2:35-3:55 PM Tuesdays and Thursdays, Leacock 210
Greg Mikkelson
Office hours: 12:00-2:00 PM Wednesdays
Office:
Leacock 913
Phone: 514-398-4400, Extension 094660
In this course, we will compare the actual and possible effects of
capitalism vs. democracy on the more-than-human biosphere. Can a
capitalistic economy develop a mutualistic relationship with the rest
of nature? Could a more democratic system do so? In order to answer
these questions, as well as a host of related ones, we will read:
1.
A paradigmatic text by the founder of ecological economics, who has
asserted that the needed "steady-state" economy is indeed
compatible with capitalism;
2. A critique of the for-profit
corporation, which is the dominant institution of capitalism; and
3.
An argument for an alternative to capitalism called "economic
democracy", which would replace corporations with worker
cooperatives, and private with public investment.
Class participation:
10% of grade
Attendance is crucial, but do not come to class if
you have not done the reading ahead of time. Please focus your
comments and questions on the text for the day.
Very short paper, with oral defense:
20%
500-750 words in the main text
Due, via e-mail to the
instructor, eight days before said defense
Final paper: 30%
2,000-3,000 words in the main text
Due
the last day of class
Oral exam: 40%
Arranged at students' convenience any
time between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM, and between Monday and Friday,
during exam period
Last day of class: Everyone gets the same list
of 10-15 questions, to prepare answers to ahead of time.
Day of
exam: Each student gets their assignment of two questions from the
above list, then 30 minutes for final preparation of answers to these
two questions, and then 30 minutes to answer those and follow-up
questions.
Daly, H. E. and J. Farley. 2011 (second edition). Ecological Economics: Principles and Applications. Island. Washington, DC.
Glasbeek, H. 2002. Wealth by Stealth: Corporate Crime, Corporate Law, and the Perversion of Democracy. Between the Lines. Toronto, ON.
Schweickart, D. 2011 (second edition). After Capitalism. Rowman and Littlefield. Lanham, MD.
Tuesday January 10th: Introduction
Thursday January 12th
Readings:
Peacock,
"Symbiosis in Ecology and Evolution"
Ellerman, "Whither
Self-Management? Finding New Paths to Workplace Democracy"
Tuesday January 17th
Reading: Daly and
Farley, Introduction and Part 1 (Chapters 1-3)
Thursday January 19th
Reading:
Glasbeek, Introduction and Chapters 1 and 2
Tuesday January 24th
Reading:
Daly and Farley, Chapters 4 and 5
Thursday January 26th
Reading:
Glasbeek, Chapters 3-6
Tuesday January 31st
Reading:
Daly and Farley, Chapters 6 and 7
Thursday February 2nd
Reading:
Glasbeek, Chapters 7 and 8
Tuesday February 7th
Reading:
Daly and Farley, Chapters 8-10
Thursday February 9th
Reading:
Glasbeek, Chapter 9
Tuesday February 14th
Reading:
Daly and Farley, Chapters 11-13
Thursday February 16th
Reading:
Glasbeek, Chapter 10
Tuesday February 28th
Reading:
Daly and Farley, pp. 261-311
Thursday March 1st
Reading:
Glasbeek, Chapters 11 and 12
Tuesday March 6th
Reading:
Daly and Farley, pp. 311-351
Thursday March 8th
Reading:
Glasbeek, Chapters 13 and 14
Tuesday March 13th
Reading:
Daly and Farley, Chapters 18 and 19
Thursday March 15th
Reading:
Schweickart, prefaces and Chapter 1
Tuesday March 20th
Reading:
Daly and Farley, Chapters 20 and 21
Tuesday March 27th
Reading:
Schweickart, Chapters 2 and 3
Thursday April
5th
Readings:
Daly and Farley, Chapters 22 and 23
Schweickart,
pp. 85-151
Tuesday April 10th
Reading:
Reading: Daly and Farley, Chapter 24 and "Looking
Ahead"
Schweickart, pp. 151-206
Thursday April 12th:
Conclusion
Readings: Daly,
"From a Failed-Growth Economy to a Steady-State
Economy"
Schweickart, "Is Sustainable Capitalism an
Oxymoron?"
Final
paper due at beginning of class
In accord with McGill University’s Charter of Students’ Rights, students in this course have the right to submit in English or in French any written work that is to be graded.
McGill University values academic integrity. Therefore all students must understand the meaning and consequences of cheating, plagiarism and other academic offenses under the Code of Student Conduct and Disciplinary Procedures (see www.mcgill.ca/students/srr/honest) for more information).
In the event of extraordinary circumstances beyond the University’s control, the content and/or evaluation scheme in this course is subject to change