Capitalism by its nature produces crises and, for the last century, states have responded by imposing austerity measures on the public. Governments claim it’s a bitter but necessary medicine to set economies back on track. But economist Clara Mattei argues that austerity is actually a bludgeon to entrench elite power and repress workers’ aspirations for … Continued
Rising rents, rising food prices, rising gas prices — the price of basic necessities has been going dramatically up. Pundits are wringing their hands, worrying about a return to the tumultuous 1970s, while the Federal Reserve has begun a series of interest rate hikes designed to slow the economy down, and potentially put people out … Continued
Commodification is essential to capitalism: turning the necessities of life, including education, water, and healthcare, into products for sale. But even under capitalism there are periods when the drive to commodify is particularly intense and other periods when there is a push back against commodification. Political economist Christoph Hermann discusses the origins of the concept, … Continued
What will be the fall-out of the Greek negotiations with the EU—more imposed austerity, or inspiration for Europe’s left? James Galbraith, who advised the Greek finance ministry, shares his views. Plus: Bernie Sanders as told to John Nichols. AND: Dying to Know, a new documentary about Ram Dass and Timothy Leary. With host Kris Welch.
As Greece Heads for Default, Voters Prepare to Vote in Pivotal Referendum on More Austerity; Historic Iran Nuclear Deal Hangs in the Balance as Talks Enter Final Round; Egypt’s Power Struggle Intensifies with Killing of Prosecutor Behind Mass Jailings of Islamists; Amid Warnings of Famine, Yemeni Civilians Trapped Inside Conflict with No End in Sight; … Continued
As Greece Heads for Default, Voters Prepare to Vote in Pivotal Referendum on More Austerity; Historic Iran Nuclear Deal Hangs in the Balance as Talks Enter Final Round; Egypt’s Power Struggle Intensifies with Killing of Prosecutor Behind Mass Jailings of Islamists; Amid Warnings of Famine, Yemeni Civilians Trapped Inside Conflict with No End in Sight; … Continued
With Mark Blyth, Scottish political scientist, professor of international political economy at Brown University, and author of several books including his most recent Austerity: The History of a Dangerous Idea. About the Book: Politicians today in both Europe and the United States have succeeded in casting government spending as reckless wastefulness that has made the … Continued
Greece’s Yanis Varoufakis: The Medicine of Austerity Is Not Working, We Need a New Treatment; War Against All Puerto Ricans: Inside the U.S. Crackdown on Pedro Albizu Campos & Nationalist Party.
