Theories of the Mixed Economy:
Selected Texts 1931–1968
Editor: David Reisman
978 1 85196 213 6: 234x156mm: £595.00/$1050.00
Availability: Japan: Kinokuniya
This collection of ten volumes makes available in a single edition ten classic texts of twentieth-century British political economy. The texts, which deal with managed capitalism, the welfare state and the middle ground, are essential for an understanding of British political and economic ideology in the years since the Great Depression. The issues themselves are relevant to all countries and the texts have been influential throughout the world.
The edition makes previously out-of-print or difficult to obtain works generally accessible. The volumes represent a very valuable resource for scholars and other readers with an interest in exchange and authority, the market and the state. David Reisman's introduction analyses the impact of the texts on twentieth century British political economy and the development of economic thought in the period.
Contents
Volume 1
R H Tawney, Equality (1931). Tawney's most influential book. This is reprinted from the fourth (expanded) edition of 1952.
Volume 2
R L Hall, The Economic System in a Socialist State (1937). Hall's contribution to the debate about the status of supply and demand in an economic system.
Volume 3
A C Pigou, Socialism and Capitalism (1937). Pigou's argument for freedom of enterprise where markets flourished and pragmatic intervention where markets fell.
Volume 4
H Macmillan, The Middle Way (1938). An early insight into the thinking of the Conservative Prime Minister, who implemented middle-ground policies when in power.
Volume 5
E F M Durbin, The Politics of Democratic Socialism (1940). With extremist movements in Europe forming the backdrop, Durbin argued that while wicked leaders corrupt prudent policies, it would be a mistake to assume that disaster awaits when moderate interventionists seek to guide.
Volume 6
J E Meade, Planning and the Price Mechanism (1948). An outlining of a policy-framework that would advance economic productivity while promoting social justice.
Volume 7
J Strachey, Contemporary Capitalism (1956). An advocation of a less confrontational kind of socialism to match the more cooperative nature of large corporations.
Volume 8
C A R Crosland, The Future of Socialism (1956). This much-debated book is reprinted in full from the unabridged 1956 version rather than the shortened 1963 edition.
Volume 9
A Shonfield, Modern Capitalism (1965). An ambitious, comparative study of plan and market in the new-style coordinated corporatism that Shonfield believed to be taking the place of the old-fashioned competitive struggle.
Volume 10
R M Titmuss, Commitment to Welfare (1968). Titmuss reveals himself as a social scientist with a strong personal sense of right and wrong.
Reviews
‘Beautifully produced ... [with] a good introduction and useful biographical sketches for each author ... Theories of the Mixed Economy makes available a series of influential texts which between them helped to define the conventional wisdom of post-war economic policy.’
– The Times Literary Supplement