Latest Releases

Ask Prof Wolff: China VS. a Myth of Stolen Technology

A patron of Economic Update asks: "I recently watched a great news segment about China's acquisition of western tech by China. You have spoken on this point in the past, could you reiterate that the tech acquired by China was not stolen, but as Saagar stated "China's ability to weaponize...

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Global Capitalism: September 2021 Live Economic Update

[September 2021] New

US Capitalism’s Decline Accelerates

with Richard D. Wolff 
Co-sponsored by Democracy at Work & Judson Memorial Church
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Cities After... Post-Pandemic Urbanization: Spectacles, Speculation & Tourism - Pt. 1

[S01 E09] New

This podcast will be the first of four episodes where, together with future guests, Prof. Robles-Duran will slowly adopt the city of Barcelona as a sample to think through some of the tendencies of a post-pandemic neoliberal urbanization...

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Economic Update: 20 Years after 9/11, the U.S. is still a "Stuck Nation"

[S11 E33] New

On this week's show, Prof. Wolff presents updates on Alabama miners' strike, how China's focus on reducing inequality affects competition with the US, and the economics of the "right to repair" consumers' movement in the US...

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Ask Prof Wolff: Socialism's Biggest Failures

A patron of Economic Update asks: "Could you provide an analysis on the failures of the more prominent socialist societies in recent history and the contributing factors to these failures, real or perceived?"...

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Capitalism Hits Home: Why Are 9.2 Million US Jobs Open?

[S04 E06] New

In this episode of CHH, Dr. Fraad addresses the "labor shortage" in the US today. 9.2 million jobs remain open. Republicans and Democrats differ on what to do about this supposed shortage. 44% of US workers are low pay workers constantly...

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Ask Prof Wolff: Capitalism & Fascism

A patron of Economic Update asks: "On the subject of Fascism, Benito Mussolini said 'Fascism should more appropriately be called Corporatism because it is a merger of state and corporate power.' Given the nature of the relationship between the US government, particularly the (both Democrats and Republicans, Biden, Trump, Obama, Bush, Clinton etc.) POTUS/Administration and Congress, with lobbyists and corporations, is it fair to say that the USA is fascist and has been for a long time?"...

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Economic Update: Extremes of Rich & Poor in U.S. Capitalism

[S11 E32] New

This week on Economic Update, Prof. Wolff discusses the new US program for monthly child benefits; why Covid strengthens some and divides other nations; the myth of "labor shortage;" the real cost of ultra-luxury cruises; Uber and sexual assaults; and lastly, the outsized US costs of healthcare...

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Anti-Capitalist Chronicles: How Are We "Ruled by Abstractions?"

[S3 E19] New

In this episode of ACC, Prof. Harvey examines Marx’s use of the notion of abstractions to develop a general theory of capital and his critique of capitalism. Harvey identifies different levels of abstraction used by Marx: scale, perspective of production, perspective of circulation and...

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Ask Prof Wolff: Class Analysis and Classism

A patron of Economic Update asks: "[T]he Marxist in me feels that the word 'classism' is also some kind neoliberal aerosol to make social class merely a function of prejudice or a lack equal opportunity or something. I am wondering if you could shine a more analytical light on my intuition or refute it as the case may be."...

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Economic Update: Liberating Technology from Capitalism

[S11 E31] New

On this week's show, Prof. Wolff provides updates on two small labor victories (Vermont's AFL-CIO and 4000 pork-processing meat cutters in Sioux Falls), how global capitalism became even more unequal during the pandemic, Iceland's move to...
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Ask Prof Wolff: Are High Paid Athletes Workers?

A patron of Economic Update asks: "Dr, Wolff, with the Olympics, the Naomi Osaka drama, and LeBron James’ recent announcement of reaching earnings of one billion dollars, I am interested in your thoughts about the “status as workers” for these professional athletes who make so much money, but are still represented in unions. Are professional athletes workers?"

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Capitalism Hits Home: Cruel Optimism

[S04 E05] New

In this episode of CHH, Dr. Fraad explores the concept of cruel optimism from Lauren Berlant's book. American culture teaches us to look on the bright side. Nonetheless, the blight side of US life is...

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Cities After... Dr. Andy Merrifield on the Dogma of Inter-Urban Competition

[S01 E08] New

In this episode, Prof. Robles-Duran is joined by the famed Marxist Urban Theorist Andy Merrifield to have a conversation about inter-urban competition, the socio-spatial consequences of late neoliberalism and...

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Economic Update: Chile's Feminist Social Revolution

[S11 E30] New

On this week's show, Prof. Wolff discusses the election of a socialist, African-American woman as new mayor in Buffalo, NY; US unemployment insurance's meager support for jobless; Teamsters target Amazon workers...

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Ask Prof Wolff: What's the Story in Cuba?

A patron of Economic Update asks: "Hey Prof. Wolff, could you speak to the recent protests in Cuba? Specifically, could you speak to the U.S. embargo that economically squeezes Cuba and, if relevant, how it relates to these protests? I’m not super familiar with the details but I find it frustrating that all these pundits say 'Cuba wants freedom and their economy sucks cause they’re commies.' It’s pretty clear that there’s more to the story and they purposefully omit that."

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Economic Update: A US Left Rises to Remake the World

[S11 E29] New

On this week's show, Prof. Wolff presents updates on "The Friends" reunion and what it teaches, how China outmaneuvers US tariffs, etc., and how Yellow Vests plus French unions defeated...

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Ask Prof Wolff: Tribalism - How Capitalism Divides Us

A patron of Economic Update asks: "I have a suggestion for a topic you might want to explore in one of your videos: alienation, contemporary tribalism, and Capitalism. I've been reading several articles on American tribalism, but they all fail to make the connections to our Capitalist structures. Many of these articles only connect tribalism with Trump's...

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Economic Update: Best Years of US Lie in its Past

[S11 E28] New

On this week's show, Prof. Wolff talks about Chipotle Mexican Grill blaming its price increases on its workers, economist Arthur Laffer's claims that many poor, minority workers are "not worth $15/hour" and false claims that lower taxes help economic growth while...

