Thomas K. McCraw Books

Capitalism, Socialism and Democracy remains one of the greatest works of social theory written this century. When it first appeared the New English Weekly predicted that 'for the next five to ten years it will cetainly remain a work with which no one who professes any degree of information on sociology or economics can afford to be unacquainted.' Fifty years on, this prediction seems a little understated. Why has the work endured so well? Schumpeter's contention that the seeds of capitalism's decline were internal, and his equal and opposite hostility to centralist socialism have perplexed, engaged and infuriated readers since the book's publication. By refusing to become an advocate for either position Schumpeter was able both to make his own great and original contribution and to clear the way for a more balanced consideration of the most important social movements of his and our time.

Mit 26 Jahren war Joseph A. Schumpeter jüngster Professor Österreichs, zwei Jahre später wurde er mit seiner Theorie der wirtschaftlichen Entwicklung über Nacht weltberühmt. Dann war er Finanzminister - und Bankrotteur. Schumpeters Leben ist gezeichnet von tief tragischen Ereignissen. Während sein gleichaltriger Rivale John M. Keynes schon zu Lebzeiten größten Ruhm erlangt, stirbt Schumpeter 1950 in dem fatalen Glauben, sein Lebenswerk würde niemanden interessieren. Die Biografie von Thomas K. McCraw beweist das Gegenteil: ein Unzeitiger triumphiert doch noch.