Are you new to socialism? Do you feel like capitalism is bad but you can't explain why? Do you want to develop your sense of socialist politics better with other comrades? Join us for this Socialist Study Hall!

Socialist Study Hall is political education program broken up into 10 classes over 2 "semesters" that cover the basics of socialist theory and practice. These interactive, discussion-based courses define essential terms, explain key concepts and debates within socialism, and provide real world examples that can inform our organizing.

This course is designed for beginners who are looking to build confidence in their understanding of socialism and establish a grounding in socialist thought to become better organizers in DSA.

More veteran members are encouraged to join in on the conversation while still making space for new members to fully explore these ideas.


Session #4: Underdevelopment and Colonial Expansion

Capitalism is an international system of exploitation and can't just be undone through localized changes. To understand this, we need to look at how the building of the world economy is part of an ongoing process of development and "underdevelopment".

Unequal agreements, debt restructuring programs, economic warfare, coups, militarization, wars of de-development, and many other strategies have all played a role in this process, and in this session, we will look at why this is crucial to a socialist critique of capitalism and strategies to upend it.


Suggested Readings + Materials:

While anyone may participate, it's strongly suggested that you go over the materials ahead of time.

Main reading (on the concept of underdevelopment):

The Development of Underdevelopment, Andre Gunder Frank

Supplemental reading (underdevelopment in the present era):

The Myth of Economic Development, Chapter 2, Celso Furtado

Video materials:

IMF & World Bank: Imperialism Through Debt (00:18:42)

Parenti Yellow Lecture (00:02:50)