Can Capitalism Survive?: Creative Destruction and the Future of the Global Economy

“Schumpeter was the most farsighted of twentieth-century economists. His focus on capitalism and creative destruction made him the prophet of globalization.” — The Nation

In this new addition to the Harper Perennial Modern Thought series, preeminent economist Joseph Schumpeter, author of Capitalism, Socialism, and Democracy, offers his celebrated answer to question everyone is now asking: Can Capitalism Survive? His answer: “No. I do not think it can.” Learn his fascinating reason why in this book of philosophy, considered by many economists to be the finest analysis of capitalism ever written.

Considered by many economists to be the finest analysis of capitalism ever written, Can Capitalism Survive? introduces Joseph A. Schumpeter's theory of "creative destruction," stating that in capitalist economies new innovations erode the position of established firms while also providing new and previously unforeseen avenues of economic growth. Today the effects of such advancements as Mp3s—replacing CDs, which in turn had replaced cassettes and vinyl records—have proven his ideas correct. Prophetically arguing that capitalist societies are also subject to "perennial gales" of destruction that wipe away fortunes, this great economist revealed the vast, often chaotic economic landscape of world capitalism. First published in Schumpeter's classic Capitalism, Socialism and Democracy, here is an invaluable guide the global economy.

“The most influential economist of the 20th century. . . . The years since this book first appeared have surely proved Schumpeter to be a major prophet.” - Peter Drucker, Fortune

“In his classic work, Capitalism, Socialism and Democracy, Schumpeter described how unexpected innovations destroyed markets and gave rise to new fortunes.” - New York Times

“If Keynes was the most important economist of the 20th century, then Schumpeter may well be the most important of the 21st. . . . . His economic understanding was brilliant . . . He tried to set long-term economic growth--entrepreneurship and enterprise--at the top of the discipline’s agenda. . . . Capitalism, Socialism, and Democracy is superb.” - J. Bradford DeLong, Chronicle of Higher Education

“Among the great economists.” - Harper's Magazine

“Joseph Schumpeter’s classic Capitalism, Socialism, and Democracy explains the process of capitalism’s 'creative destruction'–a key principle in understanding the logic of globalization.” - Thomas L. Friedman, Foreign Policy

“An economic prophet.” - The Economist

"The most important economist of the twenty-first century might actually turn out to be not Adam Smith or Keynes, but Joseph Schumpeter. One of Schumpeter’s most important contributions was the emphasis he placed on the tremendous power of innovation and entrepreneurial initiative to drive growth through a process he famously characterized as ‘creative destruction.’.” - Lawrence H. Summers, former Secretary of the Treasury

“Schumpeter gave us stunning insights into how the world really works. We are now living, it is said, in the Age of Schumpeter. . . . Schumpeter was a powerful prophet, and he now offers dazzling insights into everything from the rise of Wal-Mart to prosperity’s discontents.” - Newsweek

“The greatest defense of capitalist, European civilization ever penned. . . . Schumpeter did more than anyone to persuade American leaders to preserve the capitalist system” - American Conservative

“The 20th century’s foremost economist.” - Steve Forbes, Forbes

“Schumpeter was the most farsighted of twentieth-century economists. His focus on capitalism and creative destruction made him the prophet of globalization.” - The Nation

“The great economist Joseph Schumpeter highlighted the role of innovation in powering the rise of new industries, the creative destruction of existing ones, and the growth in prosperity of economies.” - Richard Florida, The Atlantic