Capitalism, Democracy, and Ralph's Pretty Good Grocery.

• Author: HEINEMAN, ROBERT
• Position: Review

Capitalism, Democracy, and Ralph's Pretty Good Grocery By John Mueller Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1999. Pp. 335. $29.95.

Although capitalism and democracy are regarded by many as the twin engines propelling the United States into its present position of world leadership, discussions of what these institutions mean for Americans in practical, everyday terms are exceedingly rare. John Mueller, a professor of political science at the University of Rochester, has taken a giant step toward examining the reality of capitalism and democrat, and, in doing so, has swept away many of the shibboleths that have hindered and, in fact, undermined their ability to contribute even further to peace and prosperity throughout the world. Mueller is both thorough and devastating in his critique of the myths that have surrounded capitalism and democracy. As he puts it, capitalism and democracy consistently fall short of the images and ideals conveyed by theorists and pundits, but that's not bad; that's life, and that is where Ralph's pretty good grocery fits into the picture.

In his analysis of capitalism, Mueller is concerned primarily with the image of greed and self-interest that has been attributed to this system. Mueller agrees that self-interest drives capitalism, but he argues that an important component of the self-interest that drives successful capitalism must be the recognition that fair dealing, concern for the consumer's needs, and respect for one's employees are in fact the road to greater profits and economic success. In his view, capitalists were slow to recognize the economic worth of basic moral truths, but beginning in the middle of the nineteenth century, German, British, and American businessmen began to see the contribution of basic integrity to greater profits. Indeed, he contends that honesty in business dealings was an important innovation of the capitalist system. As Mueller pursues the evolution of capitalism, he draws upon various examples of capitalists who pursued their economic self-interest in a virtuous fashion, invoking the wisdom of, among others, the unlikely figure of P. T. Barnum. By insisting on a legitimate show and law-abiding employees, the famous showman made the circus an event that people sought for entertainment. Mueller argues that it is essentially impossible to feign the virtues of integrity and concern for others to any great extent and that individuals with sincere concern for others become generally...