ABSTRACT
This chapter proposes an approach to distinguishing different periods in the history of capitalism. While periodization is alien to conventional economic theory, non-mainstream economics has provided three theoretical frameworks: the Regulation approach, the Social Structure of Accumulation approach, and a variant of long wave theories. While there are differences among and within these approaches, it will be shown that they also complement each other and have much in common.1 A body of joint features is outlined in this chapter that can be used as a heuristic device to analyze different stages in the long-run evolution of capitalism. This framework can then be used to analyze contemporary globalization and compare it with previous periods of intense economic internationalization.
