Richard D. Wolff

Prof. Wolff covers the decline of American hegemony and the rise of China in this address to King's College. He emphasizes the need for countries like Nigeria to adapt to this changing global order by strengthening ties with emerging powers and addressing domestic challenges. He encourages Nigeria to embrace the opportunities and challenges of a multipolar world through proactive foreign policy and economic diplomacy.

On "The Socialist Program," Professor Richard Wolff covers the topic of the European Union's requirement for Chinese companies to open factories in Europe and share technology to compete for grants. He discusses the impact of Trump's tariffs on China and how it affects the global economy. Wolff explains the historical context of economic shifts, with China emerging as a major power. He criticizes the lack of government intervention to address job loss in the US due to companies moving production overseas. Wolff emphasizes the need for political mobilization and a shift in economic policies to address systemic inequalities and declining global power dynamics.

Don't miss Dr. Richard Wolff on the show as he covers socialism, Marxism, and common misconceptions surrounding them. Socialism has evolved over two centuries as a reaction to capitalism, aiming to address its flaws. The interview delves into the historical impact of Soviet Russia and Mao's China on socialism and communism. Dr. Wolff discusses the recurring problems of capitalism, such as inequality, instability, and expansion, leading to opposition movements. The conversation also touches on the current state of support for socialism in the West and how the second term of Donald Trump might influence the US and global dynamics.

Richard Wolff and Michael Hudson provide insightful discussions on the current state of the United States economy in an interview. Richard emphasizes the decline of the American empire and the economic challenges it poses, advocating for a new approach to prioritize jobs and economic growth. Michael highlights the consequences of the declining empire, focusing on issues like immigration policy and economic exploitation. They discuss the lack of a coherent narrative in politics, pointing out the need for historical understanding to guide economic decisions. Richard proposed a new narrative emphasizing the importance of job creation, inclusivity, and historical context in addressing economic challenges.

Discover insights from Richard Wolff and RJ Eskrow about the election results and the impact of economic conditions on voters' perceptions. The interview delves into the historical context of the New Deal era and connects it to potential future political dynamics. It explores the potential for a realignment of working-class loyalties between the Democratic and Republican parties based on cultural perceptions. The discussion also touches on the possibility of a mass movement facilitating significant reforms or, conversely, leading towards more extreme solutions on the right. Additionally, the interview highlights the potential for a transformative economic agenda focused on job creation and wealth redistribution as a means to address societal challenges and declining empire.

On today's episode Nicole Roussell and Prof. Richard Wolff discuss the Democrats' failure to discuss the economy—despite it consistently being a vital issue for voters—and how to defeat Trump's far-right agenda.

Connecting the Dots interviews Professor Richard Wolff on the subject of politics, culture, and history. The discussion delves into the impact of current events within a broader historical context. Dr. Wolff critiques the fake economics and rhetoric presented during the election, highlighting issues with portraying immigrants and tariffs as solutions. The conversation underscores the need for a coherent and logical approach to economic policies to benefit the working class. Ultimately, the interview emphasizes the importance of factual information and honest dialogue in shaping political decisions and international relations.

In this episode of Robinson’s Podcast, Richard Wolff and Michael Hudson explore how Marxist economics is vital to understanding contemporary issues and the ongoing decline of the Western world. They discuss the absence of Marxist perspectives in mainstream economic education and examine the critical insights Marxism offers on the dynamics between capitalism, communism, and socialism. Touching on global politics, Wolff and Hudson analyze the fall of the American empire, the impact of the 2024 U.S. election, and shifts in international power structures like Russia, Ukraine, China, and BRICS. They also critique mainstream economists like Paul Krugman, debate the relevance of Marx’s Das Kapital, and share why the Nobel Prize in Economics may be misguided. Their conversation highlights the relevance of Marx's theories to finance, class stratification, and the future of global economies.