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Ask Prof Wolff: The Small Family Farm Issue

A patron of Economic Update asks: "Small or family farmers are struggling to survive amidst industrial agribusiness.Can they? How would they fit in, in a system based on democracy in the workplace? (Really enjoyed your conversation with Mark Bittman!)"...

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Anti-Capitalist Chronicles: The Monopolization of Everything

[S3 E18] New

In this episode of ACC, Prof. Harvey asserts that capital is becoming ever more centralized. We are seeing the monopolization of housing and rental markets, Pharma, media, and the means of distribution. The monopolization of power is inevitable in...

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Ask Prof Wolff: Side Effects Always Matter

A patron of Economic Update asks: "If the U.S. government wants to reassure people about the safety of getting vaccinated, why doesn't the government enable the VICP (Vaccine Injury Compensation Program) for the COVID vaccines and announce that it has done so? Is it capitalism that prevents this step...

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All Things Co-op: The Great Resignation

[S04 E12] New

In this episode of the All Things Co-op Podcast, Larry, Cinar and Kevin talk about the so-called "Great Resignation." After discussing what may be behind this change, the trio discusses what cooperatives might have done differently, and how...

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Economic Update: Capitalism's Shrinking Popularity

[S11 E27] New

On this week's show, Prof. Wolff discusses French voters abstaining (66%), and rejecting party establishments in the face of social crisis; Seattle City Council helps tenants with law changes as conservatives seek to recall progressive Council leader Sawan...

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Ask Prof Wolff: Demonizing Socialists

A patron of Economic Update asks: "What is your response to recent discourses on the US government including socialists as so-called 'Domestic Violent Extremists' (DVE)? Are we being faced with McCarthyism 2.0...

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Capitalism Hits Home: Why Has Britney Spears' Pain Riveted America?

[S04 E04] New

On this week's CHH, Dr. Fraad is joined by psychotherapist and author Tess Fraad-Wolff to talk about celebrity pop artist Britney Spears. Spears' plight captures our attention because she personifies American suffering. Her exploited, adolescent, coy, sugary sexuality presents her...

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Ask Prof Wolff: Lessons for the Left from the 20th Century

A patron of Economic Update asks: "What lessons does the left still need to learn based on its efforts and failures from the 20th century...

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Cities After... The Dogma of Inter-Urban Competition

[S01 E07] New
 
In this episode, Prof. Robles-Duran will attempt to shed some light on the impact of inter-urban competition as it is structured by supranational organizations, and how these organizations are the ones that...
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Economic Update: The Challenge of Progressive Unionism

[S11 E26] New

On this week's show, Prof. Wolff discusses Wall Street money corrupting US elections and the facts of a declining US capitalism (wage stagnation driving inequality, rising health and education costs, falling real social security benefits, unequal wealth of...

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Ask Prof Wolff: Criticizing Critics of Marx's Labor Theory of Value

A patron of Economic Update asks: "I'm hoping you can provide insight on the following question: In defense of the Marxian labour theory of value, how should one respond to the critique, such as that provided by Yaron Brook among others, that *ideas* are the true source of value and it is therefore the entrepreneur who rightly deserves the bulk of...

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Anti-Capitalist Chronicles: The Ruling Ideas of a Billionaire Class

[S3 E17] New

In this episode of ACC, Prof. Harvey contends that what we are experiencing is the raw exercise of ruling class power in ruling ways...

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Global Capitalism: July 2021 Live Economic Update

The Challenge of China
with Richard D. Wolff 
Co-sponsored by Democracy at Work & Judson Memorial Church
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Ask Prof Wolff: Why So Many Different Socialisms?

A patron of Economic Update asks: "People on the left get lost on definitions very often, myself included, self-called Communists. What is the difference: Marxism and Marxism-Leninism, Maoism, Stalinism, Castroism.. and Juche and Anarcho-syndicalism. What do they all have in common? Why is there no more "Internationals", like First, Second, third and Fourth (Trotskyism)? I'm very proud to be a new patron for Democracy at Work."

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All Things Co-op: The Money Question With Ed Whitfield

[S4 E11] New

In this episode of the All Things Co-op Podcast, Larry leads an interview with Ed Whitfield of Seed Commons to talk about cooperative and democratic investment in worker cooperatives...

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Economic Update: Inflation and Labor Shortage

[S11 E25] New

On this week's show, Prof Wolff talks about the social effects of inflation and the lack of accountability on the part of employers. Capitalist employers set prices with the only motive of maximizing. Employees, the vast majority, must live with inflation but...

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Ask Prof Wolff: Tax the Rich? Yes We Can!

A patron of Economic Update asks: "Here's a question coming from Switzerland: Very often, when you raise the question about raising rich people's taxes, people will tell you that you can't do that, otherwise these rich people will just go live in another country, where they...

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Capitalism Hits Home: Class Transformation in the Household

[S04 E03] New

In this episode of CHH, Dr. Fraad talks about the revolutionary class transformation experienced in the household from feudalism to other class forms, like the independent household and the communist, or communal household. She argues that many current political struggles such as struggles over abortion rights...

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Cities After... Pelin Tan on the Crisis of Architecture Today

[S01 E06] New

In this episode, Prof. Robles-Duran is joined by Pelin Tan, Professor of Sociology, Art, Architecture History to talk the outmoded talks about the outmoded forms of knowledge that architecture and...

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Ask Prof Wolff: Politics, Dual Power & Worker Co-ops

A patron of Economic Update asks: "Hello Professor Wolff, is your strong advocacy for Worker Cooperatives related to the theory of Dual Power or do you believe Worker Cooperatives to be the method through which all workers...

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Anti-Capitalist Chronicles: The Urbanization of China

[S3 E16] New

In this episode of ACC, Prof. Harvey argues that the circulation of interest-bearing capital and financialization, both necessary for the disposal of surplus capital and surplus value, are implicated in the acceleration of turnover time, especially in areas like tourism... 

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Ask Prof Wolff: Marxism and Prostitution

A patron of Economic Update asks:  "Does Marxism have anything to say about people who are unable to sell their labor and resort to selling their bodies? I’m referring to prostitution, but also the selling of organs, hair, teeth, skin, breast milk...

