The Real Story: Socialist Debates & Political Struggles in the Anti-War Movement: From Gulf War to Today
Brian Becker reviews the history of heated debate within the socialist movement over the necessity of taking a principled, anti-imperialist position in opposition to the U.S. war machine. Almost 18 years ago, George W. Bush launched the invasion of Iraq, a conflict that would ultimately take the lives of over a million Iraqis. Whether and how to oppose this war -- and others like the 1991 Gulf War or the 2011 war on Libya -- has been a persistent topic of debate.
12 Maalis 20211h 11min
Capitalism in Crisis: Why are Super-Rich Democrats Called "Moderates" When they Wage Class War vs. Low-Income Workers?
Brian and Prof. Wolff discuss the Biden administration’s stimulus package. The Washington Post exultantly proclaimed that the bill “showers money on Americans.” Is this really true? Richard Wolff is the co-founder of the organization Democracy at Work and the author of many books, the latest being “The Sickness is the System: When Capitalism Fails to Save Us from Pandemics or Itself”. You can check out his work at rdwolff.com.
10 Maalis 202134min
In the News: The Role of Slave Labor in American Capitalism Before and After the Civil War
On today's "In the News" roundtable, Brian Becker, Nicole Roussell, Esther Iverem and Walter Smolarek discuss the opening of the trial of Derek Chauvin in the case of George Floyd’s murder, intense political and military maneuvering ahead of the potential withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan, the racist roots of the so-called criminal justice system in the United States, and more.
9 Maalis 202144min
The Real Story: A Socialist Look at Syria and US Intervention
Brian Becker dissects the reasons for the US military occupation in Syria and analyzes the objectives and strategies of U.S. imperialism in Syria, and its wars against Iraq and Libya. Becker examines in detail how the Pentagon completely dominates U.S. policy in the region and reviews how and why U.S. strategy in the Middle East dramatically shifted during the past 30 years. The people of the United States heard that Biden bombed Syria last week just as Trump bombed Syria in the early days of his administration. But they don't have a clue that U.S. are troops are occupying the oil rich parts of Syria. This episode of The Socialist Program explains why.
5 Maalis 202159min
Capitalism in Crisis: Intellectual Property Rights are a Form of Theft
Brian and Prof. Wolff discuss how intellectual property rights are used by capitalists to stifle innovation and hold back progress while protecting their profits. They focus especially on how this phenomenon is playing out when it comes to the Coronavirus vaccines. Richard Wolff is the co-founder of the organization Democracy at Work and the author of many books, the latest being “The Sickness is the System: When Capitalism Fails to Save Us from Pandemics or Itself”. You can check out his work at rdwolff.com.
3 Maalis 202132min
In the News: A Lynching that Led to a Nationwide Rebellion
On today's "In the News" roundtable, Brian Becker, Nicole Roussell, Esther Iverem and Walter Smolarek discuss the one year anniversary of the murder of Ahmaud Arbery by racist vigilantes, the trial of Derek Chauvin -- the Minneapolis police officer who murdered George Floyd -- beginning this week, Donald Trump delivering a major speech to the CPAC right wing political gathering, the uprising in Haiti against the US-backed president’s power grab, and the US-Iran confrontation as Iran says enough is enough. This episode features a special interview with Mohammad Marandi, an expert on American studies and postcolonial literature who teaches at the University of Tehran, on recent U.S. actions towards Iran.
3 Maalis 20211h
The Real Story: Their protests forced new investigation into police killing of Elijah McClain but they now face the rest of their lives in prison
A damning new independent investigation into the police murder of Elijah McClain in Aurora, Colorado has been released, but the only people facing charges so far in this case are the activists who led the movement for justice for Elijah McClain. Lillian House joins the show. Lillian and other leaders of a mass movement in the Denver/Aurora Colorado area demanding justice for Elijah McClain was herself arrested in a coordinated police attack on September 17, 2020. She was charged with multiple felonies and is awaiting trial. If convicted, Lillian House could be imprisoned for a half a century.
26 Helmi 202142min
Capitalism in Crisis: End Capitalist Control Over Heat & Light
Brian and Prof. Wolff discuss what the terrible storm in Texas and elsewhere in the south that has caused death, destruction and a near total breakdown in infrastructure. What does this say about the capitalist system? Richard Wolff is the co-founder of the organization Democracy at Work and the author of many books, the latest being “The Sickness is the System: When Capitalism Fails to Save Us from Pandemics or Itself”. You can check out his work at www.rdwolff.com.
24 Helmi 202130min
