Between Marginalism and Marxism

This work begins with an account of the intellectual and cultural milieu of Vienna in the years of Schumpeter's university studies and the early writings which were to provide the formative influences on his thought. Bottomore then examines his methodological views and the changes they underwent - both in relation to different philosophies of science and to the views of the Austrian school of exonomics and of Marxism, particularly the Austro-Marxists. The core of the book is devoted to studies of Schumpeter's major writings, discussed from the point of view of method, substantive content and argument. In conclusion, Bottomore assesses the nature and results of Schumpeter's economic sociology, comparing this to the work of Max Weber, some Marxist thinkers and other contributors to the field. He also sets out a new "research programme" for economic sociology.