Cold War Capitalism

Looking back from the perspective of the mid-1990s, it is hard to believe that Soviet power for so long presented a threat and a challenge to the capitalist system. This book examines the assumptions of Soviet post-war economic theory and policy, traces the Soviets' analysis of Western economic development from the post-war period through to the easing of international relations, and explains why the Soviets themselves believed they were going to outperform the West.

The conflict played out between communism and capitalism for most of the second half of the twentieth century came quickly to be termed the Cold War.

Leading scholars discuss ideology and hotly contested post-structuralist theory.

Praise for Strategic Capitalism “Richard D’Aveni understands that managing competition between the United States and China—and their quite different forms of capitalism—will occupy leaders on both sides of the Pacific for decades to come and will shape the first half of the 21st century more than any other factor. This book is a welcome addition to a vitally important debate.” —Ian Bremmer, president of Eurasia Group and author of Every Nation for Itself “Understanding the pluses and minuses of modern ‘capitalism,’ in more than a sloganeering way, is the great challenge for corporations and for government from North America to Europe to East Asia. Strategic Capitalism is a valuable contribution to clear thinking about this imperative.” —James Fallows, The Atlantic, and author of China Airborne “Professor D’Aveni is a business provocateur extraordinaire. He tells you the straight scoop and will never cave to conventional wisdom unless there is proof that it is right. Strategic Capitalism is another example of D’Aveni’s ability to synthesize a complex topic down to its key elements.” —Bill Achtmeyer, Founder, Chairman, and Managing Partner of The Parthenon Group The Capitalist Cold War Has Begun The United States and its economic allies are under attack by a force unlike any they have ever faced. China and other emerging nations are competing for markets around the world using their own versions of capitalism—and, thus far, they are winning handily. In Strategic Capitalism, one of the world’s leading authorities on global business strategy, Richard D’Aveni, describes how the “economic cold war” began, how it is being played out now, and how the West can change the course of events in its favor. Brilliantly conceived—and sure to ignite passions on both sides of the political aisle—Strategic Capitalism calls for an end to the economic idealism that dominates the national dialog. It also calls for a cold, hard focus on reality, which is this: government-managed capitalist systems consistently outmaneuver and outperform the traditional laissez-faire capitalism of the West. With refreshing levels of thoroughness, knowledge, and detachment, D’Aveni describes the competitive landscape today. These are the facts: The world’s best competitors—with China in the lead—have adopted elements of managed capitalism, in which government and businesses work together toward a single aim. China’s objective is clear—to displace the United States as the world’s economic leader by becoming the global rule maker. If the West does not act soon, it stands to lose everything it holds most dear: financial prosperity, economic freedom, geopolitical power, national security, and even democratic values. This is disruptive innovation on a global scale. But instead of companies using breakthrough products and brands to gain market share, nations are devising “game-changing” economic systems to seize influence over—and beyond—the global economy. Bleak as the situation may be, D’Aveni contends that the West can reverse the trends currently tilting the global balance of power. In order to meet the challenges of the future, America must revisit long-held assumptions about economics and economies, seriously consider radical alternative policies, and embrace the concept of Strategic Capitalism.

Offering a fascinating biography of a foundational theory, Amadae reveals not only how the ideological battles of the Cold War shaped ideas but also how those ideas may today be undermining the very notion of individual liberty they were created to defend.

**This is the chapter slice "Capitalism Since the Cold War Gr. 5-8" from the full lesson plan "Capitalism vs. Communism"** Discover the rise of Capitalism from the Great Depression through the Cold War. Our resource explores the differences between a Capitalistic, Communist and Globalization economy. Step into the Dust Bowl era and experience the hardships of the Great Depression. Explain how the New Deal helped the United States recover during this dismal time. Travel back to the Industrial Revolution and find out why people became more interested in Communism as a result of these changes. Recognize that the Cold War was a war between Capitalism and Communism, and discover how Capitalism changed throughout the world since this conflict. Experience what it's like to shop at the mall in a Communist country, and how this would affect your own lifestyle. Explore the dangers of monopolies in a Capitalistic economy. Find out about the Inca culture and how it is similar to Communism. Get a global view of the world economy by seeing how businesses benefit from world-wide partnerships. Aligned to your State Standards and written to Bloom's Taxonomy, additional writing tasks, crossword, word search, comprehension quiz and answer key are also included.

A powerful case that the economic shocks of the 1970s hastened both the end of the Cold War and the rise of neoliberalism by forcing governments to impose austerity on their own people. Why did the Cold War come to a peaceful end? And why did neoliberal economics sweep across the world in the late twentieth century? In this pathbreaking study, Fritz Bartel argues that the answer to these questions is one and the same. The Cold War began as a competition between capitalist and communist governments to expand their social contracts as they raced to deliver their people a better life. But the economic shocks of the 1970s made promises of better living untenable on both sides of the Iron Curtain. Energy and financial markets placed immense pressure on governments to discipline their social contracts. Rather than make promises, political leaders were forced to break them. In a sweeping narrative, The Triumph of Broken Promises tells the story of how the pressure to break promises spurred the end of the Cold War. In the West, neoliberalism provided Western leaders like Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher with the political and ideological tools to shut down industries, impose austerity, and favor the interests of capital over labor. But in Eastern Europe, revolutionaries like Lech Walesa in Poland resisted any attempt at imposing market discipline. Mikhail Gorbachev tried in vain to reform the Soviet system, but the necessary changes ultimately presented too great a challenge. Faced with imposing economic discipline antithetical to communist ideals, Soviet-style governments found their legitimacy irreparably damaged. But in the West, politicians could promote austerity as an antidote to the excesses of ideological opponents, setting the stage for the rise of the neoliberal global economy.