Economic Update with Richard D. Wolff - podcast cover

Economic Update with Richard D. Wolff

Democracy at Work, Richard D. Wolffwww.democracyatwork.info
Economic Update with Richard D. Wolff is a weekly nationally syndicated program produced by Democracy at Work and hosted by Richard D. Wolff. The program explores complex economic issues and empowers listeners with information to analyze not only their own financial situation but the economy at large. Beyond focusing a critical eye on the economic dimensions of everyday life - wages, jobs, taxes, debts, interest rates, prices, and profits - the program also explores systemic solutions to our economy's problems including alternative ways to organize production and distribution of the goods and services we all depend on.
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Episodes

How Deficits and Debts Rip Us Off

On this week's Economic Update, Professor Wolff devotes the entire program to explaining clearly and accessibly what government deficits are, why they occur, and who benefits from them. We show how deficits and debts reward corporations and the rich at the expense of the mass of employees. This show will equip our audience to see through the misuse of deficits and debts in the 2024 election campaigns. The d@w Team Economic Update with Richard D. Wolff is a DemocracyatWork.info Inc. production. W...

Jul 30, 202430 minSeason 14Ep. 29

Criminalizing the Homeless (With Rob Robinson)

On this week's Economic Update, Professor Wolff discusses a huge victory for Uber and Lyft drivers' struggling for better wages in Massachusetts; we also bring to your attention six United States senators who criticized Jamie Dimon, CEO of JP Morgan Chase for failing to curb fossil fuel investments as he promised. In addition, we discuss the unfortunate new law passed by the new right-wing government in Greece extending the working week to six days. Finally, we close our program with an Intervie...

Jul 23, 202430 minSeason 14Ep. 28

Capitalism and Struggle Over Climate Change

On this week's Economic Update, Professor Wolff discusses the remarkable bursts of unionization at Starbucks in the US, award-winning New York nurse fired for referring to "genocide" in Gaza, and critique of Paul Krugman's argument that "democracy" is at stake in the 2024 election. Finally, we close with a major discussion on the tension between the realities of climate change and the profit-driven fossil fuel industry that dominates our global economy The d@w Team Economic Update with Richard D...

Jul 16, 202431 minSeason 14Ep. 27

From The Old Socialisms To The New

On this week's Economic Update, the entire program is devoted to how old socialism's rapid growth and global spread in the 19th and 20th centuries entailed a focus on the state. Key issues were: (1) would the socialist state limit itself to regulating capitalist enterprises and the market (as in many Western European nations) to enhance the well-being of the employee class or would the state itself own and operate enterprises and replace the market with state planning (as in the USSR), and (2) w...

Jul 09, 202430 minSeason 14Ep. 26

State Senator And Socialist - Interview with Kristen Gonzalez (NY State Senator)

In this week's Economic Update, Professor Richard Wolff discusses the rise of the Chinese car industry, the struggle between employers vs 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. The d@w Team Economic Update with Richard D. Wolff is a Demo...

Jul 02, 202432 minSeason 14Ep. 25

Fracking Vs Fossil Fuel Profits

In this week's Economic Update, Professor Richard Wolff discusses the latest US and EU tariffs against China's electric vehicles, 27,000 Virginia teachers vote to unionize, and students and workers at all 6 University of California campuses strike against attempted repression of students peacefully advocating a Gaza ceasefire. In the second half of our program, we interview Oscar-nominated and Emmy Winning writer, director, and anti-fracking activist Josh Fox of the award-winning films GASLAND P...

Jun 25, 202431 minSeason 14Ep. 24

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. The d@w Team Economic Update with Richard D. Wolff is a DemocracyatWork.info Inc. production. We make it a point to provide the sh...

Jun 18, 202430 minSeason 14Ep. 23

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 electr...

Jun 11, 20244 minSeason 14Ep. 22

Economic Update (Special Edition): Exclusive interview with Dr. Cornel West

Third Party Politics and Social Change We would like to present a special edition of Economic Update featuring an exclusive discussion between Professor Richard Wolff and Dr. Cornel West. This program was recorded in June, 2023, but unfortunately we were unable to air this important discussion at that time. You will hear Dr. West explain why he undertook the challenge and burden to run for President of the United States. Given the political reality of US politics, as exhausted by the two major p...

