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

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  • Pamela Walker Laird

Abstract

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.

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  • Pamela Walker Laird, 2017. "How business historians can save the world – from the fallacy of self-made success," Business History, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 59(8), pages 1201-1217, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:bushst:v:59:y:2017:i:8:p:1201-1217
    DOI: 10.1080/00076791.2016.1251904
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Rank, Mark Robert & Hirschl, with Thomas A. & Foster, and with Kirk A., 2014. "Chasing the American Dream: Understanding What Shapes Our Fortunes," OUP Catalogue, Oxford University Press, number 9780195377910.
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    Cited by:

    1. Stratos Ramoglou & William B. Gartner, 2023. "A Historical Intervention in the “Opportunity Wars†: Forgotten Scholarship, the Discovery/Creation Disruption, and Moving Forward by Looking Backward," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 47(4), pages 1521-1538, July.
    2. Luigino Bruni & Paolo Santori, 2022. "The Illusion of Merit and the Demons of Economic Meritocracy: Which are the Legitimate Expectations of the Market?," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 176(3), pages 415-427, March.

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