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.

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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #49495 in Books
• Published on: 2007-08-02
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 448 pages

From the Back Cover

Robbins Back Cover Copy

Global Problems and the Culture of Capitalism

Fourth Edition

By: Richard H. Robbins

Basic Approach:

This award-winning text explores one of the most successful cultures and society the world has ever seen–capitalism. From capitalism's European roots more than 500 years ago to the present, this text examines the problems caused by its 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 necessary to solve global problems. Up-to-date information throughout the text helps students maintain a current view of the rapidity of global change.

New to This Edition:

• New Section! on the informal economy and one of its major components, the global drug trade.
• New Section! on the war in Iraq and concomitant issues such as media spin, the free trade agenda, and the role of energy in the global economy.
• New Material! on the role of spin and the media, particularly as it relates to climate change.
• Extended Discussion! of the role of money in economic growth.
• Additional Material! on the role of holidays to stimulate consumption.

What the reviewers are saying…

“The book is unique in its area.” —James Bearden / SUNY Geneseo

“I find the style extremely engaging and the material presented to be extremely interesting. This is the only book I’ve ever used that has prompted students to repeatedly comment on how much they’re learning.” —Thomas B. Stevenson / Ohio University

“I continue to believe that it is important to expose freshmen students to many of the points and topics raised by Robbins in his textbook. Thank God there is a good text like this that I can use for this course!” —Vaughn M. Bryant / Texas A&M University

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Customer Reviews

We All Need to Wake Up and Get Real!
Let's get right to the point. This book, or one just like it, should be required reading for anyone who wants to be a member of the human race.

Global Problems 4th Edition
I am only through the first two chapters and so far I am highly impressed with this text book. It's well written and easy to follow as the author created the book so that each consecutive chapter builds on the previous one. Okay so that is how it should be but I have read some text books that seem to jump from one subject to another with each chapter. And as text books go this one actually keeps my attention and I am enjoying it, so far.

Why we need to change the world
This is an excellent book even if it is outrageously over-priced.

To be sure it is polemical and passionate, neither of which are necessarily bad things and certainly not in this case. Professor Robbins argues clearly and cogently for viewing capitalism as another culture and not as an inevitable evolutionary outcome of economic history.

Perhaps the book over-emphasises the dangers and difficulties of capitalism but it is not inaccurate in describing them. Here is a history of capitalism laid out in well-written prose and it is not a pretty history. We have much to answer for and much to do to put things right.

Highly recommended.