South Campus where freshmen parking was designated on time to class) and some other bragging points to point out to curious relatives and other potential students.

The reason I note that about how the book sounded is that I noticed a distinct tendency for people clearly of certain racial backgrounds to stick together. My mother had taught me a little about Ebonics noting that looking as I do, I shouldn't talk like that.
This book does not use anything that she noted, as far as I could tell.

It is true the people of different backgrounds tend to keep to themselves more often than to intermingle, as far as I observed. Then again, when I had lunch, I tended to prefer to eat by myself anyway so that I could finish whatever assignment I had before it was due. After all, due dates are rather immediate and socialising is for people who actually have time to care about others' well-being!
And I didn't! Never to my recollection, anyway! Not if I wanted to hope for the sacred 4.0!

[David Stephens · Rating 3 out of 5]

Malaika Jabali’s primer on the structural problems of capitalism and the benefits of socialism and democratic control does a solid job keeping its central metaphor going throughout the duration of the book: namely, that capitalism is, in a variety of ways, the aggressor in a toxic relationship. As a romantic partner, it swoops into your life, acting all suave and heroic, and only seems to have eyes for you. But, pay closer attention, and you find that it has ulterior motives, a steady set of excuses, and speaks out of both sides of its mouth, always ready to gaslight you about how it’s not the cause of your problems, you just haven’t worked hard enough.

The book tackles a number of issues from housing to climate to student debt to public financing of elections, and it does a serviceable job breaking each of these down. I think Jabali is at her best when she’s writing about the history of black socialists and labor organizers who fought back against a system that was perfectly willing to make them unpaid labor. I know I tend to think of crusty white dudes (**cough** Chapo Trap House **cough**) when I think of hardcore socialists rather than more potent examples from the history of American labor.

The whole thing is fine as a primer, but, overall, I prefer my writing on these topics to be drier and more academic. I learn more from the likes of Richard Wolff and Nathan J. Robinson than I do from something like this. The jokey, jaunty tone of a book like this gets a bit grating to me after a while, and there are some lines that are just flat out cringey (“The Math Isn’t Mathing,” yuck!) that feel like obvious pandering. But, who knows? Maybe for people of a younger generation this is exactly what they want to hear.

[Erin Foster · Rating 1 out of 5]

Being a capitalist, I was interested to see the arguments for socialism. This book did not convince me. There are too many holes in the author’s economic and political theories.

For example, nationalized health care would be paid for through individual taxes, government budgeting, which is also funded by taxes, and by those “evil” employers who would pay for the rest of the cost. Does she really think that cost would not get included in the cost of doing business and the employers would therefore need to increase the cost to the consumers through price increases for a reasonable profit? It does not sound free to me.

Basically, she is proposing to “tax the rich and give to the poor” like Robinhood. That would in effect discourage anyone from being a high achiever because they would just have to give it away, by law.

Let’s also mention the condescending rhetoric she uses. Her tone sounds as if you are not a socialist, you must be stupid.

What she proposes is an idealistic utopia, which has never worked in the real world. Capitalism is not perfect but is a much more logical economic structure than socialism. It uses humans’ natural tendencies and lets everyone be as successful as they are willing and able to be.

I suspect the U. S. will continue to move toward socialism ever more in the future as people think socialism will save us from ourselves. They seem to think, with all of the historical failures, that they are the ones that can get it right. It makes me fear the future.

[Maileen Hamto · Rating 4 out of 5]

Journalist and policy wonk Malaika Jabali delivers a powerful, engaging, and entertaining book about how the prevailing socioeconomic system marginalizes communities by class, race, gender, and other identities. "It’s Not You, It’s Capitalism" is an illustrated volume that breaks down the debates about hefty student debt, lack of health care access, dark money in political campaign, persistent labor inequalities, and other troublesome trends to explain an exploitative and extractive system. Jabali demystifies the values championed by well-known socialists, such as Bayard Rustin, W.E.B. DuBois, and the Rev. Martin Luther King, to show how racial justice movements have also been driven by the dream to achieve economic parity.

The illustrations and infographics by designer Kayla E. draw readers to meme-worthy charts and graphics. Readers will grasp the basic foundation of politics and economics. Jabali writes in generational lingo that is winsome and accessible, especially among readers who understand the meta meaning of “the math isn’t mathing” or the irony of “are you bougie or bourgeoisie?” Readers who may have been activated to explore the harms of capitalism can deepen their critique. It is the kind of book that must be shared and passed on to others who need this infusion of truth in their lives.

