POL 2204: Foundation of Political Economy

BAYERO UNIVERSITY, KANO
FACULTY OF SOCIAL AND MANAGEMENT SCIENCES
DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE


POL 2204: Foundation of Political Economy

2008/2009
Instructor: M. M. Yusif
mmyusif58@yahoo.com
mmyusif07@gmail.com
polbuk@yahoo.com
http://www.mmyusif.blogspot.com

Introduction
Political Economy is a science as well as an art. But there has been much controversy among scholars as to what has made it a science or an art. The answer to this question cannot be found or stated except in theory.

As a science it is easier to find the answer because since it becomes an independent science, has made great advance in developing concepts, methods, theories and approaches to capture and explain the changes and transformation of human society.

Grand theories i.e. classical, neo-classical and Marxian are in contest of ideas with each other. At any historical moment is one more dominant than others. The current globalization overwhelmingly promotes the theories and concepts of classical and neo-classical political economy. Accordingly, the Marxian tradition, very influential in the science is generally being relegated.

The development of Marxian political economy arose hundreds of years ago out of the controversy with Bourgeoisie perspective on the science. The Marxian perspective is an integration methods informed by theory and practice of working-class self-emancipation as well as Marxist Labour theory of value.

However, the current global changes has produced uncertainty and chaos in Marxist theory to the extent that there are new theories and thoughts emerging every day from the Marxian perspective.
My intention is to understand these new thoughts in Marxian theory. Consequently, we are going to ask many questions such as is Marx relevant to our world of the twenty-first century? What does revolutionary politics mean in the era of globalization? Is there imperialism today? etc.

In order to understand these and similar questions, we would study some works on the thought of Marx. Many of these works by Marx himself and some analyses of these works by others. Therefore, we would not be saying that everything by Marx or about Marx is the only truth. This will defeat the essence of learning by inhibiting the dialogue necessary for learning, teaching and research.

Finally, by way of an advice of a teacher to his students, let me speak in the thinking and words of Marx that “there is only one royal road to science”. This road is that work hard. The programme may not be simple but just try your best. You have come hear to learn, so try to learn something. A process of learning brings self-transformation. So, be it.

Topics and Readings
1. General Introduction: Introducing the course; the topics to be treated; Assessment of the programme by students; Aids for learning and research; other issues

Readings
1. M. M. Yusif Principles of teaching in classes of mmyusif
2. M. M. Yusif, How to write small research project
3. Mauro C. and Rosanna D. “E-Research: An introduction to on-line political science sources for Beginners and skeptics
4. Stephan V. F., Guide to methods for students of political science

2. Political Economy: What is it and what is it not?
Readings
1. Beckman B. “Political Science and Political Economy”. In Barongo Y. R. (ed.) Political Science in Africa: A critical Review
2. Eskor Toyo, “Primary Requirements for the Unity of Political Science and Economics”. In Barongo (ed.) op. cit.
3. Eskor Toyo, “The mode of production Nucleaus as integrator of Economic and Political Sciences”. In NJPS Vol.2 No.2
3. History, concepts and Theoretical Perspectives
Readings
1. James E. A. and Alberto A. “Political Economy: An overview”. In Robert E. G. and Klingermann (ed.), Handbook on New Political Science
2. Atkinson A. B., Political Economy: Old and New” in Robert E. G. and Klingermann (ed.) Op. Cit.
3. Ernest Mandel, Marxist Economic Theory. Chapter 18
4. G. A. Kozlov, Political Economy: Capitalism chapter 1
4. Marx, Marxism and the Question of Method
Readings
1. Allen W. an Bobs “What is Marxism”
2. Paul M. S. The Theory of Capitalist Development Chapter 1
3. Bade O. An Introduction to Marxist Political Economy. Chapter 1 and 2
4. Karl Marx, “Preface to a Contribution to the Critique of Political Economy”. In Selected Works Vol. 1
5. Karl Marx, The German Ideology. Chapter 1

