The United States has always been a beacon of hope for entrepreneurs and a powerhouse in the global economy. But how did it become that way? A new book by Bhu Srinivasan traces the complex journey of American capitalism to show how history influenced its development. Americana: A 400-Year History of American Capitalism looks at the evolution of capitalism from the first European settlers to the age of the internet. Srinivasan joined the Knowledge at Wharton show, which airs on SiriusXM channel 111 , to talk about why he sees capitalism less as an ideology and more as a pragmatic system. An edited transcript of the conversation follows. Knowledge at Wharton:  When you think about this, it’s important to examine capitalism from a historical perspective because there were elements of it even before the American Revolution. Bhu Srinivasan: I think that’s central to how we should look at the American experience through the lens of economic motivations. That’s one of the things that I look to do.…