Economic Update: Karl Marx, 1818 - 1883

S7 E08: Capitalism's Excuse: Blame Government
THIS WEEK'S TOPICS (w/timestamps):
01:05 - Updates on global capitalism's extreme inequality (Oxfam report);
08:12 - Victoria's Secret's billionaire owner;
11:45 - why immigration is a “weapon of political distraction”;
16:07 - announcements;
17:25 - how the GOP tax cut really helps the rich more than others;
22:05 - how the Michigan State University sex abuse scandal reflects "running schools like a business.”
29:01 - SPECIAL TOPIC: A series of discussions on Karl Marx’s life, the goals of his writings and their lasting relevance.

[carlanderson]

Chris Hedges, Peter Joseph, Lee Camp, Jimmy Dore, Jacque Fresco (unfortunately died last year), Noam Chomsky, Abby Martin, and of course also Richard Wolff - are some of the heroes educating the World so that we, some day, will change the world for the better - FOR EVERYONE!

[Tanek]

"The people who are billionaires are only billionaires because the rest of us enable them to be billionaires." ~Richard D. Wolff

[QuarterMan]

Just saw "The young Karl Marx movie" it was OUTSTANDING!! Well done.

[secularnevrosis]

If people just could get their heads around how they come to be that rich. Them money doesn't come from thin air. It comes from the pockets of the people that get poor. Their produced wealth goes to the already rich.

[heliosasclepius]

I love this man he’s funny but spot on, on the evils of Capitalists who control labor!!

[reireilemon]

Professor Wolff- keep your head up during these depressing times, it must be hard to be constantly talking about how humanity lacks humanity, some of us out here are listening and more and more your work is chipping away at what seems like an unchangeable system. Seriously.. thank you!!

[Daimerian]

Hello Dr.
Its my pleasure to find my missing and inspiring academic personality, who I was always looking for, since this 99% is suffering from social and economic inequality.
I have found Dr. a clear lecturer, with very clear language and determined to serve academically for this 99% majority.
I have been passionate of watching his videos and lectures with a very deep feelings and philantrophic intentions to human being as a whole and his bold criticism against most inhumane and unethical system (capitalism).

[workwillfreeyou]

A most sincere thank you Democracy At Work + Richard Wolff! As I worked in manufacturing and my job has been exported I now have no income. I still see the new tax structure as an improvement as increased "Golden Urine Showers That Trickle Down On Me" help keep me warm in the winter. Yum.

[eddiemaxblack]

It's unconscionable that vast sums of money are in the hands of so few people. It's utterly scandalous.

[ahmetdevrim]

When ı saw karl marx written suddenly ı click video

[fattahmoosavi]

Mr Wolff, l listen to u from Sweden.I appreciate u as a responssible person who care about
Humanities in real life, , , ,
I wished we had alot such as u in all countries to inform the peopule.
Then soon could be end for captlisem!!!
Good Luck in ur best job

[williamolsen]

Keep up the good work Professor Wolfe, you explain things very well.

[topster]

"Fucking businessmen making money because a lot of people like and buy their products. Where will the madness end?"

[michaelkingsbury]

$200, 000? There are people here in Palm Springs who list that as an entertainment budget. And they still don't tip!

[chris-eg]

"crank up" the volume in future uploads please

[edwardmaxwell]

Since our purchasing power has been severely curtailed, and extreme debt has been imposed on us, it's only logical that we become more selective and demanding with our spending. Previous generations had the abundance to celebrate opulent holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas, but not us. Save your money folks: don't spend money you hardly have on things you don't need. #SecondGreatDepression

[jordypoel]

Great fan Mr Wolff you are really educational thanks

[intherabbithole]

I was naturally drawn to the writings of Karl Marx brought about by a feeling that something is very wrong with the way the system works, by creating enormous wealth for a few while allowing the vast majority to live in poverty or on the border line of it .
I went through Capital Volume One twice with David Harvey’s online lecture series, a close reading of Capital and very helpful in really understanding what Marx was saying.
I can only say that after having done that I never looked at the working world the same and see that the wealth that a few have as been stolen from the work of the poor.
As Richard Wolff as said, don’t let them fool you, you don’t them, they need you!

Thank you professor for your work in educating the people on the true nature of the capitalist system!
If was not for people like you and David Harvey many would still live in the dark with that feeling that something is terribly wrong and not knowing what it is that makes them feel that way.

[nthperson]

Beating a dead horse, my input to what Professor Wolff is saying here is that almost all societies today are dominated by "rentier" interests. Solving the problem will require a fundamental change in how governments raise revenue to pay for public goods and services. Rents from all sources are unearned by individuals or entities; they are societally-created.

If is certainly true that rentier interests have gained control of the socio-political arrangements and institutions to secure and protect their monopoly privileges. The lesson is that change will not come without fundamental reforms of our political systems.

There is in the United States only one political party committed to changes in public policy based on principles of equality of opportunity. This is the Green Party. Yet, the Green Party cannot even get a seat at the table because of the laws governing political parties, laws that essentially ensure the duopoly of the Democratic and Republican parties. Changing this system will require constitutional amendments.

[liegesaboya]

Hi Wolfe's friends : where I could find the transcription of what Mr.Wolfe is saying ? the one provided in youtube configurations is filled with seconds and keeps going, never stops .--- I would like to translate some of his commentaries to portuguese . Thanks a lot ! Long life to Richard Wolfe and his program !