Capitalism and Its Economics: A Critical History

by Douglas Dowd

Overview

‘Addresses some of the most crucial questions of the current era. ... Dowd brings formidable qualities to this challenging task. An impressive achievement.’ Noam Chomsky

‘This is a work of enlightenment that will be intelligible to students and non-economists.’ Edward S. Herman

This classic book is an ideal introduction to economic thought and the dominance of capitalism, ideal for students of economic theory and history. Now thoroughly revised and updated, this new edition includes a new preface and an additional chapter by the author.

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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780745322797
Publisher:	Pluto Press
Publication date:	09/20/2004
Edition description:	First Edition
Pages:	344
Product dimensions:	5.91(w) x 9.06(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

Douglas Dowd is a widely respected academic and political activist. He has taught at Cornell University, Johns Hopkins University, University of California, Berkeley, and San Jose State University and is currently teaching at the University of Modena in Italy. He is the author of Capitalism and its Economics (Pluto, 2004).

Table of Contents

Preface to new edition
Prologue
PART I: 1750-1945
Chapter 1: Birth – The Industrial Revolution and Classical Political Economy, 1750-1850
Chapter 2: Maturation – Global Capitalism and Neoclassical Economics, 1850–1914
Chapter 3: Death Throes – Chaos, War, Depression, War Again; Economics in Disarray, 1914–1945
PART II: 1945-2000
Chapter 4: Resurrection – Global Economy II and Crisis; Hopeful Stirrings in Economics: 1945–1975
Chapter 5: New World Order – Globalization and Financialization; and Decadent Economics, 1975–2000
Chapter 6: The Unfolding Crises of the 21st Century
Epilogue
Bibliography
Name Index
Subject Index

Editorial Reviews

‘Addresses some of the most crucial questions of the current era. ... Dowd brings formidable qualities to this challenging task. An impressive achievement.’ --Noam Chomsky

‘This is a work of enlightenment that will be intelligible to students and non-economists.’ --Edward S. Herman

From the Publisher