India & Global Left: US Labor Movement, Democrats & politics, Chinese Economy & NYT
Prof. Wolff joins India & Global Left in a discussion about the revival of the Labor movement in the US. The conversation delves into the role of the Democratic party and the state of the new Left in the US, especially in the aftermath of the perceived decline of the Sanders movement post-2020. Additionally, insights are shared regarding Prof. Wolff's perspectives on the reporting by liberal US Western press such as the NYT and FT on the apparent slowdown of the Chinese economy. The video concludes with Prof. Wolff offering his reflections on rethinking socialism in the present day.
Read moreThe Decline of the U.S. Empire and the Emerging Multipolar World
Prof Wolff joins Rachel Blevins to discuss various aspects of U.S. foreign policy and economic challenges. He expresses skepticism about the Biden administration's handling of international conflicts, particularly the focus on foreign funding for conflicts in Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan. He criticizes the administration's economic approach, highlighting its failure to explore alternative measures to address inflation, such as wage-price freezes and rationing. Wolff also touches on the declining influence of the U.S. in the global arena, emphasizing the emergence of China and other BRICS nations as significant competitors. Throughout the interview, Wolff urges for a more realistic assessment of the changing world order and its implications for the U.S. economy.
Read moreThe Socialist Program: Behind Zelensky's Trip to Washington: The Ukraine War Is Financing US Capitalists
In this discussion, Brian Becker and Professor Richard Wolff explore the symbiotic relationship between the US economy and the military-industrial complex. They emphasize the continuous wars, the escalating defense budget (proposed at $842 billion for 2024), and the monopolistic nature of the military-industrial complex. The conversation draws parallels with the medical-industrial complex and highlights how both have become integral, non-competitive components of the US economy.
Read moreEconomic Update: Politics, Economics & Chocolate: Capitalism's Flaws & Failures
[EU S13 E45]
This week's episode of Economic Update features updates on the economic crises in Argentina and Germany, the graduate student unionization wave happening across U.S., how & where the chocolate industry is using child labor, a critical analysis of what "profit" means and a departed Kissinger. Read More
Economic Update: The U.S. Military Machine & What It Costs
[S13 E44]
We hope you all enjoy this week's episode of Economic Update featuring updates on Tesla vs the Swedish Unions, a teachers strike in Portland, Oregon, "food insecurity" in the U.S. today, how the King of Britain has been secretly profiting from assets of the dead and a Michigan "entrepreneur" failed in effort to buy electoral defeat of Rachid Tlaib.
In the second half of this week’s episode, Prof. Wolff interviews Norman Solomon on his latest book, "War Made invisible: How America Hides the Human Toll of its Military Machine". Read More
Dialogue Works: Clowns in Charge
Prof Wolff joins Dialogue Works in discussing various global issues, highlighting the shifting dynamics of capitalism and the emergence of socialist critiques. He acknowledges the significance of figures like Jill Stein, Cornel West, and Mary Ann Williamson, emphasizing the need for a unified left opposition to bring about meaningful change. Wolff points out the failures and mistakes of old capitalism, citing recent geopolitical events and the inability of the ruling class to grasp the unfolding revolutionary situation. The growing labor organizing and alliances between social and labor movements are seen as crucial forces challenging the status quo. Overall, Wolff envisions a revolutionary shift driven by both intellectual figures and grassroots movements, signaling a profound transformation in the socio-political landscape.
Read moreThe Socialist Program: 60% Living Paycheck to Paycheck: Time for a New System
On this episode of The Socialist Program, Walter Smolarek and Prof. Richard Wolff discuss the number of people in the U.S. living paycheck to paycheck and the level of disconnect the elites in government have from the working class.
Read moreEconomic Update: American's Self Image VS Reality
[EU S13 E43]
Updates on the closing of a Florida plant that should be converted to worker co-op, oil company profits VS the social damage they do, how mega-corporations (Walmart, Amazon) are taking over the grocery business and the social purpose and the meaning of the "middle class". In the second half of this week's episode, Prof. Wolff interviews Jared Yates Sexton. The discussion focuses on his latest book, "Midnight Kingdom" and how the U.S. practices social control by spinning stories the public sees and hears. Read More
Economic Update: When Labor Movements Rise
[EU S13 E42]
Updates on U.K.’s King Charles in Africa, the unionization struggles at Starbucks, a growing strike against Musk’s Tesla and the Bangladeshi women’s labor strike. An analysis of the economic concept of "surplus" and how capitalism makes it possible. Read More
The Socialist Program: Biden’s Economic Policies: Recession in 2024?
Professor Wolff joins Brian Becker to discuss contrasting views on inflation. The Wall Street Journal suggests that a slowdown in inflation, as indicated by the recent report, could lead to the Federal Reserve halting interest rate hikes. However, UBS bank offers a starkly different prediction, anticipating a potential 2.75 basis points cut in interest rates by 2024, citing risks of disinflation and rising unemployment. Professor Wolff criticizes the Federal Reserve's historical failure in achieving both price stability and maximum employment. The conversation also touches on the U.S.-China relationship, exploring how their economic integration is unraveling, partly due to the perception of China as a growing economic threat to the declining American empire. Professor Wolff emphasizes the need for the U.S. to confront economic realities and adapt to the changing global landscape.
Read moreEconomic Update: Inequality Undermines Health & Healthcare in the U.S.
