Capitalism For and Against

Catalog description

What is capitalism? What are its defining traits and institutions, and the roles of the market and the state? How should individual rights and social responsibilities be balanced? What are capitalisms' strengths and weaknesses? Are capitalist societies or other types of systems the best way to achieve justice, promote excellence, and provide freedom, happiness, and material well-being? What are the coherent criticisms of and alternatives to capitalism? This course will study some of the seminal philosophical arguments about capitalism, focusing especially on Smith, Locke, Rousseau, Marx, and Hayek. Enrollment limited to 20 freshmen and sophomores.