MODULE 2

The crisis of the current system

Module 2 Reading Packet

Module 2 additional resources

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Class 1: the future of capitalism

AI, Climate Catastrophe and Extreme Inequality

Tuesday, July 22 | 6:30 - 8:30 PM ET

Instructor:

What future does capitalism offer us? A rapidly heating planet, unemployment on the rise, and growing inequality everywhere we look. This class explores two major crises threatening humanity’s future: environmental collapse and AI-driven economic restructuring. We’ll expose how climate disaster and the use of new technology in the exploitation of workers are not just a result of “mishandling” or natural results of new innovations, but really are inevitable outcomes of an economic system that values profit over human needs.

CLASS RECORDING

CLASS POWERPOINT

Class 2: The future of capitalism

Permanent War, Permanent Profit

Thursday, July 24 | 6:30 - 8:30 PM ET

Instructor:

Capitalism and war go hand in hand. This class digs into how the U.S. economy is built on permanent war, from the military-industrial complex to its global network of bases and arms sales. We’ll examine how war has become a constant feature of capitalist accumulation, propping up profit and violating the sovereignty of countries in the global south, all in order to secure control over more resources and labor. As new conflicts emerge, we will investigate the potential for capitalism to drive us towards another global military conflict. If capitalism can’t function without endless violence, what does that demand of those fighting for a future beyond it?

Class recording

Class powerpoint

Module 2 reflection questions

The module reflection questions are an opportunity to synthesize the lessons from the previous module and prepare for upcoming classes. The reflection questions will be the main way to confirm participation and earn a course certificate at the end. You can submit them individually, or gather as a group to discuss and submit them collectively. If you are submitting as a group, please indicate the names of group members.

Please use the same email from your registration when completing the module reflection questions.

Reflection Questions PDF

Name

First Name

Last Name

Email

If you are submitting this as a group, list group members and emails here

(Name, Email) (Name, Email), etc.

Class 2 focused on the political economy of war and introduced the concept of “permanent war.” In your own words, what is the relationship between capitalism and war? What are some examples of how the U.S. economy depends on war and militarism? How do these dynamics show up in current events?

Throughout history, capitalism has both generated repeated crises, and has adapted by reorganizing itself to survive. Choose one or two major historical crises and trace how capitalism responded and restructured itself. What crises are on the horizon today, and how might capitalism adapt in response? How would these adaptations affect working and oppressed people? What would it mean to confront these crises with revolution rather than capitalist adaptation?

Throughout both classes, we were asked to rethink what’s “possible” under capitalism versus what’s necessary for life. Make a list of things you’ve been told are “unrealistic” or “too radical” (abolishing fossil fuels, free housing, ending war). What assumptions are those judgments based on? How might we begin to reframe what’s necessary and what’s possible?

The crisis of the current system

Class 1: the future of capitalism

Class 2: The future of capitalism

Module 2 reflection questions

The People’s Forum