Economic Update

Economic Update- State Senator and Socialist

 In this week’s Economic Update, Professor Richard Wolff discusses the rise of the Chinese car industry, the struggle between employers and employees over in-person vs remote workplaces, and the US military's anti-vax program in the Philippines as part of the US-China Cold War that is already underway. In the second half of our program, we interview Kristen Gonzalez, New York State Senator, District 59, on progressives winning elections.

Economic Update- The Political Economy Of Tariffs

 In this week’s Economic Update, Professor Richard Wolff devotes the entire program to an analysis of tariffs. We discuss why tariffs are not a worker's issue, why capitalism's continuous swings between free trade and protectionist periods and phases make little impact on workers, and why competing capitalists seek to get workers to support their positions on tariffs.  

Economic Update- Labor Vs. Capital: Struggle in US Intensifies

In this week’s Economic Update, Professor Richard Wolff discusses The Washington Post's exposure of the corporate rich sponsoring police repression against student protests and how Boeing rewards CEOs while it exhibits the airlines' worst safety record. In addition, the UAW loses union election as German capitalists and southern governors join forces to intimidate workers with job threats. Finally, we highlight why mass public transport is a better alternative to gas-powered vehicles than electric vehicles. We end our show with an interview with David Van Deusen, a socialist and leader of Vermont AFL-CIO.

Economic Update- China And Inflation: Real Analyses, Not BS

The program's first half focuses on the realities of China's rise and not the Cold War rhetoric. The second half analyzes the inflation now threatening the US economy. Its causes and consequences turn out to be quite different from the mainstream media treatments of the subject. 

 

Economic Update- Roots of a Surging US Labor Movement

 In this week’s Economic Update, Professor Richard Wolff discusses the reasons why the United States' current unemployment rate is low in comparison to historic rates; We also highlight why U.S. restaurants are losing business. We then turn to the hypocrisy of Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen in the face of the repression of the growing protest movement against Israeli policy in Gaza. In addition, we discuss Gabriel Zuckman's report on the economic impact of the dramatic cuts in taxes on billionaires vs rising taxes on the poorer half of the U.S. population. Finally, we Interview union activist Steve Early on rising labor militancy and unionization: its roots, momentum, and future.

 

 

Economic Update- New Energies Organizing Unions

Updates on US megabanks once again taking new off-the-books risks, Elon Musk endorsing right-wing undemocratic census proposals, oil industry execs in bribe-like talks with Trump, sample of many US and global labor unions and workers supporting and acting to end Israeli military actions in Gaza. Interview with Jaz Brisack and Casey Moore, organizers of Starbucks stores and of a new union organizing school.

Economic Update- Prospects for a Political Left Turn

On this week’s Economic Update, Professor Richard Wolff discusses the successful unionization drives that are sweeping across US universities (example: Boston University). We highlight the facts that disprove Biden's "great economy" claims and why inflation is much worse in the United States than in China. Finally, we have an exclusive interview with Jared Yates Sexton, writer and political analyst, on prospects for a left turn in US politics.

 

Economic Update- Uneven Development: a Key Problem of Capitalism

 In honor of Karl Marx's birthday over this past weekend, Professor Richard Wolff offers a discussion of Marx's important theory of uneven development as central to capitalism. We show its widespread existence, using examples of it from the past and present. We conclude by showing how uneven development is at the root of key social problems in capitalism

Economic Update- The Phenomenon of China

 On this week’s Economic Update, Professor Richard Wolff dedicates the entire show to the economic developmental achievements of China, together with the historical background that motivated these achievements. We analyze the uniqueness of both the economic philosophy and the politics of contemporary China.

Economic Update- A Critique of Government Spending

In this week’s Economic Update, Professor Richard Wolff devotes the program to understanding government spending, specifically how it shapes the larger society. We will focus on two questions 1) What is the government spending on? and 2) How is that money going to be used, and who benefits? If government spending only flows to capitalist corporations, they will use it to reproduce capitalism including its inequalities and injustices. This is a crucial impact of government spending but is rarely examined. The alternative - spending on worker coops - is explained and explored as a better alternative.