The Socialist Program

In this patrons-only Q&A seminar, Brian discusses why Netanyahu has called for "a long war," what it would take for the US to cease its support of Israel's genocide, what we can be doing right now to support Palestine, how to discuss this within other campaigns, what motivates the CIA's anti-communist witchhunts, the housing bubble in China, Modi's government's crackd...

On today's episode Brian and Prof. Richard Wolff discuss Biden's push to spend $106 billion on Israel, Ukraine, and Taiwan, rather than on housing, bridges, or schools. 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...

Prof. Marandi of the University of Tehran says a larger war, involving Iran, Hezbollah and others, is becoming more likely by the day as Israel continues its bombardment of Gaza. President Biden is now visiting Israel, doubling down on the United States’ unconditional support of the apartheid regime. Days after the Un documented how Israel had struck schools and hospitals where Palestinians had ta...

On today's episode Brian and Prof. Richard Wolff discuss Rite-Aid's folding due to lawsuits from the pharmaceutical corporation's role in the opioid epidemic, what happens to the industry with a major player going under, and how capitalism fuels the opioid crisis. Professor Richard Wolff is an author & co-founder of the organization Democracy at Work. You can find his work at rdwol...

Miko Peled, the son of an Israeli general, explains the barbarity and criminal logic of the Israeli bombardment of Gaza. Palestinians are being massacred by Israel after the Al-Aqsa Flood uprising that began on October 7, with bombs hitting apartment buildings and ambulances, fuel running out, and Israel blockading food, water, and aid from the Gaza Strip — announced by Israeli Defense Minister Yo...

On today's episode Brian and Prof. Richard Wolff discuss the largest ever walkout of healthcare workers — 75,000 Kaiser Permanente employees walked out last week. What does this mean for healthcare workers and workers everywhere? 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 cont...

On today's episode Walter Smolarek and Prof. Richard Wolff discuss how student loan repayments have officials resumed after being frozen following the outbreak of the COVID pandemic. With millions across the country feeling the weight of this crushing debt burden again, what will it take to win relief? Professor Richard Wolff is an author & co-founder of the organization Democracy at Work....

In this patrons-only Q&A seminar, Brian discusses the Canadian parliament giving a Nazi soldier a standing ovation, conflict brewing in the territories of the former Yugoslavia, patron's questions, 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, registe...

Brian Becker went on a four-city speaking tour this month. This is his talk at the first stop on the tour on September 14 in Denver, CO, with a packed house at the Denver Liberation Center. This episode is a preview of the full talk that is available for Patrons in the TSP community. Subscribe at patreon.com/thesocialistprogram to hear the rest of this episode, support the show, join our monthly p...

On today's episode Brian and Prof. Richard Wolff discuss the looming government shutdown and what it shows about the U.S. capitalist system. Is it a stable democracy if it can't stay open? Why aren't lawmakers using the clear solutions at hand? Professor Richard Wolff is an author & co-founder of the organization Democracy at Work. You can find his work at rdwolff.com. Please make...

The opening week of the United Nations General Assembly shows clearly that this is a new era of global politics. Ukrainian President Zelensky threw down the hammer demanding more war, suggesting even an escalation to nuclear weapons, while Biden is trying desperately to break up the forming alliances in the Global South. Tomorrow Zelensky and Biden will meet in Washington, where they’ll make a har...

On today's episode Brian and Prof. Richard Wolff discuss the criminal inaction of the White House and Congress against inflation and the rising costs of basic goods we need to live. 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...

New relationships are growing and strengthening among countries in the Global South. Leader of North Korea Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin are meeting, while Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro traveled to Beijing to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping. What do these big geopolitical shifts mean for the residents of the Global South and the globe? Brian Becker is joined by Ben...

On today's episode Brian and Prof. Richard Wolff discuss the real possibility of a massive strike as the contract for nearly 150,000 members of the United Auto Workers runs out on Thursday. Union members are demanding fair pay and protection from mass layoffs, but the Big Three auto companies — Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis — haven't yet agreed. Professor Richard Wolff is an author...

On today's episode Nicole Roussell interviews Brian Becker about U.S. media coverage of the "huge threat" of Medicare costs to the U.S. budget, the Ukraine war, the U.S. pivot toward war with China, Putin and Kim Jong Un meeting this week, and the rising cost of car insurance. Please make an urgently-needed contribution to The Socialist Program by joining our Patreon community at pat...

On today's episode Walter Smolarek and Prof. Richard Wolff mark Labor Day with a discussion on how workers are fighting back with intensity not seen in many years. From UPS to academic workers to writers and actors, major labor struggles have been erupting nationwide in a revolt against mounting inequality and corporate greed. And the next major fight on the horizon is a potential strike at th...

As the much-hyped Ukrainian counter-offensive fails to produce major military breakthroughs, officials in the West are becoming concerned that their proxy war against Russia is not going according to plan. But instead of negotiating a lasting peace, the instinct of the war makers is the opposite – double down on massive arms shipments, and insist that Ukrainians die in even larger numbers. Brian B...

On today's episode Brian Becker and Prof. Richard Wolff discuss the BRICS summit in Johannesburg, which resulted in the historic expansion of the bloc. With six new members, will the BRICS be able to mount a more formidable challenge to the dominance of Washington and Wall Street over international finance and diplomacy? What does this mean for the working people of the world. Professor Richar...

As world leaders from the Global South convene in South Africa for the BRICS Summit this week, the West is watching closely. 23 countries have applied to join Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa in the grouping, which is focused on trade and development in their regions — typically dominated by colonizing powers in Europe and the United States. Where is BRICS headed and what unifies the...

On today's episode Brian Becker and Prof. Richard Wolff discuss the alarming pace of rising defaults on auto loans as hundreds of thousands of consumers face mounting bills amid surging new car prices. 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 Pr...

Seventy-five years ago, a witch hunt was launched in the United States against peace activists and leftists who opposed the growing danger of war with the Soviet Union. Today, as the United States has adopted major power conflict with China as its main military priority, and the danger of military confrontation with China grows, there is a new witch hunt against peace activists. But people are fig...

In this patrons-only Q&A seminar, Brian analyzes the newest indictment against Trump and the ensuing trial, artificial intelligence in the workplace, the new McCarthyism against people and organizations opposing U.S. foreign policy and war, who we should work with in the defense of Julian Assange, and more. This episode is a preview of a longer seminar for Patrons in the TSP community. Subscri...

On today's episode Brian Becker and Prof. Richard Wolff discuss the housing crisis in the United States, where some Gen Zers are spending the majority of their income on housing, and homelessness is increasing — at a record rate. 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 con...

In this patrons-only Q&A seminar, Brian analyzes the January 6 Trump indictment and its effect on the 2024 presidential race and future politics, the dynamics of coups in several African countries, socialists in the 2024 race, the Teamsters' huge win, and more. This episode is a preview of a longer seminar for Patrons in the TSP community. Subscribe at patreon.com/thesocialistprogram to he...

On today's episode Walter Smolarek and Prof. Richard Wolff discuss "Bidenomics" (which Professor Wolff calls "political theatre"), Biden's real economic record, and why his policies are so harmful. What has "Bidenomics" meant for the working class? Professor Richard Wolff is an author & co-founder of the organization Democracy at Work. You can find his wor...