Business Cycles. A Theoretical, Historical, and Statistical Analysis of the Capitalist Process.

First edition, first printing, of one of Schumpeter's most significant contributions to economic theory, and among the seminal texts of business cycle literature. As with his earlier works, Schumpeter placed the entrepreneur at the centre of events, which was perhaps why it "met with a less-than-enthusiastic reception. The monumental nature of this study, which included extensive theoretical, historical, and statistical work, placed it beyond the full comprehension of most economists. Its length, combined with the rising tide of Keynesian economics, put it beyond the interests of the profession as well. Colleagues, however, could readily comprehend and respect the amount of effort and scholarly seriousness that went into the project" (ANB). Schumpeter rejected the Keynesian view that business cycles were the result of fluctuations in aggregate demand. Instead, "waves of innovation" coming from entrepreneurs cause fluctuations, increasing economic activity, which peaks and then declines as the economy is saturated. In the resultant recession phase the economy adjusts to the innovations. New innovations then restart the process. These cycles are a beneficial and necessary part of the economic process, Schumpeter held, in contrast to the Keynesian aim of engineering stable economic growth. So too, Schumpeter continues his glorification both of the entrepreneur as the key agent of change, and of capitalism as a positive process of "creative destruction". Swedberg S.010. 2 vols, octavo. With 60 charts in the text. Original red cloth, spines ruled and lettered in gilt, blindstamp border to covers. Ex-library, with the stamps, plates and slips of the University of Salford to the front free endpapers and copyright pages, and their shelf marks to spines (withdrawn stamp to front free endpapers). Generally rather rubbed, still firm, contents clean without annotations or further library signs, some page corners a little bumped. A good copy, in the original unrepaired cloth, with clean contents.…