The Passions and the Interests

This book explores the transformation of material interests from a deadly sin to a means of controlling destructive passions. Hirschman offers a new interpretation of the rise of capitalism and demonstrates the continuities between old and new. The book draws on the writings of many thinkers to show that capitalism was originally meant to repress passions in favor of harmless commercial interests. Including a new afterword and foreword, this book sheds light on the ideological transformation that made capitalism victorious.