The Culture of the New Capitalism Richard Sennett

In this provocative book, Richard Sennett looks at the ways today's global, ever-mutable form of capitalism is affecting our lives. He analyzes how changes in work ethic, in our attitudes toward merit and talent, and in public and private institutions have all contributed to what he terms 'the spectre of uselessness', and he concludes with suggestions to counter this disturbing new culture.

Richard Sennett teaches sociology at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the London School of Economics. His recent publications include The Corrosion of Character and Respect in a World of Inequality.

"packed with thought... profound and challenging... Sennett is here opening up a fascinating debate about how modern institutions, with their constant restructurings and delayerings, are generating ever-sharper inequality." Madeleine Bunting, New Statesman "Sennett has been observing for some years how modern work patterns make self-respect ever harder to achieve. Now, he has brilliantly pushed his thinking to a remorseless conclusion... a triumph" Will Hutton, The Observer "Hardly any social thinkers have given serious thought to the drastic changes in corporate culture wrought by downsizing, 're-orging', and outsourcing. Fortunately, the exception - Richard Sennett - is also one of the most insightful public intellectuals we have. In The Culture of New Capitalism Sennett addresses the new corporate culture with his usual vast erudition, endlessly supple intellect, and firm moral outlook. The result is brilliant, disturbing, and absolutely necessary reading." Barbara Ehrenreich, author of Bait and Switch: The (Futile) Pursuit of the American Dream "Reflective, studded with sharp insights, moving with grace between big ideas and specific cases. This is vintage Sennett." Douglas W. Rae, author of City: Urbanism and Its End"