U.S. Empire is Creating Its Own Demise with Growing Inequality, Endless Wars w/ Prof. Richard Wolff

Don't miss Richard Wolff on Rachel Blevins Podcast as they cover the latest US economic situation, focusing on issues like inflation, unemployment, and growing inequality. They delve into the challenges facing the US economy and the impact on average citizens. The conversation expands to US foreign policy, questioning the sustainability of the US empire's actions around the globe. They discuss the international conflicts, particularly the situation between Israel and Palestine, emphasizing the moral and ethical considerations. The dialogue highlights the urgency for a reevaluation of US leadership, global engagement, and the need for significant societal and economic changes to address prevailing issues.

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Understanding Capitalism w/Richard Wolff

Give Them An Argument w/Ben Burgis interviews Richard Wolff, focusing on his new book "Understanding Capitalism." Wolff discusses capitalism, monopolies, and myths surrounding the economic system. He delves into the misconception that monopolies are the root of the issues within capitalism, explaining that while addressing monopolies is important, it does not fundamentally change the employer-employee relationship at the core of capitalism. He highlights the aspirations of many to become their own bosses as a form of subconscious critique of the current system. The interview touches on the evolving nature of capitalism and the need to consider what comes next in economic systems. Wolff also reflects on the legacy of Michael Brooks and shares insights on collaborative projects that were planned before Brooks' passing.

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Stocks Crash & Rebound: Is a New Recession Coming?

Don't miss Richard Wolff on The Socialist Program as they cover the recent stock market crashes and rebounds, highlighting the uncertainty and volatility in the market. They discuss the ruling against Google for illegal monopoly practices, exposing the impact on competition in the search industry. The conversation also delves into how capitalists exploit monopolies to inflate prices and generate profits, ultimately burdening consumers. The interview emphasizes the hidden costs of monopolies on working-class individuals and illuminates the manipulative tactics used by powerful corporations. Through a Marxist lens, they analyze the interconnected dynamics of competition and monopoly within capitalism, shedding light on the systemic inequalities perpetuated by corporate entities and billionaires.

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US HEGEMONY ENDS: Economic Decline, Rise of BRICS & Political Turmoil

Lena Petrova Podcast features Richard Wolff discussing the current phase the United States is in, comparing it to the decline of past empires. They delve into the economic factors contributing to the US economy's challenges, including the decline in demand for US debt held by foreign countries. The conversation also touches on shifting global power dynamics, potential risks of hyperinflation, and the importance of facing reality and seeking alternative perspectives to navigate the complexities of the current economic landscape. Despite expressing concern over leaders' reluctance to address these issues, both remain optimistic about the possibility of finding solutions through open conversations and collective action. Lastly, they highlight the importance of raising awareness and fostering dialogue to address the challenges at hand.

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US DECLINE: Massive Bank Crashes, Economic Downturn Accelerates

In this Lena Petrova Podcast interview, Richard Wolff discusses the concerning state of the U.S. economy and potential challenges ahead. He highlights the growing inequality of income and wealth over the past 40 years and the emergence of the People's Republic of China as a major economic competitor. Wolff expresses fears of potential turmoil in the banking sector due to high vacancy rates in commercial real estate and banks losing liquidity. He mentions the lack of a national plan to address these issues, with the only solution seeming to be seeking government bailouts. Wolff emphasizes the uncertainty surrounding future economic developments, influenced by factors like political decisions, global trade dynamics, and the rise of economic nationalism.

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How Huawei Is Beating U.S. Sanctions

The Socialist Program welcomes Richard Wolff to discuss the success of Huawei despite U.S. sanctions and the role of state funding in its growth. Wolff criticizes the propaganda around government subsidies, stating that such support is common in the U.S. and plays a crucial role in industries like agriculture and defense. He highlights the failure of economic warfare, exemplified by sanctions imposed by the U.S., and emphasizes the decline of the American Empire. Wolff contrasts the economic models of China and the U.S., noting China's hybrid 50-50 split between private and state-owned enterprises and the different outcomes of their industrial policies. Lastly, he points out the ideological bias in narratives about Huawei and stresses the need for informed discussions on economic warfare and government subsidies.

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Tariffs Don’t Protect Jobs. Don’t Be Fooled

Both Trump and Biden imposed high tariffs on imported products made in China and other countries. Those impositions broke with and departed from the previous half century’s policies favoring “free trade” (less or minimal government intervention in international markets). Free trade policies facilitated “globalization,” the euphemism for the post-1970 surge in U.S. corporations’ investing abroad: producing and distributing there, re-locating operations there, and merging with foreign enterprises there. Presidents before Trump had insisted that free trade plus globalization best served U.S. interests. Both Democratic and Republican administrations had enthusiastically endorsed that insistence. Dutifully performing ideological support duties, they stressed how globalization’s benefits to U.S. corporations would “trickle down” to the rest of us. Globalizing U.S. corporations used portions of their profits to reward both parties with donations and other electoral and lobbying supports.

