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

Comeliau, Christian

ISBN 10: 1856499855 / ISBN 13: 9781856499859

Published by Zed Books, Limited, London, United Kingdom, 2002

About this Item

pictorial boards; a solid copy; ---------- SATISFACTION GUARANTEED --------- FAST, COURTEOUS SERVICE ------ ALL DUSTJACKETS ARE COVERED WITH NEW CLEAR MYLAR PROTECTOR ----- Size: 6 x 9".

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Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Impasse of Modernity: Debating the Future of the Global Market Economy
• Publisher: Zed Books, Limited, London, United Kingdom
• Publication Date: 2002
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1856499855
• ISBN 13: 9781856499859
• Binding: Hard Cover
• Edition: First Edition UK.
• Condition: As New
• Dust Jacket Condition: No Dustjacket
• Seller catalogs:
  • Economics

About this title

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 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.