Audio
Economic Update on WBAI Dec 3
Published on December 3, 2011Updates today on a judge's rare rebuke of cosy SEC relations with banks, on rising debt among the elderly, on American Airlines' bankruptcy to pay its workers less, on latest unemployment data, and on Yale University's tax exempt fund-raising. The major focus was on Bloomberg Market Magazine's expose on Federal Reserve's secret $7.77 trillion loans to major banks. Question answered explained how markets could be changed to rationally connect workers' self-directed enterprises minus the traditional profit motive and its wasteful costs.
Economic Update on WBAI Nov 26
Published on November 26, 2011Updates covered rise in corporate profits versus fall in wages and salaries as % of GDP over last 50 years, economics of US military buildup in Asia, rising European governments' debts and interest costs, Newt Gingrich's lobbying income, and campaign to cancel student debt. Detailed analysis of European economic crisis and risk of dissolution of the European Union because of uneven/unequal capitalist economic development. Response to question about workers' self-directed enterprises if they function in a market economy.
European Economic Crisis, Austerity Measures, Resistance Portend Future of U.S. Economic Climate
Interview with Richard Wolff, economics professor emeritus at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, now visiting professor at the New School University's graduate program in international affairs, conducted by Scott HarrisPublished on November 24, 2011The Democratic and Republican chairmen of the congressional super committee's announcement that they had failed to reach agreement on cutting the nation’s deficit by $1.2 trillion over the next decade was greeted by some with disappointment. But many others were relieved that proposed severe austerity measures were off the table, at least for now.
Economic Update on WBAI Nov 19
Published on November 19, 2011Professor Wolff and guest, Matt Renner of Truthout.org and Occupier, discuss the past week of events at Liberty Park, "business drag" as a strategy of protesters, co-operation with the Labor Unions, the repeated destruction of the People's Library, and the impact of this revolution.
Economic Update on WBAI Nov 12
Published on November 15, 2011Updates focused on the Harvard students walkout of their economics class, the labor union victories in Ohio elections and building bridges to the Occupy Wall Street movements, and the deepening Greek and Italian economic crises. Featured interview with Christina Towne - Part 2 - discussing her activities in and her thoughts about the future of Occupy Wall Street: a real insider's perspective.
On KPFA's Letters and Politics - Nov 9, 2011
Published on November 14, 2011Richard Wolff joins host Mitch Jeserich on Letters and Politics for a primer on the Italian and Green Economic Crisis, as well as discuss the students of California beginning Occupations on campuses across the state.
Economic Update on WBAI Nov 5
Published on November 6, 2011Brief updates cover China's latest financial interventions in Europe, Greece scapegoated as France and Germany deflect domestic attention and criticism of their austerity programs, comparison of European and US crisis-coping mechanisms, and poor US showing on OECD social justice indicators. We air the first part of fascinating interview with Occupy Wall Street activist Christina Towne on how and why she got involved. The second part - Towne's views on how and where OWS is developing as a movement - will be aired Nov. 12.
Economic Update on WBAI Oct 29
Published on October 30, 2011Updates on recent OECD reports on social justice, poverty, education and taxing offshore wealth across 31 countries with focus on US, on China's funding on European bailout and purchase of Saab, on the European leaders scapegoating Greece to divert attention from their own austerity programs, and on comparing US and European responses to the global capitalist crisis. Analysis of just released Congressional Budget Office report on "Trends in the Distribution of Household Income, 1979-2007" proving how 1% top income receivers gained at the expense of other 99%.
Schonberger Peace and Social Justice Lecture
Published on October 30, 2011Richard Wolff was invited to speak at the Schonberger Peace and Social Justice Lecture at the University of Maine on October 20th, 2011. The recorded audio touches on many of the normal analyses with some additional attention to recent events.
Against the Grain - KPFA Radio Interview (Oct 19, 2011)
Published on October 23, 2011Richard Wolff discusses the crisis of capitalism, how the US became so unequal--and why he believes revolution, not reform, is in order.
Economic Update on WBAI Oct 22
Published on October 23, 2011Updates this week focus on Walmart's elimination and cut-backs of health insurance for its employees, on the failed inspections that recently allowed unclean melon production to kill 25 Americans and sicken many more, on the rising scandal of college students' debt burdens, and on the grotesque Herman Cain plan that would sharply lower taxes on the richest Americans. The major focus was a comparison of the 1930s with the current crisis in capitalism to draw lessons for the kind of economic policy now that the Occupy Wall Street movement might consider.
