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The Sickness is the System | Understanding Socialism | Understanding Marxism

COMING SOON

Stuck Nation: Can the United States Change Course on Our History of Choosing Profits Over People?

By Bob Hennelly

Stuck Nation lifts up the stories of those whom our capitalist system would otherwise see ‘disappeared’. It bears the human cost of our system and our silence. It holds accounts of individuals and a broader movement willing to put everything at risk to change our national narrative. Through it all, award winning print and broadcast journalist Bob Hennelly shares his observations on the origins of our national stuck-ness, his reporting on how it endures, and his analysis of what might be required for us to change the course of our historical patterns, so that America can begin putting the condition of the people ahead of its profits.

American history is airbrushed, and we wonder why we just can’t seem to master our destiny.

The Sickness is the System: When Capitalism Fails to Save Us from Pandemics or Itself

by Richard D. Wolff

Published September 2020, by Democracy at Work

Paperback ISBN: 978-1-7356013-0-4
eBook ISBN: 978-1-7356013-1-1

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The coronavirus pandemic, the deepening economic crash, dangerously divisive political responses, and exploding social tensions have thrown an already declining American capitalist system into a tailspin. The consequences of these mounting and intertwined crises will shape our future. In this unique collection of over 50 essays, The Sickness is the System: When Capitalism Fails to Save Us from Pandemics or Itself, Richard D. Wolff argues clearly that "returning to normal" no longer responds adequately to the accumulated problems of US capitalism. What is necessary, instead, is transition toward a new economic system that works for all of us.

The Sickness is the System is published by Democracy at Work. Professor Wolff generously donated his time and work so that all sales revenue could go to support d@w.

Endorsements for The Sickness is the System

“A blueprint for how we got here, and a plan for how we will rescue ourselves.”
Chris Hedges, American Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, New York Times best-selling author

“A magnificent source of hope and insight.”
Yanis Varoufakis, Greek economist, academic, philosopher, politician, author of Talking to my daughter about the economy

“In this compelling set of essays, and with his signature clarity, intensity, accessibility and deference to historical and present perspective, Wolff has issued not just a stark warning, but concrete reasoning, as to why this time really should be different.”
Nomi Prins, geopolitical financial expert and investigative journalist, author of Collusion: How Central Bankers Rigged the World

“One of the most powerful and incisive voices in America. As an economist he transcends that “dismal science”, he is a tribune of Main St, a voice of the people.”
George Galloway, British politician, broadcaster and writer

“Wolff clearly explains the ways that capitalism exacerbates unemployment, inequality, racism, and patriarchy; and threatens the health and safety of workers and communities - i.e., most of us.”
Jessica Gordon-Nembhard, Ph.D. Author of Collective Courage: A History of African American Cooperative Economic Thought and Practice.

“If you care about deeper measures of social health as Americans suffer the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, you will find here a wealth of insight, statistics, and other ammunition that we all need in the fight for a more just society.”
Adam Hochschild, author of Lessons from a Dark Time, Rebel Cinderella, and other books

“The current failed system has a noose around all of our necks. Richard Wolff offers an economic vision that gets our society off the gallows.”
Jimmy Dore, American comedian, political commentator, and author of Your Country Is Just Not That Into You

"Indeed, his book is so thorough, so comprehensive in its insightful analysis, that it is a practically a one-stop center for anyone who wants to understand why the year 2020 has been such a dumpster fire."
Matthew Rozsa, Salon

"Very hopeful, and very inspiring"
Della Z Duncan, Upstream Podcast

"Wolff delivers his message with authority, backing his arguments with compelling evidence, providing much-needed clarity when considering the key drivers of recent capitalist crises."
Phil Armstrong, Counterfire

Press for The Sickness is the System

Understanding Socialism

Socialism is a yearning for something better than capitalism.

by Richard D. Wolff

Published November 2019, by Democracy at Work

Paperback ISBN: 978-0-578-22734-4
ebook ISBN: 978-0-578-23267-6

Understanding Socialism tackles the taboos and unveils the often hidden histories of socialism, but most importantly it offers a way forward: a socialism built on democracy in the workplace. A blend of history, analysis and opinion, Understanding Socialism is an honest and approachable text that knocks down false narratives, confronts failures, and offers a path to a new socialism based on workplace democracy.

