Designing Post-Capitalist Societies is a self-directed learning program that guides you through the theory, critique, and practice of imagining and creating institutions beyond capitalism. Across six interconnected courses, you explore the foundations of post-capitalist thought, the dynamics of global capitalism, the design of resilient institutions, and the imaginative frameworks necessary for envisioning alternative futures.

1. Foundations of Post-Capitalist Thought

Dive into Marx, Luxemburg, Gramsci, David Harvey, Erik Olin Wright, and Fredric Jameson to understand capitalism’s structures, crises, and the possibilities for designing alternatives.

2. Institutions, Decay, and Failure

Examine how institutions evolve, adapt, or fail, drawing on Tainter, Ostrom, Graeber, and Hodgson to learn lessons for designing resilient and adaptable social structures.

3. Designing for Decay and Renewal

Explore frameworks for creating institutions that anticipate stress, change, and decline, emphasizing strategies for resilience, adaptation, and regeneration.

4. Economic Experiments and Cooperative Futures

Investigate real-world post-capitalist experiments, including cooperatives, participatory economies, and social innovations, to see principles in action.

5. Global Crises and Systemic Change

Study the forces shaping global capitalism and systemic crises, integrating insights from Harvey, Varoufakis, and others to understand the constraints and opportunities for transformation.

6. Utopia, Imagination, and Future Design

Engage with imaginative and utopian frameworks (Jameson and others) to envision plausible and inspiring post-capitalist futures that guide real-world design and experimentation.

The program blends readings, videos, podcasts, and reflective prompts in a friendly, accessible style, simulating the depth and engagement of a graduate seminar while remaining self-directed. By the end, you will be equipped to critically analyze capitalism, understand institutional dynamics, and design practical, imaginative pathways toward post-capitalist societies.