Jun 05, 202431 min

New Energies Organizing Unions

In this week's Economic Update, Professor Richard Wolff comments on US megabanks once again taking new off-the-books risks, Elon Musk endorsing right-wing undemocratic census proposals and Fossil Fuel industry executives bribe Trump with campaign donations. In addition, we highlight the many US and global labor unions and workers who have joined the movement in supporting of ending the Israeli military actions in Gaza. Finally, we Interview with Jaz Brisack and Casey Moore, organizers of Starbuc...

May 28, 202431 minSeason 14Ep. 21

Roots of a Surging US Labor Movement

[EU S14 E20] Roots of a Surging US Labor Movement In this week's Economic Update, Professor Richard Wolff discusses the reasons why the official United States unemployment rate is currently 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 repression of growing American protest movement against Israeli policy in Gaza. In addition, we discuss Gabriel Zuckman's report on t...

May 21, 202429 minSeason 14Ep. 20

Prospects for a Political Turn Left

[EU S14 E19] Prospects for a Political Turn Left This week's Economic Update Professor Richard Wolff discusses the successful unionization drives that is 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. The d@w T...

May 14, 202430 minSeason 14Ep. 19

Uneven Development a Key Problem of Capitalism

[EU S14 E18] Uneven Development a Key Problem of Capitalism This week 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 past and present. We conclude by showing how uneven development helps cause key social problems in capitalism. The d@w Team Economic Update with Richard D. Wolff is a DemocracyatWork.info Inc. p...

May 07, 202429 minSeason 14Ep. 18

The Phenomenon of China

[EU S14 E17] The Phenomenon of China This week's Economic Update Professor Richard Wolff dedicates the entire show to the economic developmental achievement of China, together with the historical background that motivated that achievement. We analyze the uniqueness of both the economic philosophy and the politics of China. The d@w Team Economic Update with Richard D. Wolff is a DemocracyatWork.info Inc. production. We make it a point to provide the show free of ads and rely on viewer support to ...

Apr 30, 202429 minSeason 14Ep. 17

A Critique of Government Spending

[EU S14 E16] A Critique of Government Spending This week's Economic Update Professor Richard Wolff devotes this program devoted to how to understand government spending. 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 i...

Apr 23, 202429 minSeason 14Ep. 16

A Sea Change In US Labor's Militancy

[EU S14 E15] A Sea Change In US Labor's 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 org...

Apr 17, 202429 minSeason 14Ep. 15

The Myth of Black Buying Power

[EU S14 E14] Economic Update: The Myth of Black Buying Power This week's Economic Update Professor Richard Wolff discusses how the capitalist political economy can explain the Baltimore bridge disaster, we 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 an Interview with Professor Jared A. Ball on the myths of black...

Apr 10, 202429 minSeason 14Ep. 14

Resurgent Labor Organizing In The South

[EU S14 E13] Resurgent Labor Organizing In The South This week's Economic Update Professor Richard Wolff discusses the US Treasury Department charges Apple as monopoly, Georgia's state government sides openly with employers against unions, two union members decide 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 vi...

Apr 02, 202429 minSeason 14Ep. 13

How Capitalism Distributes Power

[EU S14 E12] How Capitalism Distributes Power Updates on resurging child labor in US, colleges athlete vote to join unions, unionization sweeping not-for-profit charities (hospitals, museums, etc) such as MassMoca in western Massachusetts. 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 two major political parties and over politicians. The d@w Te...

Mar 26, 202429 minSeason 14Ep. 12

Patriarchy and Capitalism

[EU S14 E11] Patriarch and Capitalism 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 interactions between ...

Mar 19, 202429 minSeason 14Ep. 11

Debris From A Declining Empire

[EU S14 E10] Debris From A Declining Empire This week's episode of Economic Update we discuss we discuss United Kingdom politician George Galloway by-election victory, and the raised minimum wage in UK. We will comment on Elon Musk's lawsuit against the NLRB, as Trader Joe, Starbucks, and Amazon also join to ask 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 Ch...