Understanding Socialism not only explains what socialism is and has meant to various proponents, it also looks at the past transition from feudalism to capitalism as a model to help us visualize the next transition out of capitalism. Understanding Socialism explores how socialist theory was used and applied to shape the histories of countries like Russia and China principally, and many other countries in smaller but important ways. It analyzes the successes and defeats of those countries, the world's reactions to them (anti-socialism and fascism), and how all of those factors offer important lessons for the building of a 21st century socialism.

Understanding Socialism was published by Democracy at Work. Professor Wolff generously donated his time and work so that all sales revenue could go to support d@w.

Buy "Understanding Socialism" as a paperback

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Endorsements for Understanding Socialism

"Richard Wolff's book is the best accessible and reliable treatment we have of what socialism is, was, and should be. It is clear, concise, and compelling. In a time in which socialism is more popular than capitalism among the young, we now have a strong and powerful case for why socialism is what radical democracy looks like." - Cornel West

“Rick Wolff puts the social back in socialism by centering the people, the places and the passions that other economists strip out. In the same accessible style that has made his programs and lectures such a hit, he explains his subject in a way that's not only smart, but makes the rest of us feel smart. It's actionable intelligence for the every person.” - Laura Flanders

“There are few economists who are the equal of Richard Wolff, which he once again proves with his latest book. Lucid, brilliant and uncompromising in his dissection of the capitalist system he also provides a sane and just socialist alternative to capitalist exploitation, one we must all fight to achieve.” - Chris Hedges

"Wolff’s 138-page book is an accessible and insightful primer that undertakes a critical examination of the history of state-led socialism while offering a refreshing vision of a new model based upon workplace democracy." - Labor journalist and Portside Labor moderator Gregory N. Heires

Press for Understanding Socialism

Sep 9, 2020: Review in Portside
Apr 23, 2020: Interview on The Sensible Socialist (Part I & Part II)
Feb 24, 2020: Debate Between Nobel Laureate Paul Krugman & Socialist Economist Richard Wolff on Democracy Now!
Feb 13, 2020: Interview on Watching the Hawks
Feb 9, 2020: Interview on On Contact with Chris Hedges
Feb 8, 2020: Review in ROAR Magazine: "Worker self-directed enterprises: the cure for capitalism"
Jan 30, 2020: "10 Things You Should Know About Socialism" in YES! Magazine
Jan 29, 2020: Excerpt of Understanding Socialism in Truthout
Dec 23, 2019: Interview on The Michael Brooks Show (54:55)
Dec 13, 2019: Interview on Rising Up with Sonali (10:02)
Dec 12, 2019: Interview in Thom Hartmann Program

Discussion Questions for Understanding Socialism

Understanding Marxism

Why should we pay attention to the great social critics like Marx?

by Richard D. Wolff

First Printing November 2018, by Democracy at Work

Paperback ISBN: 978-0-359-46702-0
ebook ISBN: 978-0-359-56158-2

Understanding Marxism is a small book, written by Richard D. Wolff in collaboration with the staff of Democracy at Work, a 501c(3) non-profit founded by Wolff. There are rising demands for accessible introductions to Marxism and to the social changes it suggests. This essay responds to that interest. It seeks to provide bases for real solutions now that the flaws and failures of contemporary capitalism are exposed again, and again. Marxism always was the critical shadow of capitalism. Their interactions changed them both. Now Marxism is once again stepping into the light as capitalism shakes from its own excesses and confronts decline. Hopefully this book can help our era’s renewal of Marxism.

Americans especially now confront serious questions and evidences that our capitalist system is in trouble. It clearly serves the 1% far, far better than what is is doing to the vast mass of people. Marx was a social critic for whom capitalism was not the end of human history. It was just the latest phase and badly needed the transition to something better. We offer this essay now because of the power and usefulness today of Marx’s criticism of the capitalist economic system.

Understanding Marxism was published by Democracy at Work. Professor Wolff generously donated his time and work so that all sales revenue could go to support d@w.

Buy "Understanding Marxism" as a paperback

Buy "Understanding Marxism" as an eBook

Endorsements for Understanding Marxism

“Understanding Marxism is a pro-proletarian primer to help the masses comprehend some of the basics of a complicated worldview, as Wolff identifies some of the capitalist system’s essential contradictions.” - Ed Rampell, L.A.-based journalist

Press for Understanding Marxism

Nov & Dec 2019: Review in Dollars & Sense
December 5, 2019: Interview in Thom Hartmann Program
November 21, 2019: Review in Counterfire
June 4, 2019: Review in People's World
March 5, 2019: Interview in Rising Up with Sonali

Discussion Questions for Understanding Marxism

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