Economic Update with Richard D. Wolff

Latest Episodes:

The Emerging New World Economy: A New Empire, a Multipolar World, or a Post-Capitalist System Apr 20, 2023

Show notes

Four key changes drive a new world economy emerging from the old. First is capitalism's transition from neoliberal, globalizing to nationalistic capitalism. This includes the shift of capitalism's center from western Europe and the US to Asia and the global south and also includes the deepening economic inequality inside most nations. Second is the end of the stale, old debate between private and state capitalism (misnamed as capitalism vs socialism) in favor of private + state capitalism hybrids. Third is the post-peak decline of the US empire. Fourth is the urgent question of what comes next: a new empire, a multipolar world, or a new post-capitalist system that replaces employer-employee workplace organizations (private and public) with democratically run worker cooperative organizations.

Economic Update with Richard D. Wolff is a d@w production. We make it a point to provide the show free of ads. Please consider supporting our work.

Today's Medicare for All Battle with Dr. William Bronston Apr 13, 2023

Show notes

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 with Richard D. Wolff is a d@w production. We make it a point to provide the show free of ads. Please consider supporting our work.

When We Put People First in US Politics Apr 06, 2023

Show notes

In this week's Economic Update, 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 with Richard D. Wolff is a d@w production. We make it a point to provide the show free of ads. Please consider supporting our work.

The Marxist Tradition Mar 30, 2023

Show notes

In this week's Economic Update, 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 with Richard D. Wolff is a d@w production. We make it a point to provide the show free of ads. Please consider supporting our work.

Why the US Constitution is an Obstacle to Change Mar 23, 2023

Show notes

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 Prof. Robert Ovetz on how and why the US Constitution blocks social change.

Economic Update is a Democracy at Work production, made possible by audience donations. Consider supporting us on Patreon.

How Austerity Paves the Way for Fascism Mar 16, 2023

Show notes

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

Social Security, Ohio Derailment, Puerto Rican Poverty - US Capitalism Provokes Mar 08, 2023

Show notes

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.

Establishment Media & Russia with Aaron Maté Mar 02, 2023

Show notes

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.

Are Mega-Corporations Ruining Our World? Feb 23, 2023

Show notes

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.

Inequality's Insidious Spread - COVID-19, India, Insurance Feb 16, 2023

Show notes

In this week's show, Prof. Wolff presents updates on India's extreme inequality and its lesson, employers squeeze employees with "non-compete" job contracts, and how the profit motive distorts the concept of insurance. In the second half of the show, Wolff interviews Dr Stephen Bezruchka on how deeply and globally inequality endangers health with special attention to the US and Covid-19.