Politics of Capitalism (374-0-1)
Instructors
Jeffrey Rice
847/491-8916
1908 Sheridan
Meeting Info
Harris Hall L07: Mon, Wed 3:30PM - 4:50PM
Overview of class
As we are in the 21st Century, there is little debate over the victory of capitalism on a world scale. Even China can hardly be called a socialist society. This does not mean that within capitalism there are not robust debates over how it should be run; ranging from what I might flippantly call, "capitalism with a human face" or "capitalist democracy" on one hand and "market fundamentalism" on the other. This era is often referred to as neo-liberal based on a certain understanding of the18th century liberalism of Adam Smith et alia. The first part of this class will be on the assumptions of capitalism and their historical roots (wealth, Christianity, profit, the market to name but a few); the opposition of Karl Marx, and the categories of Max Weber (essential for understanding the "firm "and authority). The second part will be the debates over the market and case studies of market failures and their social implications for people's lives. Finally, we will look at one analysis of how opposition to this stage of capitalism might look in the 21st century.
Learning Objectives
My goal in this class the understanding of the historical exigencies of an economic system known as capitalism. It is not to make you for or against it but rather to learn its foundations both today and historically and to offer a political economy approach to that understanding.
Evaluation Method
2 short papers (25 pts. each), take home final (40 pts) and a minimum of four online comments for participation points.
Class Materials (Suggested)
Milton Friedman: Capitalism and Freedom, University of Chicago Press. 978-0226734798
Eric Olin Wright: How to be an Anti-Capitalist in the 20th C." Verso. 978-1788739559
Quinn Slobodian: Globalists. Harvard University Press. 978-0-674-24484-9
Class Notes
There will be other readings which will be tied to the papers. Some of these books will be in the "choose one of the following for your short paper".
Class Attributes
Social and Behavioral Science Foundational Discipl
Global Perspectives on Power, Justice, and Equity
Social & Behavioral Sciences Distro Area