Economic Update

Economic Update - Public Banking: Solving the Private Banking Mess

In this week’s show, Prof. Wolff presents updates on the abortion pill fight and drug firms' profiteering, stunning wage gains (of $7.50/hour) won by hotel workers' unions, US real wages fell March '22-March, racism and empty boasts in Tennessee. In the second half of the show, Wolff interviews Ellen Brown, Chair of Public Banking Institute, on the failures of US banks and the monetary system.

Economic Update - Varoufakis’ Critique of Capitalism Today

Yanis Varoufakis, elected member Greek parliament, joins the program 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.

Economic Update - ”Today’s Medicare for All Battle with Dr. William Bronston”

In this week’s show, 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.

 

 

Economic Update - ”When We Put People First in US Politics.”

In this week’s show, 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.

 

 

Economic Update - The Marxist Tradition

In this week’s show, 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.

Economic Update - ”Why the US Constitution is an Obstacle to Change”

In this week’s show, 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 Professor Robert Ovetz on how and why the US Constitution blocks social change.

 

 

Economic Update - ”How Austerity Paves the Way for Fascism”

This week, Professor Wolf interviews Prof. Clara Mattei on her new book Capital Order: How Economists Invented Austerity and Paved the Way to Fascism."

Economic Update - ”Social Security, Ohio Derailment, Puerto Rican Poverty: US Capitalism Provokes”

 In this week’s show, 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 Colon about the colonial status of Puerto Rico and Puerto Ricans fighting against it.

 

 

Economic Update - ”Establishment Media and Russia with Aaron Mate”

 In this week’s show, 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 Mate, independent US media critic with special expertise on Russia.

Economic Update - ”Are Mega-Corporations Ruining Our World?”

 In this week's show, 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.