Socialism: An Evolving Tradition
Summary
Richard D. Wolff analyzes the U.S. state’s evolution, tracing its roots in anti-monarchist suspicion to its expansion under employer and working-class pressures. He details how the 1929 crash spurred mass unionization and socialist movements, forcing FDR to implement New Deal protections funded by higher taxes on the wealthy. Wolff argues that subsequent decades saw both major parties roll back these gains, serving employers instead. He concludes that relying solely on government is flawed, urging a bottom-up societal transformation to prevent future reversals.
Topics discussed
Introduction, support requests, and book promotions
Historical origins of US anti-monarchy and limited government
Employer class needs: military, colonialism, and land clearing
Working class demands vs. employer-controlled parties
Mid-show break and limited edition book offer
Rise of socialism and Eugene Debs in the early 20th century
The 1929 crash and the Great Depression's impact
Labor organizing and pressure on Franklin Roosevelt
The New Deal: Social Security, unemployment, and jobs
Post-WWII rollback of New Deal benefits by both parties
Conclusion: The need for bottom-up societal change
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