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American ideology, socialism and financial accounting theory: A counter view

Author

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  • Oldroyd, David
  • Tyson, Thomas N.
  • Fleischman, Richard K.

Abstract

This paper is a response to part three of Rob Bryer's (RB) analysis of the development of capitalism in the U.S., which focuses on the ideology underlying accounting practice rather than the practices themselves. We argue that the ideology that has dominated American history is not so much that of the independent producer as portrayed by RB, but a wider and more nuanced attachment to individual liberty that has coloured American history from independence to the present day. We dispute his analysis of the decline of socialism as being the outcome of ideological struggle, and in particular Irving Fisher's contribution to its demise. The paper also challenges RB's views on Adam Smith's legacy and Irving Fisher's influence over FASB's CF. Finally, it examines the historiographical implications of RB's study and our counter non-Marxist narrative.

Suggested Citation

  • Oldroyd, David & Tyson, Thomas N. & Fleischman, Richard K., 2015. "American ideology, socialism and financial accounting theory: A counter view," CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ACCOUNTING, Elsevier, vol. 27(C), pages 209-218.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:crpeac:v:27:y:2015:i:c:p:209-218
    DOI: 10.1016/j.cpa.2014.03.001
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Fleischman, Richard K. & Tyson, Thomas N. & Oldroyd, David, 2013. "America's “exceptional” transition to capitalism: A counter view," CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ACCOUNTING, Elsevier, vol. 24(7), pages 616-626.
    2. Walker, Martin, 2010. "Accounting for varieties of capitalism: The case against a single set of global accounting standards," The British Accounting Review, Elsevier, vol. 42(3), pages 137-152.
    3. Bryer, Rob, 2006. "Capitalist accountability and the British Industrial Revolution: The Carron Company, 1759-circa. 1850," Accounting, Organizations and Society, Elsevier, vol. 31(8), pages 687-734, November.
    4. Tyson, Thomas N. & Oldroyd, David & Fleischman, Richard K., 2013. "Was America born capitalist? A counter view," CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ACCOUNTING, Elsevier, vol. 24(4), pages 379-396.
    5. Bryer, Rob, 2013. "Americanism and financial accounting theory – Part 2: The ‘modern business enterprise’, America's transition to capitalism, and the genesis of management accounting," CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ACCOUNTING, Elsevier, vol. 24(4), pages 273-318.
    6. Anthony Hopwood, 1992. "Accounting calculation and the shifting sphere of the economic," European Accounting Review, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 1(1), pages 125-143.
    7. Whitley, Richard, 1986. "The transformation of business finance into financial economics: The roles of academic expansion and changes in U.S. capital markets," Accounting, Organizations and Society, Elsevier, vol. 11(2), pages 171-192, March.
    8. Bryer, Rob, 2012. "Americanism and financial accounting theory – Part 1: Was America born capitalist?," CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ACCOUNTING, Elsevier, vol. 23(7), pages 511-555.
    9. Bryer, Rob, 2013. "Americanism and financial accounting theory – Part 3: Adam Smith, the rise and fall of socialism, and Irving Fisher's theory of accounting," CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ACCOUNTING, Elsevier, vol. 24(7), pages 572-615.
    10. Hatton, Timothy J. & Williamson, Jeffrey G., 1998. "The Age of Mass Migration: Causes and Economic Impact," OUP Catalogue, Oxford University Press, number 9780195116519.
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    Cited by:

    1. Tiago Cardao-Pito & João Silva Ferreira, 2018. "‘Fair Value’ accounting as the normative Fisherian phase of accounting," Accounting History Review, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 28(3), pages 149-179, September.
    2. Tiago Cardao-Pito & João Silva Ferreira, 2018. "Demystifying fair value accounting: rejoinder to Baker and Markarian," Accounting History Review, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 28(3), pages 199-202, September.
    3. Garen Markarian, 2018. "The role of Irving Fisher in the development of fair value accounting thought," Accounting History Review, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 28(3), pages 181-190, September.
    4. Charles Richard Baker, 2018. "The lack of impact of fair value accounting: a commentary on ‘“fair value” accounting as the normative Fisherian phase of accounting’," Accounting History Review, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 28(3), pages 191-198, September.

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