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In one of the truly great classics of twentieth-century political economy, R. H. Tawney addresses the question of how religion has affected social and economic practices. He does this by a relentless tracking of the influence of religious thought on capitalist economy and ideology since the Middle Ages. In so doing he sheds light on why Christianity continues to exert a unique role in the marketplace. In so doing, the book offers an incisive analysis of the historical background of present morals and mores in Western culture.Religion and the Rise of Capitalism is even more pertinent now than when it first was published; for today it is clearer that the dividing line between spheres of religion and secular business is shifting, that economic interests and ethical considerations are no longer safely locked in separate compartments. By examining that period which saw the transition from medieval to modern theories of social organization, Tawney clarifies the most pressing problems of the end of the century. In tough, muscular, richly varied prose, he tells an absorbing and meaningful story. And in his new introduction, which may well be a classic in its own right, Adam Seligman details Tawney's entire background, the current status of social science thought on these large issues, and a comparative analysis of Tawney with Max Weber that will at once delight and inform readers of all kinds.

R. H. Tawney believed that the subject of economic history raises questions which touch the fundamental concerns of all thinking people. By setting economic development firmly within the framework of cultural and political life, he provided an alternative to the recent fragmentation of economic history into a number of increasingly technical specialisms. First published as a collection in 1978, these ten essays, spanning the length of Professor Tawney’s career remain as controversial and potent as ever, and the original introduction by J. M. Winter provides the first full evaluation and significance of R. H. Tawney’s approach to economic history. Among the essays included in this volume are the indispensible studies of ‘The Rise of the Gentry’ and ‘Harrington’s Interpretation of His Age’, as well as ‘The Abolition of Economic Controls, 1918-1921’, here published in full for the first time. Other selections, such as Tawney’s celebrated inaugural lecture as Professor of Economic History at the London School of Economics in 1933, ‘the Study of Economic History’, offer a representative sample of the range and sweep of Tawney’s historical imagination. Taken together, these essays demonstrate the validity of Tawney’s conviction that economic historians must confront not only the creation of wealth, but also the moral questions surrounding its distribution.

The Acquisitive Society (1920), one of R.H. Tawney's most widely read books, is probably his most influential. In this book, he criticizes the selfish individualism of modern society and states that capitalism encourages acquisitiveness, which corrupts everyone, both rich and poor.

The author's main interest was economic history but on beginning to write this book he became aware that this was too large a task so he attempted "to trace one strand in the economic life of England from the close of the Middle Ages to the beginning of the Civil War." This strand was agrarian life. The resulting book looks closely at rural life in England and discusses issues such as landlords, tenants, and smallholders.

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R.H. Tawney examines religion and capitalism side-by-side, not as polar entities but as mutually responsive to each other. He shows how changes and developments in the religious sphere had a profound impact on the economic realm.

First published in 1932 Land and Labour in China is an introductory volume dealing with certain aspects of economic life in China. R. H. Tawney discusses important themes such as rural framework; problems of the peasant; poverty, war and famine; land tenure; agrarian policies in China; science and education; drought and flood; population migration and the development of industry; the growth of capitalist industry; politics and education; and legacy of the past. This book is an important historical resource for students and scholars of Chinese history and Chinese studies.

In 'The Agrarian Problem in the Sixteenth Century' by R. H. Tawney, the book delves into the intricate dynamics of land ownership, distribution, and agricultural practices of the 16th century. Tawney's writing is characterized by its meticulous research, critical analysis, and lucid prose, making it a cornerstone in economic and social history studies. The book provides a comprehensive examination of the economic challenges faced by agrarian societies during this period, shedding light on issues of enclosure, peasant uprisings, and land tenure systems. Tawney's scholarly approach offers a deep understanding of the complexities of the agrarian economy, making it a valuable resource for historians and researchers.R. H. Tawney, a renowned economic historian, was driven to write this book by his passion for social justice and his interest in the impact of economic structures on society. His background in economics and sociology equipped him with the expertise to dissect the agrarian problem of the 16th century with precision and depth. Tawney's commitment to unveiling the underlying causes of social inequality shines through in this seminal work.'The Agrarian Problem in the Sixteenth Century' is a must-read for anyone interested in economic history, social inequality, and agrarian studies. Tawney's thorough research, insightful analysis, and clear writing style make this book a valuable contribution to scholarly literature, offering a rich exploration of a pivotal period in agricultural history.