Few forces have shaped the world over the past millennium more than capitalism has, yet few terms remain more elusive and more divisive. Today, less than half of young Americans view capitalism positively, and calls for alternatives are becoming ever more frequent. Why? And why have different forms of capitalism led to such unequal outcomes around the world? What is capitalism, really; what has it been, and what might it be? This course takes students on a journey to explore the past, present, and future of various forms of capitalisms, globally and beyond, introducing them to theories and frameworks to help make sense of the world in which they live, and where it might be headed.

The world economy is experiencing a rare confluence of inflection points, and this course uses a variety of both country and company cases to give students a deeper understanding of why, how, and with what consequences economic life on the planet will change in their lifetimes, and the unique roles played by businesses in this process. In so doing, it challenges students to think critically about the future and how they might contribute to shaping a more equitable and sustainable economic system.