A Few Cryptic Notes on Power and Powerlessness

PO 590 Introduction to Political Theory, Spring, 1976 [Excerpts]

Our Problem for the Semester: Power and Powerlessness.

1. The cultivation of passivity through ideology and practice.
2. Resistance to this in history, in future possibilities.
3. Seeing this problem via liberalism, Marxism, anarchism.

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Schedule of Lectures by the Week:

The ideology of passivity. Demystification — (START GOLDMAN)

1. The ideology of passivity in political theory. 
   Liberal idea of objectivity, Marxian concept of ideology.
2. The intellectual as servant (Machiavelli, Kissinger)
   The servant as rebel (More and . . . .) (READ BRANFMAN)
3. Loyalty, obligation, the state. (READ PLATO)
   Disobedience. Marxist & anarchist views of the state.
4. The idea of representative government. (READ DAHL)
   Marxist & anarchist critiques of representation.
5. Accident, aberration. Liberalism & explanation.
   The Marxian idea of structure (READ MARX & ENGELS)
6. History & passivity. History and potency (READ NIETZSCHE)
7. Human nature: obedience & aggressiveness (START BRECHER)
   Acting Out: Passivity and Potency in the Workplace
8. The culture of obedience in the modern workplace.
   Organization & consciousness. Film: The Inheritance.
9. Traditional & revolutionary unionism. The IWW at Lawrence.
10. The problem of violence. Ideology from above. Myths below.
    The Ludlow Massacre.
11. The sit-down strikes & the New Deal. Legalism & reform.
12. Workers’ control.
    The Lip experience and others.
13. Women at work. Boston University.
    Sex, class, the problem of unity.
14. Professionals as workers (teachers, lawyers, nurses, etc.)
    Problems of power and unity.