The Critical Hour: Weekly News Wrap Up (March 8)

Prof Wolff joins The Critical Hour to discuss President Biden's State of the Union address, expressing that Biden's narrative of a strong economy is disconnected from the reality of American inequality and struggles. According to Wolff, the president's optimistic depiction contradicts the actual economic hardships like homelessness, mental health issues, and inadequate responses to community problems. Despite favorable job growth headlines, Wolff criticizes the nature of these jobs and the systemic issues not being addressed, undermining the positive spin. He also covers Britain's political landscape, highlighting George Galloway's surprising election victory as an indicator of public disillusionment with traditional politics and a shift towards socialist perspectives. Lastly, Wolff touches on the decline of American power internationally, citing failed foreign policy in Israel-Palestine and Ukraine as examples of a diminishing U.S. empire.

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Richard Wolff Live With Black Power Media

Prof. Wolff joins Black Power Media to discuss socialism, economics, and the transformative power of worker cooperatives. He emphasizes that socialism, for him, involves collective decision-making around production and distribution, democratically controlling the surplus that workers create. Co-ops are seen as a transitional strategy towards socialism but are not a magic bullet; political and cultural changes are also needed. They offer a framework to practice economic democracy, challenging capitalist power structures and the training in non-participation that workers experience. Wolff advocates aligning economics with democracy to build towards a society offering real equality and better quality of life for all.

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Dialogue Works: NATO's Hunger to Lose - George Galloway's Win - Nuland's Resignation

Prof Wolff joins Dialogue Works to discuss current geopolitical tensions, including Europe's involvement in Ukraine, neoconservative influence in US foreign policy, and the shifting balance of power in the global economy. He highlights the West's failure to undermine Russia, European politicians' refusal to admit mistakes, and the risks Europe faces by aligning too closely with the US. He stresses the need for Europe to form a distinct economic block and advocates for reevaluating relationships with Russia and China given their growing economic influence. Wolff also comments on the changing US domestic political landscape and its potential impact on foreign policy decisions. Lastly, he acknowledges the shifting global economic power from the G7 to BRICS, predicting it will result in more countries turning to BRICS for better economic and political deals.

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The Socialist Program: Billionaire Power: An American Obscenity

In this episode, Prof Wolff and Brian Becker delve into the reasons behind the concentration of nearly $1 trillion in wealth among just five individuals, contrasting this with the modest one-time awards or cash prizes typically received by inventors, scholars, and celebrated figures in various disciplines. They also explore how Jeff Bezos was able to run Amazon without turning a profit for nine years, a feat unattainable for most businesses, which struggle to survive beyond a few months without profit.

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Economic Update: Capitalism, Gender, And A Split Society

This week's episode of Economic Update hosted by Professor Richard Wolff, we discuss the underemployed of US college graduates, failed anti-Russian sanctions, the collapsed UK birthrate, and expanding wars in the Middle East, we will dive into the costs and risks in absence of a ceasefire in Gaza. Finally we Interview Dr. Harriet Fraad, host of Capitalism Hits Home and a clinical therapist. Professor Wolff and Dr. Fraad explore the post 1970's deindustrialization in the US, its impact on white males versus other social groups, and resulting US social splits. Read more...


Economic Update: Breaking Up With Capitalism

This week's episode of Economic Update hosted by Professor Richard Wolff, we discuss the Philadelphia University of the Artist Faculty Union and its struggles; we clarify what declining inflation does and does not mean; we answer the question: as to why sanctions fail. Finally we interview Essence Magazine's senior news & politics editor author, lawyer Malaika Jabali and discuss her newly released book "It's Not You Its Capitalism". Read more


Dialogue Works: Ukraine Losing, Russia Winning, Neocons Endless Defeats - Tucker's Interview

Prof Wolff joins Dialogue Works to provide insights on his perspective regarding the interview with Vladimir Putin by Fox News host Tucker Carlson. He discusses the importance of such interviews as opportunities to understand official positions and potentially uncover new information about international conflicts such as the war in Ukraine. Wolff criticizes American media for attacking Carlson and emphasized the need for open communication and the value of letting opponents like Putin express their views. He mentions the historical context and past conflicts that shape Russia's defensive posture and notes the change in trade currency from the dollar, indicating a strategic shift by Russia towards other economies. Lastly, Wolff observes Carlson's journey of realization and potential ideological shift as he recognizes the discrepancies between propagated narratives of U.S. capitalism and the realities he is beginning to acknowledge.

