Werner Sombart and the 'Spirit' of Modern Capitalism: Rediscovering a Classic (Palgrave Studies in Classical Liberalism)

This book illuminates the work of Werner Sombart, a key contemporary of Max Weber, showing how his writing and thinking laid the groundwork for concepts of modern capitalism. Although the notion of the ‘spirit’ of modern capitalism is most associated with Weber, it was Sombart who first used this phrase, with Weber focusing mainly on socioeconomics while Sombart continued to develop his ideas around modern capitalism. This book critically analyses Sombart’s groundbreaking work, “Der moderne Kapitalismus” among his other writings to demonstrate how they may be read as a complementary alternative to Weber, providing a more detailed, sustained, and a comprehensive account of the genesis and nature of modern capitalism. This book will be of interest to a scholarly audience including students and researchers of the history of economic thought, as well as areas of sociology, politics, and political economy. Preface Contents 1 “Why Read Sombart?” Sombart: A Sketch of a Life Chapter Overviews References 2 Werner Sombart and the “Spirit” of Modern Capitalism 1900–1910 Introduction Moderne Kapitalismus Band 1 Band 2 Proletariat Concluding Comments References 3 Sombart and Capitalism 1911–1915 Introduction The Reception of Der moderne Kapitalismus Die Juden Luxury, War, and Capitalism Der Bourgeoise Traders and Heroes Concluding Comments References 4 Der moderne Kapitalismus Revisions 1917–1928 Introduction The Second Edition of Der moderne Kapitalismus Sombart’s Hochkapitalismus The Second Half Volume “Schluß” Concluding Comments References 5 Sombart on Capitalism 1925–1932 Sombart’s Later Capitalism Book Sombart’s Essays in the Handwörterbuch Sombart’s Late Essays on Capitalism Concluding Comments References 6 Conclusion: Read Sombart References Index