Socialism and Anarchism
New School for Social Research: Philosophy
CRN: 15557
Credits: 3
In the long history of efforts to conceive alternatives to capitalism, two terms stand out: socialism and anarchism. But what is their relation to one another? Are they them mutually antithetical or complementary? What are the respective insights and blind spots of each? Are there good reasons to prefer one of them to the other–above all, in the present conjuncture? These questions form the heart of our seminar. We will address them both historically and systematically. We will begin with early texts, such the “Manifesto of the Equals” (1796), where anarchism and socialism were one and the same anti-capitalist philosophy, and then explore the historic debate between Marx and Bakunin, which focused on the state and the role of the party, to which a split between the two perspectives is usually attributed. But we will also examine exchanges between anarchists and socialists on other timely questions–including the family and ecology. Readings by Pierre-Joseph Proudhon, Karl Marx, Mikhail Bakunin, Peter Kropotkin, Friedrich Engels, Alexandra Kollontai, Emma Goldman, He Zhen, Maria Mies, David Graebner, and Chiara Bottici, among others. Taught by: Chiara Bottici and Nancy Fraser.
College: New School for Social Research (GF)
Department: Philosophy (PHI)
Campus: New York City (GV)
Course Format: Seminar (R)
Modality: In-Person
Max Enrollment: 9
Add/Drop Deadline: February 3, 2025 (Monday)
Online Withdrawal Deadline: April 15, 2025 (Tuesday)
Seats Available: Yes
Status: Open*
* Status information is updated every few minutes. The status of this course may have changed since the last update. Open seats may have restrictions that will prevent some students from registering. Updated: 8:10am EDT 10/7/2024