Debates around the origins, nature, value, effectiveness and sustainability of various 'models' of capitalism have become increasingly prominent since the collapse of the state socialist political and economic systems in the early 1990s.

While comparative studies of the differing configurations of business and political systems have always been relevant and important, these discussions toward the end of the 20th century marked the arrival of the distinct field of study often labelled the 'varieties of capitalism' school of thought.

Developments in the field and in the broader macro-economy since that time have been very substantial, and the literature selected for this Major Work provides a much-needed comprehensive overview of these developments, going back to the Cold War era to explore some of the earlier discussions of the divergence and convergence of 'industrial models', and progressing back through to the modern day by incorporating critiques and newer developments in 'varieties of capitalism' theorising.