Utopian Capitalism: A History of the Market Concept

Author: (French) Pierre Rosanvallon
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-09-01
Features: This book discusses perspectives on market concepts, market economies, and market societies, with a focus on commenting on recent debates surrounding neoliberalism. Pierre Rosanvallon is a French National Doctor, renowned scholar, and professor at the Collège de France. He is an expert in researching and teaching modern political history, particularly the history of democracy. Currently, there are differing views on market economies and neoliberalism both domestically and internationally, and debates around these issues seem to be gaining momentum. This book presents his main viewpoints and related discussions.
The market concept that emerged in the 18th century was not merely an economic regulatory model. It also carried significant sociological and political implications. Market society envisioned an automatically regulated civil society, where the comparison of interests was believed to lead to a "harmony" that could not be achieved through politics or morality. Therefore, market society is in opposition to the concept of the social contract, which requires a voluntaristic organization of social relations. The concept of utopian capitalism originates from this.
For two centuries, capitalism has been constructing an attempt and an illusion: to replace direct conflict between individuals and debates among citizens with anonymous, depersonalized procedures of governance.