Yanis Varoufakis: Capitalism has become 'techno-feudalism' | UpFront

A recent Oxfam study found that since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, the world’s richest 10 billionaires have seen a wealth increase of half a trillion dollars – enough to pay for every person on the planet to get a vaccine.

In this UpFront special, Marc Lamont Hill discusses with economist and former Greek Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis what is driving the staggering wealth inequalities and how governments are offering socialism for the rich, and austerity for the rest.

[brendano]

socialism for financiers, austerity for the people... sums up the last recession

[JustRockMySoul]

Techno-Feudalism is an excellent description, thanks Yanis.

[taiven.lechevalier]

Can we just take a moment and appreciate how excellent of a job this interviewer did? Really top notch work.

[Dan-udhz]

"If machines produce everything we need, the outcome will depend on how things are distributed. Everyone can enjoy a life of luxurious leisure if the machine-produced wealth is shared, or most people can end up miserably poor if the machine-owners successfully lobby against wealth redistribution. So far, the trend seems to be toward the second option, with technology driving ever-increasing inequality."
Stephen Hawking

[IK_]

Finally. A real journalist. Questions that actually invite interesting perspectives. Well informed and poised!

[joewyatt]

Yanis is a brilliant guy and was treated so poorly but no surprise why.... he speaks sense and the world is awakening

[stbsabs]

Varoufakis as usual makes great and significant points. What is new is the excellent questions and interview from the journalist side for the first time.

[ndeshimonakamungu]

"They are not working for humanity they are working for financiers "

[longbeachboy]

This guy knows about 10 000 times more about american politics and history than the average american...

[ralphjackson]

This was the best interview I have ever had the privilege to see.

[GeraltBosMang]

The quality of Al Jaz reporting is getting better and better.

[YIASEMIDE]

Marc Lamont Hill and Yanis Varoufakis: a brilliant pairing here.

[diogotxx]

Yanis is one of the most brilliant voices I've known in recent times. Always good to hear his thoughts.

[Wldgeist]

What an amazing interviewer! Highly intelligent questions, insight and follow ups. How unusual compared to other mass media. Thanks for that. Keep doing what you're doing!

[Revolution-tlwo]

This is an impressive interview. I really appreciate the thorough and substantial nature of the questions the interviewer asks; the way he gives plenty of space for his guest to answer fully and without attempts to re-frame what he says; and the quality of the answers given. Insightful and very worthwhile. Thank you!

[wendychee]

Thank you for this discussion. Many, many more people need to see this.

[GladysAlicea]

“Wasted economic energy, ” says it all. Great interview, Professor.

[SJSUPhilosopher-cd]

At 13:36 and following, the discussion of the feminization of poverty during the pandemic is especially insightful, informative, and interesting. Thank you for the great question that prompted the excellent response by Prof. Varoufakis.

[kaninma]

Chris Hedges, Richard Wolff and Yanis Varoufakis, three of my favorites. Thanks for sharing this!

[dariuslankarian]

Capitalism for the poor socialism for the rich.