Discipline and Development: Middle Classes and Prosperity in East Asia and Latin America - Softcover

Davis, Diane E.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0521002087 ISBN 13: 9780521002080

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 2004

Synopsis

Revealing that the key to successful economic development in late industrializers rests in the state's capacity to discipline capitalists, this study sheds light on why certain countries (South Korea and Taiwan) have the capacity to discipline capitalists, while others (Mexico and Argentina) find themselves at the receiving end of industrialists' political and economic power. Closer examination of middle classes, especially rural middle classes, reveals the extent to which they achieve sufficient political sway in politics and society, and thus are able to impose such discipline.

About this title

Book Description:

This book shows that the key to successful economic development in late industrializers rests in the state's capacity to discipline capitalists in the service of national economic growth. It then seeks to understand what gives certain countries (South Korea and Taiwan) the capacity to discipline capitalists, while others (Mexico and Argentina) find themselves at the receiving end of industrialists' political and economic power, unable to do so. The answer rests in a closer examination of middle classes, especially rural middle classes, and the extent to which they achieve sufficient political sway in politics, society, and thus the state to impose such discipline.

Review:

"The highest praise that most historical sociologists can give is that a book is in the same league as Barrington Moore's Social Origins of Dictatorship and Democracy. This book may well be in that league with its grand comparative sweep, its subtle attention to methodological issues, and its command of the literature. Postmodern it is not. It offers theory, it grapples with evidence, it comes to strong conclusions that point forward as well as backward." --Leslie Sklair, Professor of Sociology, London School of Economics

About this edition

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication date: 2004
• ISBN 10: 0521002087
• ISBN 13: 9780521002080
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 436