Listen free for 30 days
-
Thinking about Capitalism
- Narrated by: Jerry Z. Muller
- Series: The Great Courses: Business & Economics
- Length: 18 hrs and 36 mins
- Lecture
- Categories: Money & Finance, Economics
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wish list failed.
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
Audible Membership
$14.95 a month
Buy Now for $56.38
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
Buy it with
-
An Economic History of the World since 1400
- Written by: Donald J. Harreld, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Donald J. Harreld
- Length: 24 hrs and 25 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Most of us have a limited understanding of the powerful role economics has played in shaping human civilization. This makes economic history - the study of how civilizations structured their environments to provide food, shelter, and material goods - a vital lens through which to think about how we arrived at our present, globalized moment. Designed to fill a long-empty gap in how we think about modern history, these 48 lectures are a comprehensive journey through more than 600 years of economic history.
-
-
Everything I hoped for
- By Yarshniff on 2018-09-02
Written by: Donald J. Harreld, and others
-
The Modern Political Tradition: Hobbes to Habermas
- Written by: Lawrence Cahoone, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Lawrence Cahoone
- Length: 18 hrs and 24 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Without even realizing it, we all use the fruits of political philosophy. From liberty to democracy to community, the terms and concepts originated by political philosophers are ingrained in our global consciousness. Yet many of us have an incomplete picture of how these ideas developed and, quite possibly, a skewed perception of their intentions and implications. This highly relevant course sheds light on the labyrinth of Western political and social theory, as well as its influence on modern history.
-
-
Excellent overview of the topic.
- By Michael L Pilling on 2018-09-19
Written by: Lawrence Cahoone, and others
-
The Art of Public Speaking: Lessons from the Greatest Speeches in History
- Written by: John R. Hale, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: John R. Hale
- Length: 6 hrs and 15 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Being a great public speaker can put you on the pathway to success, whether you're looking to teach, inform, persuade, or defend an idea. Yet many of us live in fear of public speaking. As you'll learn in these 12 invaluable lectures, all it takes is confidence, practice, and the knowledge of techniques and strategies used by history's greatest public speakers. Whether you want to finally become the confident public speaker you've always wanted to be or are just looking for fresh advice on how to strengthen your skills, this inspiring course is packed with practical advice.
-
-
Insightful, helpful, captivating
- By James Bowen on 2019-06-07
Written by: John R. Hale, and others
-
Capitalism vs. Socialism: Comparing Economic Systems
- Written by: The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Professor Edward F. Stuart PhD
- Length: 11 hrs and 59 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Ever since we produced our course Thinking About Capitalism, customers have expressed interest in a follow-up course that could help them understand socialism in the same way. After much consideration, we determined that it actually would be more beneficial to create a course that compares and contrasts the two major global economic theories, examining them in ways that move past the polemics many of us are used to and looking at these systems as they relate to one another and the world at large.
-
-
Good quality, American bias
- By Tom on 2021-04-14
Written by: The Great Courses
-
Chemistry and Our Universe
- How It All Works
- Written by: Ron B. Davis, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Ron B. Davis
- Length: 30 hrs and 6 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Chemistry and Our Universe: How It All Works is your in-depth introduction to this vital field, taught through 60 engaging half-hour lectures that are suitable for any background or none at all. Covering a year’s worth of introductory general chemistry at the college level, plus intriguing topics that are rarely discussed in the classroom, this amazingly comprehensive course requires nothing more advanced than high-school math. Your guide is Professor Ron B. Davis, Jr., a research chemist and award-winning teacher at Georgetown University.
-
-
Excellent survey of chemistry
- By Shesophist on 2020-07-21
Written by: Ron B. Davis, and others
-
How to Speak Effectively in Any Setting
- Written by: Molly Bishop Shadel, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Molly Bishop Shadel
- Length: 11 hrs and 20 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The power of an effective speech is undeniable. It has the capacity to engage, inform, motivate, and create change in an audience - and in the world. In this compelling 24-lesson course, How to Speak Effectively in Any Setting, taught by Molly Bishop Shadel, Professor of Law at the University of Virginia School of Law, learn the fine art of speaking clearly, effectively, and persuasively in contexts across the spectrum, from the board room to the bar room and everywhere in between.
