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POLITICS 316: Capitalism and its Critics

SEMESTER 1, 2018

15 points

 
Course Convenor and Teacher: 

Martin Wilkinson - m.wilkinson@auckland.ac.nz

 

Course delivery format:

2 hours of lectures and 1 discussion hour per week

(Timetable and room details can be viewed on Student Services Online)

             

Capitalism is the dominant economic system of our time. Its supporters praise what they see as its productiveness, freedom and justice. Its critics think capitalism causes inequality and exploitation and corrupts social life. In this course, we ask: Do consumers call the shots in capitalist markets or are they manipulated, or locked into battles for status? Does having more stuff make people happier? Do we work too hard in meaningless jobs? Who is exploited in modern capitalist states? Is capitalism’s inequality a price worth paying for efficiency or is too unfair, too divisive?

Capitalism and its Critics sets out how capitalist markets work and then considers these and other questions and various reform proposals under the broad headings of consumption, work, social relations, and justice.

This is a political theory paper that also draws on philosophy, economics, and social psychology.

Aims:

  • Students to gain understanding of varieties of capitalism and alternatives.
  • Students to grasp important political concepts e.g. exploitation, equality, freedom, and to acquire a basic understanding of political economy.
  • Students to develop skills in critical reasoning and expounding complex ideas.

 

 Assessment Summary:

2 essays, 25% each

50% two hour exam

 

 Recommended Texts:

No text for the course, but I recommend:

  • Joseph Heath, Economics Without Illusions also known as Filthy Lucre: Economics for People Who Hate Capitalism. It’s clear, entertaining, well-argued, and cheap.

For those who want accessible and entertaining guides to economics, see:

  • Tim Harford, The Undercover Economist, on microeconomics and The Undercover Economist Strikes Back on macroeconomics.
  • Ha Joon Chang 23 Things They Don’t Tell You About Capitalism

 

Course summary:

Date Details Due