Capitalist Spirit — Nationalism and Economic Growth

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Features: This book is of great significance, with unique perspectives and abundant inspiration, meeting the urgent needs of the current time. In a world where globalization is accelerating, people tend to forget their national origins and heritage, as well as the ups and downs of international competition. Greenfeld effectively reminds and clarifies this history through powerful comparative analysis and a dual perspective of history and sociology. The title of this book is derived from Max Weber's famous study on the same topic, with the main purpose of clarifying the relationship between nationalism and modern economic growth. The author argues that the defining feature of modern economics, as distinct from all previous economic forms, lies in its persistent development orientation and the overwhelming prominence of the economic sphere in modern consciousness. Through a historical examination of countries such as the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, France, Germany, Japan, and the United States, which were among the first to enter the stage of economic takeoff, the author points out that the underlying motivation or "spirit" behind modern, growth-oriented economics is not the liberation of "rational actors," but rather nationalism. Nationalism places the people in an endless competition for national prestige, thereby triggering economic competition.