In this volume Hartmut Elsenhans, professor emeritus for international relations at the Institute of Political Sciences at the University of Leipzig, presents those arguments that are the sum and synthesis of his lifelong research on global relationships. Following the basic principle that the dynamics of global capitalism are only to be understood by placing them in their historical content, the author analyses the interlinked development of politics and capitalism on a universal scale.
A Heterodox Political Economy
Focusing on the intersection of political economy and class, the book critiques the neoliberal perspective that views politics as a hindrance to market efficiency. It emphasizes the importance of integrating political economy into social sciences, arguing for its relevance beyond academic discourse. The author advocates for a renewed understanding of how political dynamics influence economic systems and societal structures, highlighting the need for a comprehensive analysis of these interconnections.
Political Economy of the Capitalist International System
The author presents a collection of insights that challenge conventional views on globalization and the political economic frameworks of the international system. By offering alternative explanations, the book delves into the complexities of global interconnections and the underlying structures that shape economic and political dynamics worldwide.
This book presents a series of interviews with Hartmut Elsenhans on his wide-ranging theories and their policy implications. Serving as a compilation of his distilled thoughts, we discuss with him his unique world economic theory, his theorisation of social movements, his work on overcoming underdevelopment, and much more.
On the political economy of capitalism and underdevelopment; with special reference to Third World countries.
With references to the Third World countries.
There are different types of globalization. Today's globalization is characterized by the worldwide disempowerment of labor. This is the result not of low real wages in backward countries but of devaluation-driven exports from relatively prosperous catch-up countries. An alternative form of globalization, the convoy model, is possible if the causes of devaluation-driven exports are eliminated. This does not call for a worldwide alignment of labor costs, but worldwide full employment policies. The latter require a strong state in labor-surplus economies of the underdeveloped South in addition to social and economic reforms in favor of the poor.
Zerklüftung im nicht so sehr kapitalistischen Weltsystem
Mit der globalen Banken- und Finanzkrise ist die Debatte um den Kapitalismus neu entfacht. Doch wie kapitalistisch ist die Weltwirtschaft und welche Folgen entstehen für die internationale Politik? Bereits mit seinem 2007 erschienenen Werk zur „Geschichte und Ökonomie der europäischen Welteroberung – Vom Zeitalter der Entdeckungen zum 1. Weltkrieg“ legt Hartmut Elsenhans eine umfangreiche Analyse der Geschichte und Bedingungen kapitalistischer Expansion vor. Im vorliegenden Beitrag bleibt der Autor seinem interdisziplinären Ansatz treu. Als entscheidend für kapitalistisches Wachstum werden gesellschaftliche Kräfteverhältnisse zwischen dominanten und subalternen Klassen erachtet. Der Kapitalismus erweist sich hier als fragiles System, dessen Entstehung nicht auf in vorkapitalistischen Gesellschaften vorhandene Interessen herrschender Klassen zurückzuführen ist, sondern ein ungeplant umgesetztes „Projekt“ der Subalternen darstellt.