Organizer School · Unit 2 · Week 3
The Birth of the Capitalist Mode of Production
In this session, we’ll begin to discuss political economy - what some might call the science of commodity production. This week is all about the historical processes that were necessary in order for capitalism to come into existence. With this in mind, we’ll explore the relationship between the commercial trade of enslaved Africans, the genocide of Indigenous peoples in the Americas, the witch-hunting of women, and the expropriation of peasants. And most importantly, we’ll talk about why each of these historical processes was so crucial to the emergence of capitalism.
Discussion details
22 October 2026 · 6pm - 8pm
SFU Harbour Centre Room 2200
Readings
Readings are required unless marked optional. Use the PDF links to read or save a copy. Original online versions are also linked where available.
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PDF Fundamentals of Political Economy — Chapter 2, pages 35–42Read / download PDF: Fundamentals of Political Economy — Chapter 2, pages 35–42 Listen / download audio: Fundamentals of Political Economy — Chapter 2, pages 35–42
Listen here: Fundamentals of Political Economy — Chapter 2, pages 35–42
Chapter 2 recording · Assigned reading: pages 35–42.
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PDF Capital, Volume 1 — Chapter 26Read / download PDF: Capital, Volume 1 — Chapter 26 Web version: Capital, Volume 1 — Chapter 26 Listen / download audio: Capital, Volume 1 — Chapter 26
Listen here: Capital, Volume 1 — Chapter 26
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PDF Caliban and the Witch — IntroductionRead / download PDF: Caliban and the Witch — Introduction Listen / download audio: Caliban and the Witch — Introduction
Listen here: Caliban and the Witch — Introduction
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PDF The Apocalypse of Settler Colonialism — IntroductionRead / download PDF: The Apocalypse of Settler Colonialism — Introduction Listen / download audio: The Apocalypse of Settler Colonialism — Introduction
Listen here: The Apocalypse of Settler Colonialism — Introduction
Session slides
Unit 2: Science & Production — shared slide deck.