[Sonja Hennessy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jabali is a strong writer with an important message to hammer home: Crap-italism is destroying our lives and our Earth. This breezy little book has lots of pertinent information and charts outlining how Socialism has been unjustly smeared by corporate interests & racists to muddy the waters. Overall I felt like was a great rejoinder to right-wing propaganda undoubtedly floating around the minds of Americans. Spoiler alert capitalism isn't making you richer and doesn't reflexively produce dazzling technological advancements. Jabali breaks down how healthcare, education, housing are being privatized and profit-ized by capitalism to make them not only more expensive but increasingly out of reach altogether for working class people. So why are people voting Republican anyway if we can plainly see their economic policies are ass-backwards? Well as Jabali writes, racism and wanting to protect white privilege is a motivating factor. TBH though, I feel at the same time while reading the book that these problems are just too large and we will not overcome the climate catastrophe until its too late or much damage has been done. Housing and education will continue to be unaffordable for my generation.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This probably deserves a solid 4.5 (come on, Goodreads, we need some half stars...or if this is possible, someone please tell me how to do this....). I found this book to be a darkly humorous, extremely informative, well-researched, clever book. It won't be for everyone, and it may be preaching to the choir on those who recognize the negative impacts of capitalism, especially as it relates to Black and racial capitalism, extractive economies, environmental degradation due to profit-seeking corporations from all sorts of industries, and so.much.marketing. If you've read this far and have not rolled your eyes, read this book. If you're rolling your eyes, read this book. It goes beyond hot takes and sound bites and looks at capitalism from many angles and the twisted systems of money and power entangled within it. There's some great discussions about affordable housing and US campaign finance issues (ahem...dark money, lobbyists) and some alternatives (namely socialist or socialist-like--in case that scares you--community land trusts, mutual aid, cooperatives, participatory democracy processes like people's assemblies, and unions). It is fantastic, and the illustrations throughout are truly unique and bring it all together.

[R.C. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A terrific primer on why capitalism sucks and why socialism doesn't! I've wanted to learn about both those things for some time now, and this extremely digestible book makes me feel both confident in my knowledge of basic concepts as well as excited to keep on learning and engaging. 1 star is retracted here because the analogy of capitalism as a toxic lover gets old and obvious pretty quick, and because the sheer amount of current references and pop-internet lingo is, let's face it, annoying (and not going to age gracefully). If it weren't for the complexity of certain sections and some adult language, I'd think this book was meant for the Teen publishing market. But! Jabali knows her stuff, makes it really accessible (but not dumbed down, even when surrounded by emojis), and ensures her reader is empowered to start examining the systems they find themselves in and begin resisting with intention. She's also frequently hilarious. Give this book to your friends and could-be-better-if-shown-the-way family members, and have the ecosocialism t-shirts ready!

[Sascha · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 1/2 stars

It's Not You, It's Capitalism is a well-researched book that attempts to argue that capitalism only benefits the wealthy and, therefore, isn't a great fit for any country; and this would be a true argument, IMHO. However, the conversational tone dotted with slang and the constant theme of a breaking-up relationship didn't do the argument any favors unless you're part of the intended audience, whom I presume must be under 30 (arbitrary age).

That said, there is so much good information here, history, philosophy and historical thinkers that if you can move past the tone, you'll find it a very worthwhile and enlightening read. Idealistically it would be wonderful if a book were written that embraced everyone as it seems the majority of individuals in the US (and perhaps elsewhere) do not understand exactly what socialism is but are willing to scrap it anyway because of erroneous information passed on to them.

Many thanks to Algonquin for sending me a copy.

[Sherry Cohen · Rating 3 out of 5]

The title is cute and I love the graphics in the book. There is a lot of cited research in the book, and it's very thought-provoking. What made me give it only three stars is that it excludes most white people and people born in the late Baby Boomer era and the 1960s-1970s. Those of us in those demographics are always overlooked, as if there were only Baby Boomers and Millennials, Gen X, and Gen Z. This lost generation did everything right except for being born earlier. We lost out on the defined benefit pensions and are currently passed over for jobs because we're considered too old to have today's skills for the workforce. Actually, that's a canard. The real reason is that employers and managers don't want to hire people who resemble their parents. Age discrimination is as real as racial discrimination.

[Melissa Cook · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is definitely written for a certain audience (i.e. younger than I am) but I won't fault it for not being my style. It gave a good, basic introduction to some of the principle theories, practices, and possibilities of socialist policies, which I appreciated. I wanted more, though, and I grew a little tired of the references to relationship and toxic dating scenarios. I get that capitalism is a problem, she didn't need to convince me, so maybe I wasn't the target audience for the book. As an entry point to people who don't really love diving into complicated economic policy, this is a great book. I wish the section on "how to move on" would have had more concrete ideas, but again, I think this was geared more toward laying a foundation of the problems with capitalism and connecting the dots between it and other societal issues.