History of Capitalism

[doodle]

This sounds like an interesting book by Joyce Appleby. The Relentless Revolution: A History of Capitalism. Anyone read it yet?

Here is an interview she gave regarding the book: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdlLqFn_IDQ

I plan to do some more historical reading on capitalism and its development, anyone have any other recommendations?

[Benko]

America Lite  by David Gelernter

I would suspect it much more relevant to you personally.

[doodle]

Benko, thanks for the suggestion.    Is that something that is on Hannity's recommended reading list?

Just the title alone makes me gag a bit: America-Lite: How Imperial Academia Dismantled Our Culture

Can you expound please a bit on just what "our culture" is? That sounds a bit collectivist right off the bat....something which I thought you objected to.

I'm interested in the historical evolution of the capitalist system, is there something particularly objectionable with the author I mentioned other than the fact that she doesn't happen to write for Murdoch or the Koch brothers?

[melveyr]

Benko, thanks for the suggestion.    Is that something that is on Hannity's recommended reading list?

Just the title alone makes me gag a bit: America-Lite: How Imperial Academia Dismantled Our Culture

Can you expound please a bit on just what "our culture" is? That sounds a bit collectivist right off the bat....something which I thought you objected to.

I'm interested in the historical evolution of the capitalist system, is there something particularly objectionable with the author I mentioned other than the fact that she doesn't happen to write for Murdoch or the Koch brothers?

Yeah that book looks like a total joke. If someone told it was Colbert satire I would probably believe it.

[Benko]

It was passed on by a reliable source, and it probably sheds light on many of the things you believe.  And you are passing judgement without having even read it (not that you aren't following in the footsteps of many).

I'm sorry it is not on the Marx approved reading list.  I guess I was so overcome by shock of you reading about something you don't believe in (capitalism) that I made a mistake ;-)

[doodle]

What makes you think I dont believe in capitalism? It is a system that has produced enormous wealth and prosperity. Im simply interested in understanding how it came about.

I also question certain aspects of the capitalist system and respect thinkers who posit ideas on how to best temper its somewhat darwinian nature and state of constant flux and upheavel to make it a bit more amenable to a civilized society. Capitalism if left to its own devices, might end up being its own worst enemy. By that I mean, the unequal social conditions and topsy turvey nature of the system might lead to its own downfall, if not for a balancing hand to smooth things out a bit. I think that is a reasonable position to at least consider.

[Benko]

Capitalism if left to its own devices, might end up being its own worst enemy. By that I mean, the unequal social conditions and topsy turvey nature of the system might lead to its own downfall, if not for a balancing hand to smooth things out a bit. I think that is a reasonable position to at least consider.

Capitalism without restraint will lead to organs for sale (Pournelle).  That is a problem (not the one you're taking about).

We know where marx leads (lots of graves marking territory), social democracy (worked well for the guy who created the Big lie), all the progressive ideas (Europe, Greece, etc).  PLease learn from other peoples mistakes.

[Pointedstick]

Capitalism if left to its own devices, might end up being its own worst enemy. By that I mean, the unequal social conditions and topsy turvey nature of the system might lead to its own downfall, if not for a balancing hand to smooth things out a bit. I think that is a reasonable position to at least consider.

I often ponder this, too.

On one hand, the proletarian revolution hasn't happened yet in over 200 years of American industrial capitalism. On the other hand, there's been an awful lot of "balancing hands" introduced during that time, from unions to social security to the EPA. Who can say whether those interventions prevented the workers' revolution, or whether they unbalanced the system and introduced corruption and and political graft in attempting to prevent something that would never have happened?

[MachineGhost]

Benko, thanks for the suggestion.    Is that something that is on Hannity's recommended reading list?

Just the title alone makes me gag a bit: America-Lite: How Imperial Academia Dismantled Our Culture

Can you expound please a bit on just what "our culture" is? That sounds a bit collectivist right off the bat....something which I thought you objected to.

I'm interested in the historical evolution of the capitalist system, is there something particularly objectionable with the author I mentioned other than the fact that she doesn't happen to write for Murdoch or the Koch brothers?

I mentioned this last year, but I think Against the Gods: The Remarkable Story of Risk by Bernstein is essentially the historical intellectual ammo and implementation of capitalism.  It's easy to forget capitalism is all about brave risk-taking that has nothing to do with ideological B.S..

http://www.amazon.com/Against-Gods-Rema ... 0471295639

[Early Cuyler]

Benko, thanks for the suggestion.    Is that something that is on Hannity's recommended reading list?

Just the title alone makes me gag a bit: America-Lite: How Imperial Academia Dismantled Our Culture

Can you expound please a bit on just what "our culture" is? That sounds a bit collectivist right off the bat....something which I thought you objected to.

I'm interested in the historical evolution of the capitalist system, is there something particularly objectionable with the author I mentioned other than the fact that she doesn't happen to write for Murdoch or the Koch brothers?

I mentioned this last year, but I think Against the Gods: The Remarkable Story of Risk by Bernstein is essentially the historical intellectual ammo and implementation of capitalism.  It's easy to forget capitalism is all about brave risk-taking that has nothing to do with ideological B.S..

http://www.amazon.com/Against-Gods-Rema ... 0471295639

Ill second that. One of my favorite books.