Class Analysis
Capitalism in Crisis: What is to be Done?
Published on November 13, 2011VIDEOIn this fifth year of economic crisis, as the 99% bear its mounting costs, a new movement is rising to confront and change the system in crisis. What strategy should we pursue, what choices must we make to realize the historic potential of our movement?
Richard Wolff speaks by the central fountain in Washington Square Park.
The originality of Occupy Wall Street
The political movements of the left that I have participated in over many decades were almost always focused on or prioritized particular issues (wars, civil liberties, civil rights, poverty, collective bargaining, etc.) and/or particular subsections of the population (African-Americans, women, gay people, immigrants, etc.). The authorities almost always took advantage of that focus to separate and isolate the movement from society generally. They were often successful.
Global Capitalism - A Monthly Update & Discussion (Nov 2011)
Published on November 8, 2011VIDEOThese Tuesday evenings will each begin with an update and analysis of major economic events of the last month and their contexts of longer-term economic trends shaping politics and society here and abroad. We will focus on the evolving global capitalist economic crisis and its consequences. We will examine topics such as
Economic Update on WBAI Nov 5
Published on November 6, 2011AUDIOBrief updates cover China's latest financial interventions in Europe, Greece scapegoated as France and Germany deflect domestic attention and criticism of their austerity programs, comparison of European and US crisis-coping mechanisms, and poor US showing on OECD social justice indicators. We air the first part of fascinating interview with Occupy Wall Street activist Christina Towne on how and why she got involved. The second part - Towne's views on how and where OWS is developing as a movement - will be aired Nov. 12.
American Revolution - By Press TV
Published on November 6, 2011VIDEOBroadcast Date: 30 Oct. 2011 Watch on YouTube
Thousands of Americans have been occupying Wall Street for weeks. Is this the start of the American revolution?
They say they are defending the 99 percent of Americans against the wealthiest 1 percent who control 50 percent of America's wealth.
Since the 2008 financial crisis, which was caused by the financial sector, the US economy has been in and out of recession. Thousands of people have lost their jobs, real wages are declining and benefits have been cut.
How Class Works
Published on November 1, 2011VIDEOIn the below animation and audio presentation, Wolff explains what class is all about and applies that understanding to the foreclosure crisis of 2007–2011. He argues that class concerns the "way our society splits up the output [and] leaves those who get the profits in the position of deciding and figuring out what to do with them...Economic Update on WBAI Oct 29
Published on October 30, 2011AUDIOUpdates on recent OECD reports on social justice, poverty, education and taxing offshore wealth across 31 countries with focus on US, on China's funding on European bailout and purchase of Saab, on the European leaders scapegoating Greece to divert attention from their own austerity programs, and on comparing US and European responses to the global capitalist crisis. Analysis of just released Congressional Budget Office report on "Trends in the Distribution of Household Income, 1979-2007" proving how 1% top income receivers gained at the expense of other 99%.
Top Economists on How to Fix the Economy
On Wednesday, October 12th 2011, the New America Foundation released a bold new plan to pull the global economy back from the brink. Economists give The Daily Beast their views. Plus, read the details of the proposal.Published on October 25, 2011Jared Bernstein, senior fellow, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
I think the authors are absolutely on the right track. and they’re smart to get outside the usual constraints—they essentially ignore issues like “shovel ready” or how our economy could actually absorb $240 billion a year in new infrastructure projects without trying to drink from a firehose. They say we will help underwater-mortgage holders who can ultimately service their loans but not the ones who can’t, when, of course, it’s not obvious which is which.
Against the Grain - KPFA Radio Interview (Oct 19, 2011)
Published on October 23, 2011AUDIORichard Wolff discusses the crisis of capitalism, how the US became so unequal--and why he believes revolution, not reform, is in order.
The David Pakman Show - Income Inequality Isn't Good for America
Published on October 23, 2011VIDEORichard Wolff, Economics Professor and one of David's former professors, joins in on The David Pakman Show to dispel conservative propaganda about why rising income inequality isn't a bad thing, and explains the nuts and bolts of why significant income inequality negatively affects the economy. After viewing the clips visit our Election Central 2012 page and participate in our 3 part election survey.
