Economics Professor Richard Wolff breaks down the root causes of today's economic crisis, showing how it was decades in the making and in fact reflects seismic failures within the structures of American-style capitalism itself.

Wolff traces the source of the economic crisis to the 1970s when wages began to stagnate, and American workers were forced into a dysfunctional spiral of borrowing and debt that ultimately exploded in the mortgage meltdown. By placing the crisis within this larger historical and systemic frame, Wolff argues convincingly that the proposed government "bailouts," stimulus packages, and calls for increased market regulation will not be enough to address the real causes of the crisis, in the end suggesting that far more fundamental change will be necessary to avoid future catastrophes.

The video is richly illustrated with graphics and charts, this video is a superb introduction that allows ordinary citizens to comprehend, and react to, the unraveling crisis.

"…a rich and much needed corrective to the views of mainstream economists and pundits. It would be difficult to come away from this viewing with anything but an acute appreciation of what is needed to get us out of this mess."
— Stanley Aronowitz, Distinguished Professor of Sociology and Urban Education, City University of New York

"…a real tour de force."
— Hobart Spalding, Socialism and Democracy

"…electrifying explanation of how the 'American Dream' evolved into the 'Nightmare on Wall Street.'"
— BuzzFlash

Professor Richard Wolff will not be in attendance