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The Socialist Program: Why Are Workers Drowning in Credit Card Debt?

In this discussion, Prof Wolff joins Walter Smolarek to explore the reasons behind the significant credit card debt among workers. They delve into this issue amidst news that the financial behemoth Capital One is attempting to acquire another major player, Discover, for over $35 billion.

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Economic Update: Capitalism and Tax Injustice

This week's episode of Economic Update hosted by Professor Richard Wolff, we discuss Germany's recession, California fast-food workers unionize, How the war in Ukraine boosts US stock market, corporate stock holdings, while hurting most wage/salary incomes, In addition we ask what lessons from the protest/revolt of European farmers? Finally, the ongoing exposing of major injustices of the US federal tax system (tax exemptions for schools, churches, hospitals, and charities and social security's flat tax system) Find out more


Eftertryk Magasin: Richard Wolff Interview With Martin Haumann

Richard wolff joins Martin Haumann to engage in a detailed discussion concerning both American and Danish political landscapes. The conversation aims to dissect the intricacies of the global economy, exploring how economic policies and practices impact societies on a worldwide scale. They also delve into the topic of militarism, discussing its role and consequences in global affairs, as well as the significance of alternative media in today's information ecosystem, examining its influence on public opinion and its capacity to challenge mainstream narratives.

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Economic Update: The U.S. Tax System Designed For Economic Injustice

[EU S14 E06]

This week's episode of Economic Update hosted by Professor Richard Wolff, we will be discussing the increasingly more common corporate threats to force remote workers back to working onsite. We then turn to Ukraine war economics, US vs BGI as anti-Chinese economic nationalism, US's escalation of war in the Middle East, and finally a critique of the US tax system's injustices. Read More


Economic Update: The US Economy As An Apartheid System

[EU S14 E05]

This week's episode of Economic Update hosted by Professor Richard Wolff, we will be discussing the continuing decline of US manufacturing; a 29,000 person strike at California State Univ.; the Houthis disrupt Red Sea shipping in move against Israel; and Texas refuses to obey US federal government's rules in struggle over immigration and white supremacy. In addition we have a special Interview with leading economist Prof. Michael Hudson on basic crises facing US capitalism. Read More...


Dialogue Works: Pinning Hopes on a Demonstrated Loser

Prof Wolff joins Dialogue Works to discuss the historical and current European and global politics surrounding Russia and Europe's relationship with the United States. He contends that Europe has often been the aggressor in historical conflicts with Russia and questions the notion of Russia as a contemporary threat. Wolff argues that U.S. policy seeks to make Europe bear the costs of American confrontation with China and BRICS, while Europe risks economic and political stability due to sanctions against Russia. He suggests that Europe must choose its path carefully, potentially finding an independent role or aligning with the U.S. or BRICS, with far-reaching implications for its future. Lastly, Wolff emphasizes that internal opposition in Israel is strong and warns against the endless cycle of violence without resolution.

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Economic Update: US Capitalism At The Crossroads

[EU S14 E04]

This week’s Economic Update Professor Richard Wolff discusses the special dimensions and qualities of the US labor movement's current dynamism; Thomas Piketty’s analysis showing how capitalism generates widening wealth and income gaps leading to crashes or simmering, divisive, and domestic resentments. Leading to the system itself becomes destabilized. Read More...


New Rules: ‘The Empire is Over’: America's Long Economic Decline

In this episode of the New Rules podcast, Professor Richard Wolff explains why you should not believe the media hype about the US economy’s “strong performance." Despite recent upbeat statistics, an economic and geopolitical storm is brewing – one that Biden can’t handle.

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Danny Haiphong: China, Russia, Brics and the Decline of the US Empire

Richard Wolff joins Danny Haiphong to discuss his view on how the last year led to an acceleration in the decline of US hegemony and how economic war on Russia, China, and BRICS is shaping the new world order.

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Economic Update: As The Empire Crumbles

[EU S14 E03]

In this week's episode of EU, Prof.Wolff delivers updates on the mass closing of Greyhound bus stations around the U.S., the escalating strengths of Russian obstacles in Ukraine, the choice the UK faces between paying for the bombing of Yemen or funding their National Health Service, how Boeing's safety debacle propelled China into the lead of global automotive exports and how Israel has also been aversely affected by the shifts and changes of the world economy caused by the decline of U.S. dominance. Read More...