5. Marx’s Concept of Value as Capitalist Critique
Readings
1. G. A. Kozlov Op. Cit chapter 4
2. Bade Onimode Op. Cit chapter 4 and 5
3. Ernest M. Op. Cit Chapter 2 and 3
4. Paul M. S. Op. Cit. chapter 4
5. Ernest Mandel Late Capitalism chapter 3
6. Continues Relevance of Marxist Theory in the Current Era of Globalisation
Readings
1. John G. “What’s New what’s global what’s Marxism at the end of the 20th century?
2. Karl Marx and Frederick Engels, Manifesto of the Communist Party
3. Adam B. “Postmodern Theory and Karl Marx”
4. Gail O. Marx on globalization
5. Chu V. C. Marx and Engels on Economic globalisation
7. Marxist Theory: Globalisation and Class Divisions
Readings
1. Harry Cleaver. “The inversion of class perspective in Marxian Theory: From Valorisation to Self-Volarisation
2. Alejandro Colas. The class politics of globalization
3. William I. R. and Jerry H. “Towards a Global Ruling Class: Globalisation and Transnational Capitalist Class
4. Leslie S. “The Transnational Capitalist Class and the discourse on globalization
5. Chri Spannos, “The Third wave and the Third Class”

8. Marxism, globalization and state
Readings
1. Lenin, State and Revolution: Popular outline
2. Bade Onmode Op. cit. Chapter 11
3. Williams I. R. Capitalist Globalisation and Transnational of State
4. Bob Jessop. Globalisation and the Nation-State
5. Chris Harman, “The State and Capitalism Today

9. Marxism and New Social Movement
Readings
1. Cyrus E. Z. “Crossing Frontiers: Theoretical Innovations in the Study of Social Movements. IPSR Vol. 29 No.5
2. A. G. Frank and M. Fuentes, Nine These on Social Movements Internationally
3. Alberto M. “New Movements and the Political System: Refection on the Italian Case
4. M. M. Yusif, Human Rights Movement in Nigeria: Old and New

10. Marxism and Free Trade
Readings
David Rocardo. “Excepts on Theory of Comparative Advantage” in Erik S. R.
Paul H., The Marxist Policy on Trade
Ernest Mandel, Marxist Economic Theory Chapter 6

11. Marxist Theory: Globalisation and Imperialism
Readings
1. Lenin, Imperialism: The Highest Stage of Capitalism
2. Anthony Brewer, Theories of Imperialism: A Critical Review
3. Roy Kiely, “Capitalist Expansion and the Imperialism. Globalisation debate
4. Yash Tandon, Globalisation and the South: The Logic of Exploitation
5. James P. and Henry V., Globalisation unmasked: Imperialism in the 21st Century

12. Political Economy of Gloalisation and Democracy
Readings
1. Nnoli O. “Globalisation and Democracy in Africa” In D. W. Nabudere (ed.) Globalisation and the Post Colonial Africa State
2. Ake C. Democratisation of Disempowerment
3. Robert R. “Super Capialism: The Battle for Democracy in an Age of Big Business
4. Larry Diamond, Developing Democracy toward Consolidation. Chapters 2 and 7
5. David Held, “The changing contours of Political Community: Rethinking Democracy in the Context of Globalisation” In Barry h. (ed.) Global Democracy: Key Debates
6. Christopher P. “Democracy, Markets and Capital: Are there necessary Economic Limits to Democracy? In David Held (ed.) Prospects for Democracy

13. Globalisation; Revolution Politics and Socialism
Readings
1. Frieder O. Revolution Today: Three Reflections
2. John F., The Future of Revolutions: Rethinking Radical Change in the Age of Globalisation.
3. John H. Change the World without taking power
4. James Petras, Globalisation: A Socialist Perspective
5. James Petras, “The Struggle for Socialism Today”
6. Roger B. “Socialisms Dead”. In the Americas Nov. 1998

