Economic Update

The Great US Pension Crisis

This week on Economic Update, Professor Wolff discusses the declines of Europe: French municipal elections show Macron weakness, Germany rejects war on Iran, UK waffles on Iran and helping US, tribute to Trump deepens Europe’s subordination to US and China as economic giants in today’s world economy, especially in advanced technical areas. In the second … Continued


Economic Update

Criticizing Pro-Capitalist Ideology

This week on Economic Update, Professor Wolff discusses the flaws in the argument that profit is an appropriate, just return to the risk taken by a capitalist who invests. The critique focuses on (1) what it means that a capitalist can withhold means of production from production, and (2) how workers, their families, and communities … Continued


Economic Update

The Reality, Hype, and Danger of A.I.

On this episode of Economic Update, Professor Wolff provides updates on job losses in February 2026 in the U.S. economy, how California unions are actively protecting immigrant workers from ICE, capitalist crashes and politics (1929 vs. today), and Europe’s economic dead end. In the second half, Professor Wolff interviews journalist-critic (and Bernie Sanders’ speechwriter) Richard … Continued


Economic Update

Trump’s Tariff Policies: A Critique

This week on Economic Update, Professor Wolff explains how and why Trump’s tariff policies add uncertainties to global trade that undermine the very benefits he promised tariffs would bring. He also explains why the United States has never truly been a democracy, but rather an authoritarian society whose current shift is from a polite authoritarianism … Continued


Economic Update

The US Housing Crisis Today

On this week’s episode of Economic Update, Professor Wolff discusses the history of highly successful government-built and-operated housing launched in 1918, the gains won by UAW workers in the first contract at the Volkswagen factory in Chattanooga, TN, and the story of the three-year strike by the Newspaper Guild against the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, which was … Continued


Economic Update

How the U.S. Tax System Worsens Inequality

This week on Economic Update, Professor Wolff delivers updates on U.K. PM Starmer’s trade visit to China, the new head of the Federal Reserve, and the escalation of a general strike in Minneapolis and its spread across the U.S. as people gear up against government assaults on cities. In the second half, Professor Wolff interviews … Continued