A revolutionary take on a massive set of problems: Capitalism’s failings and today’s global economic crisis.

Every Saturday, Economics Professor Richard D. Wolff and guests discuss the current state of the economy, both locally and globally in relation to the economic crisis. They focus on wages, jobs, taxes, and debts — and on interest rates, prices, and profits. The goal is to explain why certain economic changes are happening and other changes get postponed or blocked and they will explore alternative ways to organize enterprises, markets, and government policies.

The show is for people who want to understand and change not only their own financial situation but also the larger economy we all depend on.

This project is made possible because of a partnership between Truthout, Professor Wolff and 99.5 FM WBAI, New York City’s Pacifica radio station.

Show Archive:

2017

December 1st



This week’s episode addresses Uber’s corrupt profiteering, sugar producers’ immoral cancer research, Trump’s personal business, the neglect of New York subways, the UK’s historic wage decline and Norway’s sovereign wealth fund. Additionally, this episode includes an interview with economist Stephanie Kelton, adviser to Bernie Sanders.

November 24th

This week’s episode includes updates on corrupt congressional “tax reform,” giant corporations’ abuse of power, GE’s CEO wasting millions, corporate culture and sexual harassment/abuse, Detroit’s fake “renaissance,” dying US malls, unaffordable rents exposing a fake economic “recovery” and pharma giant Astra-Zeneca showing how capitalism endangers health. This episode also includes an interview with author and broadcaster Laura Flanders on mass media changes in today’s capitalism.

November 17th

This week’s episode discusses Maine’s progressive economic changes, how super-wealthy people are abusing the estate tax, how Nestle is profiting while Flint’s water continues to be polluted, how Trump and the GOP are cutting health programs, and how US profits are rising as wage share falls. Also included are discussions of the economics of migration and the economics of coalitions between labor unions and worker co-ops.

November 10th

This week’s episode discusses critiques of Uber and the gig economy; how Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson endorses inequality; how 10 percent of New York schoolchildren are homeless; and how a majority of US corporations already pay much below official 35% tax rate. This episode also includes a discussion on the changing economics of socialism.

November 3rd

This week’s episode discusses low-paid service jobs in the future of the US, the Senate deregulating banks, how college spending per student reinforces income inequality, how loneliness in the US is a factor in illnesses and premature death, University of Chicago grad students unionizing, how Brazilian civil and religious authorities push almost-rotten food for the poor, and the costs of pollution.

October 27th

This week’s episode discusses privatized probation, New Zealand rejecting austerity, electricity cutoffs refuting “recovery,” declining medical insurance, neoliberalism and rich funders of fake “public interest groups.” Also included is an interview with professors Umberto Lorenzo and Richard McIntyre on Cuba’s socialist economy changing toward worker co-ops.

October 20th

Success of New York Worker Co-ops

This week’s episode discusses the passage of California’s Disclose Act; the untrustworthiness of Equifax, Yahoo and Johnson & Johnson; Washington suing big pharma for contributing to the opioid crisis; and socially destructive corporate behavior. This episode also includes an interview with Emma Yorra, a specialist in the development of worker co-ops.

October 13th

Transition Beyond Capitalism

This week’s episode discusses the economic costs and benefits of refugees, the rise of BRICS nations in the world economy, the closing and privatization of US public libraries, the magnitude of slavery and forced child labor in the current world economy, and how the “gig” economy is just another effort to profit by lengthening the working day. This episode also includes a discussion on the transition from capitalism to an economic system based on worker cooperatives.

October 6th

Economics, Psychology and Mass Murders

This week’s episode discusses the Trump-GOP tax plan, Americans having “trouble paying bills,” how post-1989 Russia is more unequal than the USSR, the closing of rural US hospitals and Puerto Rico as a US colony. Also included is an interview with Dr. Harriet Fraad on economics, psychology and mass murders.

September 29th

Strikes and the Labor Movement Today

This episode discusses the closing of 6,400 retail stores in 2017, the start of a decline in US housing, how 800 major corporations oppose Trump on DACA and more. This episode also includes an interview with investigative journalist Bob Hennelly on the Local 3 strike in New York and its importance to the US labor movement today.

September 22nd

Capitalism, Revolution and Socialism

This week’s episode discusses major capitalist failures, buying senators on health care, the opioid crisis’ effects on insurance and on labor force participation, price gouging in emergencies and more. This episode also includes a discussion on the 100th anniversary of Russian Revolution and how to apply the lessons of the USSR’s economic history to 21st century socialism.

September 15th

Corporate Capitalism in Decline

This week’s episode discusses capitalism and hurricanes, poverty, how hookworm has returned in the US, the economics of elite universities’ tax avoidance and more. The episode also includes an interview with Chris Hedges on a declining, decaying capitalism.

September 8th

Capitalism’s Uncounted Health Costs

This week’s episode discusses Wonder Woman, the Archbishop’s critique of the economic system in the UK, US Labor Day, the McDonald’s workers strike in the UK, the economics of hurricanes and the economics of the Trump tax cut “reform.” The episode also includes an interview with Dr. Harriet Fraad on how the capitalist system’s impacts on health — from stress to death — are mostly unacknowledged in key decisions.

September 1st

A Tale of Two Crises

This week’s episode discusses the working conditions of the US in 2017, the looming US recession and plans for negative interest rates, how schools raise funds by shaming poor schoolchildren, and the economics of fascism. Also included is a discussion of why FDR’s New Deal was not repeated after 2008 and the consequences of the post-1945 destruction of the coalition that produced the New Deal.

August 25th

Human Rights vs. US Water Economics

This week’s episode discusses Trump’s battle with Amazon over taxes, how Americans are dying younger, Monsanto profiting at farmers’ expense and the economics of homeless school children. This episode also includes an interview with Rob Robinson on access to safe of water in the US.

August 18th

Economics as Deception

This week’s episode discusses how millennials have fallen behind their parents in wealth, poor US medical outcomes, deepening German car scandals and the economic lessons revealed by a Chinese T-shirt maker’s investment in Arkansas. The episode also includes an interview with Professor Michael Hudson on “junk economics.”

August 15th

Faith and Labor Fight Inequality

This week’s episode discusses how US drug corporations block cheap medicine imports, the economics and politics of scapegoating immigrants in the US and Germany and more. The episode also includes an interview with Joerg Rieger and Rosemarie Henkel-Rieger on how they combine faith and labor advocacy to fight inequality.

August 7th

Collective Action for Change

This week’s episode discusses consumers’ battling airplane seat shrinkage, the “free” press and buyers of Chicago’s Sun-Times, fake “jobs creation” for subsidies and publicity and new museum features artists challenging capitalism. Also included is an interview with Dr. Harriet Fraad on why so many hesitate so long before joining collective action to change economic and social conditions.

July 28th

The Economics of Socialism

This week’s episode discusses sanctions on Russia, medical companies’ failures, cable company monopolies, CEO pay and more. Also included is a discussion of the economics of socialism.

July 21st

Economics Taught Badly

This week’s episode discusses United Airlines’ pattern of profiting from customer abuse; a bankster who is blaming the government; China’s rapid economic growth; and worker co-op news from Greece, New York and Massachusetts. The episode also includes an interview with economics professor John Summa on the big problems that arise in teaching economics.

July 14th

Capitalism’s Leaders

This week’s episode discusses the Senate’s health bill, minimum wage cuts, the Pope’s views on labor unions and Seattle’s taxes on the rich. The episode also includes discussions on G20 “leaders,” Detroit’s “revival” and how a beer company becomes worker owned.

July 7th

Addiction, Capitalism and 12-Step Programs

This week’s episode discusses car loans, sales showing the falsity of economic “recovery” claims, airline profits vs. services, how the G-20 meetings coordinate global austerity, and the misleading debate over whether raising the minimum wage leads to job losses. The episode also includes an interview with Dr. Harriet Fraad on the connections between addiction, capitalism and 12-step programs.

June 30th

Capitalism’s Shadow of Poverty

This week’s episode discusses European sanctuary cities, the automation of McDonald’s, Uber CEO Travis Kalanic’s resignation and how a ritzy restaurant rips off its workers. The episode also includes an interview with anti-poverty activist Rob Robinson.

June 23rd

Capitalism’s Self-Destruction

This week’s episode discusses the declining California State University system, Trump vs. coal industry realities, and how lotteries and pot legalization have the same economic motives. Also included are discussions on politics and economic betrayal, Trump’s new austerity budget and why worker co-ops deserve government support.

June 16th

When the US Government Destroyed a Political Party

This week’s episode discusses Oklahoma cutting funds for public schools, why Americans don’t take the paid vacations that are owed to them and how fossil fuel companies fight green power companies to buy politicians. Also included is an interview with Lisa E. Davis, author of Undercover Girl, about undoing the New Deal, paid FBI informants and the destruction of the Communist Party USA.

June 9th

Human Nature and Capitalism

This week’s episode discusses California and Nevada’s steps toward universal medical insurance, the Toronto housing bubble, the privatization of Air Traffic Control, the US-Mexico fight over non-free market sugar and the Illinois credit decline. Also included is an interview with Dr. Harriet Fraad on human nature.

June 2nd

Economic Failures and the Blame Game

This week’s episode discusses how big banks fix rates and how CEOs’ pay rises faster than that of their employees. We also discuss the phenomena of blaming the poor for poverty and over-crediting the super-rich for prosperity, and explore the ways in which wealthy oil countries and companies control modern economies. Plus, we address the fundamental fallacies behind Trump’s attacks on Germany.

May 26th

Worker Co-ops as Our Economic Future

This week’s episode discusses Trump’s 2018 budget, Ford’s undemocratic decisions, the US’s opioid crisis, the Swiss vote to end nuclear power, Harley-Davidson moving jobs overseas and how Canada is outlawing overbooking on planes. The episode also includes an interview with John Curl, author and co-op worker, on importance of worker co-ops.

May 19th

What France’s Election Means

This week’s episode discusses Yale graduate students on hunger strike for a union, the US raising interest rates on student loans, two new Senate bills on worker ownership of enterprises and some economic dimensions of Mother’s Day. Also included is an interview with French political activist Antonin Plarier on the meaning of the French presidential election.

May 12th

Why Workers Co-ops?

This week’s episode discusses the Australian government taxing big banks, how big banks fund the Dakota Access pipeline, the meaning of the French elections and more. The episode also includes guest Professor Jessica Gordon Nembhard, a historian of worker co-ops and the African-American community, addresses the question “why worker co-ops?”

