C. Perrotta, “Is Capitalism Still Progressive? A Historical Approach” (Palgrave Macmillan 2020)

Is Capitalism Still Progressive? A Historical Approach
Cosimo Perrotta
Palgrave Macmillan, 2020
978-3-030-48168-1

Book’s page in the Publisher’s website

The economic crisis of 2007/2008 has prompted much debate as to what caused it and what remedies may be implemented in order to regain a healthy economy. This book addresses these issues through the lens of capitalism with a focus on labour economics, arguing that capitalism, and the employment of young people and migrants, may be a suitable antidote to the ongoing political crises in Europe that are taking place as a result of the financial crisis.

Using economic history and the history of economic thought to inform debate, Is Capitalism Still Progressive? A Historical Approach will be of interest to policy makers (especially in emerging countries), students and researchers interested in exploring the pros and cons, and persistence, of the capitalist system.

Professor Cosimo Perrotta has been Council Chair of the European Society for the History of Economic Thought, published many articles in the main international journals of this discipline, among other monographs published Consumption as an Investment. The Fear of Goods from Hesiod to Adam Smith (2004) and Unproductive labour. History of an Idea (2018), Routledge.

Table of contents (9 chapters)

• Capitalism Creates Progress, Pages 1-19
• The Dark Side of Capitalism and Its Myths, Pages 21-37
• Capitalistic Accumulation, Pages 39-54
• Plundering the World, Pages 55-75
• The Welfare State and Its Crisis, Pages 77-94
• Broken Promises, Pages 95-111
• The New Challenges, Pages 113-127
• Labour-Based Development, Pages 129-145
• Conclusions: Beyond the Borders, Pages 147-151