‘Surviving Capitalism presents a highly literate cost–benefit analysis of the history of capitalism…fresh, fascinating, relevant, and, yes, humane.’

Jeff Madrick, Editor, Challenge Magazine

Human life cannot be reduced to market transactions and human beings cannot only be treated as economic actors. When the power of the market increases, human beings will always try to protect themselves. Given the differences that exist in social and cultural traditions, these protective responses are likely to differ from one society to the other. This is why, even in a global market, diversity is always likely to persist.

This book investigates the question of economic globalization - whether it is likely to lead to full convergence between political models and ways of life, or whether, even in a completely globalized world economy, there is likely to be scope for alternative solutions.

Human life cannot be reduced to market transactions and human beings cannot only be treated as economic actors. When the power of the market increases, human beings will always try to protect themselves. Given the differences that exist in social and cultural traditions, these protective responses are likely to differ from one society to the other. This is why, even in a global market, diversity is always likely to persist.

This book investigates the question of economic globalization - whether it is likely to lead to full convergence between political models and ways of life, or whether, even in a completely globalized world economy, there is likely to be scope for alternative solutions.

Dr Erik Ringmar is a Professor at the National Chiao Tung Unviersity, Hsinchu, Taiwan. He is the author of Interest, Identity & Action (CUP, 1996), as well as many academic articles in the fields of history, international politics and sociology. He received a doctorate in political science from Yale University in 1993 and another one from Uppsala University in 1998. He lives in a multiethnic area of north London surrounded by gorgeous females (one wife, four daughters), and he is an avid but incompetent DIY enthusiast, a Bob Dylan fan, and likes to eat curries.