This course is based on the book titled Can Democracy Survive Global Capitalism?, by Robert Kuttner (cofounder and coeditor of The American Prospect). The author observes that in the past few decades, the wages of most workers have stagnated, and downward mobility has produced political backlash. Kuttner argues that neither trade nor immigration nor technological change is responsible for the harm to workers’ prospects. Instead, global capitalism is to blame. By limiting workers’ rights, liberating bankers, allowing corporations to evade taxation, and preventing nations from assuring economic security, raw capitalism strikes at the very foundation of a healthy democracy. The author charts a plan for bold action to make capitalism serve democracy, based on political precedent.

Participants in this course for those 50 and over will read portions of the book in advance, and bring related materials if available, for discussion during class. The classes will meet Wednesdays from 2-4pm from October 16 through November 6.

Instructor Karen Bantel has facilitated several courses for OLLI: World in Disarray, Russia, Autocracy, Western Liberalism, and TED talks. She was a professor and consultant of business strategy and entrepreneurship for many years.