Critique of political economy

Duration

30h Th

Number of credits

Lecturer

Bruno Frère

Language(s) of instruction

French language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the second semester

Schedule

Schedule online

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

The course draws much of its inspiration from the work Le nouvel esprit solidaire (Paris, Desclée de Brouwer, 2009). The aim is to determine how the theory of cooperative came about in the 19th century, in what was known as associationist socialism, between Marxism and left-wing liberalism. The next step is comprised of defining the key values involved in cooperative practice in the 20th century in order to envisage their contemporary achievements in specific structures (fair trade, non-monetary trading, microcredits, support for leaders of economic microprojects). We shall endeavour to answer a set of questions: are associative and cooperative economics an alternative to capitalism or are they just a spare tyre? Should cooperatives develop on the market or become the substitutes for services that the state can no longer offer the population? Should they be politically engaged or be content with acting efficiently in the field? Does managerial ideology (efficiency, flexibility, assessment, good governance, etc.) have an influence on these organisations ? Etc.. The examination in June will be an oral examination. Students will have to read the introduction, the conclusion and a chapter of the book Le tournant de la théorie critique (Paris, Desclée de Brouwer, 2015). They will have to present this chapter and to make links with the course (about which they will have to answer two questions). 

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning)

Recommended or required readings

B. Frère, Le nouvel esprit solidaire, Paris, Desclée de Brouwer, 2009
B. Frère, Le tournant de la théorie critique, Paris, Desclée de Brouwer, 2015

Assessment methods and criteria

non content

Work placement(s)

Organizational remarks

Contacts

Bruno Frère, 7 bd du rectorat, bat. B31, bureau 0.94 4000 Liège tel : 04 366 48 89 bfrere@ulg.ac.be

Items online