Welcome to the module!
Socialism, described by Albert Einstein as humanity's attempt 'to overcome and advance beyond the predatory phase of human development', has historically provided the most important ideological and political alternative to capitalism and liberalism. This module examines some core ideas in the history of socialist thought through a close reading of selected primary texts. Themes to be addressed (which may vary from year to year) include: utopia; community; class, ownership and control; equality; democracy. The second part of the module examines the post-war reformulation of socialist thought in response to perceived challenges around class, culture and identity, and asks: is socialism still relevant to contemporary problems?
We will start (and end) by discussing the apparent current revival of interest in socialist ideas. Socialism, it seems, is back, after a long period in which it seemed to have been eclipsed. But what kind(s) of socialism? What do today's self-declared socialist politicians and activists understand by the term? In what ways can socialist thinkers, ideas and projects from the past speak to current problems and priorities? How are socialist ideas about class, equality, democracy, property ownership and so on being used and reformulated? What are the prospects for socialism today?
Socialism, described by Albert Einstein as humanity's attempt 'to overcome and advance beyond the predatory phase of human development', has historically provided the most important ideological and political alternative to capitalism and liberalism. This module examines some core ideas in the history of socialist thought through a close reading of selected primary texts. Themes to be addressed (which may vary from year to year) include: utopia; community; class, ownership and control; equality; democracy. The second part of the module examines the post-war reformulation of socialist thought in response to perceived challenges around class, culture and identity, and asks: is socialism still relevant to contemporary problems?
We will start (and end) by discussing the apparent current revival of interest in socialist ideas. Socialism, it seems, is back, after a long period in which it seemed to have been eclipsed. But what kind(s) of socialism? What do today's self-declared socialist politicians and activists understand by the term? In what ways can socialist thinkers, ideas and projects from the past speak to current problems and priorities? How are socialist ideas about class, equality, democracy, property ownership and so on being used and reformulated? What are the prospects for socialism today?
