Crisis and Society - Einzelansicht

This course undertakes a critical inquiry into the concept of crisis as a constitutive element of neoliberal societies, foregrounding their temporal, material, and structural dimensions. Engaging with Koselleck’s theorization of crisis as a moment of decision and Gramsci’s notion of organic crisis, we interrogate the conditions under which social formations undergo rupture and reconfiguration. The course situates theories of accumulation and crisis, alongside Harvey’s concept of the spatial fix, as analytic frameworks for understanding the systemic dynamics of late capitalism. Empirical investigations range from the neoliberal conjuncture—exemplified by Sarkozy’s reaction to globalization and the 2008 financial crisis—to the global wave of contention represented by Occupy, Syriza, Podemos, and movements in the Global South. Particular attention is given to the ideological and political aftermath of these crises, including Trumpism, insurgent counter-movements such as BLM and the Indian Farmers’ mobilization, and the contemporary resurgence of authoritarianism. The seminar concludes with a reflection on the interregnum and the limits of post-neoliberal governance, inviting students to theorize the horizon of possible futures.

Bibliography (Suggested)

• Biebricher, Thomas. ‘Neoliberalism and Authoritarianism’, Global Perspectives, 1.1, 2020.
• Brown, Wendy. In the Ruins of Neoliberalism: The Rise of Antidemocratic Politics in the West. Columbia University Press, 2019.
• Fraser, Nancy. Cannibal Capitalism: How Our System Is Devouring Democracy, Care, and the Planet. Verso, 2022.
• Harvey, David. The Enigma of Capital and the Crises of Capitalism. Oxford University Press, 2010.
• Koselleck, Reinhart. Critique and Crisis: Enlightenment and the Pathogenesis of Modern Society. MIT Press, 1988.
• Jessop, Bop. ‘Authoritarian Neoliberalism: Periodization and Critique’, The South Atlantic Quarterly, 118.2, 2019.
• Robinson, William I. The Global Police State. Pluto Press, 2020.
• Ransby, Barbara. Making All Black Lives Matter: Reimagining Freedom in the Twenty-First Century. University of California Press, 2018.
• Stanley, Jason. How Fascism Works: The Politics of Us and Them. Random House, 2018.

Learning Outcomes

• Examine the material, political, and ideological dimensions of crises across historical and contemporary contexts.

• Evaluate the dynamics of neoliberalism, populism, and authoritarianism using interdisciplinary approaches.

• Synthesize theoretical frameworks and empirical cases to articulate original interpretations of social and political rupture.

• Certain advancement in English (B2 Level and upper)
• Preliminary familiarity with social sciences (Being the introductory courses completed might help you)

Module final examination: Term paper

Registration opens via PULS: 11 April 2026

Withdrawal and registration deadline via PULS: 29 September 2026 

Assessment Methods

This course examines the crisis of neoliberalism through both conceptual and historical perspectives. The first part introduces key theoretical frameworks for understanding contemporary crises. It begins with an exploration of the nature and defining characteristics of neoliberalism, followed by a discussion of how crises are conceptualized. Drawing on the work of Reinhart Koselleck and Antonio Gramsci, crisis is analyzed as both a moment of decision and a deeper “organic crisis” within social systems. The course then examines the material foundations of crisis through Karl Marx’s theory of capitalist crises and David Harvey’s concept of the “capital fix.” Finally, it addresses the broader crisis of social cohesion by considering economic, political, ideological, ecological, and social reproduction dimensions.

The second part situates these concepts within recent historical developments and political struggles. It begins with the role of Nicolas Sarkozy as an early political reaction to globalization and the crisis of “progressive” neoliberalism, followed by an analysis of the global repercussions of the 2008 financial crisis. The course then studies contemporary social movements, including Occupy mobilizations in the United States and Europe (such as Syriza and Podemos) and similar movements in the Global South, including protests in Brazil and Turkey. Later sessions analyze the political meaning of Donald Trump and the rise of insurgent counter-hegemonic forces such as the Black Lives Matter movement and the Indian farmers' protest. The course concludes by examining the current “interregnum,” including the limits of Bidenomics and Germany’s Ampel coalition, and reflects on the economic, political, and ideological dimensions of contemporary authoritarian tendencies.