Politics 387SC - Why No Socialism in the U.S.?

In the aftermath of the Great Recession, Occupy Wall Street, and Senator Bernie Sanders's primary campaign, socialism has entered the mainstream of American politics, giving rise to questions concerning why the US can't be more like, say, Denmark. But while the question of why there is no socialism in the US may be on the minds of many, the puzzle is not new. This course will examine the long history of socialist politics in the United States while analyzing why it never established roots in the American system. Drawing comparisons with other advanced democracies, this course will explore what socialism has meant in the American context and what factors have shaped its minority status.

This course is open to Juniors and Seniors.