Critical Social Thought 349NE - Imperial Neoliberalism

This course is a critical exercise taught at the intersection of two seemingly incommensurable terms, imperialism and neoliberalism. Charting the genealogies of these terms, we will explore the lines of entanglements that hold these two concepts together as mutually reinforcing projects. In part the course will address how self-governance and self-determination under liberal democratic regimes work to accomplish the neoliberal objectives, hence curtailing the legitimacy of the sovereign will as an essential democratic value. This course will also focus on ways neoliberal mandates legitimize the expansion of imperial extractive capacity beyond what physical territorial aggrandizement limited.

This course is open to Juniors and Seniors.; Prereq: 8 credits in politics.