Book Description
Saving Capitalism from the Capitalists is a groundbreaking book that will radically change our understanding of the capitalist system, particularly the role of financial markets. They are the catalyst for inspiring human ingenuity and spreading prosperity. The perception of many, especially in the wake of never-ending corporate scandals, is that financial markets are parasitic institutions that feed off the blood, sweat, and tears of the rest of us. The reality is far different.
This book breaks free of traditional ideological arguments of the Right and Left and points to a new way of understanding and spreading the extraordinary wealth-generating capabilities of capitalism.
Customer Reviews:
THOUGHT PROVOKING BOOK ON THE SOUL OF CAPITALISM AND HOW TO KEEP IT ALIVE.......2006-07-24
"Saving Capitalism" is a book with a simple and even intuitive thesis -- that capitalists don't like competition. Since competition is the heart of capitalism, then capitalists don't really like true capitalism. Though simple, it is innovative because no one thinks of capitalisms biggest enemies as the capitalists themselves.
The book goes to great lenghts to demonstrate the truth in this thesis, drawing examples from different countries and showing what rational behavior by capitalists leads to such a negative situation. The thesis is well defended and makes a reader -- especially an economist as myself -- question the very foundations of economics.
However, the authors also expose the reasons why capitalism has survived, especially in the West, despite such threats. It leads to the conclusion that one must fight for freedom in a wide sense, including economic freedom, meaning well oiled financial markets, open trade barriers, and low regulation to increase competition in as many markets as possible. Competition, whatever the source -- for capital, for labor, for markets, for foreign exchange --, is the heart of capitalism and should be defended by all.
Right Idea -- Wrong Bad Guys.......2006-06-07
Unlike the other reviewers, I think this book is of, literally, only academic interest. The author's premise: capitalism will only be "safe" when protected by (Ta Da!!) -- more government regulation! Only an academic (or a socialist) could come to this conclusion! The fundamental premise of this book is that the danger to Capitalism is exclusively from "crony" Capitalists. This is surely tantamount to blaming the victim for the crime. The authors take tremendous pains to footnote a variety of statements, and then make a totally unsubstantiated claim of price-fixing against modern business by dredging up an ancient Adam Smith quote! They point to the correlation between market regulations and higher stock valuations, mistaking it for causation. Not one single time do they even mention the danger posed to capitalism by the MSM, socialist NGO's, lawyers, or the tangle of local, state, and federal regulations. Only twice do they mention, in passing, the arguments of libertarians. We are not a politically powerful party, but our opinions on capitalism surely must deserve, at the least, a vigorous rebuttal. And finally, the recommendations are ad-hoc -- there is no flow of evidence or argument to support them. Indeed, the conclusions are, in typical academic fashion, sadly naive. An example is their belief that property taxes are somehow less onerous than income taxes. This is a position in opposition to the authors' defense of property rights. Indeed, Texas just passed a law to begin taxing business income because the previous system, based solely on business property, imposed no tax burden on doctors, lawyers, accountants, actors, authors, college professors engaged in sideline businesses, etc. Little wonder that "old line" businesses were moving overseas or dying out -- they were supporting the parasites, doubly. The reader is engaged only on the occasions (and by accident?) when the authors reveal insights derived from their experiences with other cultures, or when they review certain lesser-known historical facts. In conclusion, I was disappointed in this "apology" for capitalism. To give the authors credit, I would say that it must be very difficult to write a book espousing capitalism and still expect to get or keep tenure at a private, U. S. university, even one with Hayek and Friedman in the pedigree.
Save Me From My Friends - I Can Protect Myself From My Enemies.......2005-12-29
This book will be many things to many people at the same time. Economists can use it as a primer in empirical finance that will provide an overview of the field by two scholars who greatly contributed to its expansion. Business school students will appreciate the many case studies that illustrate the theoretical points and provide models for business ventures. More politically inclined readers will find a political tract in the tradition of Friedrich Hayek's Road to Serfdom, only with a different twist: the enemies that capitalism needs to be warded off against are not well-intentioned promoters of the welfare state - in fact the authors have kind words for European-style social protection - but the capitalists themselves, who may abuse their position of power to stifle competition and shackle markets. The book is also as essay in comparative economic history, shedding light on the fate of the Templars in early fourteenth century Europe, the transformation of the English monarchy under the Tudors and the Stuarts, or industrial development in Mexico and Brazil at the turn of the twentieth century. It is, above all, a paean to unbridled financial markets and an apology of their contribution to wealth generation.
