“Advanced Political Economies” – Introduction to a Book in Progress

September 29, 2017 2:15PM Minda de Gunzburg Center for European Studies, 27 Kirkland St, Hoffmann Room

“Advanced Political Economies” – Introduction to a Book in Progress

2:15 pm – 4:00 pm               

Torben Iversen, Burbank Professor of Political Economy, Harvard University

Discussant: Jeffry Frieden Stanfield Professor of International Peace, Harvard University

Summary: Much of the literature on advanced capitalist democracies over the past two decades has painted a critical and pessimistic picture of advanced capitalism, and – closely linked—of the future of democracy in advanced societies. In this view, the advanced capitalist democratic state has weakened over time because of globalization and the diffusion of neoliberal ideas. Advanced business is seen as the major driver and exponent of liberalization, privatization, deregulation and intensified global competition.  This book argues that the opposite is true. Over time, the advanced capitalist democratic state has paradoxically become strengthened through globalization. The spread of  neoliberal ides, we argue, reflects the demands of decisive voters from the middle and upper middle classes to fuel economic growth, wealth, and opportunity in the emerging knowledge economy. In short, the “laws” of capitalism driving wealth accumulation are politically manufactured and advanced capitalism is highly compatible with democracy.

Venue: Minda de Gunzburg Center for European Studies, 27 Kirkland St, Hoffmann Room

Note: As there will be no presentation, participants should read the paper in advance.

It is available under the listing for this event on the CES Events Calendar

and here: https://ces.fas.harvard.edu/uploads/files/events/IS_Chapter_1_2017.pdf

Co-Chairs: Peter A. Hall and Kathleen Thelen

All welcome.