This is a course that seeks to develop concepts enabling us to differentiate economic systems from one another. What are the ways of thinking that will allow us to find the key differences between feudal, slave, capitalist, socialist and communist economic systems? Answering this question is best undertaken using the so-called Marxian critique of political economy. It is the most developed conceptual framework for distinguishing between economic systems. Neoclassical economic theory takes its framework from the market economy and is incapable of identifying those key conceptual differences. Marxian theory is infinitely more subtle. Since most students will not have been exposed to the richness of thinking of the so-called Marxian problematic (set of theories/concepts) we will spend some time developing Marx's methodology and the different interpretations of that methodology and way of thinking about reality. Your previous economic training will be of use in recognizing the contrast in how economic reality is constructed in thought from a neoclassical perspective (conventional or what Marx called Bourgeois science) compared to a Marxian perspective.

The categories that help frame a discussion of economic system differences are class relationships, property relationships, the role of the state and market relationships. Recognizing that the history of economic systems is shaped by non-economic phenomena, we will also include the forces of culture, politics, ideology and social processes in our discussion of differences in economic systems. We will study the general categories of feudalism, capitalism, socialism and communism as well as the mode of production Marx referred to as ancientism or the asiatic mode of production. More particularly we will study the Soviet economic system, the reforms now underway in Russia, the Chinese communist system and the reforms extant in that country, the new asian capitalist countries (South Korea, Thailand, Malaysia, Taiwan et al) and the reform movements there, the Islamic economic system and the Israeli Kibbutz. 

Course Objectives:

   The class will heavily depend upon discussion rather than lecture. It is expected that students will have read the assigned texts before each class. The learning goals of the course are to sharpen the ability of students to articulate the differences between economic systems, to understand and evaluate underlying theoretical arguments that support the different economic systems that have existed and still exist, to build a new conceptual vocabulary that will allow students to better read the social science literature, to evaluate our own beliefs regarding capitalism, socialism and communism and to understand when characterizations of these social formations are mere polemical and when they're based on accepted definitions.

  Each week two students will be assigned as discussion facilitators. Center your discussion around a few compelling points or questions drawn from the readings and focused on the central purpose of the course -- the development of language/concepts that allow us to understand structural and theoretical differences between economic systems. 

 Beginning on  November 18th students will be required to make an in-class presentation making use of theoretical concepts developed during the class and focused on a topic of their choosing. This may work out to be the subject of the more extensive term paper due at the end of class.

 At the end of the class a 20 page research paper is due that makes use of the theoretical/conceptual tools developed in the course and applied to a particular thesis or argument that is identified from the literature assigned. Topics will be developed as the course proceeds.

 A final exam covering some agreed upon topics will be administered at the end of the class. We will key the questions toward students particular research interests.

Grade Distribution:

25%        Participation

50%         Semester Paper

25%         Final Exam

Course Calendar

 Ch. 2, 3, 6