Economic Update

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.

Economic Update- A Sea Change In US Labors' Militancy

In this week’s Economic Update Professor, Richard Wolff examines US spending on war materials for Ukraine and Israel, we will discuss Chinese Electric Vehicle imports and the US's protectionist response, and we will highlight the possible convergence of worker cooperatives as part of union negotiating strategies, and we discuss the impact of Harvard college workers vote overwhelmingly to join two unions. Finally, we Interview author and union organizer, Kim Kelly. Kim Kelly is a journalist, author, and third-generation union member based in Philadelphia. She is a regular contributor to Teen Vogue, In These Times, the Baffler, Rolling Stone, and many more, and her first book, FIGHT LIKE HELL: The Untold History of American Labor, is out now via One Signal/Simon & Schuster. 

Economic Update- The Myth of Black Buying Power

In this week’s Economic Update, Professor Richard Wolff discusses how the capitalist political economy can explain the Baltimore Bridge disaster and we then explain why raising minimum wages helps big vs small businesses. We highlight the recent court rulings in New York and how cities can lower rents for their citizens as Kingston, NY just did, (if tenants mobilize to do so). Finally, we have an Interview with Professor Jared A. Ball on the myths of black buying power and black capitalism and the role such myths play in supporting capitalism Jared A. Ball is a Professor of Communication and Africana Studies at Morgan State University in Baltimore, MD. and author of The Myth and Propaganda of Black Buying Power. Ball is also host of the podcast “iMiXWHATiLiKE!” and co-founder of Black Power Media.

Economic Update- Resurgent Labor Organizing In The South

On this week’s Economic Update, Professor Richard Wolff discusses the US Treasury Department's charge against Apple as a monopoly, Georgia's state government siding openly with employers against unions, two union members deciding to enter important elections as independent voices in Nebraska and West Virginia, and a critique of the FED's policy that keeps inflation and interest rates high. Finally, we interview Mike Elk, publisher of the Payday Report, on his views regarding the important UAW fight for union recognition at a VW plant in Chattanooga, TN.

Economic Update- Capitalism Distributes Power

This week features updates on resurging child labor in the US, college athletes voting to join unions, and unionization sweeping not-for-profit charities (hospitals, museums, etc) such as MassMoca in western Massachusetts. We will also have a major discussion of how capitalism concentrates power in mass media (including social media), in authoritarian internal structures of corporations, and via donations and other controls exercised over the two major political parties and over politicians.

Economic Update- Patriarchy and Capitalism

 On this week’s Economic Update, Professor Richard Wolff discusses the UAW union’s latest moves; their organizing drives at auto plants, their efforts to form unions among employed and free-lance journalists. In addition, we will highlight New York Governor Kathy Hochul’s decision to deploy national guard troops in New York City subways and what that means for everyday residents. Finally, an interview with psychotherapist Tess Fraad-Wolff on the interactions between patriarchy and capitalism, today.

Economic Update- Debris From A Declining Empire

This week's episode of Economic Update hosted by Professor Richard Wolff, we discuss United Kingdom politician George Galloway's by-election victory, and the raised minimum wage in the UK. We will comment on Elon Musk's lawsuit against the NLRB, as Trader Joe's, Starbucks, and Amazon also join to ask the right-wing Supreme Court to gut regulation of business. We then look at US protectionism as the Biden administration raises tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, in an attempt to keep Chinese EV's from US markets. Then in labor news, we discuss Starbucks’ negotiations with unions and how Michigan’s legislature killed its "right-to-work" law after 58 years.

Finally, we have an Interview with Richard RJ Eskow on the current decline of the “US Empire”. Richard RJ Eskow is a journalist and host of The Zero Hour. a syndicated radio and television program. A lead writer, speechwriter, and editor for Bernie Sanders’ 2016 campaign, he was also a featured columnist at The Huffington Post. He worked for years in the corporate world, with governments and with multinational organizations at the World Bank, specializing in healthcare financing, policy, and information technology.

Economic Update- Capitalism, Gender, And A Split Society

 This week's episode of Economic Update we discuss the underemployment of US college graduates, failed anti-Russian sanctions, the collapsed UK birth rate, and expanding wars in the Middle East. In addition, we will dive into the costs and risks in absence of a ceasefire in Gaza. Finally we Interview Dr. Harriet Fraad, host of Capitalism Hits Home and a clinical therapist. Professor Wolff and Dr. Fraad explore the post 1970's deindustrialization in the US, its impact on white males versus other social groups, and resulting US social splits.