Periodizations of capitalism


A periodization of capitalism seeks to distinguish stages of development that help understanding of features of capitalism through time. The best-known periodizations that have been proposed distinguish these stages as:
  1. Early / monopoly / state [monopoly capitalism]
  2. Free trade / monopoly / finance capitalism
  3. Early capitalism / colonialism / imperialism
  4. Extensive stage / intensive stage / late capitalism
The Marxist periodization of capitalism into the stages: agricultural capitalism, merchant capitalism, industrial capitalism and state capitalism.
Another periodization includes merchant capitalism, industrial and finance capitalism, and global capitalism.