"Capitalist Modernity" is a term used to describe the particular form of society that emerged around the world starting in the early 19th century, characterized by a mode of production and exchange that is based on the principle of private ownership of the means of production, an emphasis on maximizing profit and economic growth, and the preeminence of the market as the primary means of allocating resources. This system of social organization has been extremely effective in producing wealth, but it tends to also produce large disparities of wealth, power and privilege.

See also: neoliberal capitalism, capitalist system, post capitalism, late-stage capitalism