Professor Richard Wolff joins Rachel Blevins on her show to discuss the current pro-Palestinian protests on university campuses and the broader socio-economic issues facing the United States. He compares the student protests to historical anti-war movements, criticizing the police and government response as heavy-handed and anti-free speech. Wolff also reflects on America's changing global economic position, highlighting the anxieties and frustrations due to growing inequalities and diminishing job prospects for younger generations. The discussion covers the American housing crisis, touching on the shift from home ownership to renting and the systemic issues contributing to this trend. Finally, Wolff warns of the potential for increased protest and union activity as young Americans face an uncertain economic future and denounces the vast spending on foreign aid while domestic issues are neglected.

This interview with "The Barricades" sees Professor Richard Wolff exploring the complex nature of knowledge in the context of economics. He addresses the need for a cross-disciplinary approach to understand what constitutes economic knowledge and highlights that this has traditionally been neglected in academic settings, including his own experiences in elite U.S. universities. Wolff emphasizes that the field of economics itself is modern, with diverse methodologies and foundational concepts, such as the Marxian focus on surplus versus other economic perspectives that may omit this concept. During the podcast, Wolff critiques the notion of a singular scientific method for discovering economic truths, suggesting that our individual backgrounds influence our perception and interpretation of economic data. Lastly, he posits that a true understanding of economics depends on acknowledging these differences and that facts are not absolute but are instead interpreted through personal lenses.

Today on The Socialist Program, Professor Richard Wolff joins the conversation to analyze the role of the working class in creating value within capitalist systems, elucidating Marx's concept that labor is the source of all value. He challenges the conventional economic wisdom by explaining how every production process relies fundamentally on labor, noting that workers are often not the owners of the full value they produce. Professor Wolff deconstructs the unjust nature of capitalism, where employers profit by paying workers less than the value their labor adds, thereby accumulating wealth from the surplus created by workers. He further dispels the myth that capitalists' unique skills justify this wealth accumulation, providing the example of Spain's successful Mondragon Cooperative Corporation as evidence that workers can effectively manage production.

Dr. Fraad join TRT World to take a deep dive into the issues of Palestine and the growing pro-Palestinian solidarity movement in the United States to dissect the unique engagement of young Americans with the cause. She links this engagement to the increasing economic pressures and pessimism facing youth, comparing their sense of dispossession to that of Palestinians. Dr. Fraad highlights the impact of capitalist dynamics and donor influence on institutions like Columbia University, which has faced controversy over suspensions of pro-Palestinian student groups. She also addresses the negative labeling of pro-Palestinian activism as anti-Semitic, countering it with the unity and moral outrage at the injustices faced by Palestinians. Lastly, Dr. Fraad discusses how solidarity movements and unions provide a sense of connection and support that is crucial for mental health in America's isolated and individualistic society.

As we celebrate May Day this year we do so within a unique set of conditions, the resurgence of the Labor Movement in the U.S.A.  That resurgence was highlighted by the Summer of 2023 which was dubbed as “Strike Summer” by many commentators.  While that was certainly a highlight, the roots for this resurgence ion the Labor Movement, like all social movement highlights, can be traced back at least several years.

On Dialogue Works, Richard Wolff joins the conversation to analyze the complex nature of settler colonialism and its historical impact, particularly relating to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He discusses the perceived historical impossibility of Israel's settler colonial project in the current international context and President Biden's shifting policy towards Israel in light of global opposition. The conversation then shifts to the broader global dynamics, where Wolff cautions against the United States continuing as a declining empire incapable of recognizing its fading dominance. He contrasts the US and China's approach to international policy and development, suggesting the world is evaluating which is more successful: military expenditure or economic growth that alleviates poverty. Finally, Wolff addresses the notion of "might makes right," challenging the inevitability of conflict and suggesting that, historically, nations have found ways to coexist and resolve tensions without resorting to perpetual war.

Dr. Harriet Fraad shares insights on the Superdatic Club podcast today by discussing the evolution of the feminist movement and how it was influenced and partly diverted by external forces such as the CIA and FBI. She highlights the relationship between economic systems, gender, and family structures, noting the impact of class stratification on these aspects of society. Fraad also addresses the transformation and challenges of the nuclear family in contemporary times, pointing out the lack of supportive social structures for families in the United States. Moreover, she mentions how the decline of unions and rise of class consciousness are leading to a resurgence in union activity and a reevaluation of gender and race issues within a broader economic context. Lastly, Fraad's positive view on the increasing involvement of men in child-rearing suggests a hopeful shift towards greater gender equality in parenting.

Richard Wolff joins The Socialist Program to discuss Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen's trip to China and her focus on the so-called overcapacity issue, which the U.S. argues is China's production of too much in certain key economic areas. Wolff criticizes this complaint as a public relations tactic by the Biden administration, pointing out that many economies, including the U.S., have excess capacity, and that China's success in electric vehicles and other industries is due to their ability to produce large quantities efficiently. The Chinese strategy of developing extensive production capacity is a normal competitive strategy in capitalism and has been employed by successful U.S. companies historically. Wolff also touches on the debate about protectionist policies and argues that both free trade and protection can have complex and varying effects on the working class, suggesting that the real issue for the working class should be their relationship with the employer class. Lastly, he notes the shift from U.S. advocacy for free trade to protectionist policies, highlighting how China and other countries are adapting

By “class system” we mean the basic workplace organizations—the human relationships or “social relations”—that accomplish the production and distribution of goods and services. Some examples include the master/slave, communal village, and lord/serf organizations. Another example, the distinctive capitalist class system, entails the employer/employee organization. In the United States and in much of the world, it is now the dominant class system. Employers—a tiny minority of the population—direct and control the enterprises and employees that produce and distribute goods and services. Employers buy the labor power of employees—the population’s vast majority—and set it to work in their enterprises. Each enterprise’s output belongs to its employer who decides whether to sell it, sets the price, and receives and distributes the resulting revenue.

Harriet Fraad joins Irish Granny Tarot to discuss her experiences and insights as one of the pioneers of the Second Wave Women's Movement. She clarifies the myth of bra burning during the Miss America protest, reaffirming the movement's focus on combating second-class citizenship for women rather than protesting beauty standards. Fraad shares personal stories of her family upbringing, highlighting the complex feminist views of her parents and the unique challenges she faced due to her mother's absence during early childhood. The conversation touches on famous figures in the feminist movement, noting Fraad's perspective on their contributions and controversies, such as Gloria Steinem's ties with the CIA. Looking to the future, Fraad advocates for a unified movement that includes class, gender, race, and LGBTQ rights, with hopes for strong, charismatic leaders who can champion these causes.