AskProfWolff: Social Policies and the Future

A patron asks: "What would our world be like if social policies, like the ones Mr. Sanders is running on, were allowed to not only continue, but to develop for 50 years? 100? Does such a world have a name? If we can discuss something as out of our reach as the Dyson sphere, surely we can give a name to our far flung common cause; a man made ""heaven"" that can be achieved, if not directly experienced, after one's passing. I admit ""heaven"" is a heavy word, but I have found, as an atheist, that there are other forms of prayer. Dare to imagine a world in which the welfare of every human born on Earth were guaranteed."

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[lidstrom-ydpb]

Thank you Professor Wolff. You have done so much to change the conversation about socialism and capitalism in our country. Perhaps a socialist future is truly on the horizon.

[danielstevenson]

PROF WOLFF, A GREAT COMFORT IN DISTURBING TIMES. LOVE YOU BUDDY, AND ALL WHO RECOGNIZE THE NECESSITY OF THESE

[vitruvianman]

Love you more right now,
Can someone please explain why student loan debt interest was only deferred for 60 days.
While companies that squandered their tax breaks on stock buybacks are getting bailed out.
Let these companies pull themselves up by their bootstraps.
ABSOLUTELY CRIMINAL

[phreeky]

Thank you, Dr. Wolff, for your knowledge and wisdom in matters economic, historical and ethical. Indispensable listening. Best wishes!

[diannebudd]

Prof. Wolff is a national - wait - global treasure.

[aunaprendo]

This reminds me of the single major Friedman quote/idea/belief that I agree with: “Only a crisis - actual or perceived - produces real change. When that crisis occurs, the actions that are taken depend on the ideas that are lying around. That, I believe, is our basic function: to develop alternatives to existing policies, to keep them alive and available until the politically impossible becomes the politically inevitable.”

[jairoacosta]

thanks for all the good work mister Wolff.

[debysteele]

Thank you Prof Wolff. You are a beacon for these times. Much respect!

[kingmichaelthelastwarrior]

we mustn't forget, that everyone below the wealth, is what creates the wealth for the few

[americanbot]

Trickle down poverty and forced military service thru lack of access to higher education.

[roselawson]

What I like about You Sir is that no matter who listen to your talk they can understand what your talking about! I'm freaken addicted to your talks
Thank You Sir!

[aristophanes]

A Great Question And Brilliant Response. Thank You Kindly Professor Wolff

[saragoldenfreitas]

time and time again, you are my hope and inspiration, you are my teacher and my mentor. You, Professor Wolffe are my favorite economist! I wish I could have a poster of you to put on my wall to adore as a hero!

[bradypustridactylus]

The general trend of the flow of history has been toward equality, liberty, and peace. But it has been a rocky flow and many societies have collapsed from their own excesses leaving only the ruins of palaces, temples, fortresses, and tombs behind. There are no isolated communities left. We live in one world. If we survive, the general trend of history will likely continue, but I am concerned about the future of humanity.

[totonow]

Who in the world thumbs down Dr. Wolff?

[lawriecremin]

Professor Wolff thanks for all your hard work.

[felixvelo]

Our ignorance and complacency took us to this point. Professor, you speak of this new socialism as some cure for all of capitalism's failings. What you seem to not tell those that listen to you is that it is our failings as humans that get us into problems no matter what economic system is in place.

[brucegibbins]

Many countries have single payer, socialized medicine- I very fortunately live in one of them. Even now though, some politicians and pressure groups with a corporation based idealogogy, these once totally free health and social welfare systems have been somewhat polluted by the introduction to a small extent though, of American social barbarity. Driven by corporate imperatives, a new and growing dystopia, unless checked, will crawl upon a world that deserves much better. Insurance based health care is really only an extention of slavery in another form in this system people are indentured to free market winners to provide these with obscene profits that benefit only themselves.

[A_kiwis_view]

Compare the parallels between the USA today and France in 1789, quite frightening.

[nthperson]

The New York based Robert Schalkenbach Foundation recently asked me for my opinion of what would be the outcome of adoption of the economic policy changes proposed by Bernie Sanders. My commentary took the form of two parts. First, the history of how we have come to the current circumstance (which the Foundation has now posted to its website). And, a second part, which analyses the Sanders program. My analysis is neither left nor right, I believe, and is independent of ideology.