Product Description

This award-winning book explores one of the most successful cultures and society the world has ever seen-capitalism. From its European roots more than 500 years ago to the present, the book examines the problems of capitalism's expansion, inequality, environmental destruction, and social unrest. Global Problems and the Culture of Capitalism provides the reader with the anthropological, economic, and historical framework to understand the origins of global problems, why globalization and the global expansion of the culture of capitalism has generated protest and resistance, and the steps that are necessary to solve global problems. As one reviewer said, "This is a book that will doubtless create debate and controversy, but its topic should be pondered seriously by all who consider themselves citizens of our world society today." For anyone interested in global issues and international affairs.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1217579 in Books
• Published on: 2001-08-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 432 pages

From the Back Cover
This award-winning book explores one of the most successful cultures and society the world has ever seen-capitalism. From its European roots more than 500 years ago to the present, the book examines the problems of capitalism's expansion, inequality, environmental destruction, and social unrest. Global Problems and the Culture of Capitalism provides the reader with the anthropological, economic, and historical framework to understand the origins of global problems, why globalization and the global expansion of the culture of capitalism has generated protest and resistance, and the steps that are necessary to solve global problems. As one reviewer said, "This is a book that will doubtless create debate and controversy, but its topic should be pondered seriously by all who consider themselves citizens of our world society today." For anyone interested in global issues and international affairs.

Customer Reviews

Great textbook!
At last: a textbook which confronts the cultural power of capitalism. Robbins looks at how capitalism shapes cultures and how it has evolved into the most powerful cultural influence on the planet. A great resource for anthropology, geography, or history. Not your run of the mill textbook, it offers forceful critiques and compelling history. An excellent book for college students.

Excellent book for anyone who cares about the world today!
I admit I'm a little biased. Richard Robbins was actually a professor of mine at SUNY Plattsburgh, and I had the opportunity to read this book while at the same time taking his global issues class. This book not only changed my mind about a few of the world's issues, it also gave me a broader perspective about the world in general. I now think about things such as 'where do my clothes come from?' and 'how did my fruit cup get here?'. Robbins is an extremely talented man and writer who asks the question, 'Is Disneyland for Everyone?' The answer: a resounding 'No, and here's why!' This book would benefit anyone seeking to gain an understanding about the world and his/her place in it. It truly is a global world, and Robbins' book is the first step to living in it.

Global Problems and the Culture of Capitalism (according to Marx)
This text was required reading for a political science class dealing with developing nations. The only major problem I have from this book being in a political science class is that the content is overwhelmingly normative--the reader is given the impression that capitalism and capitalists are unanimously responsible for nearly everything terrible that has happened, including war, disease, famine, etc. The author spends a great deal of time talking about the resurgence of mostly benign protestant fundamentalism, while devoting only a few pages to discussing Islamic fundamentalism (it's really the West's fault, for spending a few million to support the mujahadeen). While there is a case to be made that market failures do lead to starvation, no mention is given to famines by progressives like Josef Stalin or Mengitsu (they aren't even listed in the glossary).

The book is written through the prism of Marxism and dependency theory by bourgeoisiephobe Richard Robbins, someone who should owe some gratitute to capitalism for getting this piece published.

On pages 42-43, one can see good examples of his economic illiteracy: the production function is "the black box" and he ignores conventional economic terms by designating "C" (which denotes consumption in economics) for commodities. Perhaps none of this is relevant, since he is a political scientist who seems to be making up his own economic models.

This book does give good insight into the structuralist perspective on international political economy. The solutions presented towards the end are, however, unrealistic (zero-economic growth, a "maximum wage," on income, revoking corporate personhood, etc.) Use this book to complement your studies on IPE/sociology/whatever suits your fancy and incorporate texts from the liberal and mercantilist schools if you want a real understanding of how the world workds.