May 5th

Economics and Family Values

This week’s episode discusses the significance of the French election; Obama’s $400,000 bank speaking fee, corporate tax cuts in the US, Wells Fargo being “saved” by Warren Buffett and why bringing home foreign profits only helps big corporations. Additionally, guest Dr. Harriet Fraad discusses the contradictions of “family values” in the context of the US economy.

April 28th

The Rising Costs of Capitalism’s Failures

This week’s episode discusses the courts blocking Trump’s attack on sanctuary cities, the selling of Whole Foods, whether technology is to blame for the jobs collapse, the decrease in department store jobs since 2000 and the British queen’s enterprise award going to Suma, a UK worker co-op. The episode also takes on Trump’s corporate tax “reform” and more.

April 21st

Enabling Worker Co-ops

This week’s episode discusses capitalism and Earth Day, how the Chinese movie industry is overtaking Hollywood, and how small businesses are using cooperatives to compete with big business. Additionally, this segment features an interview with Richard Bartlett, cofounder of Loomio, a powerful software worker-cooperative that is using groundbreaking collective decision-making strategies in its everyday operations.

April 14th

US Labor Unions of the Past, Present and Future

This week’s episode discusses the United Airlines flyer abuse, New York Gov. Cuomo’s flawed tuition plan, what to do as self-driving vehicles end millions of jobs and how big investors plan to cash in on Trump’s infrastructure plans. Also included is a discussion with special guest Frank R. Annunziato on the tragedy of US labor unions today, why that tragedy happened and how to reverse it.

April 7th

Economics, Psychology and Trump

This week’s episode discusses French presidential elections, US college admissions, Citibank’s favoring of the rich and the injustices of US property tax system. In the second half of the show, Professor Wolff is joined by Dr. Harriet Fraad, who provides an economic assessment of Trump’s performance to date.

March 31st

Capitalism in Trouble

This week’s episode discusses major troubles such as Brexit and Trump, the student debt penalty, New York billionaires asking to be taxed, Trump’s job fantasies, Seattle’s official renters commission and age discrimination. Other topics include the economics of immigration and how worker co-ops differ from capitalist corporations on production.

March 24th

Capitalism and Democracy

This week’s episode discusses the economy of Puerto Rico, worsening inequality in the UK and the decision by Girl Guides of Canada to cancel all trips to the US. The episode also addresses rising US wage inequality, connections and dissonances between capitalism and democracy, and key differences between capitalist and worker-owned enterprises.

March 17th

Housing Crisis in the US

This week’s episode discusses the Fed and interest rates, new US and China inequality data, wage stagnation, and big bankers’ affinity for Trump. The episode also includes an interview with Walter South, founder of The Trust for Affordable Housing.

March 10th

Questions About Capitalism

This week’s episode discusses Obamacare, the Caterpillar equipment company’s tax evasion, the mistreatment of immigrant workers, Harvard’s history with slavery, and the economies of Puerto Rico and Greece. The episode also addresses some key questions about capitalism.

March 3rd

The Unfinished Revolution of Women’s Paid Labor

This week’s episode discusses Takata airbags and auto company misdeeds, Trump’s defense spending, deepening inequality and why capitalism provokes government “mandates.” The episode also includes an interview Dr. Harriet Fraad on economics, psychology and the injustices faced of US women doing paid labor.

February 24th

Where Economic Theories Clash

This week’s episode discusses the exploitation of adjunct professors, which weakens higher education and exacerbates wealth inequality. The episode also explores the three main economic theories clashing in today’s world.

February 17th

Immigration and the Economy

This week’s episode discusses a stock market bounce, Swiss voters’ rejection of a corporate tax giveaway and why public schools are better than private schools. The show also includes an interview with investigative reporter Bob Hennelly on immigration, and more.

February 11th

Solving Old Economic Problems

This week’s episode discusses a Vermont brewery’s worker co-op, how profitability proves nothing, Trump knocking the “fiduciary rule,” and more. The episode also includes major discussions of applying Hegelian philosophies to historical labor contexts, and contrasts President Franklin D. Roosevelt to Donald Trump.

February 3rd

Women’s Movement Economics

This week’s episode discusses the NFL’s income redistribution, big bucks for Starbucks’ CEO, US health data, pension benefit cuts and the presence of Goldman Sachs in Trump’s government. It also includes an interview with Dr. Harriet Fraad on women’s movement economics.

January 27th

Trumponomics Exposed

This week’s episode discusses basic economy airfares, the drop in US union membership and Trump’s attacks on Mexico. It also looks at the differences between “elite” and state colleges, and the damage wrought by fake “jobs” policies.

January 20th

Organizing for Social Change

On this week’s episode, Prof. Wolff discusses Trump’s advisors; small fines for big corporations; wages from 1980-2015 by race, gender, and class; real poverty data; and news from Davos. This episode also includes an interview with two senior advisors on the Bernie Sanders campaign.

January 13th

The Economic and Social Costs of Prisons

This week’s episode addresses people forming co-ops in Detroit and Minnesota, Volkswagen’s guilty plea and New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s fake numbers, among other stories. The show also includes an interview with Dr. Kimberly Westcott on the history, economics and social costs of the US prison system.

January 6th

The Economics of Emotional Labor

This week’s episode addresses a new French labor law, the economics of obesity, a universal basic income, a mobile home co-op and Danish day care. The show also includes an interview with Dr. Harriet Fraad on emotional labor.

2016:

December 30

We Can Do Better Than Capitalism

This week’s episode includes updates on the mistreatment of homeless people, voter suppression, widespread lead contamination, Trump’s foreign employees and unequal retirement. The show also covers the economics of broken infrastructure and raising capital for worker co-ops.

December 23rd

Christmas vs. Economic Realities

This week’s episode includes updates on politicians lying about economics, fines for big banks, fewer international students coming to the US and a struggle at the Pebble Mine. The show also covers the Christmas spirit and the economic realities of deporting immigrants, rescuing and rebuilding the US “middle class,” and raising capital for worker co-ops.

December 16th

Escape From Labor in Capitalism

This week’s episode includes updates on US defense spending, French capitalism, IKEA’s US paid family-leave policy and Trump’s economics. The show also includes an interview with Professor Kristin Lawler on escapist thinking under capitalist drudgery.

December 9th

The Economics of White Women Voting for Trump

This week’s episode includes updates on Trump gutting the estate tax and appointing Wall Street billionaires; the Green Party victory in Austria; big oil companies’ desperation; Pope Francis on equality of opportunity; and Portland, Oregon acting against inequality. The show also includes an interview with Dr. Harriet Fraad on why women voted for Trump.

December 2nd

The Critique of Mass Media

This week’s episode includes updates on Maggie’s Farm, the John Lewis co-op in the UK, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Fidel Castro’s death, the economics of immigration, Deutschland Bank and Trump, and fake arguments to cut corporate tax rates. The show also includes an interview with David Barsamian, host of Alternative Radio, who discusses the problems of mainstream media.

November 25th

Moving Beyond Capitalism

This week’s episode discusses real corporate taxes, a Canadian infrastructure maneuver, the economics of real estate and foreign students. The show also covers the economics of interest rate hikes and how a politics beyond capitalism may work.

November 18th



The Economics of Trump

This week’s episode includes updates on a big Texas worker co-op, Audi’s deal to make cars in China, the Pope’s criticism of capitalism and Trump’s Wall Streeters. It also includes discussions of Trump’s economics and why Clintonomics and Reaganomics are not so different.

November 11th

Trump Explained

This week’s episode discusses president-elect Donald Trump and the economic factors that led to his election. The show also includes an interview about worker co-ops with Italian author and documentarian Dario Azzellini.

November 4th

Economy, Psychology, Mental Health

This episode discusses Harvard’s greed, corporate mega-mergers, Germany outlawing GMOs, campaign fundraising, prison strikes and foreign minimum wages. The show also includes an interview with Dr. Harriet Fraad, a mental health counselor, on the mental health implications of capitalist vs. worker co-op enterprises.

October 28th

Challenging Markets and Their Results

This episode discusses cutting vaccine costs, shameful Harvard economics, Icelandic women on strike and corporate merger mania. The show also covers the ongoing shortcomings of medical coverage in the US, and how UPS drivers may convert their company into a workers’ co-op.

October 21st

The Economics of Tax Avoidance

This week’s episode discusses cutting funds for public higher education, Princeton avoiding taxes, multinational corporations getting tax breaks and a billionaire’s yacht. The show also covers lessons from the strike at Jim Beam.

October 14th

The Pension Crisis

This episode discusses Harvard workers’ strike, big food capitalists, Berlin fighting gentrification and the collapse of US malls. The show also includes an interview with Professor Teresa Ghilarducci, an expert on pension economics.

October 7th

Capital for Worker Co-ops

This episode discusses US workers’ rising productivity even while wages have remained flat, US corporations evading taxes, a Gallup Poll on the poor US job picture, the redistribution of billionaires’ wealth and the rising corporate debt problem. The show also examines the ways and means of providing capital to worker co-ops, and why technical “progress” excites capitalists and worries workers.

September 30th

Economics and Red States

This episode of Professor Wolff’s radio show discusses Jeremy Corbyn’s victory in the UK, Uber drivers unionizing, state retirement systems being sued for threatening pensions and hard facts about US medical insurance. The show also includes an interview with Arlie Hochschild on her new book, Strangers in Their Own Land: Anger and Mourning on the American Right, and why she believes “bridges” between progressives and Tea Party folks are very possible.

September 23rd

Higher Ed Class Struggles

This episode of Professor Wolff’s radio show discusses the tight partnership between top corporate leaders and top government officials. The show also discusses Goldman Sachs, British wages and Brexit, and includes an interview with Professor Michael Pelias on the Long Island University faculty lockout.

September 16th

Worker Co-ops vs. Capitalism

This episode of Professor Wolff’s radio show discusses declining US incomes, parental leave policies, rising medical deductibles and social security dependence. The show also includes an interview with Peter Ranis, author of Cooperatives Against Capitalism.

September 9th

The Economics of Labor Day

This episode of Professor Wolff’s radio show discusses dark money, the Mylan drug scandal, air lines merging and capitalism in poor countries like India. The show also examines key facts, struggles and issues concerning Labor Day.

September 2nd

Puerto Rico’s Crisis Is Systemic

This episode of Professor Wolff’s radio show discusses US income inequality vs. the rest of world, Europe exposing Apple’s tax evasion, and the rising opposition to the Trans-Pacific Partnership and Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership. The show also includes an interview with Professor Ian Seda on Puerto Rico’s economic and colonial crises.

