Brecht Forum From Local to Global Understanding the Role of Capital Assets in Capitalist Economies From small businesses to multinational corporations capital assets play a fundamental role in the success of capitalist economies around the world. Capital assets are the physical and financial resources that businesses and individuals use to produce goods and services generate income and accumulate wealth. Over time these assets have become increasingly interconnected across national borders reflecting the growing globalization of trade finance cultural boundaries and investment. The integration of capital assets into global markets has had farreaching implications for the world economy affecting everything from the prices of goods and services to the distribution of wealth and power.