How business historians can save the world – from the fallacy of self-made success

Bibliographic Data

ID8418792
AuthorsPamela Walker Laird (University of Colorado Denver, corresponding author)
Year2017
Volume59
Issue8
Pages1201-1217
Publication date2017-11-17
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueBusiness History (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0007-6791 • E-ISSN: 1743-7938
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/00076791.2016.1251904
OpenAlexW2552166377
LanguageEN
Citations received6
References cited18

Narratives about ‘self-made’ success form a pillar of Anglo-American lore, but the concept’s meanings and applications no longer reflect either its origins or how people actually succeed. Ideological competition has reshaped the Calvinists’ admiration for community-serving self-improvement into a Social Darwinian glorification of individual ambition and wealth. American and British business and political leaders now invoke this newer narrative to assail progressive policies and to advocate the funnelling of resources and authority toward the wealthy – purportedly worthy – few. Because business historians understand the contexts and mechanisms behind business success, they are well situated to balance competing stories about prosperity’s sources and obligations

Admiration · Competition (biology · Environmental ethics · Epistemology · Fallacy · Ideology · Literature · Narrative · Political economy · Political science · Politics · Prosperity · Situated · Sociology · Australian History and Society · Historical Economic and Social Studies · Historical Studies on Reproduction, Gender, Health, and Societal Changes · Law · Social Psychology

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