Open Varieties of Capitalism - by U Becker (Hardcover)

About the Book

"This book is a critical contribution to the discussion on varieties of capitalism. In contrast to the mainstream VoC literature it does not have principal problems to map capitalist diversity and to understand institutional change. Its differentia specifica is the strict distinction between ideal typical and empirical varieties of capitalism and the presentation of the latter as open and relatively loosely ordered social systems (or system-like configurations). Systemness is required for competitiveness while openness, on the opposite side, stems from relatively autonomous parts (particularly companies), the possibility of equifunctional arrangements, uncertainty about functional solutions and contested goals of social development (e.g. competitiveness versus equality and environmental care). The book develops four ideal-typical varieties (liberal, statist, corporatist and meso-communitarian capitalism) and analyses the parallelism of path continuity and change but also the performances of empirical capitalisms in the contexts of globalization, Europeanization, social-structural individualization and the ideological dominance of neo-liberalism."--Book cover.

Book Synopsis

Presenting capitalisms as open, system-like configurations, this book argues four ideal-typical varieties (liberal, statist, corporatist, meso-communitarian) and analyzes the socio-economic performances of advanced capitalisms.

Review Quotes

'In this book, Uwe Becker provides the last word on the varieties of capitalism in all their varieties. He combines reasoned critique with a highly innovative argument in which he conceives of capitalist political economies as open systems, and for which he identifies four ideal-types. A must-read for those interested in understanding capitalism in all its complexity.' - Vivien A. Schmidt, Jean Monnet Professor of European Integration, Boston University, USA

'Uwe Becker has produced an essential analysis of the varieties of capitalism perspective. He subjects its theoretical underpinnings, methodological approaches and empirical findings to sustained and intense critical evaluation. The result is a book full of ideas, empirical data and theoretical challenges that will be required reading for anybody interested in the area.' - Glenn Morgan, Warwick Business School, UK

'Have you ever wondered about the value of stylized variants of Varieties of Capitalism or Legal Families, notably their performance implications? Here is your best bet for a thorough empirical synthesis and critique, a book which in detail analyzes why different countries perform differently in different ways. It comes just in time.' - Arndt Sorge, Wissenschaftszentrum Berlin, Germany and University of Groningen, The Netherlands

About the Author

UWE BECKER is Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Earlier publications include Employment Miracles (2005; ed. with H.Schwartz), Europese Democratieën (1999), Kapitalistische Dynamik und Politisches Kräftespiel (1986) as well as articles in relevant journals like Socio-Economic Review, New Political Economy and Journal of European Social Policy.