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All Things Co-op: The Hostile Takeover

[S04 E10] New

In this episode, the ATC guys talk about the idea of the hostile takeover - workers organizing for the purposes of taking over a factory, usually when the owners are abandoning it. Reviewing and highlighting experiences in Argentina and in Chicago...

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Economic Update: How Capitalism Shapes our Food

[S11 E24] New

In this episode, Prof. Wolff presents updates on the economic aspects of the Covid pandemic: lockdowns vs vaccines, scientific debate vs corporate advertising, long-term vs short term costs, the billionaires made by...

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Ask Prof Wolff: Copyrights & Capitalism, A Critique

A patron of Economic Update asks: "Dear Prof. Wolff, could you please comment on intellectual property in capitalism. How did it come to be? Is it a driving or rather a gating mechanism for a progress of ideas? What do you think...

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Capitalism Hits Home: What is Class?

[S04 E02] New

In this episode of CHH, Dr. Fraad defines what class is and explores where it has hit in America. America has included 4 class formations: slavery, feudalism, capitalism, and communism...

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Ask Prof Wolff: Corporatism vs. Capitalism

A patron of Economic Update asks: "Dear Prof. Wolff, I would like to begin by saying that I am 15 years old and only educated on a surface level on these topics but I have been engaging in many talks on capitalism with people around me and they often tend to say...

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Cities After... Urban Crises and the Architecture Discipline Today

[S01 E05] New

In this episode, Prof. Robles-Durán talks about the outmoded forms of knowledge that architecture and related urban design disciplines uphold, as global populations face ever-growing social and environmental urgencies in their cities... 

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Economic Update: Insurgent Working Class and Organization

[S11 E23] New

In this week's show, Prof Wolff presents updates on the efforts to finally add dental, vision, and hearing coverage to Medicare, the effects of Trump's tariffs on China, and the contradictions between capitalist profiteering...

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Ask Prof Wolff: What is the Surplus Value of a Secretary?

A patron of Economic Update asks: ""I have some trouble understanding the concept of how to quantify surplus value for jobs that don't directly contribute to the production process. For example, a secretary who works in the in-house legal department at a solar-panel production facility...

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Anti-Capitalist Chronicles: Dumping Surplus Capital

[S3 E15] New

In this episode of ACC, Prof. Harvey talks about the changing dynamics of capital accumulation since Marx's analysis in the Grundrisse. The disempowerment of workers as part of the Neoliberal strategy of the 1980s to the present day, led to declining wages...

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Ask Prof Wolff: Reform vs. Revolution

A patron of Economic Update asks: "I’ve heard a critique of social democracy from some socialists and it goes like this: because of increased taxes for social democratic reforms, corporations will seek cheap labor and resources of the global south to stay competitive on the global market...

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Economic Update: The Center Cannot Hold

[S11 E22] New

This program begins by analyzing the political monopoly (aka "The Center") operated by the GOP and Dems in the US: its organization and dominance until the last few years. The monopoly deteriorates as both GOP and Democrat coalitions...

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Ask Prof Wolff: Private Profit Systems Are NOT Permanent

A patron of Economic Update asks: "Are private-profit economies permanent? How often are they recreated? What advice do you have for shattering mythical ideas around capitalist permanence?"

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Capitalism Hits Home: Identity Politics - Class Identity

[S04 E01] New

We are back with a new season of CHH! In this episode of CHH, Dr. Fraad explores the question of identity politics. Identity politics can be liberating for those who identify as women, people of color, or LGBTQ members...

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Ask Prof Wolff: Is Nordic Socialism a Progressive Step?

A patron of Economic Update asks: "I wondered if you could give your critique of the Nordic model, as practiced in for example Norway, Sweden and Denmark. I've heard American socialists speak warmly about these countries, but they clearly want to go further...

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Cities After... Leilani Farha on Housing & Real Estate Markets

[S01 E04] New

In this episode, Prof. Robles-Duran is joined by Leilani Farha, a Canadian human rights lawyer and Global Director of The Shift, to talk about the effects of the pandemic on housing markets... 

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Economic Update: A "Living Wage"

[S11 E21] New

On this week's show, Prof. Wolff comments on how and why "consumerism" matters and on why Biden's "progressive shift" is both like and unlike (far more limited so far) FDR's...

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Ask Prof Wolff: Founding Fathers, Capitalism vs. Socialism

A patron of Economic Update asks: ""We hear from conservatives how the "Founding Fathers" of US Democracy were staunch Capitalists and wanted no part of Socialism...

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Anti-Capitalist Chronicles: The Politics of Austerity of the 70s & 80s

[S3 E14] New

In this episode of ACC, Prof. Harvey talks about the birth of the neoliberalism following the crisis of the 1970s...

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Ask Prof Wolff: Blaming Government for Capitalism's Ills

A patron of Economic Update asks: "According to a recent Axios article on Americans' trust in institutions (linked below), 77% say they trust their employers and 62% trust businesses, both outperforming NGO's and government by significant margins...

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All Things Co-op: Co-op Cycle

[S04 E09] New

Co-op Cycle is a platform cooperative based primarily in France, but with member cooperatives around Europe. In this episode, the ATC guys chat with Adrien Claude, the coordinator for Co-op Cycle, about how it works...

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Ask Prof Wolff: Media Bias & Capitalism

A patron of Economic Update asks: "Hello Professor Wolff, I was wondering if you could answer this question: most Americans, including me, believe that the Press is too biased...

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Ten Years Ago: Unemployment [10th Anniversary of Economic Update with Richard Wolff]

 

The staggering failure in the last 10 years, that Economic Update has periodically talked about, has been the failure even to remember American history well enough to have instituted a federal jobs program.
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Ask Prof Wolff: Marx's Flaws

A patron of Economic Update asks: "Hi Prof. Wolff! What are Marx's flaws that you've briefly mentioned before? The labor theory of value? Communism itself? Any of your personal critiques?...

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Cities After... Housing & Real Estate Markets Around the Globe

[S01 E03] New

In this episode, Prof. Robles-Duran talks about contradictions that have emerged during the global pandemic all around the world...

