The Theory of Capitalist Development: Principles of Marxian Political Economy [Paperback]

Paul M. Sweezy (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 085345079X | ISBN-13: 978-0853450795 | Publication Date: January 1, 1942 | Edition: 1st

Since its first publication in 1942, this book has become the classic analytical study of Marxist economics. Written by an economist who was a master of modern academic theory as well as Marxist literature, it has been recognized as the ideal textbook in its subject. Comprehensive, lucid, authoritative, it has not been challenged or even approached by any later study.

Product Details

• Paperback: 398 pages
• Publisher: Monthly Review Press; 1st edition (January 1, 1942)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 085345079X
• ISBN-13: 978-0853450795
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.3 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #179,628 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best marxism textbook, February 13, 2003

By 

Luciano Ribeiro Sobral (São Paulo, Brazil) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Theory of Capitalist Development: Principles of Marxian Political Economy (Paperback)

Even the marxist economic theory is viewed with some prejudice after the 20th century, is always interesting to an Economics student read about the Karl Marx's works. And, if "Das Kapital", his most famous and influent book is very extensive and hard to be read in original, you have a great alternative in Sweezy's book.

Sweezy is graduated in Harvard, and dedicated all his academic life to become the marxism an "integral and respected part of intellectual life of the USA". His "Theory of Capitalist Development" brings the Marx's ideas in an easy and very didactic way, and more: includes the discussion of another marxists, like Bortkiewicz, Bukharin and Rosa Luxemburg.

It's wrong to think about this book as pamphlet of marxism. Sweezy is extremely analytic and critical, comparing the marxist theory with the classic and neo-classic theories, with academic rigor and respect. "Theory of Capitalist Development" is an excellent work, and should be a must-read for everyone who wants to understand the fundaments of a theory which changed the life of million of people.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Dated Classic, March 16, 2005

By 

Reader (Arlington, Virginia) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Theory of Capitalist Development: Principles of Marxian Political Economy (Paperback)

"The Theory of Capitalist Development" is a straightforward, non-jargon-laden introduction to Marxist economics, written at an undergraduate level. Although Sweezy wrote in the 1940s, his book holds up well, and brings out the basic points of difference between Marxist and neo-classical economics. Sweezy was always ready to go beyond the strict Marxist canon, as, for example, in his clear and still relevant analysis of monopoly. The prospective reader should know, however, that the book reflects the concerns of mid-20th century Marxists: it's heavy on intra-Marxist debates about underconsumption theory, chronic stagnation, and fascism, but there's nothing on modern topics such as gender or the environment. The reader should also know that the argument of the book is largely theoretical and abstract: the paucity of empirical or historical data is astounding, as if Sweezy saw economics as an a priori science -- which would be a very non-Marxist perspective!

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A good book on Marxian economics, October 22, 2004

By 

Lance Murdoch (North America) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Theory of Capitalist Development: Principles of Marxian Political Economy (Paperback)

I have been reading through Capital volume I and wondered if there were any good books (in English) on Marxian economics. Two of Paul Sweezy's works, Monopoly Capital and this book, Theory of Capitalist Development were recommended. This book is an explanation of Marxian economics - the economic theories of Marx and the work of his followers up until the 1940s when this book was written, and the various debates over his theories.

It is a good book. One should know however that there are various schools of Marxian thought, and not every Marxist economist thinks Ladislaus Bortkiewicz solved the "transformation problem", if there is a transformation problem in the first place. In other words, this is a good book, but you should read other views of these ideas as well.