Politics of Capitalism (374-0-20)
Instructors
Jeffrey Rice
847/491-8916
1908 Sheridan
Meeting Info
Technological Institute M152: Tues, Thurs 9:30AM - 10:50AM
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
How to think critically about 21st Century capitalism. Is it naturally the best system, is it a destructive system, reformable? If reformable, the debate seems to be market fundamentalism and redistributive? Which is more advantageous and to whom.
Evaluation Method
Take home Midterm, (25%)
Book Review (25%)
Take home Final or final paper (50%)
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 Attributes
Social and Behavioral Science Foundational Discipl
Global Perspectives on Power, Justice, and Equity
Social & Behavioral Sciences Distro Area