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Empty Vessel: The Global Economy in One Barge

Ian Kumekawa

Culture, humanities & social science

Empty Vessel: The Global Economy in One Barge

By Ian Kumekawa, lecturer of history

Penguin Random House · 2025

What do a barracks for British troops in the Falklands War, a floating jail off the Bronx, and temporary housing for VW factory workers in Germany have in common? The Balder Scapa: a single barge that served all three roles. Through this one vessel, Kumekawa illustrates many currents: globalization, the transience of economic activity, and the hazy world of transactions many call "the offshore," the lightly regulated sphere of economic activity that encourages short-term actions.

From Summer 2025 recommended reading from MIT (MIT News). Cover image via Google Books.