Michael Perelman is an American economist and economic historian whose work critically examines conventional economic theories. He focuses on exposing the contradictions within profit-oriented systems, particularly in agriculture, highlighting energy waste and detrimental societal and environmental impacts. Perelman also delves into Marxist crisis theory, arguing that it offers a more sophisticated account of the inherent crises of a capitalist economy than is often recognized. Through his extensive writings, he provides a penetrating perspective on market operations and their broader social consequences.
Examines diaries, letters, and the practical writings of the classical economists to show how Adam Smith and the other classical economists appear to have deliberately obscured the nature of the control of labour and how policies attacking the economic independence of the rural peasantry were essentially conceived to foster primitive accumulation. schovat popis
Expectations, Increasing Returns, and the Collapse of Capitalism
The book critically examines the inherent instability of competitive markets amidst the transition of socialist states to market economies and the U.S. privatization trend. Michael Perelman argues that capitalism's perceived triumph is precarious, rooted in a flawed understanding of its risks. He challenges the widely accepted belief that increased competition benefits society, using examples and anecdotes to illustrate his points. This accessible analysis provides a fresh perspective on the crises facing market economies, emphasizing the need for a deeper understanding of capitalism's dynamics.
Most economic theory assumes a pure capitalism of perfect competition. This book is a penetrating critique of the rhetoric and practice of conventional economic theory. It explores how even in the United States—the most capitalist of countries—the market has always been subject to numerous constraints.Perelman examines the way in which these constraints have been defended by such figures as Henry Ford, J. P. Morgan, and Herbert Hoover, and were indeed essential to the expansion of U.S. capitalism. In the process, he rediscovers the critical element in conservative thought—the “forgotten traditions of railroad economics”—that has been lost in the neoliberal present. This important and original historical reconstruction points the way to a discipline of economics freed from the mythology of the market.
Exploring the corporatisation of contemporary society, this critical guide examines how individualism shapes our lives and offers insights on transcending it. By analyzing the impact of corporate culture, the book encourages readers to rethink their values and relationships, promoting a collective approach to living. It provides practical strategies for fostering community and connection in an increasingly commercialized world, aiming to inspire a shift towards a more inclusive and cooperative future.