Rajan and Zingales see the main threat to capitalism as coming from an unholy alliance between incumbent elites, bent on protecting their rents against competition, and distressed workers who suffer from the process of creative destruction. To those who might object that this alliance seems highly unlikely, the authors object that it has happened before, and that it had long-lasting results, explaining in effect the contrasting trajectories of Europe and the United States in the twentieth century. They begin by remarking that equity markets before the First World War were much more developed in England, Belgium and France than in the United States: so much for those who see in Anglo-Saxon culture or in the common law tradition the key to financial development!
They then describe what they call the Great Reversal that marked the fallback of financial markets from 1930 until well into the 1980s. This half century when financial markets shrank in size and cross-border capital flows were reduced to a trickle was in direct consequence to the Great Depression and the measures taken by governments to protect their markets and impose financial repression. The privileges obtained by incumbent monopolists in the guise of protecting workers from unruly markets long survived the politicians that were persuaded to put them in place.
One may not agree with all the ideas expressed by the authors and in particular put into question their blind faith in the levelling power of financial markets, which they describe as giving a fair chance to every individual, thereby "making power redundant." It may also seem overly alarmist to worry about the future of free markets at a time when formerly state-controlled economies have made great strides toward a market-based system. But Rajan and Zingales are right to remind us that free markets depend on political goodwill for their existence and that, because they have powerful political enemies but no natural constituency, their continued survival cannot be taken for granted.
Simply wow.......2005-03-13
.
Too good.
A must read by every politician and a business-man.
Financial/Capital markets could be used positively to eradicate poverty.
I began appreciating the laws related to property rights more than ever.
It also talks about how and why we need to save capitalism from the hands of people who mis-use & thwart the capitalistic processes after they reach a certain level BY UTILIZING THE CAPITALISTIC PROCESSES ONLY.
A very good sequel to this book is "The new financial capitalists" by George Baker.
A must read.......2004-09-19
this is an eclectic and well written book. It debunks the popular notion that capitalism is just a scam to make the rich even richer at the expense of the poor. It is true that capitalism can in fact be used by white glove thiefs to "redistribute" joe sixpack's savings into their pockets, but that is not an inherent feature of the capitalistic system, as the authors explain.
What I like about Zingales and Rajan is that when confronted upon corporate malfeasance they don't change the topic to the excessive penalization of risk taking because crooked CEOs and Investment Bankers are not risk-takers.
Overall it is entertaining and persuasive.
I find these Chicago school economists closer to the Austrian tradition than their colleagues maybe that's why I find them so persuasive. They don't throw all capitalists into the same bag they distinguish between entrepreneurs (in the Austrian sense of the word) and rent-seeking "capitalists". Between self-made billionaires and billionaires by inheritance. While entrepreneurs must be defended with tooth and nail to preserve the capitalistic system, the others must be thrown to competition hell.
There are a few inaccuracies, for example up-to-date Forbes billionaire data by countries is available over the internet; and a few paragraphs must have been included out of "respect" for their intellectual tradition and not because of their relevance to their argument, for example the Efficient Markets Theory. I do not think markets have to be "efficient" (in the academic sense that prices have to follow some mathematical/fundamental model) to be preferred to any other institutional arrangement.
Some other paragraphs come across as exaggerating/overpromoting/overselling the influence of certain academics on real world institutions. Maybe they reflect some insecurity?
But the essential ideas, and the reasoning, more empirical and pragmatic than ideologic/axiomatic, make this book an instant classic. It is on the same level as Hernando de Soto's Mistery of Capital and Hayek's Road to Serfdom.
Average customer rating:
|
Saving Capitalism from the Capitalists: Unleashing the Power of Financial Markets to Create Wealth and Spread Opportunity.(Book Review): An article from: The Cato Journal
Brink Lindsey
Manufacturer: Cato Institute
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital
 History
| Subjects
| Books
| Africa
| Americas
| Ancient
| Arctic & Antarctica
| Asia
| Australia & Oceania
| Books on CD
| Books on Cassette
| Europe
| Gay & Lesbian
| Historical Study
| Large Print
| Middle East
| Military
| Military Science
| Russia
| United States
| World
General
| Politics
| Nonfiction
| Subjects
| Books
Political Science
| Nonfiction
| Subjects
| e-Docs
| Formats
| Books
General
| History
| Subjects
| e-Docs
| Formats
| Books
General
| History
| HTML
| Formats
| e-Docs
| Formats
| Books
General
| Nonfiction
| HTML
| Formats
| e-Docs
| Formats
| Books
Political Science
| Nonfiction
| HTML
| Formats
| e-Docs
| Formats
| Books
ASIN: B000AJPD1C
Release Date: 2006-07-14 |
Book Description
This digital document is an article from The Cato Journal, published by Cato Institute on September 22, 2003. The length of the article is 1431 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.
