Economic Update

Economic Update - Living in a Socialist Economy

Updates on the US "bribing for college admission" scandal, how lobbyists reflect and worsen inequality, So. and No. Carolina teachers strike for better education, how NDAs (non-disclosure agreements) reflect and worsen workplace inequalities across global capitalism. Interview Victor Grossman, American who lived and worked in socialist Germany across the entire history of the GDR.

Economic Update - Social Movement for Economic Democracy

Updates on 60 megacorps who paid no 2018 Federal taxes, GM's CEO gets $29.1 million while GM fires thousands, wrecks communities, etc., Notre Dame tragedy exposes French inequality as billionaires suddenly find money for a church, not for people, rising wave of US worker strikes reflect militance and unity. Interview with Rebecca Lurie, Director of Community and Worker Ownership Project, CUNY.

Economic Update - Lawyers vs the System

 Updates on US college students as share-croppers for investors, on conservatives' fake opposition to gov't intervention in the economy, on deepening inadequacy of retirement savings of US baby boomers, and on how fading US middle class leads many first to blame/scapegoat foreigners, then fellow citizens. Interview Michael Steven Smith on new book, Lawyers for the Left.

Economic Update - Capitalism versus Socialism

This over 200-year debate and struggle has become confused and confusing. Too many different definitions make honest, balanced discussions and evaluations of these alternative systems difficult. Because socialism is rising yet again to challenge capitalism, the debate now must take account of the terms' new and different meanings. We do that here in arguing for a new way to understand and engage "capitalism versus socialism." 

 

 

 

Economic Update - The #MeToo Movement

Updates on Chicago in change, decline of world trade, New York's "congestion pricing,  IMF on Trump trade war and hi-tech monopolies, 7 states sue Ag Dept over school lunch deregulations, Trump cautions audience "Don't underestimate "the power of socialism to get a vote." Interview with Dr. Harriet Fraad on causes of the #MeToo movement.

Economic Update - Economic Update: Venezuela

On this week's show, Prof. Wolff presents updates on Brexit and Mueller Report, Chicago is new site of labor upsurge, how income shapes education and thus "merit," why objections to Green New Deal and Medicare for All are mistaken, how a fascistic "punish the poor" mentality rises in US. In the second half of the show, Prof. Wolff interviews Prof. George Ciccariello-Maher on the crisis, foreign intervention. and resistance in Venezuela.

Economic Update - Employer vs Employee: Capitalism's Endless Conflict

Updates on LA strippers strike, Trump fails to end US trade deficit, UN reports on protests against capitalist inequality and gov't repression of those protests, GM closes Lordstown, Ohio factory with tragic social effects, Trump and FED reduce bank regulation after 10 years of massive bank misdeeds. Interview with journalist Bob Hennelly on underpaid EMTs and right-wing hostility to Green New Deal's proposal for a universal right to a job.

Economic Update - Beyond Universal Basic Income

 In-depth analysis of UBI shows its advantages over most welfare, safety net systems. An even better alternative would avoid capitalism's unnecessary production of unemployment because it utilizes technical progress (rising productivity) for profits. The alternative benefits workers' leisure rather than profits. It is more democratic and avoids splitting people into unemployed vs employed, non-poor vs poor. population.

Economic Update - Fascism: An Analysis for Today

An in-depth analysis of fascism as massive government intervention to protect and save a crashing capitalism. We focus on today's examples, historical parallels (in Germany and Italy), and how "strong men" leaders push fascist agendas. We discuss how fascism and socialism differ and how nationalism serves as fascism's social "disguise.

Economic Update - Political Activism's Revival

Updates on International Women's Day, UC to make all research free, Cuomo begs and bribes Amazon again, US denounces UK protectionism, Spain = #1 healthiest country vs US at #35, how Trump/GOP raised taxes and thereby cut refunds. Interview with Eleanor Goldfield, creator and host of Act Out! TV show on political activism today.