CAN CAPITALISM SURVIVE?

by Benjamin A. Rogge

Rogge speculates on the future of the capitalist system as well as exploring the philosophy of freedom, the nature of economics and American business, labor markets, inflation, urban problems, and the financing of education.

Genres: Philosophy, Politics

330 pages, Hardcover

First published February 1, 1979

Reviews

[Patrick Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

2019-10-16 - I read this book somewhere between 1979 and 1981 and was fortunate enough to hear the author give a lecture at Hillsdale College in March of 1979, only about one year before his untimely and far too early (at the age of 60) death. The author inscribed my copy of the book: "To Pat, in the hope that he will improve on this in the years ahead, Ben Rogge 3-6-79." What a wonderfully inspiring, but terribly fearsome thing to write to a 23 year old. It is easy to say that I have not come close to improving on Ben Rogge's essays in this book. However, I have used them to good effect over the years, on myself as well as others to whom I have recommended selected essays or the whole book.

The book is published by that wonderful organization, The Liberty Fund in Indianapolis, IN, which has published so many good books that would otherwise be out of print. The edition's paper is as pure of color and texture as the day I purchased it - they only use high quality acid-free paper. The binding just as serviceable as when I bought it 40 years ago, though I have handled the book a fair number of times.

Topics covered in the book: Can Capitalism Survive? - the title essay and referencing Schumpeter! The Philosophy of Freedom. On the Nature of Economics - Including Adam Smith & College Economics. Profits and the Businessman. Labor Markets and monopoly. On Money and Inflation. The Problems of Cities. On higher Education. Businessmen and the defense of Capitalism. FEE - The Foundation for Economic Education. Goldwater and the election of 1964.

As the author says in the Foreword "you will find that many of the pieces in this collection are but speeches put down on paper." That is a good thing, for Ben Rogge was a great speaker, very clear, very humorous, with a great feel for the audience. So I heartily recommend this book as a great introduction to not only thoughts on whether capitalism can survive, but what it actually is, which, in the title of another great book, by another author/editor, is often as important a topic: "Capitalism: The Unknown Ideal" or more typical, whipping boy.

[Denise Hurd · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book in a night because I had a discussion on it the next day and I will say it was one of the easier Econ books I have read. Really enjoyed and would recommend to those interested in economics, whether they believe in capitalism or not.

[Craig Bolton]

Can capitalism survive? by Benjamin A. Rogge (1979)