In this module we continue our study of social class and how it affects U.S. politics.
Contents
READ – Reading 5.2 – M. Parenti: “Concentration of Capital, Who Owns America?”
Michael Parenti gives a comprehensive and quick overview of how wealth is distributed in the United States. This is important to know in general, but later we will connect it to why the Constitution was designed the way it was, as well as a number of interesting current events in American politics:
COMPLETE – Self-assessment exercise 5.2
In preparation for our discussion board, study the following questions, by following the readings closely.
Study Questions (to be handed in class)
- Which statistic on wealth inequality in the US (discussed on p. 29) made the biggest impression on you? Explain why?
- What could be some of the implications of living in a society that has such huge wealth inequalities? Do you see this dynamic getting played out in everyday life in our society? How so? Example?
- This question is the most important one, and draws on the material from both Module 4 and 5: If, as Reading 4.1 showed, the capitalist (wealth-owning) class can be described through the M – C – M’ diagram, what would be the diagram that describes the lives of working-class people? Use the same letters: M and C to write a diagram that contains three parts (just like the capitalist diagram). HINT: think about what each letter (M and C) refer to (M = money or capital; C = commodity). Then, think about which letter should you start the diagram for the working class (M or C)? Why?
WATCH – Module 4+5 Summary Video – HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
NOTE: you should watch this video only after you’ve completed all discussion forums and the reading response paper.
READ – notes that go with above summary video – HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
NOTE: the material discussed in the summary video and the notes below will appear as at least one of the questions on our first exam. Make sure you’ve studied these concepts.
