Capitalism and Its Economics
A Critical History
Analysing the relationship between economic thought and capitalism from 1750 to the present, Douglas Dowd examines the dynamic interaction of two processes: the historical realities of capitalism and the evolution of economic theory. He demonstrates that the study of economics celebrates capitalism in ways that make it necessary to classify economic science as pure ideology. A thoroughly modern history, this book shows how economics has become ideology. A radical critic of capitalism, Dowd surveys its detrimental impact across the globe and throughout history.
The book includes biographical sketches and brief analyses of the major proponents and critics of capitalism throughout history, including Adam Smith, Thomas Malthus, Jeremy Bentham, John Stuart Mill, Karl Marx, Thorstein Veblen, Rosa Luxemburg, John Maynard Keynes, Paul Samuelson, Milton Friedman, and Eric Hobsbawm. This new edition includes a new preface and an additional chapter by the author.
The book includes biographical sketches and brief analyses of the major proponents and critics of capitalism throughout history, including Adam Smith, Thomas Malthus, Jeremy Bentham, John Stuart Mill, Karl Marx, Thorstein Veblen, Rosa Luxemburg, John Maynard Keynes, Paul Samuelson, Milton Friedman, and Eric Hobsbawm. This new edition includes a new preface and an additional chapter by the author.
Douglas Dowd was a widely respected academic and political activist. He taught at Cornell University, Johns Hopkins University, University of California, Berkeley, San Jose State University and at the University of Modena in Italy. He is the author of Capitalism and its Economics (Pluto, 2004), Inequality and the Global Economic Crisis (Pluto, 2009) and Understanding Capitalism (Pluto, 2000).
Preface to new edition
Prologue
PART I. 1750-1945
1. Birth – The Industrial Revolution and Classical Political Economy, 1750-1850
2. Maturation – Global Capitalism and Neoclassical Economics, 1850–1914
3. Death Throes – Chaos, War, Depression, War Again; Economics in Disarray, 1914–1945
PART 2. 1945-2000
4. Resurrection – Global Economy II and Crisis; Hopeful Stirrings in Economics. 1945–1975
5. New World Order – Globalisation and Financialisation; and Decadent Economics, 1975–2000
6. The Unfolding Crises of the 21st Century
Epilogue
Bibliography
Name Index
Subject Index
Prologue
PART I. 1750-1945
1. Birth – The Industrial Revolution and Classical Political Economy, 1750-1850
2. Maturation – Global Capitalism and Neoclassical Economics, 1850–1914
3. Death Throes – Chaos, War, Depression, War Again; Economics in Disarray, 1914–1945
PART 2. 1945-2000
4. Resurrection – Global Economy II and Crisis; Hopeful Stirrings in Economics. 1945–1975
5. New World Order – Globalisation and Financialisation; and Decadent Economics, 1975–2000
6. The Unfolding Crises of the 21st Century
Epilogue
Bibliography
Name Index
Subject Index
Published by Pluto Press in Jul 2004
Paperback ISBN: 9780745322797
eBook ISBN: 9781783716609
eBook ISBN: 9781783716609
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