Mar 12, 202429 minSeason 14Ep. 10

Capitalism, Gender, And A Split Society

[EU S14 E09] Capitalism, Gender, And A Split Society This week's episode of Economic Update we discuss we discuss the underemployed of US college graduates, failed anti-Russian sanctions, the collapsed UK birthrate, and expanding wars in the Middle East, 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 ...

Mar 05, 202429 minSeason 14Ep. 9

Breaking Up With Capitalism

[EU S14 E08] Breaking Up With Capitalism This week's episode of Economic Update hosted by Professor Richard Wolff, we discuss the Philadelphia University of the Arts Faculty Union and its struggles; we clarify what declining inflation does and does not mean; we answer the question: as to why sanctions fail. Finally we interview Essence Magazine's senior news & politics editor, author, and lawyer Malaika Jabali. We discuss her newly released book "It's Not You Its Capitalism". The d@w Team Ec...

Feb 27, 202429 minSeason 14Ep. 8

Capitalism and Tax Injustice

[EU S14 E07] Capitalism and Tax Injustice This week's episode of Economic Update hosted by Professor Richard Wolff, we discuss Germany's recession, California fast-food workers unionize, How the war in Ukraine boosts US stock market, corporate stock holdings, while hurting most wage/salary incomes, In addition we ask what lessons from the protest/revolt of European farmers? Finally, the ongoing exposing of major injustices of the US federal tax system (tax exemptions for schools, churches, hospi...

Feb 20, 202429 minSeason 14Ep. 7

The U.S. Tax System: Designed For Economic Injustice

[EU S14 E06] The U.S. Tax System Designed For Economic Injustice This week's episode of Economic Update hosted by Professor Richard Wolff, we will be discussing the increasingly more common corporate threats to force remote workers back to working onsite. We then turn to Ukraine war economics, U.S. vs BGI as anti-Chinese economic nationalism, US's escalation of war in the Middle East, and finally a critique of the US tax system's injustices. If you haven't already, please subscribe to our channe...

Feb 13, 202429 minSeason 14Ep. 6

The US Economy As An Apartheid System

****************************************************************************** [EU S14 E05] The US Economy As An Apartheid System ****************************************************************************** This week's episode of Economic Update hosted by Professor Richard Wolff, we will be discussing the continuing decline of US manufacturing; a 29,000 person strike at California State Univ.; the Houthis disrupt Red Sea shipping in move against Israel; and Texas refuses to obey US federal gov...

Feb 06, 202429 minSeason 14Ep. 5

US Capitalism At The Crossroads

****************************************************************************** [EU S14 E04] US Capitalism At The Crossroads ****************************************************************************** This week's Economic Update Professor Richard Wolff discusses the special dimensions and qualities of the US labor movement's current dynamism; Thomas Piketty's analysis showing how capitalism generates widening wealth and income gaps leading to crashes or simmering, divisive, and domestic resent...

Jan 30, 202429 minSeason 14Ep. 4

As The Empire Crumbles

****************************************************************************** [EU S14 E03] As The Empire Crumbles ****************************************************************************** In this week's episode of EU, Prof.Wolff delivers updates on the mass closing of Greyhound bus stations around the U.S., the escalating strengths of Russian obstacles in Ukraine, the choice the UK faces between paying for the bombing of Yemen or funding their National Health Service, how Boeing's safety d...

Jan 23, 202429 minSeason 14Ep. 3

Corporations vs Democracy

****************************************************************************** [EU S14 E2] Corporations vs Democracy ****************************************************************************** In this weeks show, Prof. Wolff analyzes the corporation. It stands as a basic institution blocking real democracy in our society. The corporation's structure and operations empower and enrich a tiny social minority at the expense of the people's wealth and democratic power. Like the critiques of slave ...

Jan 16, 202429 minSeason 14Ep. 2

The U.S. China Decoupling Myth

****************************************************************************** [EU S14 E1] The U.S. China Decoupling Myth ****************************************************************************** Happy New Year! For our first Economic Update of 2024, Professor Richard Wolff discusses the myth of the current narrative of the United States disconnecting itself economically from the Republic of China If you haven't already, please subscribe to our channel, follow us on social media and of cour...

Jan 09, 202429 minSeason 14Ep. 1
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