The first part of the volume contains four essays on the development of German economic and corporate historiography in the 20th century and how they were influenced by foreign scientific currents. The second part deals with the changes that the German industrial system went through during the two world wars, while at the same time it came under increasing pressure to adapt from the hegemonic power of America and its economic culture. The third part shifts the analysis more towards the social developments in Europe in the 20th century and asks about the role that the American social sciences and the major American foundations played in this.