Richard D. Wolff

It seems we get hung up and distracted by focusing on income and wealth inequality which are necessary creations of capitalism, surprise, surprise. Don't confuse the symptom with the underlying cause. Taxing the rich will not succeed in equalizing wealth since the powerful will always find a way around these temporary obstacles. Unless the decisions on the utilization of resources (natural and human) is in the hands of the people, the capitalist will always find a way to utilize these resources for himself.

Aden Forecast (Sep 2016)... For 20 years Japan has been boosting its QE effort, printing larger amounts of money to buy all the bonds they could. and when they essentially ran out of bonds they started buying stocks. Currently the government is the major shareholder in nearly 500 Japanese companies. 1) Could this move Japan closer to having a large number of Employee owned and run companies? 2) Could other countries including the USA also start buying companies?

Here is a great article from Bruce Alexander, the psychologist who did the Rat Park experiments: http://www.brucekalexander.com/articles-speeches/283-addiction,-environmental-crisis,-and-global-capitalism Could provide several shows' worth of insight! :)

In recent years I have become more and moore horrified over US warfare around the world. I see this in an imperialist context, the need to secure resources to keep the imperial economy going. Now the imperie is threatening Russia and China, someting wich could be fatal for the whole human civilzation. American lefist seems to be little worried about this. I would like to hear your wiew concerning this. (I live in Norway). Regards "Walter"

In recent years I have become more and moore horrified over US warfare around the world. I see this in an imperialist context, the need to secure resources to keep the imperial economy going. Now the imperie is threatening Russia and China, someting wich could be fatal for the whole human civilzation. American lefist seems to be little worried about this. I would like to hear your wiew concerning this. (I live in Norway). Regards "Walter"

I invite you to critique a new 21st century Eco-Political thesis called Optinomics by visiting http://optinomics.org

http://www.thenews.coop/108862/news/co-operatives/john-mcdonnell-co-op-principles-can-transform-country/ Looks good.

I think one of the ways we can make a difference is with the power of the consumer. In your updates we hear of the Well Fargos, Volkswagen and Menards Hardware. Less common is spotlights of the good guys, like Chobani. Maybe you could do a Good Bad and Ugly bit and introduce us to a good guy regularly. It would be nice to compile a list of businesses to support and a business to boycott. Thanks Jim Poleshuk: Omaha Nebraska Action Group

I have noticed that there is a particular form of oppression that seems to me to be increasing; the oppression and exploitation of young people. This takes many forms, from outright social hostility to infantilisation, to media denigration, to increased criminalisation of even very young children (Henry Giroux covers this well), to economic exploitation on a scale we haven't often seen. I wonder if Dr Fraad would be able to talk about the psychohistorical reasons for the fear and hatred a capitalist society seems to have towards youth? And whether Dr Wolff could address the economic implications of a generation of youth crushed under unprecedented debts, with precarious or nonexistent future employment opportunities? As a corollary, what role do we as educators have in Marxian analysis? Are we labourers? Part of the middle class? Something different? What is our function from a Marxian perspective? Just to reproduce labour? Or can we (do we) have a more liberating function economically? Thanks!

Dear Dr. Wolff: Through the several radio shows and lectures of yours I have listened to, I've heard you speak much of democratizing the workplace by restructuring it in the form of worker cooperatives. However, and please forgive me if I have missed prior explanations, there has been some larger components of your theory missing from the conversation. I am curious what the broader economy looks like both within states and internationally in your theorizing. Surely the current economic order on both levels, by and large, is incompatible with where you would like to see us all go? Would we still be operating under a market economy, or something more resembling a command economy? Or do we do away with state economies altogether? Thank you once again for taking the time to make these wonderful and informative shows! Taggart Wilson - B.C., Canada

Let's say we're living in socialism and i decide to invest 50% of my income into means of production. Would you and at what point would you seize my "property". Let's say you don't: At what point are we going to arrive at capitalism again? Let's say you do: Aren't you encouraging consumption over investing and isn't this going to lead to overall lower living standards than otherwise?

I missed your AMA on reddit! 1) As you are not a Statist, along what specific lines do you differentiate your inclinations from those on the Right who call for a smaller government? (And I am referring to the sincere ones on the Right). Is it which functions you'd see reduced, or a fundamental idea of its role? 2) As a fan of democracy, what role do you see for markets and free exchange of goods/services between individuals within a socialist/communist system? Per above, how do you feel this is differentiated from those on the Right who believe in democracy as well? (Again, those who you'd believe to be sincere). Thank you!

Why does this happen? Overproduction? Bad planning? Article doesn't get into the why. I'd be interested in your thoughts, Dr. Wolff. http://www.bbc.com/news/business-37241727

You recently talked about the sharing economy and 'precariat' class. You mentioned how airbnb and uber are not obligated to providing workers with the same protections that employers must normally offer employees. They also do not provide much capital to the employee. Traditionally the employer class was separated from the working class because they owned the means of production. The new app economy often requires employees to bring their own capital (house, car, gas, insurance). The only benefit the 'employer' gives them is an introduction to someone who wants a service. This field seems extremely ripe to start creating software and business infrastructure in worker co-ops. Thank you for your time and insight. Kevin

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-09-01/why-luck-plays-a-big-role-in-making-you-rich