Economic Update with Richard D. Wolff
Democracy at Work, Richard D. Wolff
Economic Update with Richard D. Wolff is a weekly nationally syndicated program produced by Democracy at Work and hosted by Richard D. Wolff. The program explores complex economic issues and empowers listeners with information to analyze not only their own financial situation but the economy at large. Beyond focusing a critical eye on the economic dimensions of everyday life - wages, jobs, taxes, debts, interest rates, prices, and profits - the program also explores systemic solutions to our economy's problems including alternative ways to organize production and distribution of the goods and services we all depend on.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jun 7, 2018 • 57min
Economic Update: Standing Up
Updates on China's life expectancy, Ireland's vote, US unemployment, Amazon's quitting bonus, Johnson and Johnson put profits before public health, die-ins at Publix succeed, Macron gets union backlash, Poor People's Campaign exposes US poverty, Canada races to the bottom, super-rich spend wildly. Interview with Dr Harriet Fraad on #metoo movement and its economic and social effects.
May 31, 2018 • 56min
Economic Update: Capitalism Makes Few Winners, Many Losers
Updates on Armenia's Political Spring, banks big profits, Harley-Davidson fires hundreds, unjust criminal penalties, US households' financial distress, Germany bans diesels, US drug companies put profits above health again, and huge wealth increase among world's 2,754 billionaires. Interview with Roderick Prude (union worker) and Dyln Namm (student) on successful student-worker alliance at New School University's cafeteria struggles.
6 snips
May 26, 2018 • 1h 7min
Economic Update: The Contributions of Karl Marx
Celebrate Karl Marx's 200th birthday by diving into his critiques of capitalism. Discover his analysis of labor and surplus, revealing persistent inequalities and modern 'wage slavery.' Explore the contradictions of capitalism where exploitation leads to economic instability and reduced buying power. Unpack Marx's vision of democracy in the workplace, advocating for equality and worker cooperatives. Reflect on his legacy and question the permanence of capitalism, urging progressive change through community engagement.
May 24, 2018 • 55min
Economic Update: An Unsustainable System
Updates on decline of cities/private cities, freelancers' economy, why legalize sports betting now, Fiat-Chrysler-Porsche added to emissions cheating scandal, new federal jobs guarantee, Catholic University attacks tenure. Interview with Chris Hedges on unsustainable US system.
May 17, 2018 • 57min
Economic Update: Another "Gilded Age"
Updates on Theranos bankruptcy and workers' risks, our second "gilded age," mortgage lenders turn to rich borrowers, Trump on drug prices is just rhetoric, economic effects of breaking Iran treaty. Interview with Prof Miguel Robles-Duran on gentrification and crisis of cities.
May 10, 2018 • 57min
Economic Update: Capitalism Provokes Workers
Updates on University of California workers' strikes, privatizing fire departments, big money buys academia, fast-food workers unionize, the capitalism-loneliness-scapegoating links, Hillary Clinton pro-capitalist/anti-socialist, VW CEO is not the problem: system is. Interview with Dr. Harriet Fraad on capitalism's destruction of the family and "family values."
May 3, 2018 • 57min
Economic Update: Socialism: Past, Present, Future
Updates on critique of Uber and gig economy; WI Sen Johnson endorses inequality; Norway to pay male and female athletes same; corporations buy back their own shares; deaths of overworked Japanese; 10% NY school kids homeless; and majority of major US corporations already pay much below official 35% tax rate. Major discussion of changing economics of socialism.
Apr 26, 2018 • 56min
Economic Update: Employees vs Employers, Endless Tensions
Updates on German workers who elect almost half of corporate boards of directors, major US corporations with negative tax rates, Kentucky governor maneuvers against black-lung victims, involuntary part-time employment, epidemic of US evictions, and dangerous long-term use of anti-depressant drugs. Major discussions of economics of socialism and of phony claims of 'no money' by state leaders (example: Connecticut).
Apr 19, 2018 • 57min
Economic Update: Struggling Against the System
Updates on teachers' strikes, capitalism abuses facebook, colleges reward privilege and reproduce it, Shell Oil knew about fossil fuels and global warming for last 50 years, UK housing size shrinks, Sinclair Broadcasting traps employees, US anti-depressant epidemic. Interview Rob Robinson: continuing discussion of water as human right vs for profit: how people fight and win.
Apr 13, 2018 • 57min
Economic Update: Distorting Economic Truths
Updates on labor strikes at Disney, home sales and prices drop sharply, Nestle profits by privatizing water, hurting the post office profits UPS and FedEx, Larry Summers wrong on taxing soda, more costs of the VW emissions scandal, the economic costs of sexual harassment. Interview with Julianna Forlano, journalist and comedian on 'being funny in times like these'.