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Economic Update: Labor & Capitalism's Rise & Fall

[S11 E20] New

On this week's show, Prof. Wolff discusses Congress Bills H.R.51 giving statehood to Washington, DC, and H.R.1 countering GOP efforts to restrict voting; and Biden's...

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Ask Prof Wolff: Economic Growth in the USSR & China

A patron of Economic Update asks: "You often mention the USSR as the fastest growing economy of the 20th century. However, I am often confronted with the latest Maddison Project 2020 data...

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Capitalism Hits Home: Violence - A Shield for Emotional Vulnerability

[S3 E30] New

In this episode of CHH, Dr. Fraad discusses the most virulent examples of American violence: the US's world dominance in mass shootings and rape...

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Anti-Capitalist Chronicles: The Legitimation Crisis of the late 1960s

[S3 E13] New

In this episode of ACC, Prof. Harvey takes us through the political agitations that occurred in the US in the 1960s...

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Ask Prof Wolff: Rural America & Politics

A patron of Economic Update asks: "I have a very general question related to how to approach organizing a more cooperative future: How do we deal with the divisions that have been so skillfully sowed amongst us down to...

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All Things Co-op: Critiques of Co-ops

[S4 E08] New

In this episode of ATC, Kevin, Larry and Cinar talk about some of the most common criticisms of co-ops that they've heard over the years and respond to it...

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Economic Update: Valuing Work by Women of Color

[S11 E19] New

On this week's show, Prof. Wolff discusses Bernie Madoff's $ 82 billion swindles and capitalism's incentives for swindling, the economics of wars in Iraq and Afghanistan...

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Ask Prof Wolff: Wages, Prices & Inflation

A patron of Economic Update asks: "Econ 101 taught me that some level of unemployment is necessary, in part, to prevent a wage and inflation upward 'spiral...

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Capitalism Hits Home: Children in the US Today

[S3 E29] New

America's Children are the source of omnipresent sentimental solicitude. At the same time, they are in fact massively neglected and in trouble. Dr. Fraad explores...

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Global Capitalism: May 2021 Live Economic Update

Biden’s Economic Plans and Likely Results
with Richard D. Wolff 
Co-sponsored by Democracy at Work & Judson Memorial Church
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Ask Prof Wolff: COVID and Capitalism's Internal Contradictions

A patron of Economic Update asks: "What are the contradictions in capitalism that the coronavirus pandemic has exposed and laid bare?...

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Cities After... David Harvey on Urban Emptiness

[S01 E02] New

In this episode, Prof Robles-Durán and guest, the Marxist geographer David Harvey have a conversation about possible futures to the new empty spaces that...

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Cities After... Urban Emptiness and the Pandemic

[S01 E01] New

In the first episode, Prof Robles-Durán explores the urban shifts surrounding the dramatic rise of commercial and residential vacancies during the global pandemic...

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Economic Update: Capitalism vs. Democracy

[S11 E18] New

On this week's show, Prof. Wolff presents an analysis of how and why capitalism is an undemocratic economic system...

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Ask Prof Wolff: Inflation's Risks

A patron of Economic Update asks: "If there is a relationship between inflation and the capacity of a country to absorb newly printed money, how do international markets affect inflation since dollars are used around the world and some of the new money would make it to the world in general? Is the dollar less prone to inflation because dollars are used around the world? If so, is there a measure of inflation resistance for different currencies to get an idea where the dollar stands vs other currencies?"

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Capitalism Hits Home: The American Family

[S3 E28] New

Where did our family form come from and how is it doing now? This episode of Capitalism Hits Home looks at what is happening in America's families...

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Anti-Capitalist Chronicles: Keynesianism of the 1960s

[S3 E12] New

In this part 4 of 4, Prof. Harvey talks about the economic evolution of the 1960s and the suburbanization of America...

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Ask Prof Wolff: Defining Historical and Dialectical Materialism

A patron of Economic Update asks: "Can you breakdown historical materialism and dialectics...

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All Thing Co-op: The Eva Cooperative

[S4 E07] New

In this episode of All Things Co-op, Cinar and Kevin talk with Dardan Isufi, the Chief Operating Officer of the Eva Cooperative, a rideshare...

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Economic Update: How US Capitalism Uses Nationalism

[S11 E17] New

From 1945 to 1990 we were told a great struggle pitted capitalism against socialism/communism (chiefly the USSR and China). Yet still today, US leaders demonize Russia and China...

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Ask Prof Wolff: Capitalism and Racism

A patron of Economic Update asks: "Hi Professor Wolff, I was wondering if you could discuss the link between racism and capitalism in the United States and the...

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Capitalism Hits Home: The Socialist Feminist Way To Beat the NRA and Militarism

[S3 E27] New

On this week's CHH, Dr. Fraad and Prof. Forlano take on the NRA and militarism. The massive well funded lobbying of the NRA, disguised as a non-profit, has paid for friendly lawmakers. We can...

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Ask Prof Wolff: How Anti-Capitalists Defeat "Capital Flight"

A patron of Economic Update asks: "How can a progressive anti-capitalist movement survive...

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Economic Update: A Green 3rd Party for the US

[S11 E16] New

On this week's episode, Prof. Wolff talks about Rolls Royce's $400,000 cars, unionization defeat at Amazon, why Biden boom is just hype, and progressive wins in the New York...

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Ask Prof Wolff: Latin America's Pink Tide

A patron of Economic Update asks: "I was wondering if you could talk about the rise of the left 'Pink Tide' governments of Latin America in the last couple of decades. In what ways have these governments...

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Ten Years Ago: Defense Spending [10th Anniversary of Economic Update with Richard Wolff]

 

Defense spending was never really a story of military issues. It's really more of an economic story....
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Capitalism Hits Home: Capitalism's Connection to America's Mass Shootings

[S3 E26] New

On this week's CHH, Dr. Fraad and Prof. Forlano talk about the intersection of capitalism with mass shootings. Why has the US had more than one mass shooting every day for a month? We are outliers...

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Anti-Capitalist Chronicles: Absolute Contradictions of the Post-War Era

[S3 E11] New

In this part 3 of the 4-part series, Prof. Harvey applies Marx's theory of absolute contradictions to the post-war period. He draws parallels with 1860s France under Bonaparte's rule and the pressures that led to...

