How business historians can save the world – from the fallacy of self-made success
本文揭示‘白手起家’叙事如何从加尔文主义演变为社会达尔文主义，被英美政商领袖用来攻击进步政策、为财富集中辩护，并指出商业史学家能凭借对成功背景的理解来平衡关于繁荣来源的竞争性叙事。
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.