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Season 13
Season 13 began in January 2023, and will run through December 2023.
Inequality Undermines Health & Healthcare in the U.S.
Rob Robinson
December 2023 (Season 13 - Episode 46)
This week's episode of Economic Update features updates on an analysis of Philadelphia, PA's extreme income inequality, the number of workers on striker per year since 2017 in the U.S., the UAW organizing a strike at the VW plant in Tennessee plus other UAW unionization drives and the 400k public employees on strike in Quebec that are heading towards a general strike. In the second half of, Prof. Wolff interviews Rob Robinson, formerly homeless advocate/fighter for homeless housing rights, housing, official of Human Rights Network and Chairman of The Left Forum.
Politics, Economics & Chocolate: Capitalism's Flaws & Failures
No Guest
December 2023 (Season 13 - Episode 45)
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.
The U.S. Military Machine & What It Costs
Norman Solomon
December 2023 (Season 13 - Episode 44)
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".
American's Self Image VS Reality
Jared Yates Sexton
November 2023 (Season 13 - Episode 43)
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.
No Guest
November 2023 (Season 13 - Episode 42)
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.
Inequality Undermines Health & Healthcare in the U.S.
Dr. Stephen Bezruchka
November 2023 (Season 13 - Episode 41)
Updates on risks to UAW strike victories, realtors fined for collusion on real estate commissions, Bangladeshi strikes for higher minimum wages for clothing workers, China outmaneuvers Malaysia and US in rubber glove business, UN vote isolates USm Israel, Ukraine over Cuba embargo. Interview with Dr. Stephen Bezruchka on how economic inequality connects to stress, health problems, and inadequate healthcare.
Social & Labor Movements Claim Real Victories
Claudia Goldin
November 2023 (Season 13 - Episode 40)
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.
What Socialism Needs to Succeed
No Guest
October 2023 (Season 13 - Episode 39)
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'.
American Families Today Are Crisis Ridden
Dr. Harriet Fraad
October 2023 (Season 13 - Episode 38)
This week's episode features updates on President Biden's inadequate student debt relief, Bastille Day and the French Revolution, and alternatives to Artificial Intelligence being installed to increase profits and joblessness. Prof. Wolff also interviews Dr. Harriet Fraad on the causes and consequences causing the crisis facing U.S. families today.
Today's Agents of Change: Strikes, Unionization & Labor Militancy
Mike Elk
October 2023 (Season 13 - Episode 37)
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.
Corporate Greed VS Labor: The Struggle Intensifies
Pete Dolack
October 2023 (Season 13 - Episode 36)
Updates on writers (WGA) strike, auto-workers (UAW) strike, failure of US Federal Reserve, US govt subsidizes private capitalists. Interview Pete Dolack on his new book "What Do We Need Bosses For? Toward Economic Democracy".
Private Profits vs Public Treasure with Eleanor Goldfield
Eleanor Goldfield
September 2023 (Season 13 - Episode 35)
In this week's Economic Update episode, topics include the successful unionization efforts at Starbucks stores across the U.S., challenges within the British university system, the United Auto Workers (UAW) gearing up for negotiations, and the vital importance of preserving the Redwood forests, featuring an interview with filmmaker and activist Eleanor Goldfield. These discussions shed light on workers' rights, education, labor solidarity, and environmental conservation.
Profit & Inequality: Two Driving Forces of Capitalism
No Guest
September 2023 (Season 13 - Episode 34)
Updates on economists favoring rent control, leading global capitalists resent/resist US's China-bashing, urgent drug shortages in US and a public pharma industry. Major discussion of causes of rising US economic inequality since 1960s and its socially explosive political effects.
Today's Class Strugles With Chris Hedges
Guest: Chris Hedges
July 2023 (Season 13 - Episode 25)
Updates on real US unemployment problem; Congress betrays students on student debt issue; huge majorities polled support US teachers, increased teachers pay, teachers' freedoms to teach about race, and teachers' power vs boards of education and state governors, importance of ILWU strike shutting down west coast seaports. Major discussions of capitalism's contradictions around (1) capitalists forever "saving on labor costs,"and (2) capitalists celebrating self-correcting markets."
Capitalism's Costly Contradictions
No Guest
July 2023 (Season 13 - Episode 24)
Updates on real US unemployment problem; Congress betrays students on student debt issue; huge majorities polled support US teachers, increased teachers pay, teachers' freedoms to teach about race, and teachers' power vs boards of education and state governors, importance of ILWU strike shutting down west coast seaports. Major discussions of capitalism's contradictions around (1) capitalists forever "saving on labor costs,"and (2) capitalists celebrating self-correcting markets."