[S13 E41]
Update on Nobel Prize in economics to Harvard Prof. Claudia Goldin; comment on Maine/Halloween shootings, global financial secrecy index and President Biden's pursuit of money for war. Major segments on (i) UAW strike victories at Ford, GM and Stellantis, and (ii) abortion access victory in France. Read More
Bad Faith: How Does the U.S. Pay for TWO Wars?
Prof Wolff joins Briahna Joy Gray to address Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen's attempt to reassure the public regarding America's investment in Israel amid the Gaza siege. Yellen's statement suggested the feasibility of sustaining two wars—the conflict in Ukraine and Israel's actions in Palestine. In this discussion, the focus revolves around the inflationary consequences linked to military expenditure. The conversation delves into alternative strategies to combat inflation, such as implementing a wage or price freeze, and their potential implications for labor-related goals. Additionally, the conversation touches upon the future trajectory of the Cornel West campaign.
Read moreThe Socialist Program: Cutthroat Bankers' New Scheme: Why Banks Are Suddenly Closing Accounts
In this episode, Professor Richard Wolff and Brian Becker discuss sudden US bank account closures, revealing the profit-driven complexities within the banking system. They explore risk strategies tied to rising interest rates and tighter regulations, highlighting potential economic instability. Comparing the US profit-centric banking with the community-focused approach seen in public banking models in certain European countries and North Dakota, the episode proposes public banking as an alternative solution to prioritize community welfare over profit.
Read moreEconomic Update: Social & Labor Movements Claim Real Victories
[S13 E40] New
Update on Nobel Prize in economics to Harvard Prof. Claudia Goldin; comment on Maine/Halloween shootings, global financial secrecy index and President Biden's pursuit of money for war. Major segments on (i) UAW strike victories at Ford, GM and Stellantis, and (ii) abortion access victory in France. Read More
Dialogue Works: Reversing Roles: When the Tail Leads the Dog
In this interview, Prof Wolff emphasizes the symbiotic relationship between capitalism and socialism, framing socialism as a response to the failings of capitalism. The fall of the Soviet Union doesn't signal the end of socialism but a shift towards capitalist systems. Dissatisfied employees excluded from decision-making will lead movements for change, aiming to democratize workplaces by erasing the employer-employee divide. A future society with diminished state involvement and power redistributed among workers to serve collective interests is envisioned. Additionally, merging experienced voices with younger generations is advocated to construct a future beyond capitalism.
Read moreWhy Capitalism Cannot Finally Repress Socialism
Article by Richard D. Wolff
"Socialism is capitalism’s critical shadow. When lights shift, a shadow may seem to disappear, but sooner or later, with further shifts of light, it comes back. Capitalism’s ideologues have long fantasized that capitalism would finally outwit, outperform, and thereby overcome socialism: make the shadow vanish permanently. Like children, they bemoan their failure when, in the light of new social circumstances, the shadow reappears clear and sharp. Recent efforts to dispel the shadow having failed again, the contest of capitalism versus socialism resumes. In the United States, young people especially applaud socialism so much recently that think tanks like PragerU and the Hoover Institute at Stanford University urgently recycle the old anti-socialist tropes."
Read moreEconomic Update: What Socialism Needs to Succeed
[S13 E39] New
This week's episode features a discussion of (1) the crisis of today's real left; (2) the need to acknowledge, build upon, but also go well beyond the successful socialisms of the 19th and 20th centuries; (3) the macro focus on the state and the omission of a microfocus on the workplace; and (4) democratizing workplaces as 'what is to be done'. Read More
Inconvenient Truth of Our Failed Economic System
The interview with Prof Wolff covers a range of topics, including healthcare systems, capitalism's inefficiencies, inflation, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and global geopolitical issues. Various economic concepts, the failures of capitalism in healthcare, government influence on inflation, and the call for a ceasefire in international conflicts are discussed. Dr. Wolff emphasized the need for alternate approaches to problem-solving, beyond the current reliance on military intervention and wars.
Read moreZero Hour: Why Not Democratize Big Auto Companies?
Prof Wolff joins Zero Hour with RJ Eskow to discuss the recent agreement between the Ford Motor Company and the United Auto Workers and how it relates to the larger issues of labor, capitalism, and democratizing workplaces. The conversation delves into the undemocratic nature of corporations, stock market fluctuations, and the challenges of changing the narrative around workplace democracy. They also explore the idea of democratizing companies and the importance of questioning the current hierarchical structure of corporate governance.
Read moreDialogue Works: Proudly Ignorant
In this interview, Professor Wolff discusses the challenges at the United Nations, the historical context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and the need for a global conference involving major powers to find a resolution. He also touches on how capitalism perpetuates global inequality, the obstacles to international agreements, and the significance of China's Belt and Road Initiative, particularly in Greece, for economic autonomy.
Read moreThe Socialist Program: $106 Billion for Israel, Ukraine, Taiwan: How War Spending Subsidizes Capitalism
Professor Wolff and Brian Becker discuss President Joe Biden's proposed $106 billion military spending package, analyzing its implications. They delve into the origins of the military-industrial complex in the Korean War and how it has evolved into a taxpayer-funded subsidy for defense contractors. Economic challenges in the United States, such as inflation and high interest rates, are examined, alongside the paradox of political leaders touting economic success. Systemic dysfunctions within American politics and the decline of the American empire are highlighted.
G7 Vs. BRICS: Power Struggles are not Class Struggles
Article by Richard D. Wolff
"The newly emerging socialist focus challenges both the US and China, the G7 and BRICS, despite the different balances of state and private enterprises among them."
Read more