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PLSC 270: Capitalism: Success, Crisis and Reform

Lecture 04 - Karl Marx, Joseph Schumpeter, and an Economic System Incapable of Coming to Rest. Professor Rae relates Marxist theories of monopoly capitalism to Schumpeter's theory of creative destruction. Both Marx and Schumpeter agree that capitalism is a system that is "incapable of standing still," and is always revising (or revolutionizing) itself. Professor Rae critiques Marxist determinism and other features of Marx's theories. To highlight Schumpeterian creative destruction, Professor Rae uses examples from technological revolutions in energy production since water-powered mills. Marx's labor theory of value is discussed. Professor Rae highlights aspects overlooked by Marx, including supply and demand for labor, labor quality, and the role of capital in economic growth. Professor Rae also notes problems with Marx's predictions, including the prediction that the revolution will occur in the most advanced capitalist economies. Professor Rae also discusses Marx's theory of the universal class, the end of exploitation, and the withering away of the state. (from oyc.yale.edu)

Lecture 04 - Karl Marx, Joseph Schumpeter, and an Economic System Incapable of Coming to Rest

Time Lecture Chapters
[00:00:00] 1. Introduction
[00:06:30] 2. Marxist Historicism
[00:11:36] 3. Monopoly Capitalism
[00:27:31] 4. Falling Rates of Profit
[00:34:42] 5. Immiseration of the Working Class in Late Capitalism
[00:38:30] 6. Inevitable Revolution in Advanced Capitalist Systems
[00:42:06] 7. Theory of the Universal Class
[00:43:23] 8. Withering Away of the State

References
Lecture 4 - Karl Marx, Joseph Schumpeter, and an Economic System Incapable of Coming to Rest
Instructor: Professor Douglas W. Rae. Transcript [html]. Audio [mp3]. Download Video [mov].

Go to the Course Home or watch other lectures:

Lecture 01 - Exploding Worlds and Course Introduction
Lecture 02 - Thomas Malthus and Inevitable Poverty
Lecture 03 - Counting the Fingers of Adam Smith's Invisible Hand
Lecture 04 - Karl Marx, Joseph Schumpeter, and an Economic System Incapable of Coming to Rest
Lecture 05 - Property, Freedom, and the Essential Job of Government
Lecture 06 - Rise of the Joint Stock Corporation
Lecture 07 - Can You Sell a Scheme for Operating on Beating Hearts and Make a Business of It?
Lecture 08 - Mortal Life Cycle of a Great Technology
Lecture 09 - Guest Lecture by Jim Alexander: Managing the Crooked E
Lecture 10
Lecture 11 - Institutions and Incentives in Mortgages and Mortgage-Backed Securities
Lecture 12 - Accountability and Greed in Investment Banking
Lecture 13 - The Mortgage Meltdown in Cleveland
Lecture 14 - The Political and Judicial Elements of American Capitalism
Lecture 15 - Mass Affluence Comes to the Western World
Lecture 16 - Braudel's Bell Jar
Lecture 17 - The Case of Mister Balram Halwai
Lecture 18 - Microfinance in South India
Lecture 19 - Plight of the Bottom Billion
Lecture 20 - Policy Targets for Capitalist Development
Lecture 21 - Guest Lecture by Paolo Zanonni, Part I
Lecture 22 - Guest Lecture by Paolo Zanonni, Part II
Lecture 23 - Marrying the Devil in Texas
Lecture 24 - Capitalist Enterprise and Clean Water for a Bolivian City