This class will consider the recent rise of populist movements across Europe and America. We examine how the advent of neoliberalism and finance capitalism provided generative and reproductive power to these movements. We will also ask what these movements portend for the future of capitalism and what, if any, kind of room remains today for a politics of the left.
I-V. Finance capitalism
VI-X. Neoliberalism
XI-XV. Populism
We will approach our topic from a political and economic perspective with readings likely drawn from works by figures such as Slavoj Zizek, Ernesto Laclau, David Harvey, Mark Blyth, Thomas Piketty, Joseph Stiglitz, Yanis Varoufakis, Robert Gordon, Wolfgang Streek, and Branko Milanovic, among others. A complete reading list will be distributed on the first day of class. Some readings will be provided but students will likely be asked to purchase books where copies cannot be made available.
In addition to regular weekly student-led presentations that help focus the readings and stimulate seminar discussion, students will be asked to compose and submit a 10- to 15-page research paper at the end of the term focusing on a topic or topics encountered in the course of the semester.
A complete reading list will be distributed on the first day of class.
Auditors may be allowed upon consultation with the instructor but you will still be expected to attend classes, participate regularly, and led presentations.