Beyond capitalism

What is the course about?

This new course deals with alternative realities. What political and economic regimes could we institute to make our societies fluid and integrative, fair, gentle, fun for humans to live in, safe for non-humans, and more imaginative? “Replacing capitalism with something nice”, as the slogan goes. 

The problem with “What if” scenarios is the lack of precedents. With no experimental evidence of what “works”, the tutor has no better answers than the students. All will be learners. In our discussions, we will seek the guidance of provocative thinkers, such as social ecologist Murray Bookchin, libertarian activists Morris and Linda Tannehill, mutualist Kevin Carson, “cybernetic communists” Paul Cockshott, Leigh Phillips and Michal Rozworski, and many others, some outside the Western world, as well as the most fringe concepts of more established analysts, the likes of Jeremy Rifkin or Paul Mason. A wealth of new ideas has emerged in the last two decades as the present model is failing. 

A bright light reveals imperfections we can then correct, but we wouldn't want to live under a constant bright light. The purpose of discussing quasi utopias is not necessarily to implement them, but to contrast what the human mind can conceive with what history has delivered. It is up to us to change what exists. At the crossroads of moral and political philosophy, economics and creativity, the course invites us to become more committed, critical, and constructive social actors. 

What will we cover?

The course will examine various scenarios out of the “muddling through” that seems to be the universal policy.

On the institutional side, we will look at ideas including radical democracy, autonomous zones, stateless societies, or forms of cross-borders democratic management of the commons.

On the production side, we will discuss original modes of organising labour and exchange, degrowth, workers-owned corporations, moneyless trading, universal sharing, centrally-planned or AI-planned economies, free-market anarchism, and other forms of relationship between humans and their environment. 

For returning students, please note there will be some crossover with topics covered on the previous course 'Capitalism and its discontents' with the same tutor.

What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...

• Describe how the present system works and contrast it with deep transformative alternatives
• Discuss and interpret the ideas of thinkers around the world offering different alternative political and economic models, as a way to broaden our individual and collective horizons. 

What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?

This course is suitable both for newcomers to the subject and for those who have some background knowledge. You will need a good grasp of English to keep up with the course. An ability and willingness to explore relevant shared resources will increase what you get out of the course.

However, as with most of our history, politics and current affairs courses, an open mind and a respectful willingness to listen to and think about views with which you do not always agree are more important than specific levels of skills.

Given the sensitive nature of some of the topics the course will explore, we also expect everyone to engage group and class discussions with respect and the willingness to learn from others.

How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?

The course will include the tutor’s presentation with slides (that will be circulated after each lesson with additional comments) and open discussions. Short “thinkpieces” will be distributed as optional readings.

Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?

Please have some writing materials ready if you wish to take notes during lessons; but, as indicated, the tutor will email the slides used in each lesson. There will be no additional costs.

When I've finished, what course can I do next?

You can explore further Politics, Economics & Current Affairs courses via City Lit's website.