1st Edition

The Catholic Ethic and Global Capitalism

By Bryan Fields Copyright 2003
    294 Pages
    by Routledge

    294 Pages
    by Routledge

    This title was first published in 2003. Fields traces the origins of recent economic growth in Ireland over a long period of development. In doing so, he opens up an old debate with new data, interpretations and evidence that will force many to question existing truths about the role of religion in economic growth. The work is founded on an innovative methodology and unique primary and secondary resource material that has never been used in a study of this kind. This is timely as the area has a growing international market and addresses some recently ignored themes in the Social Sciences, in particular religion. Whilst concerned with global issues this text also focuses on one country which economists and sociologists as well as those in other Social Sciences areas will find of great interest.

    Contents: Introduction; Ireland in profile: an improbable tiger habitat; Rich man, poor man: but is it a tiger economy?; The accidental tiger; The sample and the methodological approach; A profile of the Irish economic disposition; Explaining the profile using Marx's historical materialism; Explaining the profile using Elias' figurational sociology; Explaining the profile using the insights of Weber, Freud, Durkheim, Parsons and Giddens; Conclusion: a theory of limits; Appendices; Bibliography; Index.

    Biography

    Bryan Fields, Dr, The Centre of Labour Market Studies, University of Leicester, UK

    'This book should be an essential text for anyone with a serious interest in Ireland’s recent economic and social history...This book will provoke and challenge the reader but at last we have a book that raises fundamental questions about religion and Ireland’s economic transformation.' Dr John Goodwin, University of Leicester, UK. 'This is an innovative piece of work that challenges conventional explanations of the sources of social and economic development... This is a significant contribution at a time when the emergence of new industrial economies across the world is once again pushing this topic to the forefront of public debate. Bryan Fields has performed a great service for both academics and policy makers in forcing us to re-think our positions.' Professor David Ashton, Leicester University, UK '...a thought-provoking study...raises interesting questions. Fields has offered new and challenging insights extending the frontiers of an old debate which, in the present climate, is more deserving than ever of further study.' Irish Studies Review 'This is a valuable study in that it presents the attitudes of ordinary people...who played a part in the emergence of the Celtic Tiger.' Irish Sociological Review