August 26th

Capitalism’s Lack of Sense

This episode of Professor Wolff’s radio show discusses universities, politicians, graduate students unionizing, Bill Gates’ obscene wealth and Harley-Davidson’s illegal pollution. The show also examines capitalism’s insufficient demand, unemployment’s wastes and state subsidies for all systems.

August 19th

The System Exposed

This episode of Professor Wolff’s radio show discusses the economics of the Olympics, mass transit, productivity truths and the crimes of the Pacific Gas and Electric Company. The show also examines political conflict between unions and the rich.

August 12th

The Economics of Worker Co-ops

This episode discusses Macy’s closure of 141 stores, Clinton’s campaign economics, age and pensions, and corruption of think tanks. We also examine the economics of worker co-ops.

August 5th

Profits and Families

This episode discusses Irish bankers being jailed, US public pension economics and a Yale worker who won back their job. We also interview Dr. Harriet Fraad on how the post-1970s profit-driven US economy badly damaged intimate life.

July 29th

Economic Crisis, Fascism and History

This episode discusses inequality in India, the poverty in Philadelphia behind the DNC’s front, new union initiatives, Starbuck’s profiteering and the gutting of the federal estate tax. We also interview Adam Hochschild on the economic crisis, fascism and Spain’s civil war.

July 22nd

Convention Economics

This episode discusses updates on platform contradictions, the Volkswagon scandal, CEO pay and the Italian banking crisis. We also examine the economics of lotteries, when profit decides who gets mortgages and why 21st century socialism makes worker cooperatives the primary institution of production.

July 15th

The Deepening Crisis for People of Color in the US

This episode discusses Boris Johnson in the UK, Jamie Dimon in the US and the issue of stagnant incomes. We also interview Rob Robinson on the economic conditions and prospects for people of color in the US.

July 8th

Psychology, Economics and Orlando

This episode discusses minimum wage raises, the economics of prisons and evidence that most notions of an “economic recovery” are myths for a majority of the world. We also interview Dr. Harriet Fraad on why Orlando’s tragic mass shooting occurred.

July 1st

What Brexit Means

This episode discusses the latest on Puerto Rico, street battles in France, the ongoing effects of the Volkswagen emissions scandal and the selling out of national parks. We also examine the implications of a Brexit in a changing world economy.

June 24th

Small Victories, Big Lessons

This episode discusses victories over the US sugar industry, and reducing Sweden’s 40-hour workweek to 30 hours without a pay cut. We also examine jobs moving south, the legal fight over tax exemption for religious organizations, corporate bailouts in Michigan, excess corporate borrowing and capitalist technology serving profits over people.

June 17th

Economic Change — Why and How

This episode discusses CEO pay, a new book on inequality, and US estate and inheritance taxes. We also interview Alan Schulman, the coordinator of Democracy at Work.

June 10th

Local Groups, Social Change

This episode discusses the new book Coming of Age in the Other America, new research revealing the superiority of worker co-ops over capitalist enterprises, the negative results of profit-driven enterprises and “America” replacing Budweiser. We also interview Betsy Avila, a digital organizer working with local groups for social change.

June 3rd

Pro-Environment, Anti-Capitalist

This episode discusses fossil-fuel divestment, the economics of the Zika virus and payday loan scandals. We also interview environmental lawyer and activist Carol Dansereau.

May 27th

Listen, Professor Krugman

This episode discusses ride-share companies, the latest from the pope and evidence against Professor Paul Krugman’s rosy view of inequality. We also examine why markets shouldn’t undermine a co-op-based economy, and European leaders’ failed policies on Greece.

May 20th

Poverty and the US Economy

This episode provides updates on an Alabama prison strike, Greece’s economy, the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership and Yale’s taxes. We also interview Joan Berezin and Kip Waldo on revolutionary change.

May 13th

False Economic Recovery, True Journalism

This episode provides updates on “carrried interest” tax loopholes, state subsidies for businesses, negative interest rates and bank “bail-ins” versus “bailouts.” Finally, we interview reporter Bob Hennelly about the United States’ false economic recovery and dissolving society, and real journalism.

May 6th

What Inequality Does

This episode addresses wealthy tax evaders, Takata airbags, equalized wealth data and the money in Chicago’s politics. We also discuss corporate food scandals, government fiscal “crises” and why we should build worker co-op sectors.

April 29th

Poverty and the US Economy

This episode provides updates on the US economy, the money driving Yale, Chobani workers earning profits, more automakers’ scandals, and Christian and Marxist dialogues. We also interview anti-poverty activist Rob Robinson.

April 22nd

The Market Rules of Gentrification

This episode provides updates on the pay of CEOs opposed to raising the minimum wage, workers on public assistance, and paying and evading taxes. We also discuss the economics of gentrification.

April 15th

The IMF and the Panama Papers

This episode provides updates on the IMF, the Panama Papers, corporate tax evasion and the workers who are fighting back. We also discuss how worker co-ops might have changed the USSR and China.

April 8th

Efficiency — Capitalist vs. Human

This episode provides updates on tax issues, the Panama Papers, corporate tax rates and “inversions,” and Yale’s tax avoidance. Finally, we interview Dr. Harriet Fraad on how capitalist efficiency produces human inefficiency and what we can do about it.

April 1st

Worker Co-ops — Why and How

This episode provides updates on China’s rising wages, lethal overdoses, courts worsening Puerto Rico’s economic crisis and jobs moving to Mexico. Finally, we discuss the minimum wage, workers who lack college degrees and worker co-ops being key to doing better than capitalism.

March 25th

How Capitalism Changes Intimacy and Family

This episode provides updates on top bankers’ pay, bad auto comapnies’ decisions, deflation and socialist economics. Finally, we interview Dr. Harriet Fraad, on capitalism and personal life.

March 18th

Choosing Your Struggles

This episode provides updates on the Federal Reserve’s decision to raise interest rates, US struggle over trade with China, the UK’s possible exit from the European Union and fascism. We also critique capitalists’ definition of “job creation,” and discuss how capitalism has received state support for centuries.

March 11th

Economics of Our Politics

This episode provides updates on Europe’s new economic stimulus, French workers rallying for job security and US airlines’ fees. We also respond to listeners’ questions on how much we can blame the government for economic crises since 2008. Finally, we discuss what capitalist profit is and the economics of our political party system.

March 4th

Seeds of Fascism?

This episode provides updates on the injustice of Argentina’s default settlement, Pope Francis’ rejection of “exploiters” and stagnating real median incomes in the United States. Finally, we discuss what Bernie Sanders’ support proves about Occupy Wall Street, and the economics of fascism.

February 26th

Good for Profits, Bad for Society

This episode provides updates on Robert Gordon’s new book, food and drug companies profiting at public’s expense, the economics of presidential candidates, pension struggles and why China’s slowdown is due to US, European and Japanese economies. Finally, we discuss US unemployment and why the profit motive yields economic decisions that are often bad for society.

February 19th

Capitalism Is the Problem

This episode provides updates on Bloomberg’s money, negative interest rates, the oil market, Puerto Rico’s cruel sales tax and Apple borrowing practices. We also respond to listeners’ questions on converting capitalist enterprises into worker co-ops. Finally, we discuss three alternative responses to the huge problems of capitalism today.

February 12th

Economic Change, Economic Disorder

This episode provides updates on China achieving economic superpower status, how profit produces drug scarcity, Ireland’s unjust austerity and a millionaire tax in Massachusetts. We also discuss self-destructive cutbacks in public higher education and the chaos of the monetary system.

February 5th

Lessons About and From Socialism

This episode provides updates on the economic significance of Iowa’s vote in the Democratic caucuses, the costs of an oil market collapse and Keynes’ thoughts on the risks of revolution. Finally, we interview author Pete Dolack about lessons from past experiments in socialism.

January 29th

How Markets Fail

This episode provides updates on Johnson Controls Corporation evading taxes, Disney being sued over its abuse of the H-1B visa system, French workers striking against austerity and against “socialist” government. We also respond to listeners’ questions on tax-subsidies for churches and lessons from Israel’s kibbutz experience. We also have major discussions about five major market failures, and a major change in the UK Labor Party’s policy favoring worker co-ops.

January 22nd

Capitalism’s Results

This episode provides updates on Obama’s visit to Detroit, Walmart closing stores, Santa Fe and public banking and profits vs. people’s health. We also have major discussions about Oxfam and IECD reports on world poverty and inequality.

January 15th

Fighting Right-Wing Economics

This episode provides updates on worker actions by the UK’s “junior doctors” and Detroit’s teachers, Flint’s poisoned water and a Supreme Court fight. We also have major discussions about the US government’s subsidizing of religion. Finally, we interview Michael Johnson on his new book about worker co-ops.

January 8th

What Capitalism Is

This episode provides updates on an “Obamacare scandal,” bank errors threatening depositors, public pension looting and subsidizing religion. We also have major discussions about the old and new meanings of capitalism as an economic system.

January 1st

Economics and Real Issues

This episode provides updates on economics vs. the “free press,” Nevada vs. public education and bikes displacing cars in Europe. We also respond to listeners’ questions on the economics of closed ACA health co-ops and on inflation’s dangers and impacts. Finally, we have major discussions on the Massachusetts Senate bill to tax rich universities and answering the question: “What is Capitalism?”

2015:

December 28th

Capitalism and/or Socialism

This episode provides updates on Spain’s new left government, how Harvard is run like a business and new research showing how widespread hunger is. We also respond to listeners’ questions on why corporations buyback their own shares and why the “new” gig economy is not new. Finally, we have major discussions comparing old socialism (where the government intervenes in the economy) to new socialism (which aims to democratize the enterprise).

December 18th

Economic Lessons From 2015



This episode provides updates on the Fed’s interest rate hike; gun business; and oil economics. We also respond to a listeners’ question about whether it is China that is slowing the world economy. Finally, we have major discussions of Greek and Spanish austerity politics; and how major oil, banking and auto corporations proved why we can (and must) do better than capitalism.

December 11th

Transcending Capitalism

This episode provides updates on denying a bailout for Puerto Rico and gross wealth inequality in Wisconsin and the US as a whole. We also respond to listeners’ questions on guns and the capitalist profit motive. Finally, we interview Professor Cathy Mulder on transcending capitalism via worker cooperatives.

December 4th

Austerity’s Social Costs

This episode provides updates on Portugal joining Greece against austerity, US austerity in Puerto Rico and Illinois and useless laws for banks. Finally, we give an in-depth critical analysis of Thanksgiving economics, Germany and refugees, and France and terrorism.

