Claim OwnershipThe Socialist Program with Brian Becker
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News and views about the world for those who want to change it.
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A new poll shows that the majority of U.S. residents—75%—don’t believe in the so-called American Dream: that if you work hard in the United States, you can succeed at having an economically secure life. Professor Richard Wolff & Brian Becker discuss the major and growing inequality in the United States.Professor Richard Wolff is an author & co-founder of the organization Democracy at Work. You can find his work at rdwolff.com.Join the The Socialist Program community at https://www.patreon.com/TheSocialistProgram to get exclusive content and help keep this show on the air.
![U.S. Warships and Fighter Jets Threaten Venezuela as Millions Join in Military Drills To Defend the Country [Preview]](https://s3.castbox.fm/fa/ab/ff/7d3c045924024804008200a09cb439381e_scaled_v1_400.jpg "U.S. Warships and Fighter Jets Threaten Venezuela as Millions Join in Military Drills To Defend the Country [Preview]")
Millions of Venezuelans participated in military drills to help defend the country as U.S. warships and fighter aircraft are deployed by Trump. Brian is joined by Manolo De Los Santos, Executive Director of The People’s Forum, for a discussion of the latest threats from the Trump Administration, how the issue of narcotics trafficking is being falsely used to justify another U.S. war of aggression – this time against the country that possesses the largest oil reserves in the world. Manolo explains how Maduro supporters are now being joined by many critics of the government to defend the homeland from Yankee Imperialism’s latest threats.This is a preview of a patrons-only episode. Subscribe at https://www.patreon.com/TheSocialistProgram to hear the full episode, get access to all our patrons-only content, and help keep this show on the air.
![Mass Arrests of Workers in U.S., Trump’s Policies Unite China, Russia, Iran & North Korea Into Anti-Hegemony Coalition [Preview]](https://s3.castbox.fm/fe/96/58/6592d776eee50cbe3c959b23546bb08733_scaled_v1_400.jpg "Mass Arrests of Workers in U.S., Trump’s Policies Unite China, Russia, Iran & North Korea Into Anti-Hegemony Coalition [Preview]")
Brian and Layan discuss the mass ICE raids and arrests in the last days of hundreds of workers at an auto factory in Georgia and a food production facility in Syracuse, NY. They also discuss the massive military parade in China that drew prominent attendance from the leaders of Russia, India, North Korea, Iran. Trump’s aggressive policies are creating a new coalition of countries opposed to U.S. hegemony.This is a preview of a patrons-only episode. Subscribe at https://www.patreon.com/TheSocialistProgram to hear the full episode, get access to all our patrons-only content, and help keep this show on the air.
Trump’s family made $5 billion on Monday when they launched a new currency, a memecoin called $Trump. Along with propping up failing company Intel, these are recent examples of the resources the capitalists take from U.S. workers. Professor Richard Wolff & producer Nicole Roussell lay out how this corruption and grift occur.Professor Richard Wolff is an author & co-founder of the organization Democracy at Work. You can find his work at rdwolff.com.Join the The Socialist Program community at https://www.patreon.com/TheSocialistProgram to get exclusive content and help keep this show on the air.
![Wall Street’s Big Admission on Ukraine, Trump's DC Takeover, and How a General Strike Could Happen [Preview]](https://s3.castbox.fm/b4/c3/74/580189cf4006a2debedc5340c81a189f78_scaled_v1_400.jpg "Wall Street’s Big Admission on Ukraine, Trump's DC Takeover, and How a General Strike Could Happen [Preview]")
The Wall Street Journal provides evidence that the Ukraine war is a proxy war between the US and Russia. The Trump Administration’s attempt to takeover DC is part of the attempt to end the semblance of bourgeois democracy in the United States. Don’t we need socialized healthcare, not “Medicare for All”? What do we do to stop the federal takeover of more U.S. cities? Do protests even work? How can we as socialists help merge, and lead, the labor and mass movements? Why is Russia not an imperialist country? These are just some of the topics that Brian Becker and producer Nicole Roussell discuss in today’s patrons-only Q&A seminar.This is a preview of a patrons-only episode. Subscribe at https://www.patreon.com/TheSocialistProgram to hear the full episode, get access to all our patrons-only content, and help keep this show on the air.
Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem claimed that 1.6 million immigrants have left the United States since Trump took office due to the reign of terror the administration has perpetrated. Trump has also sued the Maryland federal judiciary for making him follow proper deportation procedures. Professor Richard Wolff & Brian Becker discuss the terror against immigrants, the military in the streets, and how the world is reacting. Professor Richard Wolff is an author & co-founder of the organization Democracy at Work. You can find his work at rdwolff.com.
![Ukraine: Background to a Proxy War with No End in Sight [Preview]](https://s3.castbox.fm/c6/f7/20/f2f8a3d03982fb8c86163df8724c66b54d_scaled_v1_400.jpg "Ukraine: Background to a Proxy War with No End in Sight [Preview]")
Donald Trump met with Vladimir Putin on August 15th. 3 days later, with Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy, along with the leaders of the major NATO countries. Trump promised that his personal intervention would lead to a quick end to the war, but he has badly misjudged the situation. Brian Becker and Layan Fuleihan discuss the latest, and explain why the war in Ukraine is not ending, at least not anytime soon.This is a preview of a patrons-only episode. Subscribe at https://www.patreon.com/TheSocialistProgram to hear the full episode, get access to all our patrons-only content, and help keep this show on the air.
The Trump administration is considering buying a 10% stake in tech company Intel to prop up the struggling chip maker. Professor Richard Wolff & Brian Becker discuss why they might do this, what it means about the U.S. economy, and what it tells us about the U.S. government's competition with China.Professor Richard Wolff is an author & co-founder of the organization Democracy at Work. You can find his work at rdwolff.com.Join the The Socialist Program community at https://www.patreon.com/TheSocialistProgram to get exclusive content and help keep this show on the air.
![The World Turns Against Israel’s Killing Spree, Trump’s Takeover of D.C., Trump Meets Putin [Preview]](https://s3.castbox.fm/7c/56/5a/f186282cc8ece1c27059792ccc8a05d595_scaled_v1_400.jpg "The World Turns Against Israel’s Killing Spree, Trump’s Takeover of D.C., Trump Meets Putin [Preview]")
Brian and Layan discuss the rapidly expanding worldwide opposition as Israel intentionally slaughters journalists and starves Palestinian civilians. Even mainstream media figures are now denouncing Israel. They also expose the coup-like nature of Donald Trump’s militarization decree that intensifies an all-out attack against Black, Latino and immigrant communities. They also provide a political framing for the Putin-Trump meeting in Alaska and assess Russia’s goals in the Ukraine War.This is a preview of a patrons-only episode. Subscribe at https://www.patreon.com/TheSocialistProgram to hear the full episode, get access to all our patrons-only content, and help keep this show on the air.
Trump has declared a police state in D.C., announcing a federal military takeover. Despite recent violent crime rates in D.C. at a 30-year low, he cited “crime” as the reason—but Professor Richard Wolff & Brian Becker discuss his real goals.Professor Richard Wolff is an author & co-founder of the organization Democracy at Work. You can find his work at rdwolff.com.Join the The Socialist Program community at https://www.patreon.com/TheSocialistProgram to get exclusive content and help keep this show on the air.
1Before we can change the world, we have to understand how change occurs. Today's episode features a recording of our host Brian Becker teaching at the Summer School for Socialism, a class series hosted by The People's Forum in New York City. The class module in today's episode is titled "Change is Possible." How do systems of power rise and fall? Brian introduces the Marxist method for understanding how societies change.Join the The Socialist Program community at http://www.patreon.com/thesocialistprogram to get exclusive content and help keep this show on the air.
