The Economics of Extremes: Human Capital and the Limits of Markets

This article challenges the traditional view of prosperity as the sum of quantifiable physical assets. The authors argue that in extreme situations, human capital—knowledge, work ethic, and the ability to collaborate—becomes the foundation of survival, proving more durable than walls and machines. The text analyzes phenomena such as the Glasgow effect and educational apartheid, pointing to the destructive impact of information asymmetry and the weakening of social bonds. This work redefines the ontology of the economy, emphasizing state capacity and the ability to spontaneously reconstruct order in crisis conditions. It is an in-depth analysis of the mechanisms that determine societies' resilience in the face of unpredictable market and systemic changes.