Capitalism versus Socialism

Capitalism is the world’s dominant economic system. Billions live under it; arguably, the majority of us do, and even those who do not are affected by it. Yet many wish we did not. Historically, the greatest opposition has come from those who have described themselves as socialists. While socialism underwent a loss of popularity in the latter part of the 20th century and the beginning of the 21st due to the failures of self-described socialist regimes, it appears to be regaining popularity, at least among younger generations. But which is in fact better: capitalism or socialism? The question can still provoke heated debate. In this course, we will explore the ethical arguments for and against these economic systems, as well as ethical questions that each system raises. The goal will be to equip you to compare the systems.