Syllabus for Progressive Capitalism: A
Possible Model for A Renewed America
Midcoast Senior College
Winter 2022 Mondays from 9:30-11:00
January 17-February 7 via Zoom
Course Description: Joseph Stiglitz (Nobel Prize in
Economics 2001) is concerned our divided society endangers our future.
His People, Power, and Profits:
Progressive Capitalism For An Age of Discontent provides a possible model
for reuniting us and restoring a broad commitment to our common good while
rescuing capitalism from its current excesses.
He maintains markets are shaped by public policy, and that our markets
are not truly competitive because of our public policies.
We will read and discuss his recipe for restoring our society considering
how his recommendations for new public policies might foster recommitment to our
common good while limiting both exploitation and market power thus restoring
competition.
It should be
noted that I am not a trained
economist—I’ve never even had a course in economics.
I have extensively studied political and social philosophy, however, and
have a good deal of experience with economics and markets as an investor for
over 50 years, and with public policy as a political activist throughout that
time. I read Stiglitz’ book earlier
this year and found his proposals very interesting.
I decided to teach the course because I want to better understand his
proposal (teaching something is a wonderful way of coming to better understand
it), and because I hope to discuss his proposal with others of diverse political
and economic perspectives.
Text: Joseph Stiglitz,
People, Power, and Profits: Progressive
Capitalism For An Age of Discontent (NY: W.W. Norton, 2019).
Kindle, $9.17 Paperback:
978-0393358339 $9.65
First
Class January 17: Introduction: Overview and Wealth
vs.
Riches:
Supplement for First Class of Progressive Capitalism
The four supplements are intended to facilitate
understanding of his views and may be read before, and/or after the class.
The first one’s introduction is well underway, but it is
still
under construction (and the others have not yet
been started).
Supplement for Second Class of
Progressive
Capitalism
Third Class January 31: A Decent Life For All: Reclaiming America, Restoring Democracy, and Restoring Our Economy
Supplement for Third Class of Progressive Capitalism
For the final
class I want to encourage you to look at a piece on my website titled
“Relativism, Objectivism, and Judging” and two readings I ask those reading
the piece to do:
Readings: Ambrose
Beirce's "A Horseman In The Sky" and
Jonathan Bennett's "The
Conscience of Huckleberry Finn)".
Fourth Class February 7:
Critical Considerations:
are they practicable--could they be put into place, would that "cost too much? and
would they strengthen our democracy or tear it asunder?
File revised on 02/04/22