Richard Wolff is a Marxist philosopher and economist. Please support this podcast by checking out our sponsors: – Skiff: https://skiff.org/lex to get early access – Indeed: https://indeed.com/lex to get $75 credit – Onnit: https://lexfridman.com/onnit to get up to 10% off – Blinkist: https://blinkist.com/lex and use code LEX to get 25% off premium – Linode: https://linode.com/lex to get $100 free credit EPISODE LINKS: Richard’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/profwolff Richard’s Website: https://www.rdwolff.com Contending Economic Theories (book): https://amzn.to/3HykPwT Understanding Marxism (book): https://amzn.to/39qpm8b Understanding Socialism (book): https://amzn.to/3Og9XG3 PODCAST INFO: Podcast website: https://lexfridman.com/podcast Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2lwqZIr Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2nEwCF8 RSS: https://lexfridman.com/feed/podcast/ YouTube Full Episodes: https://youtube.com/lexfridman YouTube Clips: https://youtube.com/lexclips SUPPORT & CONNECT: – Check out the sponsors above, it’s the best way to support this podcast – Support on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/lexfridman – Twitter: https://twitter.com/lexfridman – Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lexfridman – LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lexfridman – Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lexfridman – Medium: https://medium.com/@lexfridman OUTLINE: Here’s the timestamps for the episode. On some podcast players you should be able to click the timestamp to jump to that time. (00:00) – Introduction (07:12) – Marxism (15:41) – Communism (50:47) – Human nature (1:03:03) – Economics (1:09:54) – Capitalism (1:42:18) – Governments and corporations (1:53:13) – Stalinism (2:07:12) – Nazis (2:14:08) – Socialism vs Marxism (2:21:48) – Bernie Sanders and AOC (2:38:49) – Cultural Marxism (2:45:49) – Darkest moments (2:51:18) – Advice for young people (2:53:37) – Mortality (2:57:28) – Meaning of life

Professor Richard Wolff discusses the alarming rise in auto loan defaults, the impact on the working class and the rising prices of cars. It explores the implications of unsustainable debt, the relationship between wages and raw materials, and the concentration of wealth. The podcast also touches on the rise of BRIC countries in the global economy, limitations on Chinese land ownership, and growing anti-Chinese sentiment.

Marxian economist Richard Wolff joins us to define capitalism, socialism, and communism. He explains the historical relationships and tensions between those who own property and those who do not. Wolff discusses the heated debates and criticisms of capitalism and the lag in understanding these ideas in America. The podcast also explores how capitalism and the business model impact different fields, the demotion of universities, the connection between capitalism and mental health, the reasons for ignoring exploitation under capitalism, and the rise of worker co-ops as an alternative.

Professor Richard Wolff joins Brian to discuss the sudden closure of bank accounts and its impact on individuals and small businesses. They explore the complexity of financial language, the dominance of banks in the US economy, and the lack of non-profit-driven and public banking options. They highlight the need for a new system that prioritizes stability and accessibility for all.

Prof. Richard Wolff, an insightful author and co-founder of Democracy at Work, delves into the recent stock market crash and rebound, suggesting it hints at a looming recession. He analyzes the role of rising unemployment and financial shifts while critiquing government responses that neglect the working class. The discussion also touches on a significant court ruling against Google, addressing its monopolistic behaviors and the broader implications for consumers and economic inequality. Wolff highlights the urgency of addressing such critical issues.

Prof. Richard Wolff, an author and co-founder of Democracy at Work, joins tech mogul Elon Musk in a controversial discussion about billionaire support for Trump. They dissect the intertwining of wealth and politics, probing how billionaires shape the political landscape and influence policies favoring corporate interests. The conversation takes a sharp turn as they analyze America's global standing amidst rising tensions with China, pointing out the implications for inequality and calls for urgent reform in governance.

Professor Richard Wolff and Brian Becker discuss the stock market hitting 40,000, highlighting how it benefits the wealthy while workers suffer. They delve into wealth inequality, corporate behaviors, and the need for systemic change to address economic disparities.

Discusses the spike in housing costs and inflation surpassing the Federal Reserve target. Explores human decisions affecting market prices and critiques media for blaming vague market forces. Compares past inflation rates during the Vietnam War and analyzes the impact on working people. Explores power dynamics within the capitalist system and the intervention in issues like rent control.

Richard Wolff, a renowned economist and co-founder of Democracy at Work, joins the discussion to dissect Biden's hefty $106 billion military funding proposal for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan. He critiques the prioritization of military aid over critical domestic needs like housing and infrastructure. The conversation also highlights the historical rise of the military-industrial complex and its repercussions for the working class. Wolff argues that such financial choices create disparities that primarily benefit defense contractors, leaving citizens in the lurch.

In this episode, we’re talking inflation — a somewhat slippery topic that has been dominating headlines recently. It’s all caught up in the murky and often misleading narratives floating around on the pandemic economy, things we’ve discussed recently like the quote labor shortage, supply chains, spending bills in Washington. Anyways, the mainstream narratives get a lot wrong. Especially when they’re coming from the more right-wing elements — there’s just a lot of bad analysis and straight up mis- and even dis- information out there. So, we’re gonna take a shot at trying to actually unpack this idea of inflation: what is it? Why are we seeing inflation taking place? Why is the mainstream coverage of it often flawed? We’ve brought on two guests to unpack things for us. Dean Baker is an American macro-economist who co-founded the Center for Economic and Policy Research. Richard Wolff is an economist, Professor Emeritus of Economics at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and currently a Visiting Professor in the Graduate Program in International Affairs of the New School in New York.  This episode of Upstream was made possible with support from listeners like you. Upstream is a labor of love — we couldn't keep this project going without the generosity of our listeners and fans. Please consider chipping in a one-time or recurring donation at www.upstreampodcast.org/support If your organization wants to sponsor one of our upcoming documentaries, we have a number of sponsorship packages available. Find out more at upstreampodcast.org/sponsorship For more from Upstream, visit www.upstreampodcast.org and follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and Bluesky. You can also subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts.