Theories of American Imperialism: A Critical Evaluation

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/68828/2/10.1177_048661347400600303.pd

La era del imperialismo

El lector comprobará con satisfacción que el presente libro contribuye eficazmente a hacer un estudio objetivo, riguroso y autorizado, que supone el empleo de un instrumental teórico y a la vez el conocimiento preciso y la evaluación cuidadosa de los hechos, ya que, en ultima instancia, es en la realidad donde las ciencias sociales tienen que confirmar, revisar o abandonar las hipótesis y aun las categorías conceptuales con que trabajan. Maurice Dobb ha hecho notar lo extraño que resulta que, a diferencia de los economistas clásicos, que tanto se ocuparon en sus estudios del mercantilismo, los economistas de hoy tiendan con frecuencia a ignorar el imperialismo o a verlo como un fenómeno ajeno y sin importancia para la economía. El autor de este libro, por el contrario, demuestra que el imperialismo no es un hecho del pasado ni tampoco un asunto secundario sino algo vigente y fundamental, que afecta nuestra vida diaria de mil maneras y que en una sociedad capitalista, no se puede escoger o rechazar puesto que es "el modo de vida de tal sociedad". Por ello es todavía más extraño que, aun en los países dependientes de América Latina, ciertos economistas, al parecer sólo empeñados en preservar la "pureza" de la economía, proscriban el imperaslismo de su jerga y de su oficio, como si tal fenómeno no fuese una de las causas principales del atraso y el subdesarrollo. Harry Magdoff, quien esencialmente se ocupa en este libro del imperialismo norteamericano, es un distinguido economista. Desde hace años enseña en The New School for Social Research, de Nueva York y desde hace unos meses comparte, con Paul Sweezy, la responsabilidad de co-editar Monthly Review, en esa misma ciudad

Problems Of United States Capitalism

Wave upon wave of prosperity, accompanied by ever higher levels of production and consumption, nourish the belief that the U.S. economy has found new sources of strength and that remaining weaknesses can be fairly easily overcome. The main reasons for this renewed faith are advanced in varying degrees by both radical and conservative commentators: (1) the new technology is in effect a second industrial revolution and is performing a role similar to the first industrial revolution in fostering long-range economic growth; (2) the new competition between socialism and capitalism induces extensive aid and investment in the Third World, which in turn creates new markets for advanced capitalist countries; (3) the political acceptance of the Welfare State as a necessary approach to social development; and (4) the availability of an economic "tool box" which can be used to manoeuvre a capitalist economy so as to avoid serious crises

Globalization - To What End?

The new stage of globalisation has given rise to questions about its longer-run significance. A widely accepted theory visualises the erosion of national sovereignty at the centres of capitalism, presumably to be replaced by an 'international' of capital that will make and enforce the rules of international relations. The more thoughtful members of the ruling capitalist class are well aware how chimerical the notion of a rising international of capital is. It is true that in view of the growing complexity and the many pitfalls in the world of global finance, they seek ways to strengthen, or create new, international institutions which can help to minimise the potential chaos they face. But as much as the need is understood in the abstract, and as many steps as have been taken in the hope of greater cooperation, there is no letup in the drive of nations to acquire more power and wealth. The upshot is that the speeded-up globalisation of recent years has not led to harmony. On the contrary, as we will try to show, it is itself a product of growing disharmony. Contrary to widespread expectations, sources of tension among the leading capitalist powers have increased side by side with their growing interdependence. Nor has the geographic spread of capital reduced the contradictions between the rich and poor nations. Although a handful of third-world countries, benefiting from the globalisation process, have made noteworthy progress in industrialisation and trade, the overall gap between core and periphery nations has kept on widening

Un entretien avec Harry Magdoff, éditeur de Monthly Review à l'occasion du 40e anniversaire de la revue , par Robert Sayre et Michael Löwy

Harry Magdoff, An Interview. An interview granted to Robert Sayre and Michael Löwy at the beginning of this year, on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of Monthly Review, of which Magdoff is an editor. Magdoff talks about the history of the journal, its evolution and its continuity, as well as about the influence of the journal, particularly on the New Left, and finally about what the future may hold. Magdoff also gives us his thoughts on the work of the present academic Left.Un entretien accordé à Robert Sayre et Michaël Löwy au début de cette année, à l'occasion du 40e anniversaire de Monthly Review, dont Magdoff est co-éditeur. Magdoff parle de l'histoire de la revue, avec son évolution et sa continuité, de l'influence exercée par celle-ci, notamment sur la Nouvelle gauche, et enfin de ses perspectives futures, Magdoff livre également ses réflexions sur les travaux de la gauche universitaire actuelle.Magdoff Harry, Sayre Robert, Löwy Michael. Un entretien avec Harry Magdoff, éditeur de Monthly Review à l'occasion du 40e anniversaire de la revue , par Robert Sayre et Michael Löwy. In: L'Homme et la société, N. 93, 1989. La gauche contemporaine aux États-Unis : mouvements d'hier et pensée d'aujourd'hui. pp. 91-99