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Profit, Protest, Policy: Changes in Market Society - SOC346

Why is work becoming less secure, housing more expensive and inequality growing? How are the choices of national governments shaped by broader global forces? This unit seeks to answer these questions by offering a senior-level overview of some of the main changes in the relationship between economy and society since the 1970s. It has a particular focus on politics in a neoliberal era in which the market is ascendant. We examine how global and national economies are changing, for example, through the rise of service employment and automation, the introduction of competition in public services and distrust in formal politics. We explore potential mechanisms driving inequality and insecurity, such as the rising share of income received as profits, the weakening of labour movements and the growing power of financial institutions. We look particularly at the institutions and mechanisms to promote equity and social solidarity in an era of political populism, both at work and through social policy.

Credit Points: 3
When Offered:

S2 Day - Session 2, North Ryde, Day

S2 Online - Session 2, Online

Staff Contact(s): Dr Charlotte Overgaard
Prerequisites:

39cp at 100 level or above including (ANTH330 or ECON309 or ECON311 or ECON336 or ECON356 or ECON359 or GEOP330 or PHL351 or PHL356 or SOC322 or SOC350 or SOC352 or POL303 or PICT310 or PICT311Prerequisite Information

Corequisites:

NCCW(s): SOC386
Unit Designation(s):
Unit Type:
Assessed As: Graded
Offered By:

Department of Sociology

Faculty of Arts

Course structures, including unit offerings, are subject to change.
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