On Capitalism
Published on 12. July 2007
Book
Paperback/Softback
368 pages
978-0-8047-5665-5 (ISBN)
Description
Capitalism dominates economies all over the world and is a key force in the process of globalization. What makes it such a uniquely dynamic social and economic force, however, is open to debate. The essays in this book take up this issue, offering theories on both what encourages and what blocks capitalism.
In On Capitalism leading economists, sociologists, and political scientists develop ideas and insights into the dynamic of capitalism as a global economic order. Unlike studies that focus only on localized descriptions of what has made capitalism function in a specific place, these essays examine the general mechanisms that account for dynamic or rational capitalism. As each chapter shows, the mechanisms motivating and facilitating today's global capitalism are not rooted in the materialist domain of incremental capital accumulation, but in the realm of ideas and institutional structures. Taken as a whole, these essays offer a rich account of the interconnectedness of the economic, political, and religious institutions of modern capitalism.
In On Capitalism leading economists, sociologists, and political scientists develop ideas and insights into the dynamic of capitalism as a global economic order. Unlike studies that focus only on localized descriptions of what has made capitalism function in a specific place, these essays examine the general mechanisms that account for dynamic or rational capitalism. As each chapter shows, the mechanisms motivating and facilitating today's global capitalism are not rooted in the materialist domain of incremental capital accumulation, but in the realm of ideas and institutional structures. Taken as a whole, these essays offer a rich account of the interconnectedness of the economic, political, and religious institutions of modern capitalism.
Reviews / Votes
"This book offers illuminating analyses of the incentive mechanism that underlies the unprecedented growth performance of capitalism. It offers new insights into seminal contributions-like those of Weber and de Tocqueville-and contains much fascinating and valuable material that sociologists and economists will to well to absorb."-William J. Baumol, New York University "Nee and Swedberg have brought together an incredibly diverse and distinguished group of sociologists, economists, and political scientists to give Weber his due and show that his intellectual concerns are alive and well. Offering a terrifically wide range of topics-including religion and capitalism, law and the state in issues of development, and the role of social interaction in understanding corruption and the collective dynamics of market actors-many of these essays are gems." -Neil Fligstein, University of California, Berkeley "On Capitalism offers a refreshingly diverse range of insights into economic growth through its Weberian focus on non-economic factors such as ideas, institutions, culture, and religion.You may not agree with every essay in the volume, but you will learn a great deal by engaging these original and often unconventional perspectives. I recommend the volume to anyone interested in the spirit of contemporary capitalism." -AnnaLee Saxenian, University of California, Berkeley
More details
Edition
New edition
Language
English
Place of publication
Palo Alto
United States
Target group
College/higher education
Edition type
New edition
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Illustrations
8 tables, 21 figures
Dimensions
Height: 230 mm
Width: 151 mm
Thickness: 24 mm
Weight
500 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-8047-5665-5 (9780804756655)
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Schweitzer Classification
Persons
Victor Nee is Goldwin Smith Professor of Sociology and Director of the Center for the Study of Economy and Society at Cornell University. Richard Swedberg is Professor of Sociology at Cornell University.
Content
[Table of Contents] Contents List of Tables List of Figures Acknowledgments Contributors Introduction Victor Nee and Richard Swedberg Part I: The Dynamics and Contradictions of Capitalism 1. The Systemic Anticulture of Capitalism Russell Hardin 2. Tocqueville and the Spirit of American Capitalism Richard Swedberg 3. Income Inequality and the Protestant Ethic Robert H. Frank Part II: Politics, Legal-Rational Institutions, and Corruption 4. On Politicized Capitalism Victor Nee and Sonja Opper 5. Law, Economy, and Globalization: Max Weber and How International Financial Institutions Understand Law Bruce G. Carruthers and Terence C. Halliday 6. The Social Construction of Corruption Mark Granovetter Part III: Religion 7. The Role of Spiritual Capital in Economic Behavior Barnaby Marsh 8. Political Economy and Religion in the Spirit of Max Weber Robert J. Barro and Rachel M. McCleary 9. Beyond Weber Michael Novak Part IV: Methodological and Conceptual Issues 10. The Collective Dynamics of Belief Duncan J. Watts 11. Analytical Individualism and the Explanation of Macrosocial Change Ronald Jepperson and John W. Meyer 12. Bootstrapping Development: Rethinking the Role of Public Intervention in Promoting Growth Charles F. Sabel Index