In Neoliberal Social Justice, Nick Cowen considers the policy implications of Rawls’s theory of ‘justice as fairness’ when realistic assumptions about human behaviour and social theory are introduced, arguing in favour of classical liberal or neoliberal democratic policies, albeit without abandoning central aspects of the Rawlsian framework.

Contemporary Monastic Economy presents a richly illustrated study of how monastics reconcile the tension between their consecrated life and economic activity, which, though fascinating in its own right, can also be read with a view to contributing to our understanding of value and purpose in work and business.

In Capitalism: The Story Behind the Word, Michael Sonenscher explains the origins of the term ‘capitalism’, exploring the historic tension between capitalism and capital and considering the ways in which the political challenges that emerge in a commercial society were addressed by a range of political economists.

Capitalism for Realists: Virtues and Vices for the Modern Economy provides an interesting overview and analysis of the evidence connected to various debates that surround capitalism, whether in connection with the environment, wealth and poverty, inequality and exploitation, morality and politics. With a focus on quantitative survey data, it offers an objective rather than ideological assessment of capitalism as an economic system and the charges frequently laid against it.

In Deeply Responsible Business Geoffrey Jones offers us a fascinating and informative historical review of “deeply responsible” business, using the term to characterize the set of values of those who have seen in business a way of addressing some of the world’s problems. With studies of significant historical figures in the world of business, it demonstrates that the quest for responsible business is not a recent phenomenon but does in fact have a long history, and offers a proper and realistic discussion of values-based business that takes account of character, integrity, wisdom and spirituality.

Ken-Hou Lin is an Associate Professor of Sociology at the University of Texas at Austin and Megan Tobias Neely is a Post-Doctoral Researcher at Stanford University, studying gender, race and social class inequality. They are alarmed by the growth of inequality in the United States of America over the past generation and blame this on […]

Most books that change the political weather are aimed at a centre-left audience. Remaking One Nation is unashamedly addressed from the right but not exclusively to the right. The book could not be better timed and I will argue that the majority of commentators who say the 2019 Conservative election manifesto is now dead in […]

Faith in Markets: Abrahamic religions and economics edited by Benedikt Koehler (published 2023) offers a series of studies of the ways in which the Abrahamic faiths have steered adherents towards practices that tend towards markets and sheds light on the ways in which market concepts are embedded in or developed by religious thought. It also examines tensions that arise with the contemporary application or interpretation of religious authorities in these areas.

Capitalism Without Capital (published 2018) is an ambitious attempt to analyse the influence of the growth and influence of intangible assets. It is perhaps best suited to a reader who has a specific interest in the world of financial markets and it requires some basic literacy in finance and macroeconomics but it does not make excessive use of technical jargon. It brings a compelling perspective on the implications of the intangible asset economy and there is a lot in it to applaud.

The Power Law: Venture Capital and the Art of Disruption (published 2022) is examines the fascinating history of the venture capital from its early days in the 1950s to today. It contains much that will challenge popular perceptions of the industry. It is very readable and does not assume prior knowledge. It examines that mindset and business practices of venture capitalists as well as the range of approaches that they have adopted. Those who wish to be better informed about the industry that has incubated many of today’s biggest companies should read it.