Macquarie University

The New Capitalism - SOC346

This unit offers a senior level overview of some of the main changes in the relationship between economy and society since the 1970s. It particularly focuses on the rise of neoliberalism and the ascendency of the market. The unit seeks to explore this changing global context from three distinct perspectives. It starts by exploring changes to the macroeconomy—how the economic system is structured. This includes the rise of large corporations and what some have termed monopoly capitalism. It also examines the spectacular rise of finance capital and the implications of this. The second part of the unit takes the perspective of the individual, particularly the experience of individuals in economic institutions and organisations. It examines how people's experience of the economy has changed, particularly our experience of working life. The final part of the unit focuses on the processes of political legitimation. It examines how the ideas of neoliberalism have gained force and the various responses to neoliberalism, particularly from new social movements. Each section draws on different theoretical traditions, and the unit encourages students to reflect on how these different traditions can inform our common understanding of contemporary capitalist societies

Timetable Information

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