Something that might surprise contemporary economists is that in 1911-12 Karl Marx and Henry George were each allocated 30% of the final exam questions for Harvard’s course on Methods of Social Reform. Also worth mulling over for a moment is that socialism was identified as the polar opposite of individualism (as opposed to “capitalism”) in a one-dimensional political spectrum.
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Earlier Course Material
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Course Description
1911-12
[Economics] 14b 2hf. Methods of Social Reform. — Socialism, Communism, the Single Tax, etc. Half-course (second half-year). Tu., Th., at 1.30. Professor Carver.
A study of those plans of social amelioration which involve either a reorganization of society, or a considerable extension of the functions of the state. The course begins with a critical examination of the theories of the leading socialistic writers, with a view to getting a clear understanding of the reasoning which lies back of socialistic movements, and of the economic conditions which tend to make this reasoning acceptable. A similar study will be made of the Single Tax Movement, of State Socialism and the public ownership of monopolistic enterprises, and of Christian Socialism, so called.
This course is open only to those who have passed satisfactorily in Course 14a.
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Course Enrollment
1911-12
Economics 14b 2hf. Professor Carver. — Methods of Social Reform. Socialism, Communism, the Single Tax, etc.
Total 65: 5 Graduates, 22 Seniors, 25 Juniors, 9 Sophomore, 4 Others.
Source: Harvard University. Report of the President of Harvard College, 1911-1912, p. 63.
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ECONOMICS 14b
Year-end Final Examination
1911-12
- To what extent does Marx’s definition of value approach the current definition, and wherein does it differ?
- How does Marx bring the wages of skilled labor under his theory of value, and how does he dispose of labor which produces something of no use, or of very little use?
- Discuss Marx’s use of the formulae C–M–C and M–C–M.
- Just how would you distinguish between a socialist and an individualist?
- In what respects does socialism resemble anarchism and in what respects does it differ?
- Describe one communistic society and state what light, if any, it throws on the subject of socialism.
- “The advocates of the single tax love to base their arguments on the ground of justice. In this they are certainly wise; for even though all other arguments were in its favor, if the justice of the single tax could be successfully impugned, it would be foredoomed to failure.” Do you fully agree with this? Give reasons for your agreement or disagreement.
- Do you believe the single tax to be just? Give your reasons.
- How would the single tax probably affect building enterprises in a city like Boston?
- Do you consider it possible to attain something approximating to equality of incomes under the competitive system, with private capital, private enterprise, and freedom of contract? If so, how; if not, why not?
Source: Harvard University Archives. Harvard University — Examination papers, 1873-1915. Box 6. Bound volume, Examination Papers, 1912. Harvard University Examinations. Papers Set For Examinations in History, History of Science, Government, Economics […], p. 58.
Earlier Course Materials
Pre-Carver
- Exams and enrollment figures for economics of socialism and communism taught by Edward Cummings (1893-1900).
Carver’s courses
- 1901-02. co-taught with Frederick Alexander Bushée. Economics 14. Socialism and Communism
- 1902-03. Includes exam with the linked reading list.
- 1904-05
- 1905-06
- [1906-07, Carver was on his European sabbatical]
- 1907-08.
- 1908-09.
- 1909-10. Includes a list of topics and references.
- 1910-11.