Varoufakis' Critique of Capitalism Today
Yanis Varoufakis
May 2023 (Season 13 - Episode 18)
Yanis Varoufakis, elected member Greek parliament, joins Prof. Wolff on this week's show and offers his original, critical perspectives on (1) the banking crisis, (2) the decline of the US empire and US capitalism, (3) the mass uprisings of the French and Greek working classes in Europe, (4) the collapse of Europe's efforts to shape an independent (from the US and China) economic position, and (5) class struggle inside China.
The Emerging New World Economy: A New Empire, a Multipolar World, or a Post-Capitalist System
No Guest
April 2023 (Season 13 - Episode 17)
Four key changes drive a new world economy emerging from the old. First is capitalism's transition from neoliberal, globalizing to nationalistic capitalism. This includes the shift of capitalism's center from western Europe and the US to Asia and the global south and also includes the deepening economic inequality inside most nations. Second is the end of the stale, old debate between private and state capitalism (misnamed as capitalism vs socialism) in favor of private + state capitalism hybrids. Third is the post-peak decline of the US empire. Fourth is the urgent question of what comes next: a new empire, a multipolar world, or a new post-capitalist system that replaces employer-employee workplace organizations (private and public) with democratically run worker cooperative organizations.
Today's Medicare for All Battle with Dr. William Bronston
Guest: Dr. William Bronston
April 2023 (Season 13 - Episode 16)
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In this week's Economic Update, Prof. Wolff discusses US deaths from Covid, poverty in the US labor force, US and Canada cooperate against immigrants, US warfare vs China's peacemaking, Amazon profits from cutting back on "free" shipping. In the second half of the show, Wolff interviews Dr. William Bronston, advocate for single-payer health care in the US.
When We Put People First in US Politics
No Guest
April 2023 (Season 13 - Episode 15)
In this week's Economic Update, Prof. Wolff presents updates on the failures of GOP and Democrats to face or solve major crises; layoffs and stock buybacks by US hi-tech companies; a new study of "food insecurity" in LA county. The second half of the show is dedicated to a discussion of how US history of the 1920s and 1930s shows the possibility of a progressive political shift and upsurge in the US today.
No Guest
April 2023 (Season 13 - Episode 14)
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In this week's Economic Update, Prof. Wolff discusses the history and diversity of Marxist theories and practices that comprise the Marxist tradition. Wolff also explores why Marxism draws renewed interest globally now. Finally, a detailed examination shows how some basic insights from Marx's work are especially relevant to victims and critics of today's capitalism and especially to those who seek transition to another, better system.
Why the US Constitution is an Obstacle to Change
Guest: Prof. Robert Ovetz
March 2023 (Season 13 - Episode 13)
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In this week's Economic Update, Prof. Wolff presents updates on the US banking crisis, plant closing injustice, growing child labor in the US, Biden's budget's tax "proposals," and a new book that shows US homelessness is an economic problem. In the second half of the show, Wolff interviews Prof. Robert Ovetz on how and why the US Constitution blocks social change.
How Austerity Paves the Way for Fascism
Guest: Prof. Clara Mattei
March 2023 (Season 13 - Episode 12)
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In this week's Economic Update, Prof. Wolff interviews Prof. Clara Mattei on her new book "Capital Order: How Economists Invented Austerity and Paved the Way to Fascism."
Social Security, Ohio Derailment, Puerto Rican Poverty - US Capitalism Provokes
Guest: Alexis Colón
March 2023 (Season 13 - Episode 11)
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In this week's Economic Update, Prof. Wolff focuses on the struggle over Social Security- real versus false alternatives- and the East Palestine, Ohio, derailment tragedy. In the second half of the show, Wolff interviews Alexis Colón about the colonial status of Puerto Rico and Puerto Ricans fighting against it.
Establishment Media & Russia with Aaron Maté
Guest: Aaron Maté
March 2023 (Season 13 - Episode 10)
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In this week's Economic Update, Prof. Wolff presents updates on dying empires and climate crisis; mass shootings; fast-food mega-corps fund referendum to slow California plan to raise fast food workers wages and working conditions, and why the debt ceiling debate in Congress is a phony GOP-Dem political theater. In the second half of the show, Wolff interviews Aaron Maté, independent US media critic with special expertise on Russia.
Are Mega-Corporations Ruining Our World?
No Guest
February 2023 (Season 13 - Episode 09)
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In this week's Economic Update, Prof. Wolff presents a critique of monopoly and oligopoly; past efforts and success in popular control over mega-corporations - in US and abroad; the fight back by mega-corporations to nullify reforms and regulations. Finally, some real solutions to the social problem and costs of an economy dominated by mega-corporations.