In this interview with Dialogue Works, Prof. Wolff discusses the shifting global dynamics at the Brick Summit in Kazan, highlighting the growing economic influence of the BRICS countries. He mentions the internal contradictions within the G7, emphasizing the declining empire of the United States and the geopolitical challenges it faces. Richard also delves into the complex relationships between countries like China, Russia, Iran, and Saudi Arabia, showcasing how economic interests shape international relations. He acknowledges the risks of escalating tensions in the Middle East, particularly regarding Israel's actions and the potential involvement of the United States, pointing out the dangerous path such conflicts could lead to. Lastly, Richard stresses the importance of finding peaceful resolutions and collaboration to avoid devastating consequences, urging for a reevaluation of strategies to navigate the intricate global landscape.

Join Richard Wolff on The Zero Hour With RJ Eskrow as they explore the concern about potential censorship and repression of dissenting voices under a Trump presidency. The discussion delves into historical examples of political retribution and the risk of programs like theirs being silenced. They highlight how both Democratic and Republican parties have exhibited tendencies towards stifling free speech and dissent. The interview touches on the global geopolitical shift towards a new world order and the challenges posed by maintaining freedom of expression in the face of escalating tensions. The conversation urges vigilance in defending free speech and resisting attempts to suppress dissenting voices.

This interview features Richard Wolff and Michael Hudson discussing the legacy of the Biden administration for the next US president, with a focus on conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East. Wolf critiques both political parties for their lack of addressing key issues and suggests a decline in the American empire. Hodson highlights the narrative battles in conflicts and the potential split in capitalist interests regarding war with China. The conversation touches on differing views within the Republican Party on conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, as well as the role of demonizing enemies in shaping perceptions of global issues.

Will the BRICS economic and political alliance change the world's U.S.-centered balance of power? As the annual BRICS summit wraps up in Russia, Democracy Now! hosts a debate between American economist Richard Wolff and South African sociologist Patrick Bond over the significance of the conference. This year, the nine BRICS countries invited 13 new "partner states" into their alliance, which Wolff calls "historic" and "a serious economic competitor to the United States and its role in the world." Bond, on the other hand, argues that BRICS should be considered a "subimperial" formation, which expands and legitimates the existing world economic system rather than truly disrupting it.

On today's episode of The Socialist Program Nicole Roussell and Prof. Richard Wolff discuss the recent decisions by big tech capitalists to reopen old nuclear plants and fund research into new nuclear research, despite the huge health risks. Richard explains how monopolies use advertising to rebrand dangerous products like nuclear energy—evidence of the dictatorship of the bourgeoisie.

Hear from Richard Wolff and Michael Hudson on the U.S. foreign policy in this Dialogue Works interview. Throughout the discussion, various topics were touched upon, including the breakdown of international law, the impact of U.S. foreign policy on global dynamics, and the geopolitical tensions between the East and West. They highlighted the challenges faced by Europe in aligning with U.S. interests and the potential shifts in European politics. The conversation also delved into the current global power struggle and the need for reevaluation of international relations to prevent further escalation and conflict. Overall, the interview underscored the complex nature of contemporary international affairs and the potential for significant shifts in the global balance of power.

Richard Wolf shares his thoughts about immigration, AI, and socialism in this interview with RJ Eskrow. The conversation delves into the benefits of immigration for the United States economy, ethical considerations, and the potential impact of AI on the workforce. They discuss how planned job maintenance and income guarantees can mitigate the effects of AI on unemployment. The interview highlights the need for a socialist approach to address economic challenges and create a future without fear. Wolf advocates for a shift towards socialism to ensure a more equitable and secure society for all.

The rise of finance solved a specific problem that accompanied the rise of global systems of commodity exchange. An enterprising manufacturer, knowing that demand existed for his product but lacking the resources to make it, could go to a bank and borrow money to scale up his workshop or factory. In effect, the entrepreneur borrowed exchange value from the future. How has finance come to dominate the global economy? How has the function of lending changed over time? And how has finance become central to global imperialism?

On this episode of The Socialist Program, Prof. Wolff and Nicole Roussell discuss insurance companies dropping hurricane victims from their rolls and not paying out despite horrendous conditions from Hurricane Helene and with severe Milton on the way.

