Convergence and Divergence in Advanced Capitalist Democracies

Author(s):  
Herbert Kitschelt ◽  
Peter Lange ◽  
Gary Marks ◽  
John D. Stephens
Author(s):  
Torben Iversen ◽  
David Soskice

This chapter argues that the information and communications technology revolution clearly illustrates the underlying hypotheses of the book: first, that advanced capitalist democracies have been remarkably resilient in the face of major shocks—even given the rise of populism, neither advanced capitalism, nor advanced democracy, nor the autonomy of the advanced nation state, are under attack. Second, that the advanced capitalist democracies face political opposition from groups who feel that they and their children are left out of and excluded from the benefits of the “American Dream” (or equivalent); and can organize (or be organized) politically. Third, apart from small isolated groups—for example, the Occupy movement—effective political opposition is in no way socialist, nor is it concerned to destroy or take over advanced capitalism.


Author(s):  
Torben Iversen ◽  
David Soskice

This chapter argues that governments in the developed world pursue policies to expand the advanced capitalist sectors, including tough competition policies, which force capitalists to compete and take risks rather than guaranteeing them safe and high returns on their capital. The resulting national frameworks both supply the public goods required for innovation, and impose the competitive incentives to generate innovation. The political basis for these policies are educated workers and aspirational constituencies who vote for parties with a reputation for expanding the advanced capitalist sectors while acquiring skills needed for these sectors to succeed. This generates a symbiosis between advanced democracy and advanced capitalism. The remainder of the chapter reviews the great debate over technological change, and then considers the role of politics in mediating the effects of new technology.


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