The idea of socialism and its many different theoretical interpretations is one of the most influential ideas of the last two centuries. As the main theoretical background of the political left during that time it has been a highly contested and polarizing concept, which often made a sober discussion about it difficult. Therefore in this class we are going to look without prejudice at the main thinkers on socialism and the historical implications of their theories and ideas and will discuss the validity and the impact of socialist theories from a philosophical, historical, political and socioeconomic perspective. Another goal of this class is to determine if and how socialism is still a useful concept in this “age of globalization”. As this class is going to be very text-oriented willingness to regularly read theoretical texts is a requirement.

• Introduction
• The birth of socialism, early socialism (St. Simon, Fourrier, Owen)
• Marx and Engels I
• Marx and Engels II
• The rise of socialist parties in Europe: Kautsky, Jaures, Adler; The split between reformists and revolutionaries, Socialism as anti-imperialism
• The Russian revolution and its aftermaths: Lenin, Trotzky, Bucharin
• Socialism and the antifacist struggle
• The golden years of socialism? (1945-75)
• Socialism in the developing world I (Latin America, Africa)
• Socialism in the developing world II (Asia)
• The end of socialism?
• The new left
• Socialist thought and globalization
• The future of socialism?