The Socialist Program with Brian Becker Attacking Venezuela is a Repeat of 1930s History w/ Richard Wolff
Jan 7, 2026
In this engaging conversation, economist Richard Wolff, co-founder of Democracy at Work and expert on capitalism, delves into the intricacies of U.S. foreign policy regarding Venezuela. He clarifies the false narrative that the U.S. is managing the country and highlights the severe impact of sanctions. Discussing the historical context, Wolff draws parallels to past U.S. interventions, emphasizing a long-standing pattern of imperialism. He also reflects on global resistance to colonialism and how declining American dominance fuels aggressive rhetoric.
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Sanctions Aren't The Same As Occupation
- Stephen Miller's claim that "The United States of America is running Venezuela" equates military presence and sanctions with direct control.
- Richard Wolff argues sanctions and positioning are not equivalent to occupying or managing a country's internal life.
Postwar Rules Were Designed To Stop Aggression
- The post–World War institutions like the United Nations aimed to prevent unilateral military conquest between states.
- Richard Wolff says Trump's rhetoric and actions violate a century of collective efforts to avoid repeating World War-era aggression.
New Rhetoric, Old Practices
- U.S. interventions in Latin America are historically continuous across parties and decades.
- Wolff highlights that Trump differs mostly by dropping the old rhetorical veneer of promoting democracy.
