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Thinking about Capitalism
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Taught By Professor Jerry Z. Muller, Ph.D., Columbia University,
New Releases The Catholic University of America Course No. 5665

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Recommendations 36 lectures, 30 minutes/lecture

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Religion & Theology
4.5 out of 5
Philosophy & Intellectual History 40 of 45 (89%) customers w ould recommend the
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Business & Economics

Better Living As the economic system under which you live, capitalism shapes
Professional the marketplaces that determine where you live and work, how
much you are paid, what you can buy, what you can accumulate
Course Lecture Titles
High School
toward your retirement, and every other aspect of a society based on 36 Lectures
View All Courses monetary exchanges for goods and services. 30 minutes / lecture

In an era of increasing globalization, capitalism has dramatically 1. Why Think about Capitalism?
strengthened its important role in—and its influence on—the world (info)
Find a Course economy. It is the system under which a majority of the world's 2. The Greek and Christian
population lives, and it continues to strengthen the links of Traditions (info)
Keyword or Course #
interdependence between the world's economies. 3. Hobbes's Challenge to the
Traditions (info)
But capitalism's impact is about much more than money and 4. Dutch Commerce and
LEARN MORE ABOUT markets. Indeed, capitalism is every bit as much a social force as
National Power (info)
The Great Courses an economic one. As such, its impact on noneconomic life has
5. Capitalism and Toleration
What are The Great Courses? drawn the attention of thinkers outside of economics, as well as
—Voltaire (info)
About Our Sales those inside the discipline, including some of its greatest minds.
6. Abundance or Equality
Lifetime Guarantee —Voltaire vs. Rousseau (info)
In Thinking about Capitalism, award-winning intellectual historian
Recommendations 7. Seeing the Invisible Hand
and Professor Jerry Z. Muller of The Catholic University of America
—Adam Smith (info)
takes you deep inside the perspectives on this most important and
8. Smith on Merchants,
pervasive force. Over 36 engaging lectures, you gain fresh insights
Politicians, Workers (info)
that will strengthen your understanding of capitalism's rich history,
"Pure intellectual 9. Smith on the Problems of
its fascinating proponents and opponents, and its startling impact
stimulation that can be on our world.
Commercial Society (info)
10. Smith on Moral and Immoral
popped into the [audio
An Exploration Beyond Economics Capitalism (info)
or video player] 11. Conservatism and Advanced
anytime." Drawing on his exceptional ability to frame each thinker's concerns Capitalism—Burke (info)
within its historical context, Professor Muller takes you beyond 12. Conservatism and Periphery
—HARVARD MAGAZINE
economic analysis to look at how some of the greatest intellects Capitalism—Möser (info)
More Testimonials have thought about capitalism and its moral, political, and cultural 13. Hegel on Capitalism and
ramifications. Individuality (info)
14. Hamilton, List, and the Case
Covering capitalism from its 17th-century beginnings to today's era
for Protection (info)
Newsletter Sign-Up of globalization, Professor Muller explores these thinkers' insights
15. De Tocqueville on Capitalism
Be notified of special promotions on some wide-ranging questions:
and new releases (privacy policy) in America (info)
16. Marx and Engels—The
Your email address What effect does capitalism have on personal development? Or
Communist Manifesto (info)
on our identities as individuals, as members of a group, or even
17. Marx's Capital and the
as citizens of a nation?
Degradation of Work (info)
What about the seemingly unending variety of consumer goods
18. Matthew Arnold on Capitalism
made possible by capitalism? Have they made our culture better
and Culture (info)
—or worse?
19. Individual and Community
Do the facts support our tendency to think about capitalism as
—Tönnies vs. Simmel (info)
the economic system practiced in "free" countries? Or can
20. The German Debate over
capitalism exist in a wide variety of political systems?
Rationalization (info)
As capitalism continues to expand across geographical borders, 21. Cultural Sources of
provocative questions emerge about its overall impact. What are the Capitalism—Max Weber (info)
short- and long-term implications of globalization? How and when 22. Schumpeter on Innovation
should we construct economic policies to strengthen or limit its and Resentment (info)
growth? Can capitalism ever undermine itself? 23. Lenin's Critique—Imperialism
 and War (info)
By placing capitalism in its full societal context, Thinking about
24. Fascists on Capitalism
Capitalism enhances your ability to consider, discuss, and answer
—Freyer and Schmitt (info)
these and other critical questions—whatever your point of view.
25. Mises and Hayek on Irrational
Socialism (info)
Get Insights from Three Centuries of Thinkers
26. Schumpeter on Capitalism's
For almost three centuries, some of the most interesting thinkers in Self-Destruction (info)
history have grappled with capitalism. They have explored its key 27. The Rise of Welfare-State
features, cultural prerequisites, and human implications with Capitalism (info)
excitement, caution, or even fear. 28. Pluralism as Limit to Social
Justice—Hayek (info)
Their writings have defended capitalism, argued against it, 29. Herbert Marcuse and the New
disagreed over how to characterize it, and questioned whether the Left Critique (info)
human costs incurred in its practice can be outweighed by the 30. Contradictions of
obvious material benefits it brings. Postindustrial Society (info)
31. The Family under Capitalism
These are some of the great minds you encounter in these lectures:
(info)

