Talking Capitalism in the Classroom: Obstacles and Possibilities

Keywords: capitalism, economics, civics

Abstract: Few people in the U.S. can give even a basic explanation of capitalism. Lack of knowledge and ongoing discussion about the underlying political economy of the United States undermines civic engagement. For business school students it is particularly problematic. The silence about capitalism distorts understanding of management and other business practices and limits students’ ability to conceptualize, analyze and respond strategically to the external environment. In this roundtable discussion we will examine our teaching practices and share insights into the role capitalism plays – or doesn’t – in our curricula and pedagogy.