Apocalypse Capitalism by John Preston

Apocalypse Capitalism by John Preston

Available open access digitally under CC-BY licence.

Is it easier to imagine the end of the world than the end of capitalism? 

Drawing on extensive archival research in the UK and the US, this book uncovers how Cold War planners planned to keep capitalism alive even after a nuclear apocalypse. 

Through scenario planning, US officials anticipated capitalist recovery, while UK strategies prioritised preserving elite power and restoring the class system. 

By tracing these contrasting imaginaries, the book reveals how capitalism is projected beyond the apocalypse and explores alternative economic futures that emerge when the unthinkable is taken seriously.

This publication was supported by the University of Essex's open access fund .

'They planned for the end of the world, but not the end of profitThis archive-shattering book is an urgent, terrifying look at the deep state’s capitalist survival fix.' Ali Rıza Taşkale, Roskilde University

John Preston is Emeritus Professor of Sociology in the Department of Sociology and Criminology at the University of Essex.

SKU	Unavailable
ISBN 13	9781529248760
ISBN 10	1529248760
Title	Apocalypse Capitalism
Author	John Preston
Condition	Unavailable
Binding Type	Paperback
Publisher	Bristol University Press
Year published	2026-09-15
Number of pages	240
Cover note	Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.