The Lexicon of Archaic Terms defines several terms and phrases used throughout the text. Many of these terms deal with social and political topics.

Capitalism and many of its accompanying principles are highlighted in the Lexicon. Capitalism is defined as a socioeconomic institution that places the responsibility of production and distribution on generally for-profit individuals and corporations. Work is completed by non-owner employees, and businesses are often funded by third-party investors. Wealthy business owners often used their financial power to sway governments. Capitalism collapsed as a result of climate change.

Capitalism is further explored through the definitions of the “invisible hand,” market fundamentalism, market failure, and external costs. The “invisible hand” is a capitalist concept in which a free market economy is said to balance itself without government intervention. Market fundamentalism, similar to capitalism and the “invisible hand,” promotes unregulated economic markets and was a main cause of climate change denial in the Penumbral Period. Market failures refer to the damaging social, environmental, and individual costs of market economies. These non-financial consequences are referred to as external costs. Communism—defined as a political philosophy that prioritizes employees over employers and financiers—is presented as an alternative to capitalism.

Other definitions are used to develop the

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