The critic of political economy is a blog dedicated to the critical analysis of capitalism from a political economy perspective. While the term ‘political economy’ tends to cover a narrower scope of political and economic systems, here it’s meant to encompass social theory in general. That is, it seeks to understand the way in which human social relations produce and reproduce themselves as a whole, including in its various political, economic, and ideological forms, to name a few. Thus, the focus of this blog can be as general as discussing the fundamental premises of material existence, or as particular as something relevant to only a specific historical period like the characteristics of the 20th century gold standard.
Regardless of this wide range of focus, there is a connecting theme throughout all my intellectual endeavors. That is the belief that we must understand the world in order to change it. Knowledge, which is not merely ‘technical’ but deeply social, is the greatest weapon of any political movement. Analytical undertakings are worthless if they do not help guide our action. Furthermore, they won’t reach their potential unless they are applied for the liberation of the human species through the elimination of social domination. A fundamental belief in the potential for the collective freedom of the human species guides everything.
Thus, I take my endeavors to be scientific in that it is focused on unveiling truths about the social world. To engage in scientific analysis, to be a critic of political economy, means not taking anything for granted and always asking if you’ve reached the deepest innermost truths of the matter at hand. Remember, if the essence of our objects of study immediately coincided with their appearance, then there would be no need for science at all, no need to go beyond our immediate notions of things. My work is guided by the principle that all scientific endeavors worth pursuing are ridden with challenges, but nonetheless, that is what makes their ultimate resolutions worth it.
about me
My name is Davide and I’m a researcher in political economy. I’m currently pursuing a PhD in Political Science at McMaster’s University focusing on public banking, energy transitions and global empire. I have an honors degree in Political Science from McGill University and a master’s degree in political economy from Carleton University. While my PhD will lead to my research being more focused, I have an interest and knowledge on a wide variety of topics in the field of critical political economy.
topics of discussion
When you’re interest in how capitalist as a whole reproduces itself, you become entrenched in questions of politics, economics, ideology, gender, race, propaganda, war, and it never really ends. I’ve always felt like a jack of all trades, master of none. But that’s never stopped me. Nonetheless, I do have specific areas of focus (see about me for more detail):
Finance and money
Economic development
State policy and development
International political economy
American empire
Class struggle and politics
Marx's critique of political economy
Political economy of labor
Ecology
Theorizing the transition out of capitalism
consider subscribing
If you enjoy the work I do and want to support it, please consider becoming a paid subscriber. I don’t want to paywall anything, so the more support I get the more time I’ll be able to put into it. You’ll get access to early material such as long-form essays, readings lists, watch lists, and my own personal notes and more!
If I could write about capital and make capital, I’d be more than happy.
