Evolutions of Capitalism: Historical Perspectives, 1200–2000

Description

This ambitious collection follows the evolution of capitalism from its origins in 13th-century European towns to its 16th-century expansion into Asia, Africa and South America and on to the global capitalism of modern day. Written by distinguished historians and social scientists, the chapters examine capitalism and its critics and the level of variation and convergence in its operation across locations. The authors illuminate the aspects of capitalism that have encouraged, but also limited, social responsibility and environmental sustainability. Covering times, places and topics that have often been overlooked in the existing literature, this important contribution to the field of economic history charts the most comprehensive chronology of capitalism to date. Front Cover Evolutions of Capitalism: Historical Perspectives: 1200–2000 Copyright information Table of contents List of Figures and Tables Notes on Contributors Acknowledgments 1 Introduction Definition of capitalism Five functions relevant to capitalism Key dates for entrepreneurship Key dates for finance Key dates for management Key dates for workers Key dates for political leaders Summary of chronological change References 2 The Market as an Institution: Theory and History Introduction Evolution of the market Definition of a market Plan of the chapter Key concepts in the analysis of markets Private property Alienability Incentives to trade Money Comparison Co-location of transactions Trust Intermediation Markets and innovation Economic theory of markets Analysis of market behaviour Typology of market processes Retailing and local market competition A social network approach to retail markets Locations of towns Roles of towns: historical evidence The urban marketplace: topography Policy intervention: regulation of the market Objectives Origins of regulation Regulation of wholesale trade: role of civic customs Quality control Conclusions References 3 Regulating Capitalism The scholastic heritage and beyond Transitions towards capitalism: case study of late medieval Germany and the Reformation, 1470s–1530s Monetary regulation Industrial policy Notes References 4 Capitalism and State Ownership Models Introduction Literature review Sweden: historical background for ownership model Norway: historical background for state ownership Norway falling behind after 1870 State ownership after the Second World War Liberalization and embracing of the Hydro model Comparing ownership models of Norway and Sweden Collaboration between business and Social Democrats National ownership and control Active ownership Monitoring and free-riding The present standing of the ownership model Conclusions Notes References 5 Comparative and Connected Global Capitalism(s) Introduction Capitalism(s) before divergence Capitalism(s) and the institutions of global trade Whose capitalism? Conclusion References 6 Capitalism, Imperialism and the Emergence of an Industrialized Global Economy Introduction Some (stylized) theory and history The concentration and centralization of capital, backwardness, stage theory and capitalist modernization State capitalism, imperialism and late industrialization The rise of the rest: late industrial capitalism in Asia Cosy capitalism or crony capitalism? Re-evaluating the dynamics of imperialism-industrialism: a perspective (largely) from Latin America: the imperialism of free trade, structuralism and dependency Conclusion References 7 Religion and Capitalism Introduction Global and firm level interactions between religion and capitalism The role of religion in the great divide between East and West The role of religion in the development of corporate social responsibility Religion as an instrument of capitalist social control Religion-based ethics eroded by capitalist structures and motives Skills and money from business in support of religious organizations Crucial interactions in the West between religion and capitalism Religion and the rise of capitalism The role of Nonconformists in Britain’s pioneering Industrial Revolution of the 18th–19th centuries Slavery Conclusion References 8 Capitalism and the Environment Introduction Capitalism and the problem of environmental externalities Alternative green capitalisms Corporate environmentalism Conclusion References 9 Capitalism and Income Inequality Introduction National National level: causes of inequalities Regional Regional performance in Europe, 1900–2010 Regional performance in the UK Regional level: causes of inequalities Individual Income from labour Income from investment Wealth: self-made Wealth: inheritance Individual level: causes of inequalities Conclusion References 10 Conclusion Entrepreneurship Finance Management Workers Political leaders Geographical dimensions Values and beliefs Future research References Index Back Cover