Written by: Molly Bishop Shadel, and others
-
An Economic History of the World since 1400
- Written by: Donald J. Harreld, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Donald J. Harreld
- Length: 24 hrs and 25 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Most of us have a limited understanding of the powerful role economics has played in shaping human civilization. This makes economic history - the study of how civilizations structured their environments to provide food, shelter, and material goods - a vital lens through which to think about how we arrived at our present, globalized moment. Designed to fill a long-empty gap in how we think about modern history, these 48 lectures are a comprehensive journey through more than 600 years of economic history.
-
-
Everything I hoped for
- By Yarshniff on 2018-09-02
Written by: Donald J. Harreld, and others
-
The Modern Political Tradition: Hobbes to Habermas
- Written by: Lawrence Cahoone, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Lawrence Cahoone
- Length: 18 hrs and 24 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Without even realizing it, we all use the fruits of political philosophy. From liberty to democracy to community, the terms and concepts originated by political philosophers are ingrained in our global consciousness. Yet many of us have an incomplete picture of how these ideas developed and, quite possibly, a skewed perception of their intentions and implications. This highly relevant course sheds light on the labyrinth of Western political and social theory, as well as its influence on modern history.
-
-
Excellent overview of the topic.
- By Michael L Pilling on 2018-09-19
Written by: Lawrence Cahoone, and others
-
The Art of Public Speaking: Lessons from the Greatest Speeches in History
- Written by: John R. Hale, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: John R. Hale
- Length: 6 hrs and 15 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Being a great public speaker can put you on the pathway to success, whether you're looking to teach, inform, persuade, or defend an idea. Yet many of us live in fear of public speaking. As you'll learn in these 12 invaluable lectures, all it takes is confidence, practice, and the knowledge of techniques and strategies used by history's greatest public speakers. Whether you want to finally become the confident public speaker you've always wanted to be or are just looking for fresh advice on how to strengthen your skills, this inspiring course is packed with practical advice.
-
-
Insightful, helpful, captivating
- By James Bowen on 2019-06-07
Written by: John R. Hale, and others
-
Capitalism vs. Socialism: Comparing Economic Systems
- Written by: The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Professor Edward F. Stuart PhD
- Length: 11 hrs and 59 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Ever since we produced our course Thinking About Capitalism, customers have expressed interest in a follow-up course that could help them understand socialism in the same way. After much consideration, we determined that it actually would be more beneficial to create a course that compares and contrasts the two major global economic theories, examining them in ways that move past the polemics many of us are used to and looking at these systems as they relate to one another and the world at large.
-
-
Good quality, American bias
- By Tom on 2021-04-14
Written by: The Great Courses
-
Chemistry and Our Universe
- How It All Works
- Written by: Ron B. Davis, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Ron B. Davis
- Length: 30 hrs and 6 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Chemistry and Our Universe: How It All Works is your in-depth introduction to this vital field, taught through 60 engaging half-hour lectures that are suitable for any background or none at all. Covering a year’s worth of introductory general chemistry at the college level, plus intriguing topics that are rarely discussed in the classroom, this amazingly comprehensive course requires nothing more advanced than high-school math. Your guide is Professor Ron B. Davis, Jr., a research chemist and award-winning teacher at Georgetown University.
-
-
Excellent survey of chemistry
- By Shesophist on 2020-07-21
Written by: Ron B. Davis, and others
-
How to Speak Effectively in Any Setting
- Written by: Molly Bishop Shadel, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Molly Bishop Shadel
- Length: 11 hrs and 20 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The power of an effective speech is undeniable. It has the capacity to engage, inform, motivate, and create change in an audience - and in the world. In this compelling 24-lesson course, How to Speak Effectively in Any Setting, taught by Molly Bishop Shadel, Professor of Law at the University of Virginia School of Law, learn the fine art of speaking clearly, effectively, and persuasively in contexts across the spectrum, from the board room to the bar room and everywhere in between.
