The recent financial crisis has had a devastating impact around the globe. Thousands of businesses have closed, millions of jobs have been cut and many people have lost their homes. Capital and the Debt Trap explains how key economies have fallen into a 'debt trap', linking the financial sphere to the real economy, and looks into alternatives to the constant stream of financial bubbles and shocks. Overlooked by many, cooperatives across the world have been relatively resilient throughout the crisis. Through four case studies, this book explores their strategies, providing an in-depth analysis within a broader debate on wealth generation and a sustainable future. To all those interested in political economy, enterprise governance, development studies and cooperatives, Capital and the Debt Trap opens up new ways of thinking.