Instructors:
Ervin Kondakciu
Displayed in timetable as:
AM3: Capitalism
Language of instruction:
German
Min. | Max. participants:
10 | 23
Comments/contents:
Capitalism, to use a brief and simple definition, is a system of production that involves the investment of monetary means in the expectation of making profit, which is structurally associated with certain forms of social relationships and social organisation, and has a long history of transformations dating back to at least the 17th century. The history of transformations of capitalism cannot be fully comprehended without the history of the critiques of capitalism, insofar as these transformations have been partly determined by the interaction between capitalism, on the one hand, and critical ideas addressing the various problems associated with this economic system, on the other.
Against this background, and to introduce the subject matter of this seminar, ‘critiques of capitalism’ are complex discourses; the articulation, circulation, and popularity of which is a function of the collective work done by various agents acting both in social (e.g., civil movements) and institutional (e.g., universities) settings. Ultimately, ‘critiques of capitalism’ include a ‘diagnostic function’, i.e., the identification of phenomena attributed to capitalism that are deemed normatively deficient and are considered as principal sources of indignation, and a ‘remedial function’, i.e., the proposition of certain ways to move forward that are associated with values and principles held to be normatively superior.
Learning objectives:
The seminar aims at a discussion of the distinctive ‘critiques of capitalism’ that have emerged since capitalism’s appearance until the present day. The following currents will be discussed: conservative critiques, socialist and communist critiques, anarchist and artistic critiques, and ecological critiques.
Didactic concept:
The students are asked to actively participate in the theoretical debate and prepare at least one question for each text, which they shall send via email to the instructor by Wednesday midnight. Each session starts with a student presentation (about 20 minutes), which is followed by a critical discussion. The presenters are asked to highlight the main points of the discussed text, critically engage with it, and moderate the discussion in class. Afterwards, students are asked to form small groups and discuss for about 15 minutes the questions distributed by the instructor, before opening the floor for a last comments/questions section.
Literature:
- Altvater, E. (2008). Art. Kapitalismus, in S. Gosepath/W. Hinsch/B. Rössler (eds.) Handbuch der Politischen Philosophie und Sozialphilosophie. Vol I, Berlin: de Gruyter, 592-98.
- Cudd, A. E. (2013). 'Capitalism'. In: B. Kaldis (ed.). Encyclopedia of Philosophy and the Social Sciences. London: Sage.
Please find soon a detailed syllabus under the “Material for the complete course” banner.
