PECO 240 Enterprise, Politics, and Society
This course critically examines the relationship between different forms of enterprise, politics, and society. The first part of the course interrogates the corporation as the dominant form of business organization in capitalist economies. How have major corporations influenced our political-economic and social practices (for better and worse) during the 20th and 21st centuries? The second part of the course analyzes alternative enterprise models such as worker cooperatives, social enterprises, community enterprises and small businesses. What are the opportunities and challenges facing enterprises that put social goals – democratic governance, sustainable community development, social and environmental problem-solving – on par with (or above) profit maximization? How do social enterprises remain solvent in a neoliberal society that values market efficiency above all else? Through this course, students will gain an understanding of corporate capitalism’s influence on society, the diversity of enterprise, and the politics of business organization.
Cross Listed Courses
Cross-listed with
SEI 240