In the decades since its 1949 revolution, China has emerged – or reemerged – as a global power, and the U.S. government sees China’s rise as an existential threat. Now there’s a bipartisan consensus, anchored in the Pentagon’s strategic doctrine, preparing for war and “great power conflict” with China. Brian Becker talks with Prof. Ken Hammond, who recently returned from teaching in China, about the political, social, and class character of the Chinese socialist project. Dr. Ken Hammond is a professor of East Asian and Global History at New Mexico State University, founding director of the Confucius Institute at New Mexico State University, and a leading organizer with Pivot to Peace.Join the The Socialist Program community at http://www.patreon.com/thesocialistprogram to get exclusive content and help keep this show on the air.
Coinciding with the 72nd anniversary of the signing of the armistice that ended military hostilities during the Korean War, a historic People's Summit for Korea took place in New York City between July 25th and 27th. Brian Becker, host of The Socialist Program, was a guest on one of the plenary panels entitled "The Long Revolution of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea." In his presentation Brian outlines the different stages of US-DPRK relations since the end of the Korean War. He explains why the U.S. has refused, so far, to sign a peace treaty, and outlines the challenges for activists in the U.S. who are organizing to promote peace on the Korean peninsula and an end to the U.S. occupation of South Korea.Join the The Socialist Program community at www.patreon.com/thesocialistprogram to get exclusive content and help keep this show on the air.
![Trump Cancels Gaza Ceasefire Talks While Mass Starvation Reigns [Preview]](https://s3.castbox.fm/ae/57/d3/226e85a4fc7aaf45520af362e18a8f5e39_scaled_v1_400.jpg "Trump Cancels Gaza Ceasefire Talks While Mass Starvation Reigns [Preview]")
Mass arrests of immigrants in the United States, massive starvation imposed on the people of Gaza. The Trump administration is on a rampage, but there is a growing nationwide fightback movement.Brian Becker is joined by Layan Sima Fuleihan, a Palestinian organizer with the Shut It Down for Palestine coalition, Education Director at The People’s Forum, and an editor at 1804 Books.This is a preview of a patrons-only episode. Subscribe at www.patreon.com/TheSocialistProgram to hear the full episode, get access to all our patrons-only content, and help keep this show on the air.
Emblematic of capitalist corporations, investment bank Goldman Sachs asks a revealing question that shows the evils of capitalism: ‘Is curing patients a sustainable business model?’ Nicole Roussell and Professor Richard Wolff discuss the unhealthy effects of the profit drive and huge profits in the pharmaceutical industry, using Hepatitis C treatments as an example, and how the math would work with industry profit no longer built in. Professor Richard Wolff is an author & co-founder of the organization Democracy at Work. You can find his work at rdwolff.com.Join the The Socialist Program community at https://www.patreon.com/TheSocialistProgram to get exclusive content and help keep this show on the air.
ICE conducted one of the largest raids since Trump took office in Ventura County, California, with agents chasing farmworker Jaime Alanis off a roof to his death and arresting over 360 people. Those arrested included U.S. citizens, moms, and veterans. Now organizers have successfully mobilized a large network of volunteers to fight back against the ICE campaign of terror.Brian Becker is joined by Lainy Yompian and Ryan Drury of VC Defensa, the network in Ventura County, California that has organized the network and hotline to respond to ICE raids and follow them around town.Join the The Socialist Program community at www.patreon.com/thesocialistprogram to get exclusive content and help keep this show on the air.
The U.S. Supreme Court allowed Trump’s evisceration of the Department of Education this week through mass layoffs. Fellowships and sponsorships to fund student research are getting cut while student debt is growing. Professor Richard Wolff breaks down the potential impacts on the U.S. economy and society, the history of the federal education system in the U.S., and the root causes of Trump’s attacks on education.Professor Richard Wolff is an author & co-founder of the organization Democracy at Work. You can find his work at rdwolff.com.Join the The Socialist Program community at https://www.patreon.com/TheSocialistProgram to get exclusive content and help keep this show on the air.