Citation Details
Title: Saving Capitalism from the Capitalists: Unleashing the Power of Financial Markets to Create Wealth and Spread Opportunity.(Book Review)
Author: Brink Lindsey
Publication:
The Cato Journal (Refereed)
Date: September 22, 2003
Publisher: Cato Institute
Volume: 23
Issue: 2
Page: 341(3)
Article Type: Book Review
Distributed by Thomson Gale
Book Description
Increase sales substantially without breaking the bank—proven, low-cost techniques for successfully marketing your business
In this groundbreaking guide to restaurant marketing, expert Bill Marvin demonstrates that success doesn't come from beating the competition, it comes from pleasing your guests. He shows you how to work from the inside out—to build on your strengths and to take advantage of intrinsic advantages you didn't even know you had. He also suggests dozens of successful, low-cost techniques for mining the most precious resource at your disposal—your existing customer base. Among other valuable lessons, you'll learn how to:
- Educate your guests about why they come to your restaurant
- Implement sure-fire incentive and customer-loyalty programs
- Manage a successful word-of-mouth marketing campaign that gets your customers to do your advertising—for free
- Get your staff involved in an ongoing commitment to customer satisfaction
- Enhance the personal connection between your restaurant and your guests
Perhaps the most important lesson you'll learn in Guest-Based Marketing is, as Bill Marvin puts it: "Monetary success and personal joy will come when your sole concern—your driving passion—is how you can excel."
Customer Reviews:
Solid Author.......2004-02-05
Bill has been around the industry for years and has a collection of some great restaurant marketing ideas from having spent years in the industry and consulting to many restaurant companies. I really respect his approach and background and would recommend this book without reservation.
For more restaurant marketing resources, also visit www.quantifiedmarketing.com. This site offers a free restaurant marketing CD, articles and restaurant marketing book recommendations.
Great Ideas!.......2001-01-15
I have long been a fan of Bill Marvin's publications and have utilized many of his ideas in my own restaurant. This book is no exception. While many of the ideas presented are geared towards a more upscale environment, I have been able to use more than a few in the restaurant that I operate, which is a unit of a national chain. With a little thought, you can adjust most of the ideas in this book to fit your needs!
Book Description
Expert advice on developing people management skills that lead to top performance professionally and personally and that motivate others to excel.
Customer Reviews:
Excellent book on principle-centered leadership..........2007-02-24
I am a fan of Zig Ziglar and I think he exemplifies a model of doing business founded on character and business ethics. He has been very successful himself applying these ideas and true to himself along the way.
This book is basically about how to be a good example and inspire others by living consistent to your values while applying timeless principles to leadership. Like sports, it is often doing the fundamentals really well that leads to tremendous success. For example, look at Tiger Woods. He always returns to improving and grooving the fundamentals.
What makes this book particularly worthwhile is the quality of the story telling, analogies and examples. This helps the principles to land. While this book is simple and straightforward, it's not necessarily simple to apply especially when you get in a difficult situation that tempts you to violate your own principles.
I have been fairly successful in business and worked for more than one Fortune 100 company in different careers. I also had the good fortune of working in Silicon Valley for such companies as Oracle, PeopleSoft and VMware in a variety of management roles. I have tested these ideas in practice and as a result built winning teams. Any of the books I have bought by Zig Ziglar have paid for themselves many times over. I hope you have the same experience.
Management Gems.......2003-09-24
By Jeffrey W. Bennett Author of Under the Lontar Palm and founder of LayMentor.
This book reminds me of my most important asset; the people on my team. In the middle of the book are Management Gems. The Gems include formula for Top Managers, Leadership Myths, as well as steps for performance oriented mangagement. These Gems are must reads daily. Thanks for making something so tough, easier to apply.
