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A review essay on a book by Johann P. Arnason, Social Theory and Japanese Experience. The Dual Civilization (London: Kegan Paul International, 1997). Arnason's analysis of Japan is located in a theory of civilizations, with the processes of state formation & development of cosmologies central to the analysis. With his review of early & later phases of Japanese history, Arnason argues that Japan proved itself to be extraordinarily capable of maintaining her cultural identity while adapting to external cultural & technical challenges. The cultural sources of this adaptability lie in the creative tension between effective political rulers & the institution of sacred kinship. Arnason questions whether the Japanese centralized state can continue in global capitalism under pressures for political democratization. This book builds a bridge between sociologists & Japanologists, despite its theoretical difficulties with the central concept of civilization. 6 References. M. Pflum

Die vorliegende Replik auf den kritischen Kommentar von Robert Misik zum Buch des Autors "Die Verheißung des absoluten Reichtums. Zur religiösen Natur des Kapitalismus" (Frankfurt 1999) betont zunächst die Gemeinsamkeiten. Ihre gemeinsame Arbeitshypothese ist, dass der "Sachzwang"charakter ökonomischer Rationalität selbst die Züge eines religiösen Mythos angenommen hat. Heute stößt man auf sie täglich in der journalistischen und feuilletonistischen Literatur, wenn z.B. von Zentralbankchefs als "Hohepriester der Marktwirtschaft" die Rede ist. Die beiden Autoren versuchen in ihrer Diskussion zu ergründen, ob an der These vom Kapitalismus als Religion mehr ist als nur Feuilleton. Gegen Misik plädiert der Autor dafür, zwei Ebenen auseinanderzuhalten: Zum einen die primäre der Metaphorik des Geldes selbst und zum anderen die der Bilder und Rezepte, die unternehmerisches Handeln mythenanalog orientieren. (ICA)

This article explores parallels between Marx's and Schumpeter's theories of capitalist development, and discusses the relationship of these classical approaches to later constructivist theories of technological and organizational changes. It is suggested that Marxian and Schumpeterian ideas could be combined in a way which remedies the weaknesses of both sides, and provides a better understanding of the innovative dynamics of capitalism; such a synthesis could then be linked to a constructivist model of the rise and fall of economic `myths'.

(An extended version of an original German text published in Leviathan, 1996, 24, 3). Parallels are drawn between Karl Marx's & J. A. Schumpeter's (1950) theories of capitalist development, & the relationship of these classical approaches to later constructivist theories of technological & organizational changes is discussed. It is suggested that Marxian & Schumpeterian ideas could be combined in a way that remedies the weaknesses of both sides & provides a better understanding of the innovative dynamics of capitalism; such a synthesis could then be linked to a constructivist model of the rise & fall of economic myths. 35 References. Adapted from the source document.