Book contents
- In Search of a Moral Foundation for Capitalism
- In Search of a Moral Foundation for Capitalism
- Copyright page
- Dedication
- Contents
- Preface
- Acknowledgments
- 1 Introduction
- 2 The Moral Economist
- 3 Religion as a Moral Foundation
- 4 Humanism as a Moral Foundation
- 5 Self-Interest as a Moral Foundation
- 6 Neoclassical Economists Join the Search
- 7 Rescuing Capitalism from the Capitalists
- 8 The Promise of Capitalism
- References
- Index
8 - The Promise of Capitalism
Joining the Search
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 23 November 2023
- In Search of a Moral Foundation for Capitalism
- In Search of a Moral Foundation for Capitalism
- Copyright page
- Dedication
- Contents
- Preface
- Acknowledgments
- 1 Introduction
- 2 The Moral Economist
- 3 Religion as a Moral Foundation
- 4 Humanism as a Moral Foundation
- 5 Self-Interest as a Moral Foundation
- 6 Neoclassical Economists Join the Search
- 7 Rescuing Capitalism from the Capitalists
- 8 The Promise of Capitalism
- References
- Index
Summary
In Chapter 8, I conclude by addressing the promise of capitalism from the perspective of those who have joined the search for a moral foundation. I first discuss how both classical and neoclassical economic theory have proven to be incomplete views of economic reality. Recent evidence suggests that, while highly descriptive of economic growth prior to the first industrial revolution in England, classical economic theory is incapable of explaining economic growth after around 1800. The neoclassical economic theory out of Chicago has also proven to be incomplete following persistent evidence of norm-based behavior in the lab and recurring market crashes, including the latest severe market crash in 2007–08. I then discuss three types of responses to the latest crisis of capitalism and how they have left the theoretical landscape ripe for future development and innovation. To further reveal the potential for theoretical development, I summarize key insights from the economists and philosophers covered in this book. After summarizing key insights from my own search, including a paper I presented at a recent research conference in Australia, I conclude by discussing why the search for a moral foundation for capitalism may be the critical challenge of our age.
Keywords
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- In Search of a Moral Foundation for CapitalismFrom Adam Smith to Amartya Sen, pp. 182 - 216Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2023