Richard Wolff, along with Michael Hudson, join Dialogue Works to discuss why the United States appears uninterested in ending conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, despite its capacity to influence these situations. They present a perspective that the U.S. employs proxy forces, such as Israel and Ukraine, to exert control over strategic regions and resources, particularly oil. The dialogue traces the historical development of U.S. foreign policy strategies since the 1970s, highlighting the role of neoconservatives and economic policies like the petrodollar system in maintaining American hegemony. They argue that the U.S. avoids direct military intervention due to domestic constraints and instead relies on military support and economic leverage to sustain ongoing conflicts. The conversation also touches on the internal dynamics within Israel and Ukraine, the impact of these conflicts on global stability, and the challenges to international law and civilized norms.

David Lin interviews Richard Wolff on the subject of global geopolitics, focusing on the escalating tensions in the Middle East, particularly between Israel and its neighbors. The discussion delves into the role of declining empires and the need for multilateral cooperation to avert global crises. The interviewee emphasizes the limitations of military power in the current geopolitical landscape, highlighting the growing economic competition with China. The conversation underscores the importance of moving towards multilateral governance and diplomacy. The interview concludes with a call for improved discourse and engagement in shaping international relations.

On this episode of The Socialist Program, Prof. Richard Wolff and Brian discuss Trump's economic program, including his threats to impose massive tariffs on Deere's farming equipment if they move operations to Mexico as planned.

The Socialist Program welcomes Professor Richard Wolf to discuss the issues surrounding consumer debt as highlighted in a Wall Street Journal article. Professor Wolf critiques the article for ignoring the fundamental struggle of the working class to meet expenses without accumulating debt. The discussion delves into Modern Monetary Theory (MMT) and the implications of government debt, highlighting the potential risks of excessive money printing leading to inflation. The interview also addresses the relationship between militarism and debt, emphasizing the significant economic burden of war preparations and maintaining a global military presence. Professor Wolf underscores the challenges faced by the US as a debtor country due to extensive military spending, posing critical questions about the allocation of resources and the impact of debt on society.

Prof. Richard Wolff joins the program to discuss his reaction to the massive geopolitical and economic shifts taking place worldwide as a result of the rise of BRICS, the decline of the US empire and the growing influence of Russia and China.

Richard Wolff joins Law and Disorder to discuss the parallels between the rise of fascism in early 20th-century Germany and the current political climate in the United States. He explains that the defeat of Germany in World War I triggered an economic collapse, hyperinflation, and desperation, creating fertile ground for Adolf Hitler’s ascent. Wolff compares this to the U.S., where stagnant wages and job losses since the 1970s have fueled discontent. He highlights how scapegoating played a role in both contexts: Jews in Germany, and immigrants and people of color in the U.S. Wolff warns that, like Hitler, Donald Trump is an effective demagogue capable of manipulating public sentiment, raising concerns about the rise of fascism in America today.

Letters and Politics interviews Richard Wolff on the subject of economics and the current election. Wolff discusses the false accusations of Kamala Harris being labeled a Marxist by Donald Trump. He explains the concept of tariffs, highlighting the misconception that tariffs are paid by the country imposing them, and emphasizes the negative impact of tariffs on American businesses and markets. Wolff also delves into the issue of price gouging, noting that while many states have laws against it, enforcement is often lacking. Lastly, Wolff criticizes the lack of focus on fundamental economic issues in the current political discourse and hints at the need for further discussions on these topics.

The evidence suggests that empires often react to periods of their own decline by over-extending their coping mechanisms. Military actions, infrastructure problems, and social welfare demands may then combine or clash, accumulating costs and backlash effects that the declining empire cannot manage. Policies aimed to strengthen empire—and that once did—now undermine it. Contemporary social changes inside and outside the empire can reinforce, slow, or reverse the decline. However, when decline leads leaders to deny its existence, it can become self-accelerating. In empires’ early years, leaders and the led may repress those among them who stress or merely even mention decline. Social problems may likewise be denied, minimized, or, if admitted, blamed on convenient scapegoats—immigrants, foreign powers, or ethnic minorities—rather than linked to imperial decline.