In this book, thirteen world leading political economists writing from within eight different countries who critically analyze the current crisis tendencies of capitalism both globally and in particular countries. This book breaks with academic path dependency and attempts to open new vistas of political economy and of multidisciplinary analysis are crucially important if our thought processes are to be effective in a world in jeopardy.

I. Varieties of Capitalism from Beginning to End? 1.From Imperialism to Varieties of Capitalism Richard Westra 2. Variegated Capitalism and the Political Economy of Austerity Bob Jessop 3. Varieties of Capitalism or Dominant Fractions? Kees van der Pijl 4. Comparative Capitalisms and the Theory of Capitalist Stages Terrence McDonough II. Varieties of Cases, Convergence of Outcomes? 5. The End of One American Century... And the Beginning of Another? Tony Smith 6. The Transformations of Italian Capitalism in the Global Financial Crisis Grant Amyot 7. Germany and the Crisis: Steady as She Goes? Ian Bruff 8. The Japanese Model Dismantled in the Multiple Crises Makoto Itoh III. Crisis, Austerity and the Extinction of Capitalism? 9. A Phase of Transition Away From Capitalism Robert Albritton 10. Not Just Another Crisis: How and Why The Great Recession Was Different Maria N. Ivanova 11. Competitiveness or Emancipation? Rethinking Regulation and (Counter-) Hegemony in Times of Capitalist Crisis Hans-Jürgen Bieling and Ulrich Brand 12. Profitability and Modern Capitalism Guglielmo Carchedi