Book Series statement of aims
|
|
The economic crisis which opened in 2008 confirms that the world is at the cusp of a major realignment. To a degree not seen since 1929, it places in fundamental doubt whether the capitalist organisation of the world is sustainable or desirable, and if so, in what form. This key moment in history will make weighty intellectual demands on those who wish to understand and shape the future. The ‘Future of World Capitalism’ Book Series aims to re-kindle discussion of the contemporary world as a material and historical process. It responds to the demand both among engaged citizens and critical academics, for a fresh look at the fundamental conceptual issues at play in world history, and at new and classical theories and debates which deal with them. The Series aims to be a a vehicle for the integrated re-examination of the entire range of issues needed for a rounded understanding of the current stage of world development, from history and political economy to philosophy and culture. |
A widespread failure to either anticipate or explain the crisis confirms the woeful inadequacy of the theories currently on offer. Over the last two decades, restrictive and apologetic themes such as ‘globalisation’ and ‘empire’ eclipsed earlier and richer discussions which – as now admitted by many commentators – offer a richer source of explanations and solutions.
As these superficial discourses exhaust themselves, earlier theories and debates, often uncompleted, constitute a necessary point of departure to understand the future of world capitalism. Neglected concepts of political economy such as property, class, exploitation and inequality once again command attention alongside forgotten seminal discussions of such ‘modern’ themes as gender, ethnicity, faith and nation.
Drawing on an international set of authors, and a world-wide readership, the Future of World Capitalism Book Series will set a reference standard for critical publishing on the key concepts, thinkers, theories, and phenomena of world capitalism and of its challenges. Books in the Series will combine the rigour required for a scholarly audience with the accessibility and relevance demanded by an engaged one.They will be widely disseminated as post-secondary textbooks in senior and graduate courses and as authoritative and critical works among an engaged public on key aspects of political economy and politics under world capitalism.
The world of publishing is rapidly changing. New media facilitate and require collaborative links and close engagement between writer and reader. The Series will harness the networking and interactivity capabilities of new internet technology to create a network of engaged readers, contributors and pedagogues. This will raise the quality of the works and build an audience which can guarantee the financial viability of the innovative and critical works that this new venture requires.
The Series will issue accessibly-priced books of two types: ‘101’ books of not more than 50,000 words to introduce new readers to key theories and issues; and ‘argument’ books of 50-100,000 words which will engage informed readers. The series will seek to become a recognised and high-quality brand for innovative thinking about the problems and prospects of world capitalism.