Written by: Molly Bishop Shadel, and others
Publisher's Summary
In these 36 engaging lectures, Professor Muller takes you deep inside the perspectives on this most important and pervasive force. You'll gain fresh insights that will strengthen your understanding of capitalism's rich history, its fascinating proponents and opponents, and its startling impact on our world.
These lectures take you beyond economic analysis to look at how some of the greatest intellects have thought about capitalism and its moral, political, and cultural ramifications. Covering capitalism from its 17th-century beginnings to today's era of globalization, Professor Muller explores some wide-ranging questions. What effect does capitalism have on personal development? What about the seemingly unending variety of consumer goods made possible by capitalism? Do the facts support our tendency to think about capitalism as the economic system practiced in "free" countries? Or can capitalism exist in a wide variety of political systems? These are just a few of the many provocative and absorbing questions and issues you'll untangle here.
By placing capitalism in its full societal context, these lectures will enhance your ability to consider, discuss, and answer these and other critical questions - whatever your point of view. Genial and disarming, Professor Muller connects the dots from idea to idea, thinker to thinker, and helps you finally grasp the history and the concepts of this vital economic system, as well as its importance on the global economic stage and in your own life.
PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.
More from the same
Narrator:
What listeners say about Thinking about Capitalism
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- ryan mcnaughton
- 2021-08-06
Philosophy of Capitalism
one of the best of the great courses offered by Audible. I listened to it twice! It's a philosophical history of capitalism that was quite provocative. Great delivery by the professor and highly recommended.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Amazon Customer
- 2019-03-30
This is very informative.
Now I have a clearer picture of why things are what they are in US and the western Europe. This history course is eye opening! wow!!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Kevin A Vadeboncoeur
- 2018-03-22
Informative
Presents ideas clearly and contextualizes them well. Presentation a bit slow but not to bad to follow. Worth the time and expense
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Jake
- 2014-06-21
A great intellectual historical look at capitalism
Professor Muller exquisitely weaves the historical dialectic between the eminent thinkers of capitalism with the contexts surrounding it. He evenhandedly addresses each thinker and elucidates why each one was so influential. You will come away with a more nuanced view of capitalism after listening to this course. Leftists will move right and rightists will move left. Prof. Muller constantly intrigues with his knack for storytelling and explication of ideas, never allowing for a boring moment. Highly recommended.
17 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Sakari Nurmikko
- 2016-12-09
Excellent.
Profoundly interesting storytelling not only about capitalism but also history itself. I have started listening to this for the third time now. Filled with substance.
7 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Christopher
- 2015-07-13
Dazzling and Essential
This course is a juggernaut. Every chapter feels like a precious jewel has been revealed. The professor is a whirlwind and is able to delicately weave complex themes together. The substance and lessons of this course are indispensable to understanding the world we leave in, historically, politically, economically, culturally, philosophically, etc.
Bravo, a hundred times.
12 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Tim F
- 2019-01-05
The best introduction to capitalism one could hope for!
I came at this book with almost no background in economics and understood near perfectly what the professor was putting across. Just wished I had such an engaging mentor during my school days.
If you’ve ever wondered whether capitalism is the culprit behind all the “instability” in the developed world today, there are answers here, though not direct or easy ones. If you think you’d be better off with communism or socialism, you most definitely won’t, and that’s explained here, too.
And if you’re thinking of spending a credit on this title to learn something new that isn’t in the least bit related to your current job or course of studies, you’re a happy participant and beneficiary of this imperfect but thus far unmatched economic system. Heck, you may even proudly call yourself a Capitalist! Who knew?