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Capitalism Will Always Produce Inequality

In this episode of The Zero Hour with RJ Eskow, Richard Wolff shares insights on global wealth inequality highlighted in recent studies from Oxfam and Wilkinson and Pickett. The interview discusses how capitalism, once heralded for ideals like equality, has perpetuated deepening inequalities over the years. Addressing the failure of regulated capitalism, Wolff argues that the system allows the wealthy to capture regulators, hindering effective change. The conversation delves into how the education system and societal structures contribute to intellectual inequality, limiting diverse perspectives and perpetuating existing power structures. Finally, a personal anecdote from Wolff sheds light on the delusions of grandeur that perpetuate inequality among those at the top of the hierarchy.

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Richard Wolff: Resilience in a Time of Change

Don't miss Richard Wolff on WDRT 91.9fm as they cover various critical economic topics. Dr. Wolff discusses the changing global economic landscape, highlighting the rise of China as a major economic player. He emphasizes the need for resiliency in facing economic challenges and advises diversifying investments, including in gold. Dr. Wolff raises concerns about the declining American economy and its impact on job markets and trade. The interview concludes with insights on adapting to a shifting economic environment and the importance of being prepared for potential changes ahead.

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Trump and the Billionaires

Join Richard Wolff on The Socialist Program as they explore the impact of billionaires like Elon Musk endorsing and financially supporting political campaigns, such as Trump's, with a focus on the changing economic landscape and the tensions between old and new capitalists. They discuss the historical pattern of capitalism that shifts based on profitability, causing conflicts within capitalist groups who seek different government interventions in their favor. The conversation delves into how current political tendencies, like proposing extreme tariffs against China, signify a declining American empire unwilling to adapt to a changing global dynamic. Wolff argues that the U.S. lacks genuine representation for the working class, with both Democrats and Republicans maintaining a system that benefits the wealthy elite at the expense of the majority. The interview concludes by emphasizing the urgent need for the U.S. to acknowledge its declining status and to cooperatively engage with emerging global powers for a sustainable future.

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The Critical Hour: Weekly News Wrap Up (20.07.2024)

On The Critical Hour, Richard Wolff offers perspectives on global political economic dynamics, emphasizing the misjudgments of the U.S. in its confrontations with China and the seizing of Russian assets. He critiques past strategies, such as Trump's tariffs and trade wars that failed to cripple China's economic growth, which continued at a pace three times that of the U.S. Wolff warns of the risks for foreign investments in the U.S. considering the potential for seized assets, suggesting any such deal by China under current circumstances would be ill-advised. He addresses the emergent multipolar world economic order where the BRICS countries are now an economic powerhouse surpassing the traditional dominance of the West. Finally, Wolff stresses the importance of recognizing the shifting balances of global power, signaling a decline in Western capitalism, as countries strategize to navigate between the opposing geopolitical tensions.

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China Dumps US Debt, Fearing a Capitalist Armageddon

Watch Richard Wolff on Thinkers Forum as they discuss the shifting landscape of global capitalism, highlighting the transition of economic growth from the West to the East, with BRICS countries surpassing the G7 in GDP. Wolff critiques the American capitalist system, underscoring how corporations and the rich avoid taxes while receiving government services, leading to a reliance on borrowing and growing national debt. He explains that governments borrow from the wealthy, who benefit from not paying taxes and instead lending money to the state with interest. Wolff suggests this unsustainable model favors the elite and can lead to crisis if the masses refuse to bear the burden of debt repayment. The interview also touches on historical capitalist movements, noting how industrial centers shift to maximize profits, with China emerging as a powerful economic influence at the expense of traditional Western hegemonies.

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China Has to Make a HUGE Decision Now

Join Richard Wolff on Thinkers Forum as they explore the consequences of neoliberalism and globalization on the American working class, with a critical look at the policies from roughly the 1970s to 2015. Wolff highlights how these policies helped corporations profit by outsourcing labor and accessing new markets, while resulting in significant job losses and economic downturn in the US, particularly impacting the manufacturing sector and cities like Detroit. Political scapegoats, such as immigrants and China, have been utilized to divert blame from corporate and political leaders for the decline in American worker conditions and the rise in economic challenges. The interview delves into the ways in which both major political parties in the US have contributed to this issue, with Republicans focusing more on anti-immigrant sentiment while Democrats place more emphasis on blaming China, despite corporate America's continued interest in globalization.

