Capitalism and inequality in historical perspective

In this unit, you will explore the ways in which capitalism has transformed societies and the natural world over the past two centuries. You will examine different ways of conceptualising capitalism: as a system of market-based exchange, a form of social organisation, a means of extracting value from people and nature, and a set of practices that shape the way people live and imagine themselves as subjects in the world. You will also compare diverse perspectives on the impacts of capitalism, from the lauding of dramatic increases in productivity and material comfort, to criticism of its structural inequalities and environmental damage. Through close readings of key texts and in-class activities, you will be introduced to important arguments, ideas, and theories about capitalism, which you will then analyse and apply to evaluate the globalised world we live in today.