The wealth of states : a comparative sociology of international economic and political change / John M. Hobson. [electronic resource]

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Hobson, John M.

Series:

Cambridge studies in international relations ; 52

Cambridge studies in international relations The wealth of states

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

International economic relations.

International trade--History--19th century.

International trade.

Protectionism--History--19th century.

Protectionism.

Economics--Sociological aspects.

Economics.

International economic relations--History--19th century.

Protectionism--Sociological aspects.

Genre:

History.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (xx, 338 p. )

Place of Publication:

New York : Cambridge University Press, 1997.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

In recent years a number of scholars of international relations have developed an interest in neo-Weberian historical sociology, but The Wealth of States is the first sustained analysis of the overlap between historical sociology and international relations. John Hobson develops a new theory of international change using a sociological approach, through a detailed examination of nineteenth-century trade regimes, and the efforts of the Great Powers to increase their military capabilities before the First World War through tariff protectionism.

His analysis reveals the importance of the state as an autonomous, 'adaptive' actor in domestic and international politics and economics, which is not dependent upon dominant classes, economic interest groups, the world economy or the geopolitical system of states. The book thus represents a distinctive approach which goes beyond the existing paradigms of Marxism, liberalism and realism.

Contents:

1. A sociology of international relations and an international relations of sociology

pt. I. Case studies in structural economic change: states and trade regime changes, 1870-1913. 2. Protectionism in imperial Germany: moderate state capacity and indirect taxation. 3. Protectionism and industrialisation in tsarist Russia: weak state capacity and indirect taxation. 4. Free trade versus protectionism in liberal Britain: strong state capacity and the conflict over taxation. 5. Tariff protectionism and indirect taxation in federal states: the United States, Canada, Australia and Switzerland

pt. II. Theorising international and national structural economic and political change.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Bibliographic Level Mode of Issuance: Monograph

ISBN:

0-511-00289-0