Adam Smith: Although famous for The Wealth of Nations , this 32. Tensions with Democracy
—Buchanan and Olson (info)
giant of the Enlightenment was in fact a moral philosopher and
33. End of Communism, New Era
political economist whose ideas about capitalism, capitalists,
of Globalization (info)
and government exploded past any boundaries of "economics."
Joseph Schumpeter: One of capitalism's most wide-ranging 34. Capitalism and Nationalism

thinkers, Schumpeter published four books, at least three of —Ernest Gellner (info)

which are considered seminal. 35. The Varieties of Capitalism

(info)
Ferdinand Tönnies and Georg Simmel: Tönnies argued that
modern history was moving away from tightly knit communities 36. Intrinsic Tensions in

at emotional cost to the individual, while Simmel explored how Capitalism (info)

capitalism offered new possibilities for individuality and

community.
Friedrich von Hayek: After a flirtation with reformist Socialism, Hayek embraced
classical Liberalism, producing influential critiques of collectivism and the
welfare state, sharing a Nobel Prize in economics, and winning broad
acknowledgment for his work on the coordinating function of the marketplace.

These names only scratch the surface of the grand intellects Professor Muller
discusses, who include Voltaire, Rousseau, Burke, Hamilton, De Tocqueville, Hegel,
Marx, Arnold, Weber, Lenin, Schmitt, Marcuse, Gellner, Buchanan, and Olson.

Their insights can prove invaluable in every area of your life. They can surface in the
decisions you make about family, work, and consumption; and they can give you a
more thoughtful perspective on the ideas and behaviors of commentators,
corporations, and governments.

A Fascinating Journey Led by an Ideal Teacher

An intellectual historian, Professor Muller takes you from capitalism's beginnings in

commercial Holland and England to the challenges of nationalism, globalization,
and contemporary varieties of capitalism.

Genial and disarming, he connects the dots from idea to idea, thinker to thinker. In
Thinking about Capitalism, you can finally grasp the history and the concepts of this
vital economic system, as well as its importance on the global economic stage and
in your own life.

Should I Buy Audio or Video?

While this course works well in all formats, the DVD features many maps, historical
images, portraits, and text.

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Customer Ratings & Reviews Summary

Average Custom er Rating: 4.5 out of 5

40 of 45 (89%) customers w ould recommend the course to a friend.
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Product Reviews Review This Product Choose a sort order

Overall Rating
Course Content
Course Content Old but relevant thoughts Date: November 14, 2010
Professor on capitalism
Presentation
Course Value "This course delivered, as promised, a satisfying intellectual history of "the
best that has been thought about capitalism." Many of these "thoughts" are
elmariachi 100+ years old, yet surprisingly resonant with the challenges and tensions
(read all my reviews) capitalism faces in the modern world.
Location: Washington, DC
Some reviewers have criticized the inclusion of some thinkers and the
exclusion of others, but I thought the slate was well-balanced and since it's
impossible to be comprehensive, it didn't bother me.

Dr. Muller is articulate, thoughtful, and good-humored, and was a very

pleasant and effective guide through the material. I watched lectures at 1.75x
speed and did not have any difficulty following him. I also appreciated his fair-
mindedness in always striving to lay out both sides of each argument he
presented.

Highly recommended to anyone interested in building a foundational

knowledge of different perspectives on capitalism over the past few
centuries."

2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report Inappropriate Review)

Overall Rating terrible recording quality Date: August 11, 2010

Course Content "something was wrong with your equipment, its a torture to listen to 20000GZ
Professor peaks"
Presentation
Course Value
0 of 8 people found this review helpful.
polkan
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report Inappropriate Review)
(read all my reviews)
Location: louisville,ky

Overall Rating
Course Content History not Philosophy Date: August 9, 2010
Professor
Presentation "An interesting and well presented course about the historical development of
Course Value capitalist thinking.

Do not expect to be challenged, or to do much thinking about Capitalism for

Polymath yourself. This is like a London bus tour, pointing out interesting features on
(read all my reviews)
the journey from the conception of early capitalism to its alleged multitude of
Location: Elmley Castle United
current forms today.
Kingdom
If you are looking for a course on the political philosophy of Capitalism that
challenges your beliefs then this is not the course for you.

I would have liked to see a deeper investigation into the thoughts of thinkers
such as Nozick and Rothbard on the right and Rawles on the left, but as a
fairly lightweight historical perspective it was still an enjoyable course."

5 of 5 people found this review helpful.

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Overall Rating
Course Content Important and Well Done Date: July 29, 2010
Professor
Presentation "This course is very well done; it has high significance and is of high quality. It
Course Value has better acquainted me with the views of Adam Smith, Alexander Hamilton,
Marx, Lenin, Keynes, Schumpeter, and other notables who have participated in
Reader the ongoing debate over capitalism--and it has enabled me to better evaluate
(read all my reviews) thorny issues that continue to arise in today's world.
Location: Utah
Professor Muller's presentation, a mix of history and socio-economic
philosophies, is amiable and articulate. There is a lot of important history
here, and it is outstanding, VERY interesting.

Some of the philosophical arguments failed to hold my attention (hence "only"

4 stars), but MOST of the various theories were indeed interesting. Let me say
it this way: I own several books that I consider excellent--well written,
interesting, useful and valuable--despite containing certain pages (or
chapters) that failed to keep my interest. The same for this course: Not
absolutely everything in it appealed to me, but the majority of it is so good and
important that the less-interesting parts seem minimal in contrast.

I'm glad this course exists; I recommend it and hope it will be widely heard. Its
lessons are as relevant now as ever, and provide a good basis for evaluating
current news events. I hope people will give it a fair listen. (I watched on DVD
and, though there are some helpful maps and photos, I think one would do
just fine with CD.)"

2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

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