November 27th

Ireland as a Tax Haven

This episode provides updates on the economics of immigration, economic alarmists and Ireland as a tax haven. We also respond to a question on the role and place for small business in a worker co-op based economy. Finally, we interview Dr. Harriet Fraad, on the crisis middle-aged whites in the US today are facing.

November 20th

Big vs. Small Business

This episode provides updates on Japan’s recession, how ACA deductibles undermine affordability and the million student march. We also respond to a question on private vs. public enterprises. Finally, we give an in-depth critical analysis of small vs. big businesses and some big ideas not being discussed in election campaigns.

November 13th

Economic Power Struggles

This episode provides updates on Greek and Portuguese austerity struggles, obesity and Coca-Cola, the importance of protests at the University of Missouri and JC Penney’s fake sales. We also respond to a questions on the economics of the Trans-Pacific Partnership. Finally, we give an in-depth critical analysis on an upcoming Fed decision on interest rates and the economic causes of gentrification in US cities.

November 6th

How Capitalism Works

This episode provides updates on capitalism vs. higher education, the real costs of apps and how “the other half banks.” Finally, we give an in-depth critical analysis on a projected economic downturn in 2016, inequality and housing changes in capitalism and how the system impacts sports.

October 30th

Teaching High School Economics

This episode provides updates on Obama’s harsh handling of student debt, abuse of tax havens and MIT’s rejection of fossil-fuel divestment. We also respond to a questions on where the US economy is headed. Finally, we interview life-long high school teacher Alan Schulman on teaching economics after the 2008 crisis.

October 23rd

Capitalism vs. Democratic Socialism

This episode provides updates on a monster merger in beer, the buying of the US presidency, homelessness in Hawaii and Canada’s election results. We also respond to a questions on the relation of individualism to capitalism and socialism. Finally, we give an in-depth critical analysis of socialism vs. capitalism with focus on the specific place of democratic socialism.

October 16th

Co-ops vs. Capitalism

This episode provides updates on a looming economic downturn and a US plan to give Puerto Rican taxes to banks. We also respond to a question about whether it’s possible for a country to do economic planning successfully. Finally, we interview Laura Flanders, an independent journalist, on co-ops vs. capitalism.

October 9th

Capitalism’s Crimes

This episode provides updates on Planned Parenthood, as well as Irish and French unions’ initiatives. We also respond to questions on the Volkswagen scandal and the Trans-Pacific Partnership deal. Finally, we give an in-depth critical analysis of the ongoing crisis in Greece.

October 2nd

The Meanings of Class

This episode provides updates on a Swedish plan for peaceful transition beyond capitalism, car insurance ripoffs, Ferguson and the Missouri credit downgrade. We also respond to questions on the California drought and the best solution for corporate abuses like Volkswagen’s. Finally, we give an in-depth critical analysis of what class means, and the idea of a guaranteed income vs. guaranteed jobs.

September 25th

Puerto Rico as the United States’ Greece

This episode provides updates on the Chicago mayor’s austerity policies, homeless school children and soaring medical insurance deductibles. We also respond to questions on the Volkswagen scandal and the Pope’s statements on economics. Finally, we interview Professor Ian Seda-Irizarry on the current crisis in Puerto Rico.

September 18th

Capitalism’s Instability

This episode provides updates on the GM settlement and GE moving jobs overseas. We also respond to questions on the Fed’s agonies over interest rates and how capitalism mishandles unemployment. Finally, we give an in-depth critical analysis of capitalist corporations.

September 11th

Precarious Work Equals Capitalism’s Inefficiency

This episode provides updates on the economics of refugees, the history of Labor Day, the Seattle Teachers strike and how Japan’s jobs are growing ever more precarious. We also respond to questions on why rising wages need not mean rising prices. Finally, we interview Dr. Harriet Fraad on the psychological pains, personal suffering and huge social costs of imposing uncertainty on job security, hours and days of work, benefits and wages.

September 4th

When Profits Come First

This episode provides updates on extreme poverty, workers’ victory over tech giants and Oakland’s worker co-ops. We also respond to questions regarding the injustice of state and local taxes. Finally, we give an in-depth critical analysis of last week’s stock market gyrations and the resurgence of socialism.

August 31st

Market Chaos Hits Us All

This episode provides updates on Banksy’s Dismaland theme park, Amazon undercutting pensions and recent market chaos. We also give an in-depth analysis on oil market collapse and address rich universities’ abuse of tax exemptions.

August 21st

Labor Day Economics

This episode provides updates on Labor Day’s meaning, Amazon’s workplace horrors and how capitalism undermines recycling. We also respond to questions regarding shifting US federal tax burdens and the state’s role in capitalist economies. Finally, we give an in-depth analysis on criticisms of capitalism and directions for a better system.

August 14th

System Toxicity

This episode provides updates on China’s currency moves, adjuncts unionizing, Pepsi and Coke offering self-serving health advice and Rand Paul’s misunderstanding of economics. We also respond to questions regarding what happened to US real wages from 1974 to 2014. Finally, we give an in-depth critical analysis on the toxic effects of rising inequality and the role of psychologists play in advertising.

July 31st

Economic Reality Checks

This episode provides updates on Boeing’s economic blackmail, why Chrysler’s fine is bogus and a recent airline fees ploy. We also respond to questions regarding the stale debate at Medicare’s 50th anniversary, and on getting financing for worker co-ops. Finally, we give an in-depth critical analysis of how China and Germany became economic powerhouses.

July 24th

Capitalism’s Endless Costs

This episode provides updates on the Coke vs. Pepsi war, price gouging on cancer drugs and the Pope’s strong anti-capitalist speeches. We also respond to questions regarding a guaranteed basic income and why public employees are not an economic negative. Finally, we give an in-depth critical analysis on supporting countries that refuse to pay certain government debts.

July 17th

Capitalism and Its Others

The first half of this episode explores two alternatives to capitalism. The first is an alternative to how capitalism organizes the internal workings and relationships of enterprises. The second alternative examines how workers’ self-directed enterprises work. The second half of the show looks at an alternative to how capitalism organizes the economy as a whole, and how the socialist tradition has evolved into many forms today.

July 10th

Learning From Economic Defeats

The first half of this episode explores how The New Deal was both a victory and defeat, and how both of which offer crucial lessons for today. The second half provides a critical review of labor’s short and long-run goals, defensive decline and a new strategy built on lessons of that decline.

July 3rd

Class and Socialism

The first half of this episode considers the different meanings of class, class analysis and class struggle across human history, and why those differences matter so much now. The second half explores how socialism evolved from a basic alternative to capitalism into a state capitalism not so different from private capitalism.

June 5th

Sawant in Seattle

This episode provides updates on Greece’s struggles with Europe, and a critique of Warren Buffett’s view on “the rich vs. the poor.” We also respond to questions regarding on the new mayor of Barcelona and the Trans-Pacific Partnership. Finally, we interview socialist Kshama Sawant about her seat on Seattle’s city council.

May 29th

The New Deal Lives

This episode provides updates on Larry Summers and other signs of a broken economic system, the economics of Nebraska ending the death penalty and vast sports corruption. We also respond to questions regarding on reorganizing universities and household class structures. Finally, we interview Professor Richard Walker and Dr. Gray Brechin on rediscovering the New Deal.

May 22nd

Austerity Resistance Rising

This episode provides updates on business domination of universities in service to profits, and Republican efforts to undermine Democrats revenues from unions. We also respond to questions regarding business influence over government policies and the definition of fascism. Finally, we give an in-depth critical analysis on repression of those resisting austerity, and the crisis of US higher education.

May 15th

Profit-Driven Capitalism

This episode provides updates on Verizon’s purchase of AOL, why Facebook’s “contribution” to ending inequality falls so short and why deadly Mediterranean migrations reflect capitalism’s uneven development across the globe. We also respond to questions regarding whether student debt can lead to reduced Social Security benefits. Finally, we give an in-depth critical analysis over the significance of recent guilty pleas by major banks for manipulating currency exchange rates.

May 8th

Children, Capitalism and Family Values

This episode provides updates on Kansas closing schools early, Gallup polls surveying the US wealth gap, average work weeks over 40 hours and ignorance about the USSR economy. We also respond to questions regarding public subsidies for private profits. Finally, we interview Dr. Harriet Fraad on children and families in US capitalism.

May 1st

Capitalism’s Other Side

This episode provides updates on May Day, the Baltimore uprising, the Nepal earthquake and Bud Light endangering women. We also respond to questions regarding different varieties of worker co-ops. Finally, we interview Professor Yahya Madra on Turkey, Capitalism and Islam.

April 24th

Capitalism and War

This episode provides updates on UK elections, and the long-term effects of economic crises and the demonization of the poor in Kansas. We also respond to questions regarding the economics of child support and how car production is moving to Mexico. Finally, we give an in-depth critical analysis of the history of capitalism and war, the new stages of Cuban socialism and US Cuba-policy, and the high stakes of Greece’s economic situation.

April 17th

Honest Economics

This episode provides updates on Ben Bernanke’s new big-bucks finance job, GM avoiding billions in victims’ claims on faulty ignitions, the US public’s self-delusion on inequality and anti-student-debt activism. We also respond to questions regarding the impact on China if capitalism’s “relocation” stopped. Finally, we give an in-depth critical analysis of the economics of wages and prices, the narrowness of the economics of education and basic global economic development issues.

April 10th

The Worker Co-op Alternative

This episode provides updates on inadequate unemployment insurance, Ted Cruz’s campaign money, a law which gives domestic workers real benefits and the demonization of the poor. We also respond to questions on California’s drought, and the US medical system’s experiments on people. Finally, we interview Yochai Gal on the tech-collectives he organized.

April 3rd

Economic Change and Personal Life Crises

This episode provides updates on the car parts industry, how Russia’s economy is growing despite sanctions, declining US teaching positions for new PhDs in humanities and huge Mexican strikes against Driscoll berries. We also respond to questions on countries’ currency manipulations and the role of unions in workers’ co-ops. Finally, we interview Dr. Harriet Fraad, a mental health counsellor, on how capitalism’s changes since 1970s have disrupted the personal lives of US men and women.

March 27th

System Change: Then and Now

This episode provides updates on Trans-Pacific Partnership secrets, the Heinz-Kraft merger, the underperforming US medical care system, China’s real-estate bubble and estate tax repeal. We also respond to questions on private versus public property. Finally, we give an in-depth critical analysis of how system change happened in the past and how it could happen today.

