Socialism For Dummies.

Professor Richard D. Wolff explains in 50 minutes what socialism is NOT.
Where does the American fear of Socialism, Communism and Marxism come from?

[itchaii]

41:35 “Socialism is when the government does stuff”

[hydecarolan]

I like how this is pre-trump and I can go without hearing his name every 30 seconds

[helengarrett]

It has been more ta a taboo to speak about socialism. As a teen, (I'm 79 years old) I was sent to the principal's office because I often brought other perspectives into social studies classes. I was taking advanced biology classes but was sent to a "remedial"social studies class in the same semester. I lost my job because I protested the McCarthy committee coming to my city and I was interviewed on television. I have been socially ostracised, spat upon, called antisemitic names. But I just persisted.

Bernie Sanders is the closest thing to a socialist in my life that ran for President. But he was so badly treated by the Democratic party that he never really had a chance in either of his runs for the presidency. I don't know how socialist I am, but I think I am more socialist than Sanders and probably more militant too. Whatever it is, I think there is a better way than what we have now. I suspect the better way is socialism. Shocking!

[tristan]

came for the "when government does stuff", stayed for the nuance

[vhr]

It's sad that some people will only see the meme (41:35) and unironically believe that's the full context.

[laughable]

SOCIALISM IS WHEN THE GOVERNMENT DOES STUFF. THE MORE STUFF IT DOES, THE MORE SOCIALIST IT GETS.

[captainjules]

This guy’s voice sounds exactly like my Uncle Tony if my Uncle Tony was BASED.

[xfronsc]

The "why" we can't have a debate on Socialism and Capitalism is simple. Americans would realize that they're getting screwed.

[MrBillcale]

“There is a cult of ignorance in the United States, and there has always been. The strain of anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that 'my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge.”


― Isaac Asimov

[latebloomer]

I dont see how anyone can be against workers controlling their own lives. Unless of course your in management and you think god sent you here to tell people what to do.

[TheModernHermeticist]

“Let the ruling classes tremble at a Communistic revolution. The proletarians have nothing to lose but their chains. They have a world to win.

Workingmen of all countries unite!”
― Karl Marx, The Communist Manifesto

I am 73 years old, Poli Sci graduate from UCLA and I've learned more in this lecture than 4 years of college having read Marx and Engles among others.
Thank you for a great lecture and I'm looking forward to furthering my education through you.
Cheers!!

[RetroRockGamer]

Professor Wolff is a national treasure.

[MrBillcale]

“There is a cult of ignorance in the United States, and there has always been. The strain of anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that 'my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge.”


― Isaac Asimov
and knowledge is = truth

[quagmire]

The most important point he made in this video was that the revolution didn't bring Socialism with the Soviet Union, but State Capitalism, where the State became the ruling class, instead of the Capitalists/Private Business Owners.

We went from Kings and Queens ruling, to the Owning Class ruling, to the State ruling, to what we have now which is either in most countries. The State Ruling, the Owning Class(business owners) ruling, or a mix of both.

Sadly within the American political spectrum, the points Wolff made in this video will never be clearly understood by most people. The right-wing of this country is so pathologically disconnected from reality, and so ignorant, they make it their goal to eternally brainwash their sheepish cult into believing communism, socialism, and nazi mean the same thing, and that they are the ideology of atheists.

I used to be conservative when I was younger but education and reading history and books from the people I learned about, instead of learning about them from people I thought were honestly, lead me to be less conservative more and more over time.

The conservative mindset is what ruins this country. Not necessarily conservative principles, but the conservative mindset which is basically close-minded as fuck.

[craigholman]

This is a really outstanding presentation.  I had told my brother that I was interested in Bernie Sanders agenda.  His immediate response was that Bernie Sanders is a communist.  I told him that wasn't true but it was hard to explain.  This is so helpful at making more clear an understanding of socialism.  Thank you.  I will send this to my brother.  I also look forward to Part 2.

[ekat]

I have learned more from this 50-minute lecture than I have in the entirety of everything I have ever heard about Capitalism or Socialism in my entire nearly 17 years of existence

[nathanbuhr]

"b-but what about v-vuvuzuela??"

[TheOGDominic]

I haven't read the comments but I guarantee people have said "Socialism IS for Dummies".

[milesedgeworth]

Fun Fact: He was the teacher for the Greece PM who imposed the worst austerity program in Greek history. This isn't a dig at Wolff. He's a badass. It's just sad how a student didn't take anything with him.