An Introduction to Capitalism

ISBN-13: 9780415550925 / Angielski / Twarda / 2012 / 400 str.

Paul Swanson

Opis

Embedded in an historical account of the development of U.S. capitalism up to the present day, this book gives the reader a thorough description of the major aspects of the U.S. economy, as well as a theoretical understanding of the overall economy. A particular focus of this book is how free markets work in capitalism and the interrelationship between markets and the government. Of particular interest in the current economic situation is the question of what can the government do to get the economy going again. Underlying the standard economics text today is the fundamental belief that leaving markets as free as possible will lead to the ideal economy. Directly opposing this approach, this book takes a critical stance toward free markets. Rather than viewing markets as the ideal solution to almost all economic problems, this book argues that markets are not always the answer. On the contrary, they are often the problem, and must be corrected by government action. Related to this critical stance, and in a further departure from current economics texts, this book takes an explicitly Keynesian approach to the macro-economy. Rejecting the free market approach which dominates both micro- and macro-economics today, this book offers a fresh perspective on economics and the economy today.

Spis treści

Part 1: The Development of the Capitalist System  1. Economic Systems  2. The Rise of Capitalism in the United States  3. Growth in the US Economy, 1865-1914  4. Imperialism  5. The Socialist Challenge  Part 2: Markets in a Capitalist Economy  6. Markets  7. Labor Markets  8. Labor  9. Income Distribution  10. Personal Income and Wealth Distribution  11. Poverty  Part 3: Public Policy: Issues and Institutions  12. Market Failure and Government Regulation  13. The Economy and the Environment  14. Measuring the Economy  15. Business Cycles and Unemployment  16. The Theory of Output and Employment  17. Accumulation and Macroeconomic Instability  18. The Federal Government Budget: Instrument of Fiscal Policy  19. Money, Banking, and the Federal Reserve  20. International Trade  Part 4: Recent History and Beyond  21. The Great Depression: Time of Economic Crisis  22. The Post-War Economic Boom  23. After the Golden Age: The Rise of Free Market Ideology

O autorze

Paul Swanson is Associate Professor of Economics at William Paterson University, USA