Today's economic crisis is capitalism's worst since the Great
Depression. Millions have lost their jobs, homes and healthcare while
those who work watch their pensions, benefits and job security decline.
As more and more are impacted by the crisis, the system continues to
make the very wealthy even richer. In eye-opening interviews with
prominent economist Richard Wolff, David Barsamian probes the root
causes of the current economic crisis, its unjust social consequences,
and what can and should be done to turn things around. While others
blame corrupt bankers and unregulated speculators, the government, or
even the poor who borrowed, the authors show that the causes of the
crisis run much deeper. They reach back to the 1970