ABSTRACT
To motivate the case study analysis of the American iron and steel industry during the progressive era, this chapter justifi es the transition from the macroeconomic framework of SSA theory to the more micro-oriented character of an industrial case study. The chapter thus begins with a general overview of the basic concepts and terminology of SSA theory. The fi rst section also provides a description of the social structures of accumulation that characterize American capitalist history according to most SSA theorists. The key institutions of each social structure of accumulation are briefl y discussed to provide the historical background for the transition to a more concrete analysis in later chapters. The section also contains data on growth and investment rates for the long swings associated with each SSA because a primary strength of SSA analysis is its ability to relate the institutions comprising an SSA to traditional measures of macroeconomic performance.
