Abstract
Harold Demsetz, Emeritus Professor of Business Economics at the University of California, Los Angeles, has done an excellent job of putting together research in the area of human behaviour and the influence of institutions thereon. Demsetz is one of the leading figures of the New Institutional Economics School. In this book, his focus is on the institution of capitalism, which is by far the most influential system prevalent now. It presents and reviews historical developments in the area and cites influential works, which makes the book a very interesting read. The book is not technical and is meant for a broad readership.