Dialogue Works: Why are China and Russia the US No. 1 Enemy?

Prof Wolff joins Dialogue Works and Michael Hudson to discuss various aspects of socialism, the economic systems in Europe and China, the impact of military interventions on economies, and the consequences of sanctions. They highlight the challenges and contradictions within socialist parties in Europe, the different models of socialism, and the role of military actions in shaping global economic dynamics. The conversation also touches upon the sanctions imposed on Russia and their unintended consequences on the global automobile industry.

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Robinson's Podcast: A Marxist’s Case For Palestine

In this episode of Robinson's Podcast, Prof Wolff and Robinson delve into the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict, exploring Richard's perspective shaped by his Marxist training. The discussion revolves around the role of class in the conflict, the influence of ideology, the characterization of Israel as a refugee state, the suppression of pro-Palestinian views in the United States, and an exploration of how Marx might have approached the resolution of the conflict.

 

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The Socialist Program: AI Plus Capitalism a Recipe for Mass Unemployment?

On this episode of The Socialist Program Walter Smolarek and Prof. Richard Wolff discuss the dramatic new report from the IMF showing that 40 percent of all jobs in the world could be impacted by the introduction of Artificial Intelligence. Fears are deepening about mass unemployment, exploding inequality, and other potential consequences of the integration of this new technology into the world capitalist system.

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Economic Update: Corporations vs Democracy

[EU S14 E02]

In this weeks show, Prof. Wolff analyzes the corporation. It stands as a basic institution blocking real democracy in our society. The corporation's structure and operations empower and enrich a tiny social minority at the expense of the people's wealth and democratic power. Like the critiques of slave plantations and feudal manors that preceded the disappearance of those systems, the growing critique of capitalism reflects but also informs critical social movements now. Read More...


Dialogue Works: Global Economy's Momentous Shift and Monumental Inequality

Prof Wolff, Michael Hudson join Dialogue Works to discuss economic challenges faced by countries like Argentina due to high levels of debt and inflation. The conversation delves into global movements advocating for debt forgiveness, emphasizing the potential impact on politics and economics. The speakers question the widely held perception of capitalism as the most effective system, attributing it to the ideological dominance established by the United States as a global empire. They discuss the evolution of capitalism, noting a shift towards finance capitalism or neo-feudalism and drawing a comparison between the economic approaches of the US and China. The critique extends to the lack of democracy within workplaces under capitalism, highlighting contradictions between employment structures and societal ideals of democracy. Additionally, the rise of the professional managerial class and the potential challenges posed by automatic intelligence are explored.

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What Is to Be Done?

Article by Richard D. Wolff

"In 1863, the Russian social critic, Nikolay Chernyshevsky, published a novel entitled “What Is to Be Done?” Its story revolves around a central heroine, Vera Pavlovna, and her four dreams. It brilliantly intertwines her personal life and the social turmoil of Russia’s transition at the time from feudalism to capitalism. Chernyshevsky, a revolutionary imprisoned by the Czarist government, wrote a novel that was nothing less than a pioneering work of socialist feminism. In it, he also passionately appealed for an urban, industrial economy based on worker cooperatives, a modern and transformed version of Russia’s earlier agrarian communes. An appreciative Lenin entitled one of his most important political pamphlets, published in 1902, 'What Is to Be Done?'"

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Economic Update: U.S. China Decoupling Myth

[EU S14 E1]

Happy New Year! For our first Economic Update of 2024, Professor Richard Wolff discusses the myth of the current narrative of the United States disconnecting itself economically from the Republic of China. Read More...


Professor Richard Wolff and The Brock Press Discuss Transition to Worker Ownership

Professor Richard Wolff presented and discussed the potential of worker cooperatives with "The Brock Press" - a small Canadian business that recently converted into a cooperative. The conversation covered various aspects of transitioning to a worker cooperative model, emphasizing the importance of advocacy and raising awareness. The discussion touched upon scenarios where retiring business owners may choose to transition their enterprise into a cooperative, and Professor Wolff addressed questions about expertise in business and finance, highlighting the cooperative's ability to seek external expertise when needed.


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