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Comparative Economics in a Transforming World Economy
This International Student Edition is not for sale in the U.S. and Canada
This second edition of an innovative undergraduate text offers an approach to understanding different economic systems that reflects both recent transformations in the world economy and recent changes in the field of Comparative Economic Systems. The traditional way of teaching comparative economics, with its reliance on relatively simple dichotomies (private vs. state, planning vs. market) does not take into consideration the many variants and mixtures of economic systems that exist in the real world. The Rossers' introduction in the first edition of the concept of the "new traditional economy"--the effort by a developing country to embed a modern economic system into a traditional culture, usually religious--presented a new way to look at developing economies. Their innovative examination of Iran and its effort to develop a "revolutionary Islamic economy" as an alternative to market capitalism illustrates the use of this new tool in comparative economics.
After a four-chapter theoretical and historical overview, the book focuses on fifteen country studies, organized by economic system. The chapters on advanced market capitalism examine the economies of the United States (a chapter new to this edition) Japan, France, Sweden, and Germany. The chapters examining transition in former socialist economies discuss Russia, the former Soviet Republics, Poland, Hungary, Yugoslavia (including expanded treatment of the most successful transition economy, that of Slovenia), and China. The chapters in the final section of the book discuss "alternative paths" taken by the developing economies of Iran, India (its complex mix of socialism, capitalism, and tradition is examined in a chapter new to this edition), Mexico, and South and North Korea. The book concludes with a look at future trends that will continue to transform the world economy.
This second edition of an innovative undergraduate text offers an approach to understanding different economic systems that reflects both recent transformations in the world economy and recent changes in the field of Comparative Economic Systems. The traditional way of teaching comparative economics, with its reliance on relatively simple dichotomies (private vs. state, planning vs. market) does not take into consideration the many variants and mixtures of economic systems that exist in the real world. The Rossers' introduction in the first edition of the concept of the "new traditional economy"--the effort by a developing country to embed a modern economic system into a traditional culture, usually religious--presented a new way to look at developing economies. Their innovative examination of Iran and its effort to develop a "revolutionary Islamic economy" as an alternative to market capitalism illustrates the use of this new tool in comparative economics.
After a four-chapter theoretical and historical overview, the book focuses on fifteen country studies, organized by economic system. The chapters on advanced market capitalism examine the economies of the United States (a chapter new to this edition) Japan, France, Sweden, and Germany. The chapters examining transition in former socialist economies discuss Russia, the former Soviet Republics, Poland, Hungary, Yugoslavia (including expanded treatment of the most successful transition economy, that of Slovenia), and China. The chapters in the final section of the book discuss "alternative paths" taken by the developing economies of Iran, India (its complex mix of socialism, capitalism, and tradition is examined in a chapter new to this edition), Mexico, and South and North Korea. The book concludes with a look at future trends that will continue to transform the world economy.
- GenresEconomics
488 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1996
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Displaying 1 - 1 of 1 review
January 1, 2025
I used this book in my Global Capitalism Today course this year. To my knowledge, it is the most up to date undergrad textbook of Comparative Economic Systems. It's a 3rd edition published in 2017, with tables and discussions from earlier editions going back two decades.
The particular field came out of the 20th century's cold war debates centered on capitalism/socialism. But since the transition away from state socialism in the 90's the field has broadened. The book accurately reflects that.
Yet, a lot has changed in the past 7 years with the rise of authoritarian Xi in China, the rise of nationalism in Europe and the U.S. and the push against globalization now culminating not only from the leftists, but now the right. The dated of the book leaves the classroom wanting.
Judging it on its merits, though, the book is relatively well balanced and gave ample resources and further readings. I, however, found it ... Well... Boring. It put me to sleep! And I'm the teacher! I wish I was a more cognizant writer so I could identify why.
While there were useful narratives and frameworks, to help guide the reader, I felt at the end of a chapter, I only knew a few bits to carry forward, and not enough of a lot of topics to know enough. Maybe that simply comes with that territory of giving an encyclopedic treatment of 15 countries' economies.
Anyways, I read the whole thing cover to cover. It certainly was a foundational help in starting to teach the course.
The particular field came out of the 20th century's cold war debates centered on capitalism/socialism. But since the transition away from state socialism in the 90's the field has broadened. The book accurately reflects that.
Yet, a lot has changed in the past 7 years with the rise of authoritarian Xi in China, the rise of nationalism in Europe and the U.S. and the push against globalization now culminating not only from the leftists, but now the right. The dated of the book leaves the classroom wanting.
Judging it on its merits, though, the book is relatively well balanced and gave ample resources and further readings. I, however, found it ... Well... Boring. It put me to sleep! And I'm the teacher! I wish I was a more cognizant writer so I could identify why.
While there were useful narratives and frameworks, to help guide the reader, I felt at the end of a chapter, I only knew a few bits to carry forward, and not enough of a lot of topics to know enough. Maybe that simply comes with that territory of giving an encyclopedic treatment of 15 countries' economies.
Anyways, I read the whole thing cover to cover. It certainly was a foundational help in starting to teach the course.
Displaying 1 - 1 of 1 review