Capitalism (Social Philosophy and Policy)

The ideological clash between capitalism and socialism permeates much of contemporary thought on cultural and political issues. For capitalism and socialism are more than economic systems. They are also the overall frameworks within which are constructed radically different ways of organizing our collective affairs. As such, they pose a host of conceptual and moral questions that take us well beyond the technical concerns of economics. The essays in this volume address some of the central moral and conceptual questions arising out of one of these systems - capitalism . Some address the connection between capitalism and such moral notions as freedom, self-ownership, and community. Does capitalism promote these ideals and, if so, does this count as a justification of capitalism? Others consider the role that efficiency plays in the justification of capitalism. Exactly how is the concept of efficiency to be understood, and is it necessarily connected with capitalism? Others are concerned with the methodological difficulties involved in comparing existing capitalist and socialist systems. Are such comparisons even possible, given the divergence between theoretical ideals and existing social systems? Together, these essays delineate some of the concepts that are central to the ongoing debate between capitalism and socialism. This book is aimed at specialists in political philosophy or economic theory.