Joseph Alois Schumpeter: The Public Life of a Private Man

Wolfgang Stolper delves into the life of Joseph A. Schumpeter, exploring his ideas and influence on politics and public policy. He describes the evolution of Schumpeter's work, including his insights on public finance, monetary theory, and business cycles. Stolper evaluates Schumpeter's public activities and role as a finance minister in the context of his times. The book is valuable for readers interested in economic thought, twentieth-century political and intellectual history.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 424 pages
Publication date: 15 March 2022
Publisher: Princeton University Press

In this comprehensive scholarly exploration of the life and ideas of Joseph A. Schumpeter, one of the towering intellectual figures of the 20th century, the distinguished economist Wolfgang Stolper delves deep into the mind of his former teacher, unraveling the evolution of his profound thoughts and their profound impact on politics and public policy. After briefly contextualizing Schumpeter the man, Stolper proceeds to trace the trajectory of Schumpeter's intellectual journey, shedding light on his insightful contributions during the 1920s to public finance, monetary theory, and the study of business cycles. Moreover, he delves into Schumpeter's writings on socialism, providing a comprehensive analysis of his thought.

Moving beyond Schumpeter's academic pursuits, Stolper meticulously describes and evaluates his public activities following World War I and his role as a finance minister. He contextualizes the development of Schumpeter's ideas within the turbulent political context of his times, highlighting their relevance and influence beyond the academic sphere. Drawing upon a vast array of fresh and captivating sources, Stolper paints a vivid portrait of his mentor, portraying him as a decent, ambitious, and complex individual whose insights into economy and society found their way beyond the confines of the academy and into the practical realm of economic policy.

This book holds immense value for all readers with an interest in the history of economic thought and the intricate tapestry of 20th-century political and intellectual history. Wolfgang Stolper, Professor Emeritus of Economics at the University of Michigan, is a renowned scholar with a prolific career. His previous works, including "The Structure of the East German Economy" and "Planning Without Facts," have made seminal contributions to international economics.

Originally published in 1994, this edition of "Joseph A. Schumpeter: An Intellectual Biography" is a testament to the enduring legacy of Princeton University Press. Through the use of state-of-the-art print-on-demand technology, the Princeton Legacy Library has made these previously out-of-print books once again accessible to a broader audience. These editions preserve the original texts of these seminal works while presenting them in durable paperback and hardcover editions, ensuring their preservation for generations to come.

Dimension: 254 x 203 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780691607665