Critique of Capitalism: Two Karls Plus

Abstract for Nancy Fraser’s PhD Seminar

Viennese Karl Polanyi Guest Professorship May 2021

After a period of relative neglect, theorists are again taking up the critique of capitalism. Responding to the metastasizing crises of neoliberalism (financial, economic, ecological, political and social) and to the crumbling of the center-left-cum-center-right political hegemony that underpinned it, many are now returning to the concerns of Marx and Polanyi. But today’s theories of capitalism do not only reactivate the insights of the “two Karls.” At their best, they also incorporate the hard-won fruits of subsequent intellectual and political developments, including feminism, anti-racism, postcolonialism, and ecology. In this seminar, we interrogate some of the most important critiques of capitalism, both old and new. The aim is to assess their respective capacities to clarify the capitalism of 21st century, while disclosing what is living and what is dead in each of the Karls. The larger aim is to develop a critical theory of capitalist society that is sufficiently expansive to encompass the gamut of contemporary modes of domination and social struggles, while disclosing their shared bases in a single overarching social order with a determinate institutional structure. The result should also clarify the prospects for an emancipatory resolution of the current crisis.

There will be five sections, each on a specific topic:

· Marx and Polanyi

· Gender, Sex and Class

· Race and Empire

· Ecology and Democracy

· What is to done?

Attendance on two public lectures is obligatory.

Further information via http://www.karlpolanyisociety.com/polanyi-guest-professorship/information-for-students/

After finishing the course, the students will

•  have additional knowledge on two important scholars (Karl Polanyi and Karl Marx)
•  have a broad overview of contemporary multiple crises and how they are interwoven
•  have got access to state-of-the-art contemporary critical social research

Absence in one session is permitted.

The course is a reading seminar.

It will be based on presentations by Nancy Fraser, short presentations by students and a lot of discussion.

Andreas Novy will support Nancy Fraser on organizational issues and facilitating online discussions.

1. Regular attendance (one absence permitted) and active participation in seminar discussions

2. A brief oral presentation (5 minutes) on some aspect of the assigned reading for one class meeting (your choice). You should identify a discussion-worthy passage, concept, topic, or question and frame the agenda for its discussion. (10%)

3. A one-page prospectus for a term paper on a topic of your choice, due date TBD. (10%)

4. A one-page reflection paper on the two public lectures by Nancy Fraser (15%)

5. A term paper of approximately 15 pages (double-spaced), following the plan of an approved prospectus, due date TBD. (60%)

The course is limited to 8 students from WU. More information on application for course on  http://www.karlpolanyisociety.com/polanyi-guest-professorship/information-for-students/

The seminar will be organized together with students from University of Vienna and Central European University.

Basic knowledge on Karl Polanyi and Karl Marx required.

andreas.novy@wu.ac.at via mail