The End of Economic Man: The Origins of Totalitarianism [Paperback]

Peter Drucker (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 1995

In this long recognied cornerstone work, Drucker explains and interprets fascism and Naism as fundamental revolutions. It is a social and political effort to explain the subjective consequences of the social upheavals caused by warfare. This work was singled out for praise in both sides of the Atlantic, and is considered by the author to be his most prescient effort in social history. The New York Times calls it "a challenging and penetrating analytical study of the totalitarian state."

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Peter F. Drucker (1909-2005) is known by many as the father of modern management. He was Clarke Professor of Social Science and Management at Claremont Graduate School in California and was a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom. He is the author of over thirty-five books, including The Ecological Vision, The Concept of the Corporation, and A Functioning Society.

Product Details

• Paperback: 276 pages
• Publisher: Transaction Publishers (January 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1560006218
• ISBN-13: 978-1560006213
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #917,022 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Peter F. Drucker (1909-2005) was considered the top management thinker of his time. He authored over 25 books, with his first, The End of Economic Man published in 1939. His ideas have had an enormous impact on shaping the modern corporation. One of his most famous disciples alive today is Jack Welch. He was a teacher, philosopher, reporter and consultant.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great book, April 30, 2002

By 

Mr. D. S. Stadler (London, UK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The End of Economic Man: The Origins of Totalitarianism (Paperback)

I've been a fan of Druckers for many years but did not get around to reading his first book until very recently.

This is not the usual Drucker fare, though fellow readers will recognize his reach and style. In this book Peter Drucker attempts nothing less than to explain what Totalitarianism (particularly Facism and Nazism) are about. And I think he largely succeeds.

But the subject is 60 years ago, so why buy it now? Because the book also explains much of what is going on today. The alienation many of us feel, the deadening effects of globalization on our economic and inner lives is echoed in this book. Why do Palestinians blow themselves up and Austrians and Frenchmen vote for Haider and Le Pen?

Because capitalism fails to satisfy identity and equality needs. Not just income equality but status equality. Many of Drucker's later books attempt to solve some of capitalism's legitimacy and equality deficiencies, but globalism has rolled back much of the progress which has been made.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Philosophy Behind Totalitariansim, November 9, 2006

By 

G. Michael Cowan (Galveston, Texas USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The End of Economic Man: The Origins of Totalitarianism (Paperback)

This book was published in 1939 by a person who was in Germany when Hitler took over. This is the fourth book I have read by Peter F. Drucker and is the most difficult to understand; but if you studied philosophy in college, you should like it. The causes of totalitarianism are complex, and he deals with them in great detail. He also compares and contrasts Fascism and Communism. (They are more similar than I had assumed.) Even though he does not discuss Islamic extremism, this book also gave me insight on what going on in that movement.

2 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars BEFORE PETER DRUCKER BECAME A CELEBRITY, October 4, 2007

By 

Drew B - See all my reviews

This review is from: The End of Economic Man: The Origins of Totalitarianism (Paperback)

When you read The Man Who Shocked the World: The Life and Legacy of Stanley Milgram and Drucker's earlies writings like this one - both ignored by every single one of the USA Washington and UK London regimes, one has to wonder what the world would now have been like, if both Drucker and Milgram had been taken seriously.

The future of the managerial cadre is poised on the brink and Blanckenberg & Blanckenberg teach both Drucker and Milgram in all our training seminars at One Big Idea Consulting Limited NZ. At the same time we introduce managers to Karl Popper reminding them that Popper shaped his thinking in New Zealand before settling in London Bounds of Freedom: Popper, Liberty and Ecological Rationality (Series in the Philosophy of Karl R. Popper and Critical Rationalism, 16) (Series in the Philosophy of Ka)

Managerial success is much more than how to make a quick buck
in a fast-moving global era. Drucker, Milgram and Popper were aware of this.