The right-wing Supreme Court gave the go-ahead for Trump to carry out the mass firings of hundreds of thousands of federal workers. More than 200,000 have already been fired or forced out as Trump carries out the Project 2025 plan to radically re-shape the form of government in the United States. The violent ICE assault against immigrant families is part of that plan.Brian Becker and Professor Richard Wolff discuss what happens to the economy when those cuts hit and the layoffs continue. They also discuss why the ruling class is freaking out about NYC mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani’s proposal to tax the rich by just 2% more and make buses free and provide affordable housing for New Yorkers.Professor Richard Wolff is an author & co-founder of the organization Democracy at Work. You can find his work at rdwolff.com.Join the The Socialist Program community at https://www.patreon.com/TheSocialistProgram to get exclusive content and help keep this show on the air.
![A New Gaza Ceasefire? How will Hamas and Netanyahu react to Trump’s proposal? [Preview]](https://s3.castbox.fm/f9/4b/4a/209c01b3d23aadeda1e56405bbbb7e0571_scaled_v1_400.jpg "A New Gaza Ceasefire? How will Hamas and Netanyahu react to Trump’s proposal? [Preview]")
Donald Trump’s Tax bill has passed. It constitutes a massive transfer of wealth from working class and poor people to the already very very rich. Israel continues to massacre Palestinians lining up to receive food in Gaza. And Donald Trump has announced that a ceasefire is near. Brian Becker is joined by Layan Sima Fuleihan, a Palestinian organizer with the Shut It Down for Palestine coalition, Education Director at The People’s Forum, and an editor at 1804 Books.This is a preview of a patrons-only episode. Subscribe at www.patreon.com/TheSocialistProgram to hear the full episode, get access to all our patrons-only content, and help keep this show on the air.
Trump and the Republicans have passed in the Senate a sweeping tax bill that is a massive wealth transfer from the poorest to the wealthiest, making permanent Trump’s huge 2017 tax cuts for the wealthiest and giving hundreds of billions to corporations —while slashing millions of people’s access to healthcare and nutrition. Brian Becker and Professor Richard Wolff discuss how Congress is ramming through a highly unpopular bill and what it says about U.S. capitalism. They tie in how the primary victory of democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani in NYC shows people are ready for another way. Professor Richard Wolff is an author & co-founder of the organization Democracy at Work. You can find his work at rdwolff.com.Join the The Socialist Program community at https://www.patreon.com/TheSocialistProgram to get exclusive content and help keep this show on the air.
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I recommend this for a listen good conversation about deepseek
A truly terrible podcast - it actually turns me against Socialism. The possible world they paint is not a bright one full of opportunities rather it is a distopian, disconnected existence. I usually love the stuff that this channel produces and remain an avid climate change activist.
outstanding program
I wish people would put aside their prejudice when looking at people white/black/left/right. I wish people would watch the Rittenhouse trial before reporting on it. I wish people would learn about guns and gun laws before discussing someone else using a gun. It would be nice if people on the Left were more concerned with reporting the facts then calling white men racists. I wish they wouldn't ignore that BLM riots happened and the mobs taking part were extremely dangerous. That people were killed and $Billions in damage done by BLM and Antifa during their riots in 2020. The anti-war stuff was good though.
So how did we go from hundreds of thousands of people dying from the flu before COVID, but during COVID you only had 60 thousand deaths?
Didn't he open his talk with there is no hard evidence on the C19. Then went on to quote figures to why you should take the shot.
Greta thunberg talked at davos cuz she was invited by elites. Unfortunately she’s been co-opted
9 million workers don’t own homes. They pay ridiculous 30 years of rent to a bank for the privilege of pretending like they own those homes
conspiracy theory? how are you certain it didn't? it is a more logical explanation than bat soup consumed near a biolab....