The Socialist Program with Brian Becker

In this patrons-only Q&A seminar, Brian discusses the buildup of nuclear waste, librarians facing prison time, divisions in the ruling class, the possibilities in the Ukraine War, perspectives on China, and more. This episode is a preview of a longer seminar for Patrons in the TSP community. Subscribe at patreon.com/thesocialistprogram to hear the rest of this seminar, support the show, register for next time, and access the highly valuable archive of years of socialist analysis.

1 Kesä 202311min

On today's episode Brian Becker and Prof. Richard Wolff discuss how Joe Biden and Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy have unveiled a “debt ceiling” agreement involving major attacks on workers and the environment. The two are now racing to push through Congress a deal that would see stepped up production of fossil fuels, cuts to food stamps, and the rollback of vital services – all while making it easier for the rich to evade taxes and exempting the Pentagon from any spending limits. Professor Richard Wolff is an author & co-founder of the organization Democracy at Work. You can find his work at rdwolff.com. Please make an urgently-needed contribution to The Socialist Program by joining our Patreon community at patreon.com/thesocialistprogram. We rely on the generous support of our listeners to keep bringing you consistent, high-quality shows. All Patreon donors of $5 a month or more are invited to join the monthly Q&A seminar with Brian.

31 Touko 202331min

Before it was colonized and divided, China was once the most powerful economy in the world. Today it is re-emerging as a leading force, under “socialism with Chinese characteristics.” What paths has China taken since the 1949 revolution and is the country still headed to socialism? Brian Becker is joined by Dr. Ken Hammond, professor of East Asian and Global History at New Mexico State University, founding director of the Confucius Institute at New Mexico State University, activist with Pivot to Peace, and author of the new book “China's Revolution and the Quest for a Socialist Future,” which was just released at 1804books.com. Please make an urgently-needed contribution to The Socialist Program by joining our Patreon community at patreon.com/thesocialistprogram. We rely on the generous support of our listeners to keep bringing you consistent, high-quality shows. All Patreon donors of $5 a month or more are invited to join the monthly Q&A seminar with Brian.

25 Touko 202358min

On today's episode Walter Smolarek and Prof. Richard Wolff discuss the consequences of the most recent step up in the U.S. microchip trade war against China. In response to major U.S. sanctions against China's microchip industry, China began restricting American manufacturer Micron this week. Professor Richard Wolff is an author & co-founder of the organization Democracy at Work. You can find his work at rdwolff.com. Please make an urgently-needed contribution to The Socialist Program by joining our Patreon community at patreon.com/thesocialistprogram. We rely on the generous support of our listeners to keep bringing you consistent, high-quality shows. All Patreon donors of $5 a month or more are invited to join the monthly Q&A seminar with Brian.

24 Touko 202326min

In a historic event, on Monday the United Nations commemorated al-Nakba, which means “catastrophe,” and marked the beginning of the apartheid state of Israel and the massacre and displacement of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians from their homes. Despite what Americans are taught, Israel was not created as a safe haven from oppression — in fact, the origin of Israel has anti-Arab, anti-Semitic, and imperialist roots. Brian is joined by Dr. Nazia Kazi, a professor of Anthropology at Stockton University, and author of the book “Islamophobia, Race, and Global Politics,” which was just updated and re-released. Please make an urgently-needed contribution to The Socialist Program by joining our Patreon community at patreon.com/thesocialistprogram. We rely on the generous support of our listeners to keep bringing you consistent, high-quality shows. All Patreon donors of $5 a month or more are invited to join the monthly Q&A seminar with Brian.

18 Touko 202353min

On today's episode Walter Smolarek and Prof. Richard Wolff discuss how the Writers Guild of America is taking on the Hollywood bosses in a strike that is now entering its third week. Writers are fed up with producers making their work more uncertain, intense, and lower-paying. And the strike touches on an issue of existential concern to all workers – artificial intelligence. Professor Richard Wolff is an author & co-founder of the organization Democracy at Work. You can find his work at rdwolff.com. Please make an urgently-needed contribution to The Socialist Program by joining our Patreon community at patreon.com/thesocialistprogram. We rely on the generous support of our listeners to keep bringing you consistent, high-quality shows. All Patreon donors of $5 a month or more are invited to join the monthly Q&A seminar with Brian.

17 Touko 202319min

The U.S. and South Korean government have hidden the sex slave system for U.S. troops, called camp towns, that began after World War II as a continuation of the Japanese-run sex slave system in Korea, the so-called ‘comfort women.’ Now the story is finally getting more light—as  a way for the United States to push for war. Brian is joined by K.J. Noh, a peace activist, organizer with Pivot to Peace, scholar on the geopolitics of Asia, and a frequent contributor to Counterpunch and Dissident Voice. Please make an urgently-needed contribution to The Socialist Program by joining our Patreon community at patreon.com/thesocialistprogram. We rely on the generous support of our listeners to keep bringing you consistent, high-quality shows. All Patreon donors of $5 a month or more are invited to join the monthly Q&A seminar with Brian.

11 Touko 202354min

On today's episode Brian and Prof. Richard Wolff discuss the third bank failure in two months. First Republic collapsed Monday, a sure sign that the financial system is still in huge turmoil. Then JPMorgan Chase bought the bank's assets for a bargain. What does this say about the economic system and what does it mean for the rest of us? Professor Richard Wolff is an author & co-founder of the organization Democracy at Work. You can find his work at rdwolff.com. Please make an urgently-needed contribution to The Socialist Program by joining our Patreon community at patreon.com/thesocialistprogram. We rely on the generous support of our listeners to keep bringing you consistent, high-quality shows. All Patreon donors of $5 a month or more are invited to join the monthly Q&A seminar with Brian.

3 Touko 202330min