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Economics for Emancipation

Economics for Emancipation

A Course of Economics for All

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MODULE 2

In this module, we learn about how capitalists use their money to create more money through the circuit of capital.

We reflect on the ways that capitalism has been intertwined with racism and patriarchy from the beginning. By tracking how capital evolves throughout this cycle and understanding its historical underpinnings, we can then envision how we might challenge this process and reimagine our economy. 

Learning Objectives:

  • Explore the relationship between capitalists and workers through the circuit of capital
  • Understand that capitalism has been intertwined with racism and patriarchy from  its inception
  • Identify four different types of capitalists

Materials

For Groups:

  • Facilitator Guide
  • Facilitator Slidedeck
  • Participant Workbook
  • Big Idea Project Workbook

For Individuals:

  • Interactive Workbook

VIDEO LESSONS:

Takeaways

  • Capital is the exploitative relationship between the owners of the means of production and workers.
  • It is also money trying to become more money as illustrated in the circuit of capital. 
  • Racist exploitation and colonialism have been foundational for capitalism. There are four different types of capitalists that make profits in distinct ways: industrial, commercial, financial and landlord capitalists.

NEXT

MODULE 3:

Redistribution vs. Recognition →

Readings

The Rise & Decline of Patriarchal Systems: An Intersectional Political Economy

Nancy Folbre

How Capitalism Underdeveloped Black America: Problems in Race, Political Economy, and Society

Manning Marable

Empire of Cotton: A Global History

Sven Beckert

The Racial Contract

Charles W. Mills

Black Marxism: The Making of the Black Radical Tradition

Cedric J. Robinson

Capitalism and Slavery

Eric Williams

How Europe Underdeveloped Africa

Walter Rodney

Understanding Capital: Marx’s Economic Theory

Duncan Foley

"Towards a Socialist Theory of Racism"

Cornell West

Caliban and the Witch: Women, The Body And Primitive Accumulation

Silvia Federici

Europe and the People Without History

Eric Wolf

A People’s Guide to Capitalism

Hadas Thier

Videos

Reading Marx’s Capital Vol 1 Lecture Series

David Harvey

"What is Racial Capitalism and Why Does It Matter?"

Robin DG Kelley

"What is Capitalism?"

Center for Popular Economics (2021)

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Economics for Emancipation is a project of the Center for Economic Democracy.

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  • MODULES
  • VIEW ALL MODULES
  • Introduction to the Economy & the Working Day
  • How Capitalism Works
  • Redistribution vs. Recognition
  • Alternative Economic Systems
  • The Evolution of U.S. Economic Systems
  • Fiscal and Monetary Policy
  • Building Alternatives: Solidarity Economy