1. What is the difference between real progress and ‘progress traps' according to Wright? Why does he refer to civilization as a ‘pyramid scheme'? What is the Victorian ideal of progress, and how might this have contributed to an ideology of progress that has helped to obscure the fact that our civilization is in the midst of ‘the biggest progress trap in human history'?
2. What is the difference between the ‘social division of labour' and the ‘detail division of labour', according to Braverman? What are the social consequences of the capitalist organization of production? What is the Babbage Principle and how does its application to the labour process result in the "degradation of work"? How can we use Rice's play to illustrate the effects Braverman describes?
3. How does Nace define the modern corporation and how is it different from the ‘classical' form? What are the ‘essential characteristics' of the corporation, according to Glasbeek? How does limited liability help to protect investors (shareholders) and executives, managers and directors of the corporation from individual responsibility? Who-or what-is responsible for what happens to the farmers in Steinbeck's story?
4. Should the corporation have legal and ethical obligations to society beyond promoting the private interests-maximizing profits-of shareholders? Why does Friedman refer to ‘social responsibility' as a ‘dangerous doctrine'? How does Glasbeek's critique of the ethical justification of capitalism represent a response to Friedman? Is Garrett's main character (Mr. Galt) acting to maximize private interests, or the public interest?