The rise of neoliberalism in advanced capitalist economies : a materialist analysis / M.C. Howard, J.E. King.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Howard, Michael Charles, 1945-

Contributor:

King, J. E. (John Edward)

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Neoliberalism.

Capitalism.

Economics--History.

Economics.

History.

Physical Description:

vi, 320 pages ; 23 cm

Place of Publication:

Basingstoke [England] ; New York : Palgrave Macmillan, 2008.

Summary:

Offering an account of the rise of neoliberalism that is both unique and dramatic, The Rise of Neoliberalism in Advanced Capitalist Economies argues that political and cultural factors are subsidiary to the main causes, which are located in the forces and relations of production, as emphasised by historical materialism. Starting with an assessment of the major characteristics of historical materialism, both as a general theory of economic systems and as a theory of capitalism, this study then turns to analyse the views of key social thinkers from Marx to Keynes, Hayek to Galbraith, all of whom predicted the long-term decline of the market.

This book examines why these thinkers were misled, and contrasts these reasons with those more powerful factors located in the forces and relations of production that drove capitalism in an opposite, neoliberal direction. The authors argue that the rise of neoliberalism was delayed by the market-weakening effects of two World Wars and the Great Depression. They conclude by using the same principles of historical materialism to appraise the prospects for a reversal of neoliberalism in the twenty-first century, focusing on wars, financial crises, political revolts and the market-damaging consequences of global warming.

Contents:

Part I Historical Materialism: A Theory of Economic Systems

1 A General Theory of Economic Systems 15

2 A Theory of Capitalist Economic Systems 42

Part II Theorists of Modern Capitalism on the Decline of the Market

3 Marx and the Marxists on the Decline of the Market 77

4 Neoclassicals, Keynesians and Heterodox Economists on the Decline of the Market 113

Part III Neoliberalism and Modern Capitalism

5 Market Elimination in Modern Capitalism: Where the Theorists were Right 147

6 The Return of the Market: Where They All Went Wrong 162

Part IV Neoliberalism: Past, Present and Future

7 Why Was Neoliberalism Delayed? 193

8 What Might Reverse Neoliberalism? 221.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 245-301) and indexes.

ISBN:

0230537030

9780230537033

OCLC:

183609962