The Socialist Program with Brian Becker

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited the island of Taiwan this week, in an unprecedented escalation toward China. What will the fallout be? Could Pelosi have made this trip without the administration’s blessing? Will this surprise visit anger US allies in the region? Brian 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, and activist with Pivot to Peace. 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.

4 Aug 202256min

On today's episode Walter Smolarek and Prof. Richard Wolff discuss a leaked memo written by a top Bank of America economist that reveals in explicit terms the strategy of the capitalist class: cause as much suffering among workers as possible to rebalance the economy in favor of the rich. As the U.S. begins to experience an intentionally-caused recession, it is now even clearer that this is a matter of class struggle. 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 Aug 202229min

In a huge moment for the state and for the country, Kansas is voting today on a constitutional amendment that would effectively ban abortions if passed. Kansans are mobilized and fighting against this attack on women. In this edition of The Socialist Program, we air three presentations from a convening at The People’s Forum in New York called Free, safe, legal abortions now! Justice is ours to make! The first speaker who is introduced is Claudia De La Cruz, co-executive director of The People’s Forum, popular educator, community organizer, and theologian. Claudia then introduces Karina Garcia, reproductive justice organizer for over a decade and member of the Central Committee of the Party for Socialism and Liberation. The last speaker is Mara Verheyden-Hilliard, a constitutional rights lawyer and executive director of the Partnership for Civil Justice Fund. 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.

2 Aug 202244min

Texans revolted against Mexico’s rule in 1836—because Mexico was moving to abolish slavery. The fascist element in the state has links into modern day, and the history of Texas is crucial as this decade unfolds. Brian is joined by Dr. Gerald Horne, who holds the Moores Professorship of History and African American Studies at the University of Houston and is the author of many books. His newly published book, “The Counter Revolution of 1836: Texas slavery & Jim Crow and the roots of American Fascism,” is available through International Publishers. 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.

28 Juli 202242min

Despite the horrendous heat wave that’s been hitting Europe and parts of the US, the Biden administration has yet to take truly meaningful action, and reports of his possible announcements this week don’t appear to meet the gravity of the climate crisis. What could the government be doing and how do we get there? Brian is joined by Tina Landis, an organizer in the environmental and social justice movements and the author of the book Climate Solutions Beyond Capitalism, which she is currently on tour nationwide to discuss. 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.

26 Juli 20221h 3min

The Biden administration is turning up the heat against China yet again, as news leaks that Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi is traveling to Taiwan in August—another in a series of majorly escalatory acts. Brian 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, and activist with Pivot to Peace. 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.

21 Juli 20221h

On today's episode, Brian Becker and Prof. Richard Wolff break down the real cause of inflation. Inflation is rising prices, which is something the working class doesn't control. Businesses—and the Fed when it raises prices for borrowers by increasing interest rates—do control prices. Why do businesses do this since inflation is bad for the economy? Can the government change this? 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.

20 Juli 202231min

Biden just landed from a multi-day tour in the Middle East where he spectacularly failed at his goals, including bringing more Arab countries into an alliance with Israel and bringing the price of oil down. This week, Russian President Putin is meeting with Iranian & Turkish leaders including Supreme Leader Khamenei and President Erdogan--showing that Iran and Russia are not as isolated as Biden makes them out to be. U.S. influence is declining, but will U.S. officials change their approach? Brian is joined by Professor Mohammad Marandi. He is an expert on American studies and postcolonial literature who teaches at the University of Tehran. 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.

19 Juli 202248min