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Ask Prof Wolff: Democratic Workplaces, Democratic Residences

A patron of Economic Update asks: "I was surprised to learn about the prevalence of farming cooperatives in Rojava. I would love to hear your thoughts on the compatibility of worker coop economies...

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All Things Co-op: Co-ops and Their Organizations

[S4 E06] New

In this episode of ATC, Kevin, Larry and Cinar talk about the organizations that represent cooperatives in the US and their political reticence to be anti-capitalist. They discuss...

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Economic Update: Workers Successfully Take Over their Workplaces

[S11 E15] New

On this week's show, Prof. Wolff discusses how the US home rental market is failing over 20% of all renters, and the basic flaws in Biden's...
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Ask Prof Wolff: Wages in a Communist System

A patron of Economic Update asks: "In communism those who contribute most to society receive the most in return (ie. the fruits of their labor), and those who contribute less get less. How does...

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Capitalism Hits Home: Should Andrew Cuomo Be Impeached?

[S3 E25] New

The movement to impeach New York's Governor Cuomo raises complex issues. Cuomo's sexually inappropriate gestures towards 10 of the women he employed, does not match the rape and...

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Ask Prof Wolff: Comment on Modern Monetary Theory

A patron of Economic Update asks: "What is the Marxist take on Modern Monetary Theory...

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Economic Update: Marxism's Ongoing Relevance

[S11 E14] New

After clearing away the Cold War debris that blocked discussion of Marxism's insights since 1945, we focus on Marxism's core contribution to (1) thinking about and (2) changing modern...

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Capitalism Hits Home: Caring: The Crucial Infrastructure of Human Life

[S3 E24] New

Biden's 2 trillion dollar "American Jobs Plan" includes  a $400 billion dollar commitment to support America's care economy. This plan lifts the salaries of America's badly underpaid domestic workers...

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Anti-Capitalist Chronicles: The Golden Age of Post-War Capital

[S3 E10] New

In this part 2 of the 4-part series, Prof. Harvey examines the development of capital in the period after WW2 through the 1970s, made possible through the repression of left-wing ideologies and...

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Ask Prof Wolff: Chinese Defense Spending Games

A patron of Economic Update asks: "My question is, how useful is the idea of Purchasing Power Parity in regards to comparing how much money two countries...

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All Things Co-op: Unions and Co-ops

[S4 E05] New

Unions and Worker Cooperatives are two forms of worker organizations focused on fighting for justice in solidarity. However, Unions and Coops fulfill different functions. What similarities do they share...

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Economic Update: When Economic Systems Fail

[S11 E13] New

On this week's episode, Prof. Wolff talks about the structural failure of Biden's American Rescue Plan, Nigerian mass workers' movement, private electricity for the US rich, big vs small business...

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Ask Prof Wolff: Individualism vs. Community

A patron of Economic Update asks: "Is it necessary to reshape the western culture that puts the individual interest first, and not the interest of the community...

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Ask Prof Wolff: Did the US Slow Japan's Economy?

A patron of Economic Update asks: "Prof Wolff has to examine the history of US economic prevention measures that were used against nations that grew to more than 2/3rds the US economy. When Japan...

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Economic Update: Dems' Self-promotion versus Hard Economic Realities

[S11 E12] New

On this week's show, Prof. Wolff discusses the US coal industry decline, Brazil's Covid disaster, economic surge after Covid, and Elizabeth Warren's wealth tax...

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Ask Prof Wolff: China's Economic "Model"

A patron of Economic Update asks: "I am wondering, because the Chinese have an essential left wing "government" dictatorship, although they are so far to the left they are almost out of sight, does this mean that the US and global economies will be FORCED to move to the left in terms of their spending plans and priorities,, particularly now that the US dollar has lost its status as the global reserve currency?"

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Anti-Capitalist Chronicles: How Capital Evolves

[S3 E09] New

This episode is part 1 of a 4-part series. Prof. Harvey explores the evolution of capital throughout history and examines the shifts to finance from commodity production and trade...

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All Things Co-op: Interview with Drivers Coop Worker-Owners

[S4 E04]

In this episode Kevin, Cinar, and Larry talk with Erik Foreman and David Alexis about their exciting new cooperative - Drivers.Coop - in New York City...

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Ask Prof Wolff: John Locke, Karl Marx: Capitalism's Critics

A patron of Economic Update asks: "I'm wondering if he could discuss how Locke's Labor Theory of Property compares and contrasts to Marx's Labor Theory of...

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Economic Update: Finally A Tiny Sales Tax on Stocks

[S11 E11] New

On this week's show, Wolff talks about the taxing of CEO pay in the US, the immoral and self-defeating vaccine policy, and LeBron James speaking out on...

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Ask Prof Wolff: Profiteering Electric Companies

A patron of Economic Update asks: "I would like to hear your view of community owned coops with regards to utilities. I ask this because I am at the other end of the state proximal to Niagara Falls...

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Capitalism Hits Home: Shelter As A Human Right

[S3 E23] New

This is part 4 of the 4-part series on capitalist commodification, Fraad and Forlano talk about shelter as a basic human need. 500,000 Americans are...

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Ask Prof Wolff: Corporate Threats to Leave are Empty

A patron of Economic Update asks: "What economic consequences would result if, in response to such demands, these companies were told to turn off the lights and close their doors...

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Economic Update: People to People: Horizontal Social Change

[S11 E10] New

On this week's show, Prof. Wolff presents updates on the Texas energy catastrophe, the 'Robinhood/Reddit' Wall Street incident, college workers organizing, Hollywood's dependency on China, and how New Zealand...

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Ask Prof Wolff: Why Use the word "Socialism"

A patron of Economic Update asks: "My question is: The word "socialism" has been completely corrupted in the USA and associated with all kinds of false and negative connotations, so can we come up with new terminology to express...

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Capitalism Hits Home: Healthy Food- A Basic Need for Human Survival

[S3 E22] New

In this part 3 of the 4-part series on capitalist commodification, Fraad and Forlano talk about the need for healthy food for basic human survival. Making food a...

