The Wealth of States: A Comparative Sociology of International Economic and Political Change

by John M. Hobson

Overview

The Wealth of States is the first sustained analysis of the overlap between historical sociology and international relations. Through a detailed examination of nineteenth century trade regimes, and the Great Powers' efforts to increase their military capabilities, the author reveals the importance of the state as an autonomous actor in international politics and economics, which is not dependent upon dominant economic classes. The book thus represents a distinctive approach that goes beyond the existing paradigms of Marxism, liberalism and realism.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521581493
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	03/06/1997
Series:	Cambridge Studies in International Relations , #52
Pages:	364
Product dimensions:	6.22(w) x 9.29(h) x 1.02(d)

Table of Contents

1. A sociology of international relations and an international relations of sociology; Part I. Case Studies in Structural Economic Change: States and Trade Regime Changes, 1870–1913; 2. Protectionism in Imperial Germany: moderate state capacity and indirect taxation; 3. Protectionism and industrialism in Tsarist Russia: weak state capacity and indirect taxation; 4. Free trade versus protectionism in liberal Britain: strong state capacity and the conflict over taxation; 5. Protectionism and indirect taxation in federal states: USA, Canada, Australia and Switzerland; Part II. Theorizing International and National Structural Economic and Political Change: 6. A sociological theory of international economic change: the transition to tariff protectionism, 1870–1913; 7. State capacity in the international/national vortex: a non-realist theory of state power and international politics.

Editorial Reviews

"...useful insights and important correctives to conventional (Marxist and liberal) arguments..." George Modelski, American Jrnl of Sociology

From the Publisher