Book Description
Zig Ziglar shows readers how to get the most out of themselves and others by developing people management skills. He reveals the qualities of good leadership and provides specific solutions for overcoming and correcting poor management practices. Rich with anecdotes and vivid illustrations, Top Performance provides specialized instruction for improving relationships with supervisors, coworkers, and subordinates to achieve maximum effectiveness in any profession.
Average customer rating:
|
Top Performance/How to Develop Excellence in Yourself and Others
Manufacturer: Berkley Pub Group
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Economics
| Business & Investing
| Subjects
| Books
| Agricultural
| Commercial Policy
| Comparative
| Consolidation & Merger
| Cooperatives
| Debt & Deficits
| Development & Growth
| Econometrics
| Economic Conditions
| Economic History
| Economic Policy & Development
| Exports & Imports
| Free Enterprise
| Inflation
| International
| Labor & Industrial Relations
| Macroeconomics
| Microeconomics
| Money & Monetary Policy
| Natural Resources
| Privatization
| Public Finance
| Statistics
| Sustainable Development
| Theory
| Unemployment
| Urban & Regional
ASIN: 9993375608 |
Average customer rating:
|
Performance Reviews, Empowered Careers: Powerful Communications that Advance Careers (Career Savvy Series.)
Ann Coil
Manufacturer: Impact Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
General
| Job Hunting & Careers
| Business & Investing
| Subjects
| Books
Guides
| Job Hunting & Careers
| Business & Investing
| Subjects
| Books
Job Hunting
| Job Hunting & Careers
| Business & Investing
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Business & Investing
| Subjects
| Books
Entrepreneurship
| Small Business & Entrepreneurship
| Business & Investing
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 1570231842 |
Book Description
Here's the definitive guide to developing powerful conversations for enhancing one's career.
Average customer rating:
|
Wall Street for Real People
Wade B. Cook
Manufacturer: Lighthouse Pub Inc
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
General
| Business & Investing
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Personal Finance
| Business & Investing
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 0910019673 |
Average customer rating:
|
A Beginner's Guide to Saving and Investing: 10 Steps to Financial Success
W. Patrick Naylor
Manufacturer: Edition Q
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Public Finance
| Economics
| Business & Investing
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Business & Investing
| Subjects
| Books
Financial Planning
| Personal Finance
| Business & Investing
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Personal Finance
| Business & Investing
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 188369504X |
Books:
- Securitization: Structuring and Investment Analysis (Wiley Finance)
- Smart Couples Finish Rich: Nine Steps to Creating a Rich Future For You and Your Partner
- Smart Women Finish Rich: 7 Steps to Achieving Financial Security and Funding Your Dreams
- Stan Weinstein's Secrets For Profiting in Bull and Bear Markets
- Statistical Analysis of Financial Data in S-PLUS
- Stochastic Calculus for Finance I: The Binomial Asset Pricing Model (Springer Finance)
- Stock Market Technique, No 1 (Stock Market Technique)
- Structured Products Volume 2: Equity; Commodity; Credit & New Markets (The Swaps & Financial Derivatives Library) (Wiley Finance)
- The Boston Institute of Finance Mutual Fund Advisor Course: Series 6 and Series 63 Test Prep (Boston Institute of Finance)
- The Boston Institute of Finance Stockbroker Course: Series 7 and 63 Test Prep + CD (Boston Institute of Finance)
Books Index
Books Home
Recommended Books
- Slaughterhouse: The Shocking Story of Greed, Neglect, and Inhumane Treatment Inside the U.S. Meat In
- Repair Manual: Cadillac 1967 to 1989 : All U.S. and Canadain Models of Deville, Eldorado, Fleetwood,
- Instant Notes in Sport and Exercise Psychology
- Irvine Ranch
- Microbiology: An Introduction Brief Edition
- Paula Deen: It Ain't All About the Cookin'
- Pop. 1280
- Great American Railroad Stations
- Martha's Vineyard Plan Book: Designs for Houses, Porches, Additions, Guesthouses, Sheds, Garages, Ba
- Rio Grande Fall
The Next Great Globalization: How Disadvantaged Nations Can Harness Their Financial Systems to Get Rich
The Theory of Corporate Finance
Good Capitalism, Bad Capitalism, and the Economics of Growth and Prosperity
The Elusive Quest for Growth: Economists' Adventures and Misadventures in the Tropics
Making Globalization Work
