English
Marxian Economics
This course provides a working foundation in the core concepts of Marxian economic theory – necessary and surplus labor, labor power, surplus value, exploitation, capital accumulation, distributions of the surplus, capitalist crises, and the differences between capitalist and other class structures. In addition, these core concepts will be systematically used to understand current social problems (including political and cultural as well as economic problems).
Capitalism Hits the Fan Movie
Published on April 30, 2009VIDEO
Watch as Professor Richard Wolff breaks down the root causes of today's economic crisis, showing how it was decades in the making and in fact reflects seismic failures within the structures of American-style capitalism itself. Wolff traces the source of the economic crisis to the 1970s, when wages began to stagnate and American workers were forced into a dysfunctional spiral of borrowing and debt that ultimately exploded in the mortgage meltdown.
Economic Update: May Day and Labor
Published on May 3, 2013AUDIO
Updates on Bangladesh tragedy, drug price gouging, CEO pay and OSHA; discussion of labor strategy then and now; comments on markets, private property and scapegoating government.
On Economic Update with Professor Richard Wolff, Wolff and guests will discuss the current state of the economy, both locally and globally in relation to the economic crisis.
Economic Update: Honoring Labor
Published on May 10, 2013AUDIO
Updates on Pope's critique of capitalism, honeybees and pesticides, achievements of the WPA, and another workers' coop launched. Major discussions of rent and housing economics and accusations of workers' "laziness." Response to listeners on why governments run big debts and labor unions' strategic choices.
On Economic Update with Professor Richard Wolff, Wolff and guests will discuss the current state of the economy, both locally and globally in relation to the economic crisis.
Economic Update: Measuring Capitalism's Results
Published on May 18, 2013AUDIO
Updates on Google caught evading taxes, food stamp nation, public higher ed crisis. Major discussions on the US medical-industrial complex and the meaning of Bangladesh's building collapse. Responses to listener questions on anarchism and economics of private property.
On Economic Update with Professor Richard Wolff, Wolff and guests will discuss the current state of the economy, both locally and globally in relation to the economic crisis.
Social Security's Explosive Injustices
People over 65, a growing share of the US population, are suffering a crisis-ridden capitalist system. High unemployment, reduced private pensions, fewer job benefits, less job security, high personal debt levels, and falling real wages make Social Security payments more important than ever. Yet President Obama and Congress recently agreed to bargain over how much to reduce Social Security payments from current levels. That would not only hurt seniors - but also the children who help them.
Economic Update: Crisis/Individual Lives
Published on April 27, 2013AUDIO
Economic updates of airline delays, minimum wages for tipped workers, global military spending, and profit-driven Bangladesh building collapse. Interview with Barbara Garson on new book, Down the Up Escalator. Comments on new coop restaurant, unemployment office blues, and risks of deflation.
On Economic Update with Professor Richard Wolff, Wolff and guests will discuss the current state of the economy, both locally and globally in relation to the economic crisis.
Economic Update: Tax Truths
Published on April 20, 2013AUDIO
Updates on Europeans limiting CEO pay, Chileans demonstrate for free education, many countries with higher tax rates for the rich than in US, and UNICEF report on cild welfare in US vs other countries. Major analyses of the social security/payroll tax system, property tax on stocks and bonds, Alaska suffers economic blackmail. Listeners questions on inflation, military spending, and useful sources of economic analysis.
