The Impasse of Modernity: Debating the Future of the Global Market Economy - Softcover

Comeliau, Christian

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1856499863 ISBN 13: 9781856499866

Publisher: Zed Books Ltd, 2002

Synopsis

There is a deep unease, widespread and growing, over the direction of modern society. Christian Comeliau, a well-known French economist, argues that understanding the historical logic of modernity must start with the economy, but that constructive discussion of the future must look at economics within the framework of society's goals and the limits of Nature. Comeliau critiques the dominant position of market economics in our social system - whose core social value has become the maximization of profit. The consequences of this are illustrated by examining four contemporary phenomena: · The idea of indefinite economic growth as the mainspring of development; · The intensification of social inequality and the future of work; · Difficulties resulting from globalization and the present system of international trade; · The uncertain future role of the state. Humanity is confronted by a modernity profoundly alienating, contradictory and without a viable future. But a belief in another future requires a rediscovery of politics. This, in turn, has to start with a thoroughgoing debate in each society about its fundamental purposes. This book puts forward the broad issues that such a debate must focus on.

About this title

Synopsis:

Because of the deep unease over the direction modern society is following Christian Comeliau has written this critique of the global market economy, exploring its alienating effects and social consequences. He argues that understanding the historical logic of modernity must start with the economy, but that constructive discussion of the future must look at economics within the framework of society's goals and the limits of Nature. Comeliau critiques the dominant position of market economics in our social system - whose core social value has become the maximization of profit. The consequences of this are illustrated by examining four contemporary phenomena: the idea of indefinite economic growth as the mainspring of development; the intensification of social inequality and the future of work; difficulties resulting from globalization and the present system of international trade; the uncertain future role of the state. Humanity is confronted by a modernity profoundly alienating, contradictory and without a viable future. But a belief in another future requires a rediscovery of politics.

This, in turn, has to start with a thoroughgoing debate in each society about its fundamental purposes. This book puts forward the broad issues that such a debate must focus on.

About the Author:

Christian Comeliau is an economist. Since 1990 he has been Professor of Development Economics at the Institute of Development Studies (IUED) in Geneva. Prior to this he held a variety of posts. These include teaching at the National University of Zaire, Kinshasa; working as an economist at the the World Bank, Washington DC; and subsequently at the OECD's Development Centre in Paris. He also served as charg‚ de mission at the French planning agency, the Commissariat G‚n‚ral du Plan. He is the author of several well regarded books in French.

About this edition

• Publisher: Zed Books Ltd
• Publication date: 2002
• ISBN 10: 1856499863
• ISBN 13: 9781856499866
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 200