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SUMMARY:Transition\, revolution\, modernity: (re)thinking capitalism with 
 Eric Hobsbawm  - Emile Chabal (University of Edinburgh) 
DTSTART:20250506T160000Z
DTEND:20250506T170000Z
UID:TALK230191@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:Dr AM Price
DESCRIPTION:Eric Hobsbawm is widely considered to be one of the most influ
 ential English-language historians of the twentieth century. Yet he is rar
 ely\, if ever\, considered to be a great theorist. He certainly does not f
 eature in the canon of “great” European social theorists of his genera
 tion\, nor is he generally included in the more restricted list of major M
 arxist thinkers of his age. In this paper\, I push back against this commo
 n view. I begin by exploring the underpinnings of Hobsbawm's generalist hi
 story writing\, which provides the key to understanding his theoretical ap
 proach. I then explore one specific theme in his work: capitalism. I ident
 ify three key concepts that gave shape to Hobsbawm’s theory of capitalis
 m - transition\, revolution\, and modernity - and I look at how he mobilis
 ed each one to develop a comprehensive vision of the origins and developme
 nt of capitalism (above all\, in Europe). I close by asking what his theor
 y of capitalism has to offer to historians and theorists in the twenty-fir
 st century - and whether we ought to take more seriously Hobsbawm's theore
 tical aspirations.
LOCATION:Seminar Room 3\, Cripps Court\, Magdalene College
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