Political Economy Students' Journal
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Student-led Seminars:
Critical Perspectives in Political Economy
These seminars aim to present critical, radical, or alternative approaches to contemporary issues in Political Economy.
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We are a group of students who want to create a space to discuss important contemporary topics and perspectives. We are not experts in the subjects addressed, so we aim to foster an exchange around them that is open to all those interested, from inside or outside the university, to discuss and learn from each other.
Schedule
Each seminar will begin with a presentation of the key points, followed by discussion and debate. The presenters are not experts but are there to introduce and mediate discussion. The aim is to learn from each other, so we suggest some (short) background texts to get everyone on the same page and confident to participate.
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1st Seminar
Date: Wednesday 13 March, 18:00
Topic: The Political Economy of Fascism
Location: Room C4.01, Building 2, Iscte-Instituto Universitário de Lisboa
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Summary:
What is fascism in economic terms? Opposing views on its conceptualization in political economy.
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"But whoever is not willing to talk about capitalism should also keep quiet about fascism."
- The Jews and Europe, Max Horkheimer
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Suggested reading:
Röpke W. (1935). Fascist economics. Economica, New Series, vol. 2, no. 5, pp. 85-100.
Gupta D. (1977). The political economy of fascism. Economic and Political Weekly, vol. 12, no. 25, pp. 987-992.
2nd Seminar
Date: Wednesday 10 April, 18:00
Topic: Degrowth: Radical Abundance or the Politics of Less?
Location: Room C4.01, Building 2, Iscte-Instituto Universitário de Lisboa
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Summary:
Total ecological collapse is a problem; that much is clear. But can we save ourselves with technology and Green Growth? Do we need to Degrow our resource use? Or is degrowth a minimalist fantasy dreamed up by an out of touch academic elite?
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"Right now, global resource use is about 100 billion tons per year; roughly double what scientists consider to be a sustainable level. This is a major driver of ecological breakdown and biodiversity loss."
- Jason Hickel
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Suggested reading:
3rd Seminar
Date: Wednesday 22 May, 18:00
Topic: Alternative Modes of Production
Location: Room C5.08, Building 2, Iscte-Instituto Universitário de Lisboa
4th Seminar
Date: Wednesday 19 June, 18:00
Topic: Debates on Social Reproduction
Location: Room C5.02, Building 2, Iscte-Instituto Universitário de Lisboa