Economic Update with Richard D. Wolff The U.S. As A 'Traumatized' Society
11 snips
Jan 6, 2026 
Jared Yates-Sexton, an author and political analyst known for his insights on U.S. politics, joins to explore the impact of societal trauma on politics. He connects rising loneliness and anxiety to political choices and the support of harmful candidates. Yates-Sexton argues that awareness of capitalism's contradictions can inspire systemic change. He emphasizes the importance of intimate conversations for organizing and highlights how desperation drives activism, showcasing solidarity with immigrants as a sign of interconnectedness.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Global Labor Pushback
- Amazon and Zara workers across multiple countries are organizing strikes and union drives in response to exploitative conditions.
- Richard Wolff frames this as global unionization reacting to capitalism's failure to deliver promised living standards.
University Decline As A Social Signal
- The New School abruptly halted most PhD admissions and announced cuts, signaling severe financial distress.
- Richard Wolff interprets these moves as emblematic of a broader crisis in U.S. higher education and institutional decline.
Retreat From Global Policing
- A new U.S. security document marks an official retreat from global policing toward 'Fortress America.'
- Wolff sees this as admission of imperial decline and a turning inward of U.S. foreign policy.
