Unequal Exchange: Past, Present, and Future

by Torkil Lauesen

Genres: Theory

310 pages, Paperback

Published December 5, 2025

Reviews

[Rik · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tight, tight, tight!!! If you want an overview of political economy's role in unequal exchange, this is a mandatory read. It's a bit analytical in the beginning but like all great texts if you can keep grinding those early 50 pages, you're in for a treat. I love his style of explaining highly theoretical stuff in a beginner friendly manner, building on concepts and ultimately delivering some punches to the Matrix. Marx would approve, hell I will say he will giddy up from his graves for books like this.

Being the first reviewer of this book, I hope to come again after I finish another significant amount of the book, to alter my review as necessary. Until then, read on!!

[Noah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dry but fantastic. Arghiri Emmanuel's work is too advanced for me, but as per usual Lauesen explains his work and its current-day implications in a way that is really accessible.