The Death of Homo Economicus

In The Death of Homo Economicus, Peter Fleming argues that the widely accepted economic model of the rational, competitive worker—Homo economicus—is a fictional construct used to shape social, political, and economic expectations. He contends that this ideal is an unattainable and potentially damaging myth, often imposed on vulnerable groups, and explores how it influences our daily lives and perceptions of success and failure in capitalist societies. With a sharp critique, Fleming reveals the ways this model impacts both individual behavior and societal structures.