Sombart and Capitalism 1911–1915

This chapter is an account of Sombart’s writings on capitalism that he published between 1911 and 1915. It begins with a brief overview of scholars who had criticized and those who had praised Der moderne Kapitalismus. These years also saw the publication of two books which drew considerable criticisms: Die Juden and Händler und Helden. The latter book was intended to be propaganda and Sombart intentionally described the English tradesmen in contrast to the German heroes. In Die Juden Sombart believed he offered a sympathetic discussion on how the Jews contributed to the rise of modern capitalism. He pointed out that they had some traits similar to the Puritans. Sombart also wrote Der Bourgeoise—the bourgeoise were not some monothecal culture but represented some major innovations which also led to capitalist enterprises. There are two books from this period: on luxury and capitalism and on war and capitalism. Sombart argued that luxury gave rise to capitalism as the military’s need for standardization also produced modern capitalism. Each of these books are major contributions to his developing and expanding sense of the origins of modern capitalism.