Economy And Society

The author, Robert Holton, argues that the relationship between economy and society is one of mutual dependence. Political and cultural arrangements influence the functioning of economic life, just as much as economic contingencies influence the shape of politics and culture. Holton discusses the differentiation and re-integration of economy and society, the viability of the market as an economic institution, the centrality of power in economic life, the significance of economic values and economic culture, and the globalization of economy and society.

Robert Holton argues that the relationship between economy and society is one of mutual dependence, in which political and cultural arrangements influence the functioning of economic life, just as much as economic contingencies influence the shape of politics and culture. This argument is pursued by means of a critical historical survey of major social scientific traditions, including economic liberalism and political economy. The author moves on to discuss the differentiation and re-integration of economy and society,the viability of the market as an economic institution, the centrality of power in economic life, the significance of economic values and economic culture and the globalization of economy and society. Review: Holton tackles a subject of fundamental and varied dimensions and scores well. . . . The book should be a welcome addition to the budding discipline of economic sociology. It can be gainfully used by undergraduate and graduate students and, as a stepping-stone, by researchers and faculty. - Choice This is an impressive, comprehensive and interesting argument for the revival of the project of an economic sociology' as a central component in the contemporary social and political sciences.. -Peter Lassman, University of Birmingham