The 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.

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Economic 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


Dialogue Works: Is China's Economy Collapsing? Economic War

In this episode of "Dialogue Works," economists Richard Wolff and Michael Hudson discuss the repercussions of U.S. military interventions, emphasizing the historical context of conflicts in Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Iraq, and Ukraine. The conversation explores the unintended consequences of U.S. sanctions, leading to the independent growth of nations like China and Russia. The global economic shift is highlighted, with a focus on China's advancements and the declining influence of G7 countries. Concerns are raised about Europe's economic struggles, attributed to dependence on the U.S., with a challenging future predicted. The speakers touch on emotional and historical traumas influencing European perspectives on Russia, offering insights into the complexities of global politics.

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The Socialist Program: Oil Exec Presides Over COP28 Climate Summit: So What Are the Real Solutions?

On this episode, Walter Smolarek and Prof. Richard Wolff discuss the UN climate summit led by an oil CEO, highlighting the need to address the climate crisis. Prof. Wolff critiques capitalism using historical examples like ending child labor and emphasizes the importance of social movements as well as the influence of fossil fuel lobbyists.

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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


Zero Hour: Kissinger, a Product of His Time

Prof. Wolff joins RJ Eskow to discuss the legacy of Henry Kissinger. They explore Kissinger's role in shaping U.S. foreign policy during a critical period, including his involvement in the Vietnam War, opening relations with China, and his realpolitik approach. They delve into Kissinger's manipulation of narratives, his pragmatic use of anti-communism, and his focus on power politics. The conversation touches on Kissinger's impact on global geopolitics and the challenges faced by the U.S. during his era. The discussion also reflects on Kissinger's ability to adapt to the changing dynamics of the world stage and the complexities of his role in American history.

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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.

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The 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.

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Economic 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.

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Economic 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.

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The 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.

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Economic 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.

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Why 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."

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Economic 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.

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Zero 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.

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Dialogue 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.

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The 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.

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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."

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The Socialist Program: Opioid Epidemic & Capitalism: Rite-Aid Goes Under From Opioid Lawsuits But Opioid Overdoses Soar

In this episode of The Socialist Program, the focus is on the bankruptcy of the pharmacy giant Wright Aid, driven by lawsuits related to its role in the opioid crisis. Professor Wolff and Brian Becker discuss the consequences of this corporate collapse and the broader issues related to capitalism and monopolization. They highlight how capitalism's pursuit of profits can lead to the loss of human lives, as seen in the opioid crisis. The episode also emphasizes the trend toward monopoly capitalism in various industries and how it sets the stage for public ownership of key sectors. The episode ends by highlighting the impact on the 51,000 workers at Wright Aid and the need for alternatives to protect jobs and serve the public's interests.

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Economic Update: Today's Agents of Change: Strikes, Unionization & Labor Militancy

[ S13 E37 ] New

Updates on how Social Security makes African-Americans subsidize whites, lessons from a new survey of young Americans' politics, the injustice of Europe's central bank raising its interest rates, Taylor Swift publicly supports Hollywood strikers, and Coco Gauff publicly supports climate change activists. Interview Mike Elk, Editor of The Payday Report, tracking the strike wave across America and especially the huge autoworker's strike. Read More


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