ABSTRACT

Once again, unfettered capitalism has failed. Promises for global prosperity and peace have given way to a world of deep recession, social upheaval and political instability. Once again, mainstream economics has proved its inadequacy. Despite its technical rigour and mathematical virtuosity, it failed dramatically to respond to the current crisis. Why is this so? Mainstream economics turns a blind eye to society. By assumption, it maims its analyses by wiping away what makes us what we are. There is pressing need for a critical discussion and new ideas.

We therefore turn to the insightful and stimulating work of Pierre Bourdieu. Arguably one of the major sociologists ever, he was also a major ‘economist’. Yet his works on the economy have received only scant attention, especially from economists, be they ‘mainstream’ or ‘heterodox’. Bourdieu helps to take a broader view and enrich our scientific imagination. By including dimensions of power, intuitive behaviour and social structures within the scope of his analysis, he provides for an alternative foundation of economics, based on an integrated, interdisciplinary theory. For the first time, this volume fills this gap in economics by featuring state-of-the-art research and experts from different social science disciplines. This book constitutes a first step, and hopes to become a milestone.

The book offers an innovative outlook and a unique source for social scientists of all fields, particularly economists and sociologists, who wish to engage in the study of Bourdieu and his economics with a view to developing a more pertinent theory. It will also constitute a useful reference for university students and administrators who would like to explore the economy from a Bourdieusian perspective.

part I|15 pages

Introduction

part II|27 pages

Who is Pierre Bourdieu?

part III|95 pages

Roots and fruits of Bourdieu's economic analysis

chapter 5|13 pages

The State and economics

A Bourdieusian critique

chapter 6|20 pages

Animal spirits and habitus

Towards a convergence between Keynes and Bourdieu?

chapter 7|23 pages

Bourdieu and the Marxist economy

Bourdieu's outlook on Marx and his conception of the economic sphere

chapter 8|23 pages

Change and not only reproduction

Pierre Bourdieu's economic anthropology and régulation theory 1

part IV|69 pages

Capitals and institutions

chapter 10|13 pages

Revisiting field theory

On taking Bourdieu to envisioned futures

chapter 11|18 pages

The effects of social capital on economic and symbolic profits

An analysis of the field and networks of restaurant owners

chapter 12|18 pages

Toward an alternative framework for social capital as social change

Reflections on Bourdieu's approach

part V|20 pages

Politics and policies

chapter 13|18 pages

The sociology of domination

Critical perspectives

part VI|39 pages

In the words of Pierre Bourdieu&