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Brutal Signs of a Collapsing Empire

Richard Wolff discusses on Dialogue Works his perspective that both Western political ideologies and capitalism are in decline, as evidenced by election outcomes like Emmanuel Macron's defeat in France. He notes that neither the political right nor the left propose viable solutions to the systemic issues facing capitalist societies. Wolff highlights the growing economic might of China and asserts that the West's failure to establish partnerships with emerging powers is a strategic mistake. He views the BRICS countries' initiative for a North-South transportation corridor as a future economic powerhouse, with Europe potentially losing out for not being more integrated. Wolff concludes by expressing disappointment over Western denial of their declining global economic influence and calls for a more honest assessment of global economic shifts.

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France Marches Left as Far Right Suffers Huge Setback

In this The Socialist Program episode, Richard Wolff and Brian Becker talk about the surprising victory of the left in France under the new popular front, challenging the Macron government and the far right. He criticizes the biased coverage of the elections in the United States, emphasizing the importance of the leftist victory as indicative of broader shifts in European politics. Wolff points out that young French voters mainly supported socialist candidates, signifying a potential sustained leftist presence in French politics. Addressing American politics, he highlights the comparative exclusion of socialism within the U.S. political system, where major media fails to present socialist perspectives, and meaningful choices are limited by the dominant parties. Finally, he discusses the potential impact of another Donald Trump presidency on American society, suggesting that it could signify a rightward shift enacted by Supreme Court decisions rather than reflecting the true will of the American people.

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The Critical Hour: Weekly News Wrap-Up: Biden Debate Debacle

On The Critical Hour, Richard Wolff offers perspectives on the recent US presidential debate, critiquing the state of American capitalism and leadership. He scrutinizes the economic systems of the United States and other Western countries, noting a shift in global financial power to the BRICS nations. Wolff dismisses the personal economic claims of both candidates as irrelevant to the systemic issues facing the country, emphasizing the deeper structural failures such as the inability to provide adequate housing. He highlights the US's recent military and geopolitical losses as indicative of a declining empire, urging a more introspective national assessment. Additionally, Wolff challenges the notion that either Trump’s or Biden’s administration could single-handedly shape the economy, pointing to the complexities of global economic dynamics and growth disparities.

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BRICS on the Rise, Countries Ditching the Dollar & U.S. Empire Declines

Don't miss Richard Wolff on Rachel Blevins show as they cover the state of the US economy, exploring the rising cost of living and Americans' dwindling optimism about the economic future. Wolff criticizes other economists and mainstream media for being out of touch with the average person's struggles, highlighting the inability of many Americans to afford housing and education costs. They discuss the global economic shift as the BRICS alliance—Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa—surpasses the G7’s economic influence, reshaping world dynamics and lessening US power. With attention on the shift from dollar dependency and potential emergence of a collective global currency, Wolff proposes a future where instead of seeking dominance, leading countries like China might pursue a collective and more equitable global arrangement. Throughout the interview, both Wolff and Blevins emphasize a disconnect between government priorities and the needs of ordinary people, illustrated through domestic and international economic policies.

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Israel is Losing Significantly, and It's Only Getting Worse

Watch Richard Wolff on Dialogue Works as they discuss the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and its repercussions in the United States, particularly in the context of student demonstrations and university responses. Wolff highlights the historical struggles between Israelis and Palestinians, emphasizing the imbalanced power dynamic and the controversial Israeli military actions, which he argues have only worsened the crisis. He expresses deep concern that U.S. universities and police have suppressed student protests against U.S. foreign policy through force, possibly curtailing civil liberties and igniting a wider student movement. Wolff also discusses the shifting global sympathies towards Palestine, fearing that Israel's actions are damaging its position and amplifying support for Palestinians as victims. Lastly, Wolff stresses the potential long-term impacts of these events, forecasting an energized movement among students and faculty that could influence future American politics and foreign policy.

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West's Colossal Failure: Peace Summit in Switzerland, US Decline, Rise of BRICS

On Dialogue Works, Richard Wolff covers the topic of global political dynamics, particularly focusing on the Ukraine conflict, the West's decline in influence, and the rise of China. He dissects the West's attempt to maintain control, despite the shifting economic balance towards Eastern powers like China and Russia, and criticizes the West's symbolic political gestures as ineffective. Wolff suggests that the efforts to break up Russia or isolate China are futile, as they form a strategic alliance with each other and with other nations turning away from Western alliances. He highlights the changing world order, where BRICS is expanding and the U.S. dollar's global role is waning, and describes the U.S. military spending and foreign policy rooted in a historical context of violence. Finally, Wolff argues that American politics is largely theatrical, failing to adapt to a world that no longer conforms to its narratives of dominance and seeing enemies everywhere.

