Moral Economy

How have societies across history reconciled private interest with public good, profit with sustainability, economic necessity with moral obligation? What principles have governed the distribution of wealth and the provision of welfare? This course offers a historical exploration of the concept of moral economy and illuminates the enduring tensions around economic justice, mutual aid, and social responsibility. From regulation of commerce and credit to debates around slavery, colonialism, and environmental risks, this course will investigate the ethical frameworks that have shaped economic life for centuries. In every class, we will work with a wide array of primary sources, as well as secondary sources from the fields of history, economics, theology, psychology, and anthropology to address pressing contemporary questions: Is it ethical for education and healthcare to leave individuals with lifelong debt, and how should economic policies address this burden? What role should governments play in regulating commerce, administering credit and welfare, and redistributing wealth? Is capitalism inherently at odds with morality? How can businesses balance shareholder interests with ethical responsibilities? And, finally, how does the prism of moral economy illuminate ongoing issues on our own campus, such as Harvard’s investment in fossil fuels?