'Workplace democracy', 'empowerment', 'team leaders', 'knowledge workers', this is the language of management today. But does this language herald a brave new workplace? Or does it mask a new form of capitalism?

Preface -- Sociocultural literacy, discourses, and the new work order -- Fast capitalism: theory and practice -- Alignments: education and the new capitalism -- A tale of one factory: training for teams -- A tale of one factory: teams at work -- A tale of one village: global capitalism and Nicaragua -- What is to be done?

James Paul Gee is professor of education at Clark University; Glynda Hull is professor of language and literacy education at the University of California at Berkeley; and Colin Lankshear is professor in the School of Language and Literacy Education at Queensland University of Technology. James Paul Gee is professor of education at Clark University; Glynda Hull is professor of language and literacy education at the University of California at Berkeley; and Colin Lankshear is professor in the School of Language and Literacy Education at Queensland University of Technology. James Paul Gee is professor of education at Clark University; Glynda Hull is professor of language and literacy education at the University of California at Berkeley; and Colin Lankshear is professor in the School of Language and Literacy Education at Queensland University of Technology.