FREE with Clara Mattei

In this engaging discussion, Richard Wolff, an esteemed economist and advocate for worker cooperatives, joins Clara Mattei to dissect capitalism's failures. They reveal how the labor market's hidden coercion undermines liberty and equality. The duo explores inflation and unemployment from a class perspective, exposing how these issues serve capitalist interests. They also discuss how AI could be leveraged by worker cooperatives to enhance productivity while benefiting workers, offering a compelling vision for economic emancipation.

Ibrahim Shikaki, an associate professor of economics and expert on the political economy of Palestine, dives into the complexities of economic dependency and occupation. He explores the historical roots of these issues, tracing them back to the British Mandate and the impact of post-1967 military orders on Palestinian labor dynamics. The conversation highlights Israel's exploitation of cheap labor and resource control, touching on the lingering effects of the First Intifada and the Paris Protocol. Shikaki emphasizes how framing these economic challenges is crucial to understanding the broader context of the occupation.

Austerity isn't just about saving money—it’s a tool for systemic control. Clara Mattei exposes how cuts to essentials like food stamps coincide with military spending, showing the real agenda behind policy shifts. Delving into regressive taxation and higher interest rates, she reveals how they suppress wages and deepen dependence on markets. Historical roots link austerity to authoritarianism, with chilling effects particularly in the Global South. Prepare to question everything about economic equity and power dynamics!

Welcome to FREE: The Forum for Real Economic Emancipation.In our first episode, Clara Mattei dismantles one of the biggest myths in economics: the idea of a “free market.”We dive deep into:✔ Why the free market is a myth and what really sustains it✔ How inequality isn’t an accident, but part of the system’s design✔ Why mainstream economics keeps us powerlessClara also reflects on her conversation with Jon Stewart and why knowledge must serve change—not protect the status quo.📌 Subscribe for more conversations on economic justice, democracy, and building a future beyond austerity.https://freefreeforum.org#FREEForum #claramattei #freepodcast #jonstewart #free #capitalorder #economics #austerity #inequality #capitalism