Sanctions Backfire: Europe Plunged into Energy Crisis
On today's episode Walter Smolarek and Prof. Richard Wolff discuss how Europe has plunged into an even deeper energy crisis as Russia cuts off imports through the Nord Stream pipeline in response to western sanctions. While US and European leaders pledged that sanctions would quickly bring the Russian economy to its knees, is the reality in fact the opposite? 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.
7 Sep 202232min
Brian Becker Seminar #17: Gorbachev's Legacy, Afghanistan, Climate Catastrophe, Education, & More [Preview]
In this August 2022 patrons-only seminar, Brian discusses the legacy of Mikhail Gorbachev, the last president of the Soviet Union before its dissolution, who is being lionized by the capitalist media after his death on Tuesday. Brian also discusses the 1-year anniversary of the U.S. withdrawal of from Afghanistan, the drying up of the Colorado River due to climate change, education under capitalism versus socialism, and more. Check out the preview now and subscribe at patreon.com/TheSocialistProgram to hear the rest!
1 Sep 202211min
Infiltration, Violence, Deportation: How the State Weakened and Split Socialism in the US
In this special crossover episode, Rania Khalek of Dispatches sits down with Brian to talk about the impact of severe repression on the socialist, communist and Black Liberation movement in the United States during the past decades. Rania Khalek’s Dispatches program is on BreakThrough News, and is available on video at YouTube.com/BreakThroughNews and as a podcast on Google, Apple, and anywhere you get your podcasts. 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. This month it's on Wednesday, August 31, at 12pm ET/9am PT. Register now on Patreon!
25 Aug 20221h 32min
How U.S. Capitalism Buries Students in Debt
On today's episode Walter Smolarek and Prof. Richard Wolff discuss the student debt crisis. With an announcement expected imminently on the fate of the national freeze on student debt payments, pressure is mounting on the Biden administration to not only extend the moratorium, but also cancel a substantial amount of the crushing debt burden tens of millions of people in the United States are under. How did we end up in a situation where borrowers have accumulated over $1.7 trillion in debt just because they wanted to get an education? 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 Aug 202231min
Social & Economic Crisis in Turkey w/ TKP Secretary General
A political, social, economy, and class struggle has been intensifying in Turkey. What are the demands of the people and the progressive forces like the TKP, the Communist Party of Turkey? Brian is joined by Kemal Okuyan, who is the secretary general of the Communist Party of Turkey (TKP), for an inside look. 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.
23 Aug 202239min
China’s Rise: Why U.S. Threats & Provocations Will Not Succeed
A second congressional delegation went to Taiwan this week, less than two weeks after Pelosi visited. These trips have sparked a sense of outrage among many Chinese people, who demand respect for their sovereignty and for their impressive social and economic achievements. This includes massive poverty reduction and surpassing the United States in key indicators like life expectancy. How is U.S. aggression against China related to their continuous rise? Brian is joined by Tings Chak, Shanghai-based researcher at the Tricontinental Institute & a member of Dongsheng News collective and the author of the pamphlet “Serve the People: The Eradication of Extreme Poverty in China.” 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 Aug 20221h
Evictions, rising rents and unaffordable homes: Capitalist housing market a total failure
On today's episode Walter Smolarek and Prof. Richard Wolff discuss the housing market as the Federal Reserve-induced economic downturn takes shape. The situation is rapidly deteriorating for both renters and prospective home buyers, with evictions on the rise, prices rising and interest rates spiraling out of control. 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 Aug 202230min
Fighting Back Since 1619: Black August, Political Prisoners & the Fight for Socialism
The month of Black August focuses on the importance of the continued struggle for Black liberation and honors the lives and struggle of political prisoners—and calls for their freedom. While many have been released, like Albert Woodfox, who was released in 2016 and passed away earlier this month, many still linger behind bars, even in solitary confinement and in their 80s or sick. What does the ongoing treatment of these organizers and fighters tell us about the nature of the capitalist system and the tools that the ruling class fears the most? Nicole Roussell is joined by Nino Brown, a member of the Jericho Movement, which organizes to free political prisoners, and an organizer for the Party for Socialism and Liberation. 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.
16 Aug 202241min
