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Is it possible for the world’s playful introduction to capitalism to transmit a new set of values? Writer Naomi Russo looks at Monopoly as an ideological tool.

Monopoly is a game in which anyone from a child to a grandma can become a ruthless property mogul. Sold in over 114 countries, the game was first commercially marketed as a success story of the American dream—a game invented, its packaging claimed, by an unemployed man for whom it made millions during the Great Depression. As a potent worldwide symbol for capitalism it has become so well recognized that during the Occupy London protest in 2011, an oversized Monopoly board sat outside St Paul’s Cathedral, featuring a destitute Rich Uncle Pennybags and attributed by many to famous street artist Banksy. The message to everyone was clear.

Well, For most people, Monopoly is not an enjoyable board game in any sense of the word. Almost every family breaks out the box at Christmas, but it inevitably always ends in fall-outs, arguments, and hours of not talking to each other afterwards. The problem is, we all seem to have an obsession with a game that makes us miserable. For one player, their good fortune will make them feel like a king for a few hours, while everyone else will steadily abandon the game. Ultimately, all it comes down to is luck.

That’s still quite a long time, especially since once somebody starts winning, they can just grind out the victory. Yeah, that is the point of this game, right? You’ll just keep raking in their money until eventually everyone else goes bankrupt.