14. Gramsci in Today’s Political Landscape
Readings
1. Gramsci, Selections from Prison Notebooks
2. Anne S. S., “A New Concept of Politics and the Expansion of Democracy”. In Alan Hunt (ed.) Marxism and Democracy
3. Martin C. The State and Political Theory. Chapter 3
4. Vicki B. “Contesting the hegemony of market ideology: Gramscis ‘good sense and polanyis’ double movement
5. Owen W. and Carmen K. “Counter-hegemony, anti-globalisation and culture in International Political Economy

15. Globalisation: Resistance Against Neo-Liberalism
Readings
1. Christine B. N., “Conceptualising Resistance to Globalisation”. In B. K. Gills (ed.) Globalisation and Politics of Resistance
2. Gregory A., “The unexpected revolution: Venezuela confronts Neo-Liberalism
3. Stevel E. “Left goals and the debate over Anti-Neo-Liberal Strategy in Latin America”.
4. Simutary N. “New Liberalism and the relevance of Marxism to Africa: the case of Zambia”

16. Marxist Politics and Ideology in Nigeria. This will cover three different areas.
i) A survey of Literature on Marxian Political Economy on Nigeria
ii) Gloalisation and working-class struggles
iii) The Rise and Decline of Marxist Politics in Nigeria

17. Conclusion
i. Theoretical Conclusion
ii. Reports on Semester Group Projects
iii. Small Research Project Response Paper
iv. Eating and Chatting
v. Discussion on Classroom Experience



JOINT READINGS
1. Eaton J. Political Economy pgs 1-17
2. Meskeren, The Marxist/Leninist Concept of Political Economy
3. Sergeillym and Molytev. What is Political Economy
4. Karl Marx, ‘Theses on Fever back’ in Selected Works
5. Karl Marx, “Alienated Labor”
6. Karl Marx, Commodities and Fetishism of Commodities
7. Karl Marx, Economic and Philosophical Manuscript
8. Karl Marx, Grundrisse
9. Karl Marx, The Poverty of Philosophy
10. Engels, Outlines of a Critique of Political Economy
11. Nancy Fraser, “A Future for Marxism”
12. Holloway J. and Picciot S. (ed.) State and Capital: A Marxist Debate
13. Ellen W. Empire of Capital
14. Bill Warren, Imperialism: Pioneer of Capitalism
15. Rubert M. “Rereading Gramsci in an era of globalizing Capitalism: Reflections on the Possibility of a transnational war of position
16. M. M. Yusif, “The Left and Electoral Politics in Nigeria”
17. Dani P. “Sense and Nonsense in the Globalisation Debate
18. Makota I., Political Economy for Socialism

COURSE REQUIREMENTS
- The teaching of the course is by giving lectures and discussions. Each topic is expected to be covered in one lecture period. When the duration of the semester is against by plan some topics may be combined for treatment. However, the last 30 minutes of each period will be for presentation and discussion on chosen text or question.
- Assessment of students is based in end of semester examination (70%) and Continuous Assessment (30%). The CA will be determined by obligatory weekly assignment; active participation in discussing assignment; small research project and response paper; a supervised test based on the “Guidelines for effective performance by my students”; Attendance; ICT usage and a written survey of literature on Marxist Political Economy in Nigeria
- You would be divided into groups which in my classes are called Seminars. These are for the purpose of working together to do many class works. At the end of the semester each seminar will submit a report on classroom experience
- In order to purify the system of learning and research I have to take strict disciplinary action against any student who is found on plagiarism. To avoid plagiarism you must not copy or paraphrase some one else work and present it as your own. Again, all texts consulted should be properly acknowledged. Otherwise, there will be a penalty of which any assignment found to be plagiarized will receive zero. And any student found in two cases of plagiarism will result in being assessed “00” in the overall CA on the course.
- There are many teaching aids on my website which are recommended to enhance the capacity of students in communicative writing; team work; use of computer internet and e-mail; and other study devises.