Varieties of Capitalism: The Institutional Foundations of Comparative Advantage

by Peter A. Hall (Editor), David Soskice (Editor)

What are the most important differences among national economies? Is globalization forcing nations to converge on an Anglo-American model? What explains national differences in social and economic policy? This pathbreaking work outlines a new approach to these questions. It highlights the role of business in national economies and shows that there is more than one path to economic success. The book sets a new intellectual agenda for everyone interested in relations between politics, economics, and business.

Genres: Economics, Nonfiction, Politics, Political Science, History, Social Science, Sociology

560 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

Reviews

[Jovan Autonomašević · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book because it was recommended in the FT. It sets out the different types of capitalism that exist in the developed world today - from the US style on one hand, i.e. no workers rights, to the German at the other end of the spectrum, in which corporate social responsibility is enshrined as an article of faith. And Germany's is one of the most successful in the world, and one of the first to bounce back from the 2008 crisis. So when our elders and betters tell us we have to tighten our belts, accept the erosion of our rights, and do more with less, don't believe them and don't accept it. In Yugoslavia it used to be "work, order and peace": 8 hours work, 8 hours rest and 8 hours recreation. Now there's no work, law and order are the monopoly of the ruling parties, and while the war is over, peace is constantly under strain from greedy ideologies. Few people have regular jobs, recreation is a luxury, and it's hard to rest properly when under so much stress. People should read this and similar books so they understand the way their world really works. Our rulers don't want you to: "ignorance is strength".

[Leopold Benedict · Rating 4 out of 5]

Classical work in comparative political economy and a useful framework to apply to everyday newspaper reading.

[Noelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

The more times I read this book, the more like it.

[Aksana Rudovich]

I read 1 chapter of the book for the course Political economy of policy reforms

[Richard Marney · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very important book. Give it a 4 stars rating only to acknowledge the impact of the passage of time which calls out for an update.

Institutions are central to social, political, and economic development. Like a magnet working on iron scrapings, a sound and appropriate Institutional framework should attract capital (both human and financial). This book moves from a high level, overly theoretical level to investigate this paradigm in a variety of contexts and from multiple perspectives, providing a nuanced set of explanations of successes and failures in political and market environments, and useful applications.

[C · Rating 4 out of 5]

How comparative advantage and competitiveness intermingle is interesting, but the more I read this, the more I see this as an outdated model of globalisation. Surely, new models need to be formalised? still a classic, but I believe becoming rusty.

[Jakob · Rating 4 out of 5]

essential literature for Political Economy, eye opening for poltical or analyitcal minds alike. but, dont read the whole book, cherry pick your chapters.

[!Tæmbuŝu]

KOBOBOOKS