Capitalist Development and Crisis Theory: Accumulation, Regulation and Spatial Restructuring

This collection of essays looks at recent developments in the crisis theory of capitalist development and relates such theories directly to the current patterns of economic, political, technological and cultural changes associated with societal restructuring in industrialized countries. It brings together contributors from eight different countries and represents the fields of economics, political science, political economy, urban planning and sociology. The relation between crisis and societal restructuring is addressed at four different levels. First, the general level of crisis theory is discussed, and several alternative theoretical approaches are addressed. Second, the international effects of contemporary crisis and restructuring are looked at, involving the relation between the older and newer industrialized countries. Third, the national level is addressed with regard to the restructuring of the welfare state and new forms of class conflict and political participation. Lastly, contributors address socio-spatial restructuring at the local or regional level in response to crisis, especially the restructuring of industrial/urban areas. M. Gottdeiner's previous works are "Planned Sprawl", "The Social Production of Urban Space", "The Decline of Urban Politics" and he is the editor of "Cities in stress" and co-editor of "The City and the Sign." N. Komninos' books include the three volume "Theory of Urbanity."