March 20th

Economics of Corruption

This episode provides updates on a press conference concerning Janet Yellen, “Blockupy” protests in Europe against the ECB and austerity. We also respond to questions on New York Mayor de Blasio signing a bill for worker co-ops and an important fight over the closing of Sweet Briar college. Finally, we interview veteran reporter Bob Hennelly on the economics of US political corruption, focusing on his native New Jersey.

March 13th

Housing, Cities and Suburbs

This episode provides updates on pizza politics, changing currency values and tax-cutting politicians’ wild claims. We also respond to questions on workers co-ops’ competitiveness and on “unfree” agricultural markets. Finally, we interview Walter South on the economics of housing and the dangerous economics of US cities and suburbs.

March 6th

Economic Decline and Growing Resistance

This episode provides updates on taxis vs. Uber vs. driver co-ops, an apology on Detroit, International Womens Day and cutting workers’ compensation. We also respond to questions on the economics of debts, past and present. Finally, we give an in-depth critical analysis of issues including resisting economic decline and extremes of economic inequality.

February 27th

It’s the System of Capitalism

This episode provides updates on German anti-capitalism, student debt default, credit card economics and unregulated chemicals. We also respond to questions on pension scandals and Harvard economic research.

February 20th

Free Enterprise System Defects

This episode provides updates on Europeans’ struggles against austerity policies. We also respond to questions about how workers’ self-directed enterprises solve various problems, especially financing and different skill levels. Finally, we give an in-depth critical discussion of the “free enterprise” system.

February 13th

Market System Defects

This episode provides updates on labor protections for “contract” workers, a green new deal for Greece, slow US growth and the scandal of the used car market. We also respond to questions about the reality behind the “recovery” hype and on poverty among those over 65. Finally, we give an in-depth critical analysis of markets and “the market system.”

February 7th

The Poverty/Wealth Divide

This episode provides updates on capital gains tax, the Home Depot work/stress tragedy and Koch money in the 2016 election. We also discuss key economic problems looming for US economy and economic issues surrounding currency exchange, especially the value of the US dollar relative to the euro.

January 30th

Economics and Revolutions

This episode provides updates on political corruption, the Greek election results, Social Security taxes, debt jubilee, union membership and the lessons of revolutions.

January 23rd

Spinning Out of Control

This episode provides updates on Obama’s State of the Union speech, the European Central Bank pumping up the money supply to stimulate Europe, forgiving Greece’s debts and housing extremes in the US. We also respond to questions on global wealth inequality and Switzerland’s currency maneuvers. Finally, we interview Dr. Harriet Fraad on the US economy’s disastrous impact on children.

January 16th

Austerity Ends in Greece?

This episode provides updates on the Democrats’ “Robin Hood” tax, riders shifting from planes to buses and misleading US job market headlines. We also respond to questions on big bankers’ self-image, the basic economics of US federal estate tax, and state and local taxes. Finally, we interview professor Peter Bratsis on the upcoming Greek election and ongoing struggles – in Greece and beyond – to end austerity.

January 9th

Real vs. Fakenomics

This episode provides updates on rising health insurance costs, rebel economists and Senate costs. We also respond to questions on the Greek crisis, falling school funding and the wealth inequality in the US that blocks “recovery.” Finally, we interview London economics professor John Weeks.

January 5th

Economics of Denial

This week’s episode provides updates on Apple, French socialism, the Greek election, Vermont dropping single-payer health care, oil and Russia and latest National Labor Relations Board rulings. We also discuss welfare economics, meritocracy and 5 percent US GDP growth without hype.

2014:

December 26th

Signs of Deepening Inequality

This week’s episode provides updates on the successful Oregon teaching assistants’ strike, evicting the homeless, a law that limits unpaid internships to four weeks and universities becoming businesses. We respond to listeners’ questions on the economics of war and the military in US and on political corruption in the new budget.

December 12th

Mainstream Economics vs. Critical Economics

This week’s episode provides updates on Mexican farm exploitation, Grenoble taking down advertising, US teachers being underpaid and cutting workers’ pensions. We also respond to listeners on Harvard and Yale as full participants in capitalism’s defects. Finally, we analyze modern “economics” as a discipline, from Adam Smith to Karl Marx to the present day.

December 5th

Labor and Unions

This week’s episode provides updates on Ferguson and Portland as symptoms of economic decline, Sen. Bernie Sanders fight for worker co-ops, homelessness in New York City and the rising political left in Greece, Spain and now Ireland. We interview activist and author Steve Early on the present and future of the US labor movement.



November 24th

Capitalism’s Personal Costs

This weeks episode provides updates on Italy’s general strike, opera economics, Miami baseball and Argentina loans; responses to listeners on the economics of US children and on a new political party; and an interview with pyschologist Dr. Harriet Fraad, on the personal and psychological costs of capitalism.

November 14th

Extreme Capitalism

This episode looks at low Irish taxes on corporations, interns fighting back, the thriving opium market, Volkswagen bringing new labor relations to the US and big banks caught cheating again. We also discuss college sports, the business oligarchy in the US and forgiving countries’ debts. Finally, we respond to listeners’ questions on domestic outsourcing and the democracy of workers’ self-directed enterprises.

November 9th

Elections but No Democracy

This episode looks at election results, Ebola, mortgage rules, China limiting executives’ pay and who has the wealth. We also discuss election economics, child poverty, capitalism and democracy. Finally, we respond to listeners’ questions on changes at Costco, so-called “nonprofits,” why there are ever more billionaires and Piketty’s problem.

October 31st

Hostages to Profits

This episode looks at how public higher education is being destroyed; workers not taking days off; labor actions and Vermont labeling GMO food. We also discuss municipal bonds and how profits drive capitalism. Finally, we respond to listeners’ questions on PO banks and the history of economic systems.

October 24th

Capitalism, Inequality and Martin Luther King

This episode looks at Detroit’s water shut-offs, corporations prioritizing profit at people’s expense, US Senators making money, the economics of Ebola and hedge funds that pay fines with pensioners’ money. We also interview Dr. Obery Hendricks, Jr., who discusses Martin Luther King, Jr.’s lifelong criticism of capitalism and preference for democratic socialism.

October 17th

Economic Realities

This episode analyzes the implications of Walmart shifting medical insurance costs onto US taxpayers, the Pew report on payday loans – interest rates on which average an annualized 650 percent – US child poverty, the Obama administration’s support for Amazon against workers, profits and death from opioids.

October 10th

Why Economics Is Poorly Understood

This episode covers updates on GM recalls, Cuba’s investment in medical training and Germany’s end-all tuition requirements. We also discuss why education on economics is so poor, and look at a report from the Santa Fe movement for public banking. We respond to listeners’ questions on why there hasn’t been a recovery from the crisis and how to think about transition to worker-cooperative-based economy.

October 2nd

The Economics of Corporations

This episode covers the economics of migrants, choosing not to go to college, and corporate tax dodgers and their effects. We also discuss the economics of insurance and the basic economics of capitalist corporations, and respond to listeners’ questions on the Rockefellers selling their fossil fuel holdings and the economics of “mutual” companies.

September 25th

How Capitalism Works

This episode covers why efforts against obesity fail, Cadillac’s move into New York, the Atlanta Symphony lockout, subprime auto credit and bank economics. We also discuss the economics of climate change, and respond to listeners’ questions on Jamestown in US history, current minimum wage struggles and the economics of insurance.

September 18th

Big Economic Changes

This episode covers the new census data, a Kentucky town going “socialist,” a workers’ co-op in Maine, big wage theft and economic insecurity. We also discuss gentrification, the tax consequences of inequality and the global beer economy. We respond to listeners’ questions on minimum wage struggles, corporate “persons” and the BRICS bank.

September 11th

Corporations Are the Problem

This episode covers Market Basket workers’ recent victory, top-paid asset managers, Chipotle’s gross inequality, Montreal corruption and the Russia/China economic alliance. We also continue the discussion on socialism’s new directions, and we respond to listeners’ questions on franchising, capitalist growth, advertising and consumer desires.

September 4th

Big Changes Coming

This episode covers food insecurity, oil disaster economics, politicos going to Wall Street, billionaires buying homes, education in the UK and how the US sustains elites. We also address an employers’ movement for a four-day workweek and the history of socialism vs. capitalism (part 1 with part 2 next week). We respond to many listeners’ questions.

August 28th

Corporate Economics

This episode covers Burger King, French socialism, cell phone overcharging and Bank of America’s fine. We also address the advertising industry and the lack of an economic recovery. Plus, we respond to listeners’ queries about Michigan teachers’ union fight, the poor still being kept out of top US colleges and corporate stock buybacks.

August 21st

From Ferguson to the Retirement Crisis

This episode covers inequality and growth and the economic lessons from Ferguson. We also interview Professor James Russell on the retirement crisis in the US. Plus, we respond to listeners’ queries about how the government subsidizes Walmart with food stamps and the economics of advertising.

August 14th

Markets and Immigration

Updates on the drop in most Americans’ household wealth and how Social Security finances are more about wages than aging. Major discussions on critical economics of markets, the political economy of immigration and capitalism’s two great contradictions. Response to listeners on worker co-op incubators and fundraising by the Clintons.

August 7th

From Bad Loans to Taxing the Property of the Wealthy

Updates on the Pentagon’s overpayments; mortgages tilting toward the rich; the subprime car loan bubble; and silence about intangible property tax. Major discussions on the economic organizations of the Republican and Democratic Parties and more on socialism and Marx. Response to listeners on clawing back public benefits to private corporations and using public assets to cover state budget deficits.

July 31st

Civil Disobedience and Occupying Restaurants

Updates on fast food workers, GDP data, Salt Lake City dailies and bathroom breaks. Wolff interviews mental health counselor Harriet Fraad. Replies on FDR vs. Obama and on how to counter corporate threats.

July 24th

Private Profit vs. Social Benefit

Updates on my Bill Maher appearance, the Arizona execution, direct actions in Seattle and in New England (Market Basket stores), Derek Jeter tickets and the Chinese meat scandal. Major discussions of Obama’s low polls, the changing meaning of socialism and differences between private profit and social well-being. Response to listeners on auto and beef industries, credit unions, and bullies.

July 17th

Economic Realities

Updates on big bank fines; Tracy Morgan suing Walmart; highway trust and taxes; and extreme wealth inequality in the Hamptons. Major discussions of workers’ self-directed enterprises and Oxfam’s data on extreme global wealth inequality. Response to listeners on relation of wages to prices, and on the economic “value” of solar, wind and green energy vs. coal, oil, gas and nuclear energy.