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Capitalist Speculators Drive the Dangerous Math Behind Nuclear Energy

Richard Wolff joins The Socialist Program to discuss the recent 233% surge in uranium prices over five years due to geopolitical tensions and a shift in energy demands. Wolff emphasizes that the price spike is being driven not only by increased interest in nuclear energy as an alternative to Russian fuels but also by speculators seeking capital gains. He critiques the capitalist system for prioritizing profit over environmental and public health, highlighting how massive subsidies for fossil fuels could be redirected to develop renewable energy. Wolff also touches on the pressures faced by countries like India and China, as they seek to develop while dealing with historical economic disparities. Ultimately, he underscores the need for mass movement and public engagement to overcome the capitalist interests dominating global energy policy decisions.

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Economic Update: Labor Vs Capital Struggle in US Intensifies

In this week’s Economic Update, Professor Richard Wolff discusses The Washington Post's exposure of the corporate rich sponsoring police repression against student protests and how Boeing rewards CEOs while it exhibits the airlines' worst safety record. In addition, the UAW loses union election as German capitalists and southern governors join forces to intimidate workers with job threats. Finally, we highlight why mass public transport is a better alternative to gas-powered vehicles than electric vehicles.

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U.S. Escalates ‘Nuclear’ Risk: World Stands On 'Edge' Of Destruction

On David Lin's show, Richard Wolff covers the topic of escalating tensions in the Ukraine conflict and the potential descent into World War III not being adequately addressed in mainstream media. He outlines how Western powers, by potentially allowing Ukraine to conduct strikes inside Russia and discussing the use of Russia's seized assets to fund Ukraine's war efforts, have drastically escalated the situation. Wolff suggests that this confrontation is the most severe since the Cuban Missile Crisis, with the potential to broaden into a direct conflict involving the U.S. and Europe. Additionally, he touches on economic dimensions, criticizing U.S. sanctions against Russia as ineffective due to strengthening Russia-China ties, and he also presents his views on domestic economic policies, recommending alternatives to interest rate hikes for combating inflation. Lastly, Wolff advocates for workplace democracy, arguing that it could resolve economic dysfunctions and promote a broader democratic ethos.

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U.S. Health System Fails Cancer Patients, But Wildly Successful for Investors

Richard Wolff provides insights on The Socialist Program regarding the problematic nature of profiteering in the American healthcare system, especially the impact on cancer patients. He criticizes the system's failure to provide essential services and the resultant medical bankruptcies that affect two-thirds of Americans. Wolff emphasizes the stark contrast between the U.S. healthcare model and universal healthcare systems in Europe and other countries, which manage to cover all citizens at a lower cost and with better health outcomes. Discussing the immense profits of insurance companies and pharmaceuticals, he sees a fundamental need for a systemic overhaul to achieve equitable healthcare access. Despite being achievable under capitalism, Wolff argues that entrenched interests make such health reforms difficult without significant political transformation.

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The End of Financial Colonialism | Richard D. Wolff and Michael Hudson

Dialogue Works features Richard Wolff and Michael Hudson discussing the evolving geopolitical climate, specifically focusing on the shifts in global power dynamics involving Russia, China, and the West. He talks about the complex interplay between international trade, political ideologies, and the apparent failure of the U.S. to adapt to a multipolar world moving away from dollar hegemony. Both Wolff and his fellow speaker express doubts about the effectiveness of current U.S. foreign policies, criticizing their aggressive stance towards China and Russia. They predict worsening global relations unless there is a significant shift toward cooperation, and they highlight the potential for emerging economies to reset their financial and trade frameworks independent of the U.S. influence. Lastly, the interview touches on the diminishing impact of two-party political systems and the long-term implications of ongoing global conflicts.

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The Critical Hour: Weekly News Wrap Up (25.05.2024)

Richard Wolff provides insights on The Critical Hour regarding the state of the U.S. labor market, dismissing the notion that low unemployment is a sign of strength when wages and purchasing power are not keeping pace with inflation. Wolff argues that the real measure of a strong labor market should include job security, adequate benefits, and living wages that can keep up with the cost of living. He criticizes the mainstream narrative that the economy is strong when many Americans are experiencing a deterioration in their economic conditions. Citing historical examples, Wolff suggests alternative measures to combat inflation, such as price controls, that don't rely solely on interest rate hikes which can exacerbate the problem. Lastly, he calls out the disconnect between official economic indicators and the reality faced by non-supervisory, working-class Americans.

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