Inequality’s Insidious Spread - COVID-19, India, Insurance
Guest: Dr. Stephen Bezruchka
February 2023 (Season 13 - Episode 08)
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In this week's Economic Update, Prof. Wolff presents updates on India's extreme inequality and its lesson, employers squeeze employees with "non-compete" job contracts, and how the profit motive distorts the concept of insurance. In the second half of the show, Wolff interviews Dr. Stephen Bezruchka on how deeply and globally inequality endangers health with special attention to the US and Covid-19.
Unionization, Marxism & Education
Guest: Dr. David Ruccio
February 2023 (Season 13 - Episode 07)
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In this week's Economic Update, Prof. Wolff shares updates on Starbucks union growth; Texas journalists and Yale graduate students/employees unionize, strike, win; Western Mass Labor Federation denounces Biden's denial of railway workers' right to strike; two major kinds of US tax injustice: (1) exempting bonds and stocks from property tax when 10% richest own 80% of stocks and bonds, and (2) failing to levy excess profits tax on war profiteers as UK and Portugal have already done. In the second half of the show, Wolff interviews Notre Dame Professor Emeritus David F. Ruccio on Marxian economics, its absence from US universities, and its social insights.
No Guest
February 2023 (Season 13 - Episode 06)
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In this week's Economic Update, Prof. Wolff identifies and examines the larger economic dimensions and trends of three key aspects of today's global economy: Russia/Ukraine war, Europe's quandary, and the decline of the US empire. Attention focuses on the immense direct and indirect costs of the war in Ukraine; on Europe's desperate position and choices caught between the US and China blocs in the world economy; and on how the US empire is responding to its decline in the world economy. Our approach is to stress what so many others deny or minimize. The risk of war and lessons of the past decline of empires figure prominently in the analysis.
A Corporatized America with Chris Hedges
Guest: Chris Hedges
January 2023 (Season 13 - Episode 05)
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In this week's Economic Update, Prof. Wolff explains why capitalism does not deserve credit for improved living conditions, Home Depot billionaire blames US capitalism's problems on US workers being "lazy, fat, and stupid," Southwest Airlines as example of failures by both corporations and their gov't "regulators," George Santos as creature of capitalist advertising. In the second half of the show, Wolff interviews Chris Hedges on the crisis of corporate America in 2023.
No Guest
January 2023 (Season 13 - Episode 04)
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In this week's Economic Update, Prof. Wolff discusses US spending for war in Ukraine paid for by higher interest rates and inflation hurting middle and small businesses ; a rational transport system is NOT electric cars; an appreciation of the "degrowth" impulse with a critique of the degrowth movement's focus on individuals' consumerism and excess consumption.
"American Midnight" Democracy's Forgotten Crisis
Guest: Adam Hochschild
January 2023 (Season 13 - Episode 03)
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In this week's Economic Update, Prof. Wolff presents updates on the French School of Economic Warfare and sanctions against Russia; how asset price declines threaten US pensions, electric replace fossil fuel private cars because of profit motive, instead of for a rational transportation policy; US police in elementary schools: bad for students, parents, teachers and even police; honoring Staughton Lynd, US radical academic and labor organizer who died on 11/18/22. In the second half of the show, Wolff interviews Adam Hochschild, author of "American Midnight" how 1917-1921 was a US rehearsal for a parallel right-wing surge of recent years.
No Guest
January 2023 (Season 13 - Episode 02)
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The year 2022 produced a daunting, long list of serious problems associated with the economy (inflation, rising interest rates, stock market decline, deterioration of the environment, war, labor uprising, etc.). More than ever, the victims and critics of the problems of 2022 identified them as symptoms of a systemic problem, namely the capitalist system. On the one hand, capitalism is working as it always has, but that is now a problem. At its center capitalism prioritizes profit and profit maximization and we show how they are the core causes of the system's dysfunction now for all but a tiny minority at its top.
Guest: Bob Hennelly
January 2023 (Season 13 - Episode 01)
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In this week's Economic Update, Prof. Wolff discusses explosive labor militancy across 2022 in US and UK, Wells Fargo bank again fined for illegal practices on 16 million bank customers, US-Russia economic warfare undercuts European economies whose response will likely shape Ukraine War's results. In the second half, Wolff interviews journalist Bob Hennelly on the rising US labor movement.
Other Seasons of Economic Update
Season 13 | Season 12 | Season 11 | Season 10 | Season 9 | Season 8
To view older seasons, please visit our YouTube channel.
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