July 10th

Banks and Other Outrages

Updates on minimum wage in Europe vs. minimum wage in the US; the richest US families; and the economics of immigration. Richard Wolff interviews author, engineer and policy analyst Tom Sgouros on the broken banking system. Response to listeners on overpaid CEOs.

July 3rd

It’s the System

Updates on vaccine price gouging; Canadian corporate misdeeds; Massachusetts nurses fighting inequality; Denmark’s greater equality; and Argentina as a hedge fund hostage. Wolff also discusses the GM scandals, the decline of US household wealth and US corporations evading taxes. Responses to listeners on Chinese food imports and the recent Supreme Court decisions.

June 26th

Analyzing Incarceration

Updates on health economics; Mississippi political lessons; and what’s wrong with a Harvard economist. Wolff interviews Victor Wallis on the economics and politics of US prisons. Response to questions about: gender wage gap, real estate bubbles and the “ultra rich.”

June 19th

Economic Codependency

Updates on rising rates of young men earning below-poverty wages; Detroit’s retired city workers accepting a 4.5 percent cut in pensions; and the Missouri government struggling over tax cuts for special interests. Major discussions of a new book on China-US codependency and how/why our economic system works and breaks down. Response to listener’s question on corporate taxes.

June 12th

Capitalism’s Mounting Contradictions

Updates on: The Rhode Island Senate rewarding firms limiting inequality; recession-driven increases in suicide rates; opposition to the Dodd-Frank Act; negative effects of lower federal deficits; and the human costs of Detroit-type declines. Major discussions of economics of advertising and privatization. Response to questions on the British real estate bubble and on worker cooperatives deciding on uses for their surpluses/profits.

June 5th

Economic Side Effects

Updates on: Walmart’s Mexican bribes; car loans turning bad; state taxes; the US being slower than Europe on adopting renewable energy; Seattle’s $15/hour wage minimum; and Finland’s fines according to ability to pay. Major discussions of the medical-industrial complex and the London conference to build mass acceptance/resignation to capitalism’s “side effects”. Response to questions on consumer stocks; H-1B visas; economic growth; and the differences between socialism and communism.

May 29th

Myths of Capitalist Efficiency

Updates on Maya Angelou; Chilean students’ victory; Detroit’s plan to demolish 40,000 houses; and housing market realities. Major discussions on the international movement of economics students challenging curricula and teachers, and economics of advertising.

May 22nd

Fake Competition, Real Cooperation

Updates on evaluating privatization of public schools; engineers’ class action against Apple, Google, Intel and Adobe; and how in the US, homeownership gives way to renting. Major discussions of the big movement of worker co-ops in Cuba; a different experience of Yugoslavia; and requiring departing corporations to pay back for publicly funded gifts received. Response to a listener’s question on self-employment.

May 15th

Yet More Big Bank Misdeeds

Updates on US sanctions against Putin’s aides; relative decline in US median disposable income; a stunning “accounting error” by Bank of America; and clever manipulation of US regulators by the 15 biggest US banks. Major discussions of declines in discount stores, reflecting an absence of mass recovery; and successes and growth of worker co-ops in Spain’s deep economic crisis. Response to listener question on reverse mortgages and declining quality of jobs in US.

May 8th

Corporations, Wages and Jail

Updates on no growth in the US; China overtakes the US; the costs of the GM bailout; and the defeat of the bill to raise minimum wage while Hawaii raises its minimum. Major discussions of Pfizer’s decision to relocate to the UK; how the European Court supports Tobin (financial transactions) tax; and the stunning economics of prisons and jails in the US.

May 1st

Shameful Economics

Updates on Alabama prison/slave labor; automobile irrationalities; and the California drought. Major discussions of cutting public employee pensions; cutting state support for public higher education; and lotteries as disguised taxes on middle and poor Americans. Responses to listener questions on the Federal Reserve “creating” money and why corporations operate overseas and then want government (taxpayers’) support for corporations’ foreign operations.

April 24th

Culture and Economics

Updates on public power in Nebraska; Earth Day; Coca Cola’s misleading advertisement; and closing hospitals. Richard Wolff interviews musician and music professor John Halle about culture and the economic crisis. Responses to listener questions on B-corporations and on a Wall Street sales tax.

April 17th

“Tax Injustices”

Updates on how inequality persists across generations; the nonsense of “taxes are job killers”; governor uses tax revenues to prevent unionization in a private enterprise. Major discussion of state and local taxes in the US; the economics of paying executives very high incomes; and the privatization of public services. Response to listener’s question on recent Medicare report on oversize payouts to doctors.

April 10th

Bankers and Presidents

Updates on Bill O’Reilly vs. Bill de Blasio; Greek bonds; millions of dollars for Detroit’s athletes; and who pays federal taxes. Richard Wolff interviews Nomi Prins, the ex-Goldman Sachs banker, on her new book All the Presidents’ Bankers. Response to listener on where and why Congress refuses to act (taxing rich, helping poor, reducing inequality, etc.) despite a US poll results showing big majorities supporting those actions.

April 3rd

Building Worker Coops

Updates on Supreme Court McCutcheon decision on campaign financing, global meaning of French municipal elections, special impacts on women of raising minimum wages, and corporations’ cash hoards cause unemployment and cut government services. Interview with Vanessa Bransburg who supports and builds successful worker coops in Brooklyn, New York. Response to listener on scarcity and its economic effects.

March 27th

Economic Extremes

Updates on labor struggles at the University of Southern Maine; how low interest rates hurt retirees; the super-rich getting state subsidies; Northwestern University athletes moving to unionization; the BBC on US unemployment; and Nestle’s CEO vs. human right to water. Major discussions on income distribution vs. redistribution; Maryland cutting taxes on rich and leaving tipped workers’ minimum wages at $3.63/hour; and a final segment on criticisms of capitalism. Response to listener’s questions on Bill Gates’ C-Span interview.

March 20th

The System in Question

Updates on the GM recall; Bangladeshi women garment workers; and hi-tech tax evasion. Major discussions of family income’s relation to longevity and of the definition and criticism of capitalism. Response to listener on “spirits” guiding investors’ behavior.

March 13th

Criticisms of Capitalism

Updates on the General Motors recall scandal; corporations’ push for secret courts; the economics of marijuana; Radio Shack closings; and US workers leaving the labor force. Major discussions of the history and basics of the criticism of capitalism, and billionaires and extreme inequality as products of capitalism.

March 6th

Subsidizing Corporations

Updates on International Women’s Day; the long-term unemployed; rich/poor cities; subsidies for the biggest corporations; Google’s hiring policies; Chrysler subsidies and Canada; and the defeat of Arizona’s discrimination law. Major discussions of Ben Bernanke’s speech on the Fed’s bail outs of the biggest financial corporations, and new IMF research that show redistribution to reduce inequality does NOT hurt growth. Response to questions on how and why Workers’ Self-Directed Enterprises (WSDEs) perform better than capitalist enterprises and why governments hire contractors vs. public employees to provide services.

February 27th

Capitalism and Its Costs

Updates on Delta Airlines changes; US millionaires in office; irrational student debt; and Rupert Murdoch’s wealth. Major discussions of monopoly and competition in media industry; public employee pension economics; and Obama’s economic significance. Response to question on actual movements today for worker co-ops in UK and US.

February 20th

This System Does Not Work

Updates on the Olympics; Chicago university faculty strike; Chevron’s contempt; Gallup poll on unemployment; consumer debt rising again; Europeans opposing the privatization of water; and US adults marrying less to cope with the economy. Major discussions on how Soviet socialism actually worked and the decline and inadequacy of pensions in the US. Response to listeners on deflation in today’s world economy.

February 13th



The Death of the Middle Class

Updates on polls showing most Americans want less inequality; why Tea Party types fixate on government debt; and why French right-wing and other far-right parties gain support. Major discussion on US businesses recognizing the death of the middle class; the contradictions of Germany’s position within Europe’s economic crisis; and part 1 of an analysis of what the USSR was. Response to listeners on why official unemployment targets are 4-6.5 percent rather than feasible and better 0-0.5 percent.

February 6th

Public vs. Private Enterprise

Updates on economic democracy from Jackson, Mississippi to Marseilles, France; credit card scandals; phony labels for chicken; and overcharging inmates for calls. Major discussions of re-municipalization of water and electric utilities; post office banking; and new book on capitalism’s inequalities. Response to audience questions on TPP, corporate tax breaks and minimum wage.

January 30th

Myths of Economic Recovery

A North Carolina company was sold to its 320 workers; India enables cheap substitutes for overpriced drugs; updates on US union membership in 2013; the myth of returning manufacturing to the US. Interview with Max Wolff dissecting the US economic “recovery.” Response to questions on states’ subsidizing movies, JP Morgan-Chase’s CEO Dimon’s $20 million pay for 2013 and Americans’ attitudes on inequality.

January 23rd

What’s Wrong With Markets

Updates on Memphis workers locked out; problems of on-line education; capitalism, wealth inequality, and Starbucks; and Gallup on Americans’ dissatisfied with their economy. Major discussions of (1) unemployment and politics and (2) organizing a market in human kidneys and markets in general. Response to question on Europe’s economic crisis and its links to Europe’s generous state services and safety nets.

January 16th

Europe’s Approach to Inequality

Updates on Colorado’s new marijuana shops, how context exposes “recovery” claims, cause and cure for US obesity epidemic, and France’s 75 percent tax rate on annual incomes over $1.3 million. Major discussions of history and dimensions of global inequality and movements for guaranteed annual incomes in Switzerland and beyond. Responses to questions on credit unions versus private banks and on the uniqueness of the economic crisis in western Europe.

January 9th



The Trend to Inequality

Updates on economic decline and meanness, car sales in China, McDonalds embarrassed, Cuba exports doctors to Brazil, and a campaign to rescue higher education from “efficiency.” Major discussions of conservative inequality denials and of the significance of “productivity” statistics. Response to question on the nature, origin and meaning of “profit.”

January 2nd

Recent Economic History

Updates on Wisconsin’s public employees, the GRAT tax evasion, and the last 50 years of the “War on Poverty.” Major discussions of the FED’s “taper program,” the Boulder, CO vote to produce electricity production itself, and evaluating 20 years of NAFTA. Response to emailed question on AIG bailout and its results.

2013:

December 26th

There Are Alternatives

Updates on dangers in anti-bacterial soap, South African union to start socialist party, Germans retire abroad, billionaires’ whims shape health care. Major discussions of Obamacare and alternatives to capitalist bank scandals. Responses to emails on worker coops in US and on “regulated capitalism.”

