Bhaskar Sunkara

Bhaskar Sunkara, a prominent democratic socialist and the founding editor of Jacobin, discusses vital topics surrounding socialism and its relevance today. He explores the balance between individual freedoms and social equity, advocating for a system that satisfies essential needs like housing and education. The podcast delves into the historical distinctions between socialism and communism, the importance of free speech in social democracy, and insights into modern policies aimed at improving healthcare and education. Sunkara calls for a nuanced understanding of wealth and the responsibilities of the wealthy in fostering societal progress.

In this enlightening discussion, Bhaskar Sunkara, President of The Nation magazine and founding editor of Jacobin, joins Tracy Alloway, co-host of Bloomberg's Odd Lots podcast. They delve into Trump's unexpected embrace of socialist policies, like nationalizing steel and pressuring corporations for profit shares. The duo unpacks the implications of these moves, questioning if they signal a departure from traditional capitalism. They also examine shifts toward government intervention in a tech-driven landscape, exploring the growing allure of socialist ideas in America.

Bhaskar Sunkara, the founding editor of Jacobin magazine and author of The Socialist Manifesto, dives deep into the realm of democratic socialism. He discusses the practicality of socialism amidst America's affordability crisis, emphasizing the need for rent controls. The conversation touches on the intriguing challenges of the populist left, identity politics, and the role of unions in advocating for workers' rights. Sunkara also sheds light on New York City’s housing complexities, especially in relation to mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani's approach to tackling urban issues.

In a lively discussion, economist Emily Oster, known for her data-driven parenting insights, teams up with Tyler Cowen, an economist and blogger, and Katherine Mangu-Ward, editor of Reason magazine. They’re joined by Pulitzer Prize-winning David Leonhardt and socialist Bhaskar Sunkara. The panel dives into the fragility of the American Dream, tackling issues like student debt and economic inequality. They debate whether hard work still guarantees success and explore the evolving definition of opportunity in today’s society.

With the wealth gap widening, some Americans are starting to consider socialism as a viable economic and political model. Supporters of capitalism claim that no other system has been as effective in creating value, increasing prosperity, and producing the wealth that has lifted billions of people out of poverty. The free market, they argue, encourages competition and human ingenuity, values individual choice, and organizes society in a fair and just way. Critics of capitalism, however, paint a different picture. They argue that capitalism is inherently exploitative and that business owners seek profits above all else, leading to the distortion of human worth as one distilled to an individual’s labor power. Further, they claim that a capitalist system is inherently rigged to benefit the wealthy and powerful, and the byproducts of which have created unsustainable waste and decimated the world’s wildlife and natural resources. In light of this emerging divide, we ask this question: Is capitalism a blessing?With John Mackey, Bhaskar Sunkara, Katherine Mangu-Ward, and Richard D. Wolff.John Donvan is our moderater. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this engaging discussion, Bhaskar Sunkara, President of The Nation magazine, dives deep into the complexities of free speech under Trump's presidency. He analyzes Trump's $15 billion lawsuit against the New York Times and explores its potential to intimidate press freedom. The conversation also touches on the implications of Jimmy Kimmel’s suspension for regulatory influence on media. Sunkara emphasizes the importance of civic engagement and supporting independent media as a counteraction to Trump’s narrative, shedding light on how democracy can be defended in today's climate.

Bhaskar Sunkara, Gründer des Jacobin Magazins, sieht in Zohran Mamdani eine neue Hoffnung für die US-Linke. Sie diskutieren Mamdanis Bürgermeisterkandidatur in New York, die sich auf die Bedürfnisse der Arbeiterklasse konzentriert. Sunkara hebt hervor, wie Mamdani komplexe Themen verständlich macht und das Establishment herausfordert. Die Bedeutung der Unterstützung der Arbeiterbewegung sowie die Rolle von Abonnements für unabhängige Medien werden ebenfalls thematisiert. Ein inspirierendes Gespräch über politische Veränderung und gesellschaftlichen Fortschritt.

Bhaskar Sunkara, the editor of Jacobin magazine, dives deep into the roots and relevance of socialism today. He shares his immigrant upbringing and how public libraries shaped his Marxist views. Sunkara discusses the rise of the Democratic Socialists of America and the need for radical politics to combat extreme inequality. He critiques historical leftist movements and emphasizes the importance of balancing individual freedoms with workers' rights. The conversation explores socialism's potential to create a more equitable society and the necessity for engaging local communities in political processes.

Adam Conover chats with Bhaskar Sunkara about why the Left isn't winning, comparing socialist ideals to far-right movements, analyzing Bernie Sanders' impact, discussing American vs European politics, online privacy, healthcare systems, union support for Medicare for All, border policies, and leftist group divisions over Israeli offense in Gaza.

Nando Villa guest hosts alongside Bhaskar Sunkara, the editor of Jacobin magazine known for his insightful commentary on socialism. They dive deep into the potential of social democracy in the U.S., contrasting it with democratic socialism. Key topics include the lessons learned from Bernie Sanders' campaigns, the burgeoning consciousness around class issues, and the historical context of social democracy in Scandinavia. The discussion also addresses healthcare disparities and the role of grassroots movements in reviving a politically engaged working class.