Download Free Acquisitive Society Book in PDF and EPUB Free Download. You can read online Acquisitive Society and write the review.

The Acquisitive Society is a classic analysis of the traditional theory of individual property rights. It shows how that theory, although appropriate to the simple economic situation for which it was formulated, has resulted in the twentieth century in waste, inequality, and a struggle between the classes. This book suggests as an alternative that rights of property and industrial organization should be based upon a different principle - the principle of function. Acceptance of this principle would have certain practical effects: it would abolish proprietary rights when they are not accompanied by a discharge of obligations to society, and it would organize industry as a profession directed to the service of the public.
The Acquisitive Society (1920), one of R.H. Tawney's most widely read books, is probably his most influential. In this book, he criticizes the selfish individualism of modern society and states that capitalism encourages acquisitiveness, which corrupts everyone, both rich and poor.
This 1926 survey, written by a distinguished social and economic historian, examines the role of religion in the rise of capitalism. Arguing that material acquisitiveness is morally wrong and a corrupting social influence, the author draws upon his profound knowledge of labor and politics to show how concentrated wealth distorts economic policies.
Patrician and Plebeian is a historical book dealing with the origin of colonial aristocracy in colonial Virginia. The author relegates the old belief that the Virginia aristocracy had its origin in a migration of Cavaliers after the defeat of the royalists in the British Civil War. He explains in detail how the leading Virginia familieswere shaped chiefly by conditions within the colony and by renewed contact with Great Britain. Author writes about the biggest and most influential families of colonial Virginia such were: he Carters, the Ludwells, the Burwells, the Custises, the Lees, and the Washingtons.
It is a commonplace that the characteristic virtue of Englishmen is their power of sustained practical activity, and their characteristic vice a reluctance to test the quality of that activity by reference to principles. They are incurious as to theory, take fundamentals for granted, and are more interested in the state of the roads than in their place on the map.
“The faith upon which our economic civilization reposes, the faith that riches are not a means to an end but an end, implies that all economic activity is equally estimable whether it is subordinated to a social purpose or not.” So states R. H. Tawney in this treatise on the difference between an Acquisitive Society, one guided purely by profits, and a Functional Society, one guided by professional motives. In the former—which is largely the world we live in today—businesses are concerned only with making profit for their owners, who have little or no connection to the industry they own, and high-quality service and efficient use of labor is at best only a pleasant byproduct. Tawney contrasts this view of society with the latter society, in which businesses are run by professionals instead of owners. In this scenario, professional considerations not related to financial profit would lead to better service and higher efficiency, as well as happier workers. As an executive of the socialist Fabian Society, Tawney was considered one of the most influential historians of the early twentieth century, especially in politics, where he was a major contributor to the British Labour Party. His influence extended beyond Britain as well, and he has been credited with influencing the policies of Swedish Social Democrats. This book is part of the Standard Ebooks project, which produces free public domain ebooks.
This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. To ensure a quality reading experience, this work has been proofread and republished using a format that seamlessly blends the original graphical elements with text in an easy-to-read typeface. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.