December 19th

Crisis Hits Puerto Rico

Updates on bee-killing pesticides; movements against austerity and inequality in Chile, New York and Italy; university presidents’ six-figure pay packages vs. adjuncts’ exploitation; rejecting pay cuts; Minnesota’s orchestra reforms as worker coop. Wolff interviews NYU professor Juan Flores on deepening economic crisis in Puerto Rico. Responses to questions about bitcoins and exceptions to constitutions that “guarantee” contracts.

December 12th

Struggles Over the Welfare State

Updates on the tentative budget deal in Congress, psychiatrists refusing insurance and austerity’s terrible toll on Ireland. Interview with Yale History Prof. Jennifer Klein on rise, fall and possible rise again of the US welfare state and organized labor. Response to questions on possibilities of worker take-over of Boeing in Seattle.

December 5th

Capitalism’s Inequalities

Updates on Detroit’s and Illinois’s attacks on public employee pensions, minimum wages, tiny Middle East oil countries take over global air travel, job openings vs. unemployed, and companies’ profit-driven hustles of dangerous flame-retardant chemicals. Major discussions of (1) redistribution policies versus not distributing unequally in the first place and (2) capitalism’s uneven development. Response to emails on free trade’s consequences, robotics/less labor versus doing labor differently, and government repression against opponents of austerity policies.

November 21st

Learning From History

Updates on key economic causes of Obamacare difficulties, risks of global deflation, Madrid’s garbage strike, and the $13 billion settlement with JP Morgan Chase. Interview with Prof Sheila D. Collins on new book about lessons from the New Deal for today’s crisis. Response to listeners on super PACs and issues of socialism.

November 14th

“There Is No Recovery … and the Policy Is Not Working”

Updates on Janet Yellen, minimum wages, Twitter, and the Cuba trade embargo. Major discussions of a bankruptcy inside Mondragón and “private” universities that aren’t. Response to questions on full employment and inflation.

November 7th

What Price Capitalism?

Updates on big banks’ manipulation of foreign exchange market; Ireland pays for bank bailouts; Big Pharma guilty of “recklessly endangering health”; a new book on US poverty. Major discussions of economics education as Manchester University students protest; unemployment and falling share of labor in total national income. Response to frustrated listener’s question about obstacles to needed change with focus on de Blasio mayoral victory in New York; and Richmond, California mayor’s use of eminent domain.

October 31st

Banks and Austerity

Updates on Goldman Sachs charity/PR, bank scandals, housing “recovery” exposed, suicides rise in Kansas and a Benedictine Nun that is leading the new anti-austerity party in Catalonia. Major discussions of public banking (as in North Dakota) and the basic analysis of continuing “austerity” policies around the world. Response to questions on nature, impact, and injustice of US property taxes.

October 24th

Worker Enterprises in Bolivia, New Party in Spain

Updates on big banks’ misdeeds, inadequate health care, the social costs of low wages and Nobel prizes in economics. Major discussions about poverty and education and important economic events on Bolivia (workers taking over enterprises), Spain (indignados form new political Party X), and China (raising value of yuan to change China’s and world’s economy). Response to questions on (1) how Great Recession affects retirees and retirement, and (2) latest data on the highest incomes in US.

October 17th

Uneven Development, Part 2

Updates on France’s case against Amazon, and on what’s really in fast food chicken nuggets. Major discussions on lasting inequality in US cities like New Haven and the economics of the “medical-industrial complex” in the US. Response to listeners concerning the economic aspects of the attack against the City College of San Francisco.

October 10th

Uneven Development, Part 1

Updates on world wealth distribution, Swiss referenda to reduce economic inequality, and capitalism vs. democracy. Major discussions on uneven development’s impact on migration and on critique of national debt as matter of “a selfish generation” or “living beyond our means.”

October 3rd

Profit Motive Costs

Updates on meaning of government shutdown and possible default; new French law gives workers say on selling companies; biggest billionaire US land-owners; grocery store evidence show no “recovery” in US economy. Major discussions on costs and consequences of profit-driven capitalist enterprises versus workers self-directed enterprises. Response to questions on (1) Germany’s September 22 elections and (2) whether Obamacare, if passed, would at least guarantee health insurance to America’s poorest.

September 26th

Economic Downturns

Updates on buying politics, an adjunct’s story, women in the US economy, and cutting mental health spending. Major discussions of “debt ceiling” maneuvers in Washington and meaning of Bangladesh workers’ demonstrations. Response to listeners on the meanings of cutting need-based state help for students and San Jose, CA’s fiscal crisis.



September 19th

Workers Fight Back

Updates on big FED decisions; Yale and other rich folks; Polish, Columbian and Greek workers fight back; and taxpayers subsidize Walmart. Interview Sarah Jaffe on low paid US workers mobilizing. Response to listeners on (1) Michigan take-over of Pontiac and impact on all workers and (2) new statistics show “recovery” has only been for top 1%.

July 2nd

Capitalism’s Social Costs

Updates on Obamacare’s “penalties,” a Parisian suicide, neglect of community colleges, and how inequality worsens itself. Interview with Dr. Harriet Fraad on why US workers don’t fight against their economic decline. Response to listener’s question on how to prevent socialism from deforming into Stalinism.

June 27th

Economic Realities

Updates on G8 and Bernanke “shows”, Turkey vs Brazil protests, Europe’s austerity, drug companies “pay to delay.” Major discussions of crisis in financing public education and of lotteries as disguised tax increases. Responses to listener questions on job losses from progress, worker coops’ survivability, capitalism and democracy, and campaign financing reform.

June 21st

Capitalism and Democracy

Updates on pay gaps, Alabama bankruptcy, Minnesota lockout, Greek lockout. Discussions of capitalism and democracy, “pure” capitalism, and capitalism’s historical shifts. Comments on listeners’ questions: workers’ owning vs. directing and tax-exempt vs. non-profit.

June 8th

Capitalism’s Costs

Updates on Disney’s price hikes, Portugal’s unions’ general strike, Chinese buy US biggest pork processor, low-wage retail workers fighting in Seattle, General Petraeus goes corporate, and income/wealth inequality in US. Detailed discussions of (1) why technical progress fails to ease work burdens in capitalism, and (2) why/how US “recovery” is so uneven as well as fragile. Response to listeners on anarchism and on Chinese solar panels.

May 31st

Labor, Unions and Crisis

Updates on corporate globalization, Philly schools, paid vacation law(?), the Cadillac Tax. Interview with Stanley Aronowitz on labor, unions and the left. Responses to listeners on higher ed economics and US income inequality.

May 24th

A Journalist’s Perspective

Updates on changing US retirement ages, Pope Francis’s anti-capitalism, inequality inside countries, unionists march in Rome, public schools being savaged. Interview with independent journalist and writer Laura Flanders of GritTV. Response to listeners questions on Apple Computer’s exposure as major tax evader.

May 21st

Measuring Capitalism’s Results

Updates on Google caught evading taxes, food stamp nation, public higher ed crisis. Major discussions on the US medical-industrial complex and the meaning of Bangladesh’s building collapse. Responses to listener questions on anarchism and economics of private property.

May 7th

Mayday and Labor

Updates on Bangladesh tragedy, drug price gouging, CEO pay and OSHA; discussion of labor strategy then and now; comments on markets, private property and scapegoating government.

May 2nd

Crisis/Individual Lives

Economic updates of airline delays, minimum wages for tipped workers, global military spending, and profit-driven Bangladesh building collapse. Interview with Barbara Garson on new book, Down the Up Escalator. Comments on new coop restaurant, unemployment office blues, and risks of deflation.

April 23rd

Tax Truths

Updates on Europeans limiting CEO pay, Chileans demonstrate for free education, many countries with higher tax rates for the rich than in US, and UNICEF report on cild welfare in US vs other countries. Major analyses of the social security/payroll tax system, property tax on stocks and bonds, Alaska suffers economic blackmail. Listeners questions on inflation, military spending, and useful sources of economic analysis.

May 16th

Interview With Chris Hedges on the Coming Social Turmoil

Updates on CEO pay, the assault on social security, Maggie Thatcher, and “job creation.” Interview with Chris Hedges on deepening social crisis, divisions, and turmoil coming. Response to listeners: on French socialists, hidden money, and workers coops paying taxes.

April 9th

Economic Reality Checks

Updates on “recovery,” No. Dakota’s public bank, costs of US wars, global austerity, and rising health care costs for employees. Major discussions of banking crisis, Stockton, CA bankruptcy, declining US manufacturing and “neutrality on raising corporations’ taxes. WSDEs: Mexican tire factor run by workers since 2005; responses to questions on “pure” capitalism and business reactions to resource limits.

April 2nd

Economic Update: Economics and Capitalism

Updates on Cyprus’s extreme austerity, equal justice and markets, falling job quality, and capitalism’s impact on China. In-depth discussions of how worker coops can get needed capital and on basic flaw in economic education at college and university levels. Response to listeners’ questions on printing money and inflation and on teachers’ self-directed schools.

March 26th

Economic Update: Fighting Economic Injustice

Updates on important lessons of Cyprus crisis, big bucks for Wells Fargo CEO, the home finance crisis, and real fur faked. Interview with Keith Harrington on organizing for a changed, new economic system. Analysis of South Mountain Co, a workers coop; response to questions on Obamacare and on minimum wage debate.

March 20th

Economic Update: Guest Victor Wallis

Professor Wolff is joined by Victor Wallis to discuss ecology and economics comparing capitalist and socialist responses to environmental crisis. Part 2 deals with Keynesian economics as a theory that clashes with both the mainstream economics (“neoclassical”) that celebrates private capitalism and with critical theories such as Marxian economics that are opposed to capitalism.

March 12th

Economic Update: Capitalism, Critiques and Alternatives

Updates on defeats for Walmart, recovery for the tiny minority, Qatar royalty buys, and European moves to limit exec pay and tax financial transactions. Analysis of capitalism’s history, its critics, and the alternatives they proposed. Discussion of workers’ cooperative in Wisconsin and an analysis of the difference between capitalist competition and competition among cooperatives.

February 26th

Profit, Austerity and Criticizing the System

Updates on profit-driven scandals (horsemeat in Europe and fish in US); how long we work, Correa’s anti-austerity victory in Ecuador, and getting public benefits for public investment in sports stadiums. Major analyses of “internship” in US business and the basic contribution of Marxian economics. Description of Colorado worker self-directed enterprise and response to listeners on (a) mutual decision-making between residential communities and worker coops’ and (b) critique of Marxian debates on crisis causes.

