(Is the Pope Catholic?) A review of Oliver James’ The Selfish Capitalist: The Origins of Affluenza: “Given the frequency with which reports appear in the media about rising levels of emotional distress (anxiety, panic attacks, depression) among children and teenagers, James will find a receptive audience, eager for explanations. Whether they will be convinced by his argument that market capitalism is the cause of mental ill-health is another matter; we have had various competing explanations for social ills in recent decades, usually sponsored by the right, ranging from rising divorce rates and moral breakdown to decline in religion. James has now provided the left – if one can still talk in such terms – with a powerful counter-argument: our emotional malaise is not an accidental byproduct of market capitalism, but a direct result of increased competitiveness and the way that it exploits our insecurities.” (Guardian.UK)