Global Capitalism: A Sociological Perspective - Hardcover

Centeno, Miguel A.; Cohen, Joseph N.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0745644503 ISBN 13: 9780745644509

Publisher: Polity, 2010

Synopsis

The global financial crisis has challenged many of our most authoritative economic ideologies and policies. After thirty years of reshaping the world to conform to the market, governments and societies are now calling for a retreat to a yet undefined new economic order.

In order to provide a guide to what the twenty-first-century economy might look like, this book revisits the great project of Global Capitalism. What did it actually entail? How far did it go? What were its strengths and failings? By deconstructing its core ideas and examining its empirical record, can we gain clues about how to move forward after the crisis? Miguel Centeno and Joseph Cohen define capitalism as a historically-evolving and socially-constructed institution, rooted in three core economic activities trade, finance and marketing and identify the three key challenges that any new economic system will need to surmount inequality, governance, and environmental sustainability.

This accessible and engaging book will be essential reading for students of economic sociology, and all those interested in the construction of our economic future.

About this title

About the Author:

Miguel Angel Centeno is Musgrave Professor of Sociology and a Professor of International Affairs at Princeton University. He previously served as the founding Director of the Princeton Institute for International and Regional Studies and Master of Wilson College at Princeton. He has published many books as author or editor.

Joseph N. Cohen is the author of Global Capitalism: A Sociological Perspective, published by Wiley.

Review:

"Fresh and well-written."
Contemporary Sociology

"Finally here is a book that makes brilliant sense out of globalization's multiple and often contradictory facets. With deep insight and sparkling illustrations, Centeno and Cohen offer a comprehensive overview of how global capitalism works: both its promise and threats. Read it to understand our past, present, and future economic worlds."
Viviana A. Zelizer, Princeton University

"This book shows the virtues of a historical/sociological interpretation of global capitalism, and as a bonus the writing is graceful and clear. Conflicting viewpoints are judiciously and succinctly evaluated. The extensive references to the literature are unobtrusive and impressive. Putting the current crisis into perspective, without reducing its urgency, is a singular achievement."
Charles Perrow, Yale University

About this edition

• Publisher: Polity
• Publication date: 2010
• ISBN 10: 0745644503
• ISBN 13: 9780745644509
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 180