February 19th

Where Profit Motive Leads

Updates on worker takeover of Greek factory, minimum wage debate, and European horsemeat scandal. Detailed analyses of Post Office cutbacks, economics of educational decline, and paying for war with taxes. Comments on Cambridge, MA workers who reopen and run pizza closed by capitalist owners; responses on relation of capitalism and democracy and labor as source of all value.

February 12th

Lessons from Megabanks’ Megascandals

Updates on big bank misdeeds, internet provider monopoly, and social effects of unemployment. Critical analysis of proposal to break up big banks, capitalism and the tomato industry, and expose of real goals of austerity policies. Response to listeners with example of successful worker coop (WSDE), Union Cabs of Madison, WI., differences between ESOPs and WSDEs, and beginning of analysis of how WSDE’s raise the capital they need to start and continue.

January 28th

Economic Update: Beyond Austerity to Economic Democracy

Updates on global capital’s devastating moves and on the FED’s huge recent expansion of the money supply. Interview with Prof. Jan Rehmann: a Gramscian analysis of the Occupy movement. Response to listeners (1) how transition to workers self-directed enterprises (WSDEs) would change education and (2) an example of WSDEs today, New Era Windows of Chicago.

January 20th

Economic Update: Economics and Banking

Updates on Gerard Depardieu’s individual tax evasion, corporate tax evasion via profit repatriation, worst CEOs of 2012, and phony DC “debt-ceiling” theatrics. Discussion of Swiss bank crimes, Keynesian vs Marxian economics, political turmoil in 2013, and criticism of markets. Response to question on new capital gains taxes.

January 14th

Economic Update: Contending Economic Theories

Trying a new format, we use the full hour to examine the two basic kinds of economic theory mostly widely used now to understand economic issues. On one side, the dominant mainstream theories (“neoclassical economics” and “Keynesian economics”)celebrate the capitalist economic system. On the other side, Marxian economics is the dominant critical theory of capitalism whose premiss is that society can do better than capitalism.

January 8th

Economic Update: Our Unjust Federal Tax System

Updates on how the new US tax deal favors the rich, deepening student loan problems, and how 2012 benefited billionaires. Analysis of possible conversion from a war-oriented to a peace-oriented economy. Response to listener question on using workers’ pension funds to change corporate behaviors.

2012:

December 30th

Economic Update: Unemployment Analyzed

Updates on Marvins’ “shared unemployment,” $4 trillion profits hoarded by US corporations, and root issues of the “fiscal cliff.” Discussion of solutions for unemployment. Responses to listeners: on pluses and minuses of China’s economic growth and on the contradictions of “social investing.”

December 26th

Economic Update: People, Power and False Economics

Updates and discussion of pensions and guns, fiscal cliff, charitable tax deductions, Mondragon, the environment, and prison economics.

December 17th

Economic Update: Conditions of the Working Class

Updates on Newtown, CT. school shooting, global warming and the CIA, Hostess abuses workers’ pensions, and growing gap between CEOs’ and workers’ pay. Discussion: (1) lessons of Michigan Republicans’ assault on union finances and (2) causes and results of declining workers’ conditions in US, Europe. Response to listeners: rotation of work in coop workplaces vs capitalist enterprises.

December 10th

Economic Update: Systemic Crises – Economic and Ecological

Updates on unpaid law clerks, Buffett’s minimum tax on high incomes, and CBO report on medical care costs and federal deficits. Discussion of Walmart as emblem and example of capitalist “success.” Responding to listeners on Robin Hood tax and student debt relief campaign and on rationales for cutting corporate tax rates.

December 6th

Economic Update: Inconvenient Economic Truths

Updates on unpaid law clerks, Buffett’s minimum tax on high incomes, and CBO report on medical care costs and federal deficits. Discussion of Walmart as emblem and example of capitalist “success.” Responding to listeners on Robin Hood tax and student debt relief campaign and on rationales for cutting corporate tax rates.

November 25th

Economic Update: Worker’s Self-Directed Enterprises

Updates on California’s vote for tax hikes on the super rich, a public-funded museum sued for charging admission, and worker self-direction as a solution for the bankrupt Hostess bakery. Interview with political science professor Peter Ranis on workers’ coops in Argentina, Cuba, and the US. Response to questions on why corporations and the rich prefer austerity as policy in capitalist downturns.

November 18th

Economic Update: Capitalism’s Costly Uneven Development: Detroit

Updates on politicians’ big business incomes after their government jobs and the debate over social security. Interview with Prof David Fasenfest of Detroit’s Wayne State University on causes and cures of Detroit’s economic devastation. Responses to listeners on Britain’s homeless and on controlling banks “too big to fail.”

November 11th

Economic Update: Puerto Rico: Colony and Laboratory

Updates on Obama’s re-election, unemployment’s social costs, and Kodak’s betrayal of retirees. Interview journalist Ed Morales: history of Puerto Rico as US colony and policy laboratory and global crisis’s impact on Puerto Rico since 2007. Response on how differently educated, trained, and skilled workers could fully, democratically participate in workers self-directed enterprises (WSDEs).

November 4th

Profit Motives

Updates on student debt crisis, profit-driven history of US housing, and storm (Sandy) economics. Discussions of Keynesian and Marxian economics. Response to question on transition from capitalist to workers self-directed enterprises.

October 20th

Economic Myths in the News

Updates include, the real-wage decline 2010-2012, more on Walmart and Greece’s bailout benefiting only banks.

October 14th

Economic Update: Economics Means Different Theories and Analyses

Updates focus on the economics of public vs charter schools and Walmart as capitalist “success story.” A major discussion of economic theories that celebrate vs theories that criticize capitalism. Responses to listeners’ questions about German workers’ “co-determination” and French socialism’s waffling.

October 6th

Economic Update: The Presidential Debate Evaded Economic Realities

Updates include the decline of graduate school enrollment and how the wealthy evade taxes. This is followed by an Expose of Romney’s “double taxation” excuse to lower taxes on the rich. A response is given to questions on the relation of workers self-directed enterprises to markets and the issue of workers’ competence to run enterprises.

October 1st

Economic Update: Class Warfare

Updates on public pensions crisis and megabanks’ massive failures. Interview: NYU Prof. Juan Flores on class warfare in the US. Responses to listeners on federal subsidies of big banks and on varieties of capitalism.

September 22nd

Economic Crisis Deepening

This episode provides an update on the anniversary of Occupy Wall Street and how the movement has succesfully changed the American economy. The segment ends with an analysis of how the top 1 percent of Americans leverage the politically system against the bottom 99 percent to prevent them from gaining back the wages they lost in the economic system.

September 17th

History of Workers Coops

Updates on Chicago teachers strike and looming student loan crisis. Extended interview with John Curl, author of For All the People, on hidden US history of workers’ cooperative enterprises.

September 10th

Economic Update: “No Better Economic Policy?”

Updates on Spain’s government vs radical unions’ responses to crisis, who gains most from expanding money supply, temp and low-paid replace middle level jobs, US dominates global arms sales. Analyses of who pays federal taxes and basic differences between capitalist enterprises and workers’ self-directed enterprises. Responses to listener comments on (1) China’s economic growth and (2) “capitalism with a human face.”

September 3rd

Economic Update: The Complexities of Capitalist “Success”

Updates on Romney’s economic plan, French socialists’ employment plan, Yale wealth growth, and wisdom of world’s richest woman. Interview Max Fraad-Wolff on Apple Corp’s mixed picture as capitalist “success.” Response to question on financial speculation in food products.

August 27th

Economic Update: “Labor’s Day, Labor’s Condition”

This episode includes updates on corporations paying CEOs more than they pay in taxes; causes of coming food price spike; and strikes at Caterpillar in Illinois and Lonmin platinum mine in South Africa. Discussion of 50-year decline in US organized labor, drawing lessons from that decline, and using them to propose a new strategy for labor today. Response to questions about innovation and capitalism that challenge the criticism of capitalism.

August 19th

Democracy at Work

Updates on European crisis (creative Spanish anti-austerity politics, Mondragon avoids worst of crisis, suicides in response to crisis), Chilean students’ strike against privatized education as bad education. Interview with Jen Hill, co-founder of new social movement Democracy at Work – democracyatwork.info – explains nature and goals of economic transition to worker self-directed enterprises (WSDEs). Question answered on dominant US ideology that blames economic problems on the government.

August 12th

The Public’s Health and Economics

Updates on extremes in Spain’s crisis, Paul Ryan as VP candidate, US Justice Dept drops case against Goldman-Sachs, college costs crisis, and fast-rising food prices. Interview with Prof. Carles Muntaner on how deeply social and economic conditions shape health and on the implications of that shaping. Question answered on requiring workers in Workers Self-Directed Enterprises to all participate in directing enterprises.

August 5th

Economic Facts and Realities

Updates on Europe’s ongoing crisis, real US tax history, bank tycoon admits “mistakes”, food price inflation again. Major analyses: economics of Medicaid and AFL-CIO closes National Labor College. Responses to questions on “planned obsolescence” and what individuals can do in crisis times.

July 28th

Following the Money Trails

Updates include Capital One Bank’s misdeeds, French socialists’ new policies, taxing churches in Spain, Walton family’s immense wealth, strike at Caterpillar, and taxing private wealth. Major discussions of huge corporate cash hoards and vast private wealth hidden from view and from taxes in tax-havens. Responses to questions on reorganizing banking and on Marx’s surplus value theory.

July 22nd

False Choices and Bad Decisions

Updates on Chinese economy’s response to global crisis, $6.6 billion legal deal among banks, credit card companies and retailers, and food stamp cuts threatened. Analysis of closing of US university presses, Texas Gov Perry refusal of Medicaid expansion. Responses on municipal pension issues and changes needed in giant banks.

July 16th

What Are the Social Costs of Capitalist Mega-Corporations?

This episode provides an update on the widening LIBOR scandal and the fine Wells Fargo received for overcharging African-American and Hispanic families on their mortgages. The segment ends with an analysis of why government economic actions favor large corporations at everyone else’s expense.



July 8th

Banks, Banksters and Crisis Finance

This episode contains updates on the LIBOR-bank scandal in London and the looming big city bankruptcy in North Las Vegas. The episode includes an interview with Prof. William K. Tabb on banks and finance. The episode ends with responses to questions on the relationship of anarchism and Marxism, and about the basic issues of 