The Socialist Program

On today's episode Walter Smolarek and Prof. Richard Wolff discuss how economists around the world are agonizing over the question – Will the United States enter a recession, and how bad will it be? New economic data shows that the job market remains relatively strong, but under the twisted logic of capitalism this may in fact lead the Federal Reserve to implement policies that could make an e...

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, regist...

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 maki...

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,...

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 c...

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...

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...

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 Peac...

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...

In this patrons-only seminar, Brian discusses the current importance of International Workers' Day, how to build unity among different workers, millions ejected from health care in the US, how to stop the march toward war on China, the attacks on the African People’s Socialist Party, and more. This episode is a preview of a longer seminar for Patrons in the TSP community. Subscribe at patreon....

A new era of global politics is rapidly developing. The United States just announced plans to dock nuclear submarines in South Korea. Ukrainian President Zelensky speaks with Chinese President Xi. Former self-declared “Venezuelan President” Juan Guaido sneaks back to Miami. BRICS has 19 new requests to join. What do these developments and others indicate about the changing world, economy, and stru...

On today's episode Brian and Prof. Richard Wolff discuss the split within the right wing, where some uber-conservatives, like the Heritage Foundation, have come out in support of government subsidies and state intervention — not the so-called free market. What has caused this huge shift and what does it mean for the left? Professor Richard Wolff is an author & co-founder of the organizatio...

Secret documents appear to reveal the internal assessments of Pentagon officials regarding the war in Ukraine, the extensive US direction of the proxy war, and how even its close allies are not safe from U.S. spying. Brian is joined by Walter Smolarek, editor of Liberation News and producer of this show, to help explain and dissect what’s going on in Ukraine, the destruction of the Nordstream pipe...

On today's episode Brian and Prof. Richard Wolff discuss the recent New York Times research on the bank bailout, stating that the regional banks massive sections of the country depend on were on the verge of collapse. Is this study real or a propaganda piece to cover up that the government spent billions on banks' mistakes? Professor Richard Wolff is an author & co-founder of the organ...

Women leaders from all over the Global South came together in China in 1949 to strategize about building an anti-imperialist, anti-colonial women’s movement at The Revolutionary Feminist Conference. The conference worked to overcome the fact that imperialists and colonialists were sharing materials, ideas, and plans among themselves, while working to prevent the people’s movements leaders from com...

On today's episode Brian and Prof. Richard Wolff discuss how economic powerhouses like China, Russia, Brazil and others are moving away from using the dollar, changing its status as the world’s reserve currency. This shift could erode the power that U.S. banks and corporations have relied on for decades. Professor Richard Wolff is an author & co-founder of the organization Democracy at Wor...

On today's episode Nicole Roussell interviews Brian Becker about the indictment of Donald Trump, the leader of Taiwan meeting with Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy, the ever expanding story about who destroyed Nordstream 2, and the win for abortion rights in Wisconsin. Please make an urgently-needed contribution to The Socialist Program by joining our Patreon community at patreon.com/thesoc...

On today's episode Brian and Prof. Richard Wolff discuss the three months of protests and 11 days of strikes in France against President Macron's attempt to roll back residents' full rights to retirement pensions. 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...

In this patrons-only seminar, Brian discusses the media's take that the U.S. industrial base is inadequate to feed the war machine, Israel's hidden history of nuclear weapons, the best way to study the lessons of history, the varied roles that nonprofits play in people's struggles, and more. This episode is a preview of a longer seminar for Patrons in the TSP community. Subscribe at pa...

As Israel’s racist, right-wing government has careened even further right, Israelis have been protesting in the streets “for democracy.” But in Palestine, Israeli forces have killed a shocking number of people this year as their war ramps up. What is driving the conflict ground right now and where is this apartheid system headed next? Brian is joined by Miko Peled, a human rights activist, host of...

On today's episode Brian and Prof. Richard Wolff break down what's going on with the collapse of several banks, including how to understand the intentionally complicated economic jargon and why it's vital that we do. 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 contribut...

How did an Energy Department report about COVID coming from a lab leak, an assertion made with “low confidence,” take the whole media by storm? Why is this allegation being dredged up again? While viral outbreaks can take decades to uncover and sometimes don’t ever become clear, the political framing is already obvious. Brian is joined by K.J. Noh, a peace activist, organizer with Pivot to Peace,...

On today's episode Brian and Prof. Richard Wolff discuss the  collapse of Silicon Valley Bank, among others, that has caused  widespread panic. The federal government has bailed out these banks,  which will make hard-felt U.S. inflation even worse. Are we headed for  another economic crisis? Professor  Richard Wolff is an author & co-founder of the organization  D...

The U.S. mainstream media is acting as a propaganda machine for the U.S. drive to keep the Ukraine war going — while Ukrainians and Russians fight and die — and weaken Russia. Brian is joined by Walter Smolarek, editor of Liberation News and producer of this show, to help explain and dissect what’s going on in Ukraine, with the Nordstream pipeline, and with related coverage of China. Please make a...

On today's episode Brian and Prof. Richard Wolff discuss the deadly  greed of capitalists in the transportation industry, in light of the  horrific train disaster in East Palestine, Ohio. 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 b...