What makes the German economy so resilient? This provocative book challenges the conventional wisdom as to what constitutes national wealth, arguing that it is long-term, balanced development rather than rapid growth and productivity that makes an economy successful. Interdisciplinary in approach, this is the first book in many years to take an organic view of the German economy, looking not only at the mix of business and economic policies but also at the sociocultural and psychological background to German economic development. Gazdar shows how Germany balances the priorities of wealth, welfare, and well-being, and describes Germany's uniquely resilient form of ecological sociocapitalism. He argues that the German way of running an economy gives the country a strong, long-term edge over the United States and Japan in the global competition for economic security.

Executives interested in strategic planning and international marketing, economists, cultural and business historians, and policymakers will find this insightful book invaluable toward understanding the unique model that Germany exemplifies. Gazdar claims that Germany's mastery of balance--between the private and public sectors, between the interests of employers and employees, and between economical and ecological priorities--will lead it to economic triumph. He also argues that unless the United States comes to a new consensus, one that encompasses social issues, vocational education, and the improvement of infrastructure, it will steadily lose ground to Germany.

Das Thema Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) findet am Ka- talmarkt und in den Medien immer grossere Beachtung. Zu Recht, denn die wirtschaftliche Leistungsfahigkeit eines Unternehmens und die Wahrnehmung der gesellschaftlichen Verantwortung gehoren zusammen. Dabei bedeutet CSR nicht die Abkehr von der sehr e- seitig ausgerichteten Shareholder-Value-Strategie, sondern bindet sie in ein umfassendes Konzept der Unternehmenspolitik ein, die - terschiedliche Interessen gleichermassen berucksichtigt. Nur wer angemessene Renditen erwirtschaftet, ist auch in der Lage, im Interesse von Mitarbeitern, Gesellschaft und Umwelt zu handeln. CSR schafft Werte, davon sind auch immer mehr institutionelle Investoren uberzeugt. Aktienindizes, wie der Dow Jones Susta- ability Index oder der FTSE4Good, die Unternehmen nach Nachh- tigkeits-Kriterien aufnehmen, sind Benchmark fur Fondsmanager und andere professionelle Anleger. Fur den CSR-Ansatz spricht auch der Einstellungswandel vieler Konsumenten, die beispielsweise immer starker Umweltthemen in ihren Kaufentscheidungsprozessen berucksichtigen. Und wer teuer ausgebildete und qualifizierte Mitarbeiter an sich binden will, sollte auch deren Interessen ernst nehmen. Sonst wandern sie bei erster Gelegenheit zur Konkurrenz."

Why have so many remarkable men fought for women's rights, often risking their careers and ruining their health? Who were these men, what were their backgrounds, above all: what kind of relationships did they have with women? Finally, if there have been so many deviations from the male-oppressor/female-victim cliche, doesn't this stereotype need to be relativized or indeed rejected? Feminism's Founding Fathers is the first book to tell the untold story of the "traitors" to the men's cause - the pioneers and fellow-travellers of female emancipation. It challenges accepted wisdom and reveals the vital role that men have played in making Women's Lib happen.