5 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- D. Park
- 2018-08-07
A terrific tour of the ideas behind capitalism
This one of the best great courses I've listened to. The Professor surveys how different people at different times and places have thought about trade and property, starting from the end of the middle ages up through the modern welfare state. Each lecture is devoted to an individual thinker. Some highlights include Friedrich Hayek, Joseph Schumpeter, Karl Marx, and the incomparable Adam Smith. If you're interested in how and why economies work the way they do and the effects of our economic systems on individual lives, this course is for you. Five stars.
5 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- CHET YARBROUGH
- 2019-03-31
CAPITALIST SELF-INTEREST
Professor Muller offers an interesting and insightful defense of capitalism. Jerry Muller’s “Thinking about Capitalism” is an historical account of economic theory.
Muller notes that capitalism is pummeled by many anecdotes of history. Muller does not deny the excesses of capitalism, but Muller suggests societal benefits from capitalism far exceed its detriments. He explores market, command, and mixed economic systems. In his journey through the history of economic systems, capitalism shines brightest.
Muller argues capitalism’s storied failures distort its multifaceted values. In the “Wealth of Nations”, a seminal work on capitalism, Adam Smith clearly explains the value of a capitalist (market) economic system is based on self-interest. Muller notes Smith’s use of the term self-interest is often misinterpreted by the public as greed.
Self-interest comes in many forms. One person’s self-interest may be altruistic in helping others to feel better about themselves. Another person’s self-interest may be to increase personal wealth to improve their family’s standard of living. Smith’s definition of self-interest is founded on virtue; i.e. behavior based on high moral values. The fundamental point is that everyone’s self-interest is a motivation that is ungoverned by an outside force. Self-interest is a part of human nature.
Fundamentally, Muller infers no modern economic system is better than capitalism. One draws that inference by Muller’s cogent explanation of the value of capitalist self-interest. Because Adam Smith’s concept of self-interest is an inborn characteristic of human nature, it will prevail over any economic system that requires command control. America has been a successful capitalist country in great part because of checks and balances that mitigate command control qualities of mixed economies. Hobbes assessment of human nature demands some level of command control; even in a capitalist economy.
One might argue that America’s avoidance of near economic collapse in 2008 is evidence of the importance of a mixed economic theory. (Interestingly, a December 18, 2018 “…Economist” article, written by Schumpeter, notes that China’s communist party control of businesses during Trump’s trade war have fared better than private businesses.)
3 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Guillaume
- 2017-10-06
This book... was really ha.... rd to listen.... to
Poor performance from narator. Odd ponctuation and stops. Read really slowly, had to put it on 1.5X in order to make it listenable in between wierd pause. Good content, bad narator
3 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Nancy G.
- 2014-10-14
Fantastic
If you could sum up Thinking about Capitalism in three words, what would they be?
Clear concise survey
What was one of the most memorable moments of Thinking about Capitalism?
Overview of Smith, Burke and Voltaire
What does Professor Jerry Z. Muller bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?
Anticipation-- economics can be wearisome but the narration made it come alive
What’s the most interesting tidbit you’ve picked up from this book?
How poignant Marx and Marcuse can appear-- if you take them out of context.
Any additional comments?
I intend on listening to this lecture several times. I wish there was companion material
7 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Sam Motes
- 2013-08-01
Deep look at Capitalistc thinking
Digs beneath the usually invoked capitalistic thinkers of Smith and Marx to other intellectuals over the years who have added to the dialogue of talking about Capitalism. The lectures also go beyond the economic and political impacts to discussions on the impact on family dynamics.
9 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- GBecker
- 2017-07-14
Worthwhile
Balanced and worthwhile. I highly recommend. Professor Muller is fantastic. Listen to it on 1.10x speed though.
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Brun Lawrence
- 2021-09-06
SO GOOD
Great Diction...
Extremely Interesting and profound...
Historically & from a philosophic view point (e.g Voltaire vs Rousseau etc.)
It's not just capitalism, but how the modern world is a product of the different view points on capitalism throughout history.
Love it!