A Japanese Approach to Stages of Capitalist Development

by Robert Albritton

This book uses the levels of analysis approach first developed by Japanese political economist Kozo Uno to theorize stages of capitalist development. Stage theory is understood as a mid-range theory informed both by the theory of a purely capitalist society and by historical analysis. The four stages of mercantilism, liberalism, imperialism, and consumerism are theorized according to an abstract type of capital accumulation, which is understood broadly to include mutually supporting economic, ideological, legal, and political practices.

325 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1991

About the author

Robert Albritton is Professor Emeritus in the Department of Political Science at York University, Toronto, Canada. He is the author of various books, such as, most recently, Economics Transformed: Discovering the Brilliance of Marx (2007) and Let Them Eat Junk: How Capitalism Creates Hunger and Obesity (2009).