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Anti-Capitalist Chronicles: China's Economic Rise - Part 2

[S3 E08] New

This episode is part 2 of 2. It is a compilation of Prof. Harvey's 3 most popular shows on the People's Republic of China. Harvey explains...

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Global Capitalism: March 2021 Live Economic Update

March 2020-March 2021: Covid and the Crash
with Richard D. Wolff 
Co-sponsored by Democracy at Work & Judson Memorial Church
 
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Ask Prof Wolff: Why a Worker Co-op Economy Would be Less Unstable

A patron of Economic Update asks: "My question is, would worker owned and operated cooperatives operating in a market driven, profit motivated economy be more immune to the boom-bust...

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All Things Co-op: Taking on Rosa Luxemburg's Critique of Co-ops

[S4 E03] New

In her famous text Reform or Revolution, Rosa Luxemburg spent a short chapter discussing cooperatives, and made a classic critique. In this episode...

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Economic Update: Socialism and Puerto Rico

[S11 E09] New

On this week's EU, Prof. Wolff presents updates on worsening US inequality, universities borrowing more, billions earned by hedge funds in 2020, Bezos...

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Ask Prof Wolff: A Mistaken Critique of Marx

A patron of Economic Update asks: "Famed economist Vilfredo Pareto, who was a lifelong adversary of Marxism, believed that Marx’s view of the history of class struggle was highly oversimplified and misleading – that the struggle goes far beyond...

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Capitalism Hits Home: Water is a Human Right

[S3 E21] New

In this second episode of the 4-part series on capitalist commodification, Fraad and Forlano discuss water rights. 8.8 million people in Texas are still having...

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Ask Prof Wolff: Does Capitalism Increase Wealth?

A patron of Economic Update asks: "Is there any evidence to support the idea that capitalism is responsible for the increase in wealth seen in the western countries during the 20th century? Or can it all be explained by...

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Economic Update: The System Implodes: Amazon, Evictions, Tax Abuses, and Minimum Wages

[S11 E08] New

On this week's show, Prof. Wolff discusses Amazon's profits; New York state's eviction crisis and capitalism's reproduction of poverty and inequality; New York's stock...

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Ask Prof Wolff: Worker Co-ops and Expansion

A patron of Economic Update asks: "One of the challenges of worker cooperatives growing seems to be that worker cooperatives are not as interested in expansion as their capitalist...

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Capitalism Hits Home: Texas's Energy Disaster: A Crisis of Capitalism

[S3 E20] New

In this part 1 of an 4-part series on capitalist commodification, Dr. Fraad and Prof. Forlano talk about the importance of heat and electricity. They discuss the devastation and the loss of...

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Anti-Capitalist Chronicles: China's Economic Rise - Part 1

[S3 E07] New

This part 1 of 2 episodes is a compilation of 3 of Prof. Harvey's most popular shows. Harvey explains the rise and significance of China as...

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Ask Prof Wolff: Marxism and the Slogan "Abolish Billionaires"

A patron of Economic Update asks: "Marxist activist and revolutionary Caleb Maupin claims that the slogan "Abolish Billionaires" is anti-Marxist, and that Marxism means...

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All Things Co-op: Envisioning a Cooperative Society

[S4 E02] New

In this episode of All Things Co-op Larry, Cinar, and Kevin attempt to answer the often asked question for anti-capitalists - “What does your future society look like?” While one version of a post-capitalist society...

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Economic Update: Why Capitalism Reproduces Inequality and a Solution

[S11 E07] New

The extreme economic inequalities of both global and US capitalism are not new or exceptional. Capitalism reproduces inequality and repeatedly blocks or reverses redistribution...

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Ask Prof Wolff: Why Rising Wages Do Not Necessarily Mean Price Increases

A patron of Economic Update asks: "There is an argument that states "if worker wages rise, the owner/board of directors will pass off the cost to the consumer which offsets...

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Ask Prof Wolff: The Tasks of Socialist/Labor Parties Today

A patron of Economic Update asks: "I would love to see a response on the nature of the Neo-Liberal reforms worldwide and their impact on the economic and social objectives of leftist...

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Economic Update: The US Political Right in Anger and Mourning

[S11 E06] New

On this week's show, Prof. Wolff presents updates on the radical policies of Berlin's city gov't and its Die LInke Party; why raising minimum wage to...

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Ask Prof Wolff: Capitalism vs. Healthcare

A patron of Economic Update asks: "What can you tell me about Catherine Austin Fitts? How do you feel about her credibility regarding COVID and...

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Capitalism Hits Home: Kristen Ghodsee on the Decommodification of Sex - Part 2

[S3 E19] New

On this part 2 of 2, Dr. Fraad and Prof. Forlano continue their conversation with author and Professor Kristen Ghodsee about the interdependence of women's sexual relationships, fertility and motherhood to their economic independence.

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Ask Prof Wolff: Money and Inflation in Today's US

A patron of Economic Update asks: "Prof. Wolff, what is the current inflation rate in US? I see on the gov't sites as being 1.4% but after we printed...

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All Things Co-op: Alienation, Office Space, and the Cure for Capitalism

[S4 E01] New

Work sucks. But why? Why do we all long for happy hour after work ends? In this episode of the All Things Coop podcast, Larry, Cinar, and Kevin sit down to talk about the...

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Economic Update: History's Lessons on Capitalism's Failures: Germany and US

[S11 E05] New

On this week's show, Prof. Wolff evaluates capitalism by how it deals with Covid-19 and talks about Boeing's latest fatal crash. The second half of the show is dedicated to...

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Ask Prof Wolff: State-Owned Enterprises vs. Private Enterprises

A patron of Economic Update asks: "I would like to ask you if you can talk a little bit about the efficiency of state owned enterprises. my teacher has...

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Ask Prof Wolff: How Would A Worker Co-op Based Socialism Handle the Pandemic?

A patron of Economic Update asks: "How would a stateless socialist society have handled the pandemic? Assuming that worker co-ops...

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Capitalism Hits Home: Kristen Ghodsee on the Decommodification of Sex - Part 1

[S3 E18] New

On this week's show, Dr. Fraad and Prof. Forlano talk with author and Professor Kristen Ghodsee about the interdependence of women's sexual...

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Economic Update: Why Women Have Better Sex In Socialism

[S11 E04] New

On this week's show, Prof. Wolff presents short updates on the Economic Plans of the Biden administration and US economic inequality...

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Capitalism Hits Home: The Role of Emotions in our Personal and Political Lives

[S3 E17] New

On this week's episode of Capitalism Hits Home, Dr. Fraad and Prof. Forlano discuss emotional needs and desires and how they permeate every aspect of...

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Ask Prof Wolff: ESOPs, WSDEs & How to Fund Worker Co-ops

A patron of Economic Update asks: "It would be interesting to contrast and look at ESOPs and WSDEs side by side! I have spent time on the lack of financing options from...

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Ask Prof Wolff: Why a Socialist Party for the US

A patron of Economic Update asks: "Noting the success of the third party "Farmer-Labor Party" in securing power in the state of Minnesota, particularity in...

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Economic Update: The Economics Lesson Taught by the Pandemic

[S11 E03] New

On this week's show, Professor Wolff explains where the government is respected and empowered, nations have effectively contained the Covid-19 pandemic...

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Capitalism Hits Home: Sex Under Socialism

[S3 E16] New

On this week's show, part 4 of the 4 part series on the intersection of sex, sexuality and capitalism, Dr. Fraad and Prof. Forlano discuss author Kristen Ghodsee's...

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Ask Prof Wolff: How Rent Controls Can Solve Housing Shortages

A patron of Economic Update asks: "Today, my economics teacher was trying to argue that price controls (price ceilings and floors) on landlords...

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Economic Update: Noam Chomsky on Prospects and Tasks as 2021 Begins

[S11 E02] New

This week, Professor Wolff gives updates on President-elect Biden's economic advisor "team", how Argentina's women's movement leads the defeat of...

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Ask Prof Wolff: Yugoslavia's Experiment with Worker Co-ops

A patron of Economic Update asks: "Tito ruled Yugoslavia with an iron fist for nearly 40 years after WW2. He implemented 'self-management' Socialism and...

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Capitalism Hits Home: The Capitalist Commodification of Sex

[S3 E15] New

On this week's show, Dr. Fraad and Prof. Forlano present some of the ways that sexual sales operate. The utter failure of America's sex...

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Ask Prof Wolff: How Socialists Win Rural and Farm Areas

A patron of Economic Update asks: "I am fascinated about socialist & marxist movements in rural areas, small towns and among farmers...

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Global Capitalism: January 2021 Live Economic Update

US Capitalism’s Decline and Desperate Efforts to Save It
with Richard D. Wolff 
Co-sponsored by Democracy at Work & Judson Memorial Church
 
In connection with Wolff’s discussion of the main topic above, he will also cover the following issues at the January 2021 event...
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Economic Update: Externalities and Capitalism's Inefficiencies

[S11 E01] New

This program introduces the economic concept of "externalities." Those are the real costs of employers' business decisions that employers do not pay for or take into account: costs "external" to...

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Ask Prof Wolff: Recession: Capitalism not Covid

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A Patron of Economic Update asks: "The mainstream view is that the pandemic and the recession are linked and constitute a single problem. It is often referred to as the coronavirus recession. What is the evidence that the recession began before and/or independent of the pandemic?"

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Capitalism Hits Home: The Capitalist Problem with Sex Education in the US

[S3 E14] New

This is part 2 of a 4 part series on the intersection of sex and capitalism. On this episode of Capitalism Hits Home, Dr. Fraad and Prof. Forlano discuss how...

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Ask Prof Wolff: The Political Case for Boycotts

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A Patron of Economic Update asks: "Why are there not "any" efforts to organize nationwide citizen boycotts of major corporations and other entities of power?"

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AskProfWolff: More Benefits Of Worker Co-ops

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A Patron of Economic Update asks: "What are some other benefits of worker co-ops to workers and society at large?"

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Economic Update: Growing Independent, Progressive Media

[S10 E50] New

This week's show features updates on the continuing lessons from 2020 at the year's end and an interview with David Pakman... 

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AskProfWolff: Why Capitalist Inequality Matters

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A Patron of Economic Update asks: "I’m wondering if you have a response besides the morality of inequality and a way to convince someone inequality is bad economically."

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Economic Update: Lessons From A Crisis Year 2020

[S10 E49] New

This week's show features a survey of the major economic events of 2020 that were poorly covered by mainstream media... 

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AskProfWolff: Should the Government Have an Ownership Interest in all Businesses?

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A Patron of Economic Update asks: "What do you think the impact on Americans lives would be if a government investment fund owned a set portion of every company registered in the US?"

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Capitalism Hits Home: Capitalism and Sexual Exploitation: The PornHub Scourge

[S10 E13] New

Dr. Fraad and Professor Forlano discuss the recent New York Times editorial by Nicholas Kristof, The Children of Porn Hub, and the intersection of capitalism with sex...

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AskProfWolff: The Short, Strong Case for Worker Co-ops

A Patron of Economic Update asks: "I am interested in learning about worker co-ops and I want to know what are some of the problems that worker co-ops aim to fix and...

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All Things Co-op: Interview with Steve Storkan, EOX Network

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All Things Co-op welcomes Esteban Kelly, the Executive Director for the US Federation of Worker Cooperatives for a fascinating glimpse into the work of USFWC, and his thoughts on both national and international strategies for growth in the cooperative movement.

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Economic Update: Working Class Power

[S10 E48] New

On this week's show, Prof. Wolff discusses Biden's 'new economic team,' big US banks falling short in key stress tests, India's 250-million-strong general strike, interviews Flight Attendants Union President Sara Nelson, and more...

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AskProfWolff: Populism as a Political Movement

A Patron of Economic Update asks: "Why and how is it that populism became a dirty word, and became associated with fascism?"

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Capitalism Hits Home: Why Did Trump Get So Many Millions of Votes?

[S10 E12] New

This episode of CHH explores the Trump phenomenon, when millions shared Trump's message that they were conned but...

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All Things Co-op Special Event: A Conversation with Prof. Wolff

Democracy at Work and All Things Co-op Season Special Event: A Conversation with Prof. Wolff

 

This is a special ATC event with the hosts of All Things Co-op and special guest Prof. Wolff.

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AskProfWolff: Capitalism's Crashes: An Analysis

A Patron of Economic Update asks: "Can you define and articulate the dimensions and factors used to determine that a "crash of capitalism" has occurred?"

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Economic Update: Social Movement Gains in LA

[S10 E47] New

On this week's show, Prof. Wolff discusses the immense social waste of today's US unemployment  the Trump ban on investments in Chinese companies, new global...

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AskProfWolff: Why Marx Differentiates "Productive" from "Unproductive Labor"

A Patron of Economic Update asks: "You mention three types of "actors" within the modern U.S. economy: productive, unproductive, and capitalist. Are unproductive workers...

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Capitalism Hits Home: Does Capitalism Kill Creativity? Let's Count the Ways.

[S3 E11] New

On this week's show, Dr. Fraad and Julianna Forlano discuss the difference between the life of a Walmart worker with that of a Mondragon worker. Some folks say...

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Anti-Capitalist Chronicles: Science and Authority

[S3 E6] New

On this episode of David Harvey's Anti-Capitalist Chronicles, Prof, Harvey argues that what is being done politically to deal with the propagation of...

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AskProfWolff: Capitalism's "Economic Growth" Fetish

A Patron of Economic Update asks: "What is economic growth? Where does it come from, why can capitalism not go without it, why does...

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All Things Co-op: Interview with Esteban Kelly, US Federation of Worker Cooperatives

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All Things Co-op welcomes Esteban Kelly, the Executive Director for the US Federation of Worker Cooperatives for a fascinating glimpse into the work of USFWC, and his thoughts on both national and international strategies for growth in the cooperative movement.

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The Sickness is The System: When Capitalism Fails to Save Us from Pandemics or Itself - Animated Video

This animated video provides an overview of Prof. Wolff's latest book, The Sickness is the System: When Capitalism Fails to Save Us from Pandemics or Itself.

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Economic Update: What "Capitalism's Decline" Means

[S10 E46] New

This week's show is dedicated to a discussion of the signs of US capitalism's decline. Wolff explores the passage of US capitalism from its birth, through...

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AskProfWolff: Uber, Lyft: Profits Vs. Labor Law Protections

A Patron of Economic Update asks: "You mentioned CA Prop 22 in a recent video. You clearly felt that Uber, Lyft, et al, bought passage and fooled voters. But many...

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Capitalism Hits Home: The Real Value of Essential Labor

[S3 E10] New

On this week's show, Dr. Fraad and Julianna Forlano discuss the amazing bill just passed by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s Socialist Labor Party which explores...

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Anti-Capitalist Chronicles: The U.S. Presidential Election

[S3 E05] New

On this episode of David Harvey's Anti-Capitalist Chronicles, Prof, Harvey presents his analysis of the 2020 U.S. elections...

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Global Capitalism: November 2020 Live Economic Update

Post-Election Special
with Richard D. Wolff 
Co-sponsored by Democracy at Work & Judson Memorial Church
 
This is a special post-election Global Capitalism featuring comments from guests Lee Camp, Lee Carter, Laura Flanders, Jessica Gordon-Nembhard...
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AskProfWolff: Reagan and The Air-Traffic Controllers Strike

A Patron of Economic Update asks: "I was wondering if Professor Wolff could comment on the events of 1980 when Ronald Reagan, took it upon himself to call a union strike of...

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All Things Co-op: Interview with Project Equity

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Hilary Abell of Project Equity joins All Things Co-op to talk about her experiences and take away from almost 2 decades of work in co-op development.

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Economic Update: U.S. Labor Battles Covid 19 & Politics

[S10 E45] New

On the first half of this week's show, Prof. Wolff discusses labor's gains and losses, and the refutation of the claim that China's spectacular economic growth is...

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AskProfWolff: The Political Economy of General Strikes

A Patron of Economic Update asks: "Several of the major unions are planning for a general strike should the current executive challenge the legitimacy of...

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Capitalism Hits Home: Toxic Masculinity - Pt 2

[S3 E09] New

On this part 2 of 2, Dr. Fraad and Julianna Forlano continue their discussion of toxic masculinity and how the social and economic conditions of its existence have transformed...

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AskProfWolff: Paul Baran as Marxist Teacher

A Patron of Economic Update asks: "Dear Professor Wolff: Apparently you had the opportunity as a student to study under the great economist Paul Baran. Would you...

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Economic Update: No Matter Who Wins

[S10 E44] New

On this week’s show, Prof. Wolff presents the following short updates: Inspire Brands buys Dunkin Donuts, as big firms grow while medium and small firms...

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AskProfWolff: Patents and Copyrights: A Socialist Approach

A Patron of Economic Update asks: "What is the role of patents and copyrights in a socialist society based on worker coop enterprises...

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Capitalism Hits Home: Toxic Masculinity - Pt 1

[S3 E08] New

On this part 1 of 2, Dr. Fraad and Julianna Forlano discuss toxic masculinity and how the social and economic conditions of its existence have transformed...

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Anti-Capitalist Chronicles: The Essence of a Capitalist Society

[S3 E04] New

On this episode of David Harvey's Anti-Capitalist Chronicles, Prof. Harvey argues that the transformation of the productive forces under capitalism require...

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AskProfWolff: Marx & Bakunin: Socialism & Anarchism

A Patron of Economic Update asks: "I’ve just learned the Prof. Crispin Sartwell intends to publish a book, based on Bakunin, that argues that Marx was an authoritarian...

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All Things Co-op: Interview with Mayor Jesse Arreguin

Economic Update: Capitalism's Worst Nightmare

[S10 E43] New

On this week's show, Prof. Wolff explores what major social changes will flow from today's combination of major economic crash and the viral pandemic (capitalism's worst nightmare). To answer, we consider...

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AskProfWolff: Union Co-ops and Worker Co-ops

A Patron of Economic Update asks: "Dear Professor Wolff, I’ve heard you occasionally mention that DaW has a Union Coop store. What is a Union Cooperative compared to a Worker Cooperative? Do Union Co-op’s...

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