Sovereign Individuals of Capitalism (RLE Social Theory)

Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Social Science, Sociology
Cover of the book Sovereign Individuals of Capitalism (RLE Social Theory) by Bryan S. Turner, Nicholas Abercrombie, Stephen Hill, Taylor and Francis
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Bryan S. Turner, Nicholas Abercrombie, Stephen Hill ISBN: 9781317650720
Publisher: Taylor and Francis Publication: August 21, 2014
Imprint: Routledge Language: English
Author: Bryan S. Turner, Nicholas Abercrombie, Stephen Hill
ISBN: 9781317650720
Publisher: Taylor and Francis
Publication: August 21, 2014
Imprint: Routledge
Language: English

In this sequel to their acclaimed The Dominant Ideology Thesis, the authors develop their analysis of the social and cultural underpinnings of modern capitalism. They confront a central assumption of western culture: namely, that the individual is sovereign, and that capitalism above all other economic forms depends on individualism. These ideas have an unbroken history from Alexis de Tocqueville to Milton Friedman. The paradox of the modern world is that the moral emphasis on the individual is contradicted by the actual organization of economy and society.

The authors suggest that individualism and capitalism have no enduring or necessary relationship. Their linkage is entirely accidental and was confined to one particular historical period in the West. Against the background of what they term the Discovery of the Individual, the authors show how individualism gave capitalism a particular shape, and capitalism in turn highlighted the possessive features of the individual. Oriental capitalism and late capitalism in the West bear no particular relationship to individualism; indeed, they flourish best in the absence of individualistic culture. Collectivism increasingly dominates both economic and social life.

These issues once informed the sociological enterprise, but have not been systematically addressed in recent times. This book revives the classical tradition of the historical and comparative analysis of culture and economy in capitalist society, in the context of the late twentieth-century world.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

In this sequel to their acclaimed The Dominant Ideology Thesis, the authors develop their analysis of the social and cultural underpinnings of modern capitalism. They confront a central assumption of western culture: namely, that the individual is sovereign, and that capitalism above all other economic forms depends on individualism. These ideas have an unbroken history from Alexis de Tocqueville to Milton Friedman. The paradox of the modern world is that the moral emphasis on the individual is contradicted by the actual organization of economy and society.

The authors suggest that individualism and capitalism have no enduring or necessary relationship. Their linkage is entirely accidental and was confined to one particular historical period in the West. Against the background of what they term the Discovery of the Individual, the authors show how individualism gave capitalism a particular shape, and capitalism in turn highlighted the possessive features of the individual. Oriental capitalism and late capitalism in the West bear no particular relationship to individualism; indeed, they flourish best in the absence of individualistic culture. Collectivism increasingly dominates both economic and social life.

These issues once informed the sociological enterprise, but have not been systematically addressed in recent times. This book revives the classical tradition of the historical and comparative analysis of culture and economy in capitalist society, in the context of the late twentieth-century world.

More books from Taylor and Francis

Cover of the book Between Courtly Literature and Al-Andaluz by Bryan S. Turner, Nicholas Abercrombie, Stephen Hill
Cover of the book Essentials for Blended Learning by Bryan S. Turner, Nicholas Abercrombie, Stephen Hill
Cover of the book Museum Communication and Social Media by Bryan S. Turner, Nicholas Abercrombie, Stephen Hill
Cover of the book Education Research and Evaluation: For Policy and Practice? by Bryan S. Turner, Nicholas Abercrombie, Stephen Hill
Cover of the book Feminist Genealogies, Colonial Legacies, Democratic Futures by Bryan S. Turner, Nicholas Abercrombie, Stephen Hill
Cover of the book Interdisciplinary Collaboration by Bryan S. Turner, Nicholas Abercrombie, Stephen Hill
Cover of the book Negotiating the New in the French Novel by Bryan S. Turner, Nicholas Abercrombie, Stephen Hill
Cover of the book Researcher-Policymaker Partnerships by Bryan S. Turner, Nicholas Abercrombie, Stephen Hill
Cover of the book The Routledge Handbook of Contemporary Jewish Cultures by Bryan S. Turner, Nicholas Abercrombie, Stephen Hill
Cover of the book Reading McDowell by Bryan S. Turner, Nicholas Abercrombie, Stephen Hill
Cover of the book Vampire In Europe by Bryan S. Turner, Nicholas Abercrombie, Stephen Hill
Cover of the book Regional Integration and Democratic Conditionality by Bryan S. Turner, Nicholas Abercrombie, Stephen Hill
Cover of the book Political Economy, Diversity and Pragmatism by Bryan S. Turner, Nicholas Abercrombie, Stephen Hill
Cover of the book The Self as a Sign, the World, and the Other by Bryan S. Turner, Nicholas Abercrombie, Stephen Hill
Cover of the book Tantric Buddhist Practice in India by Bryan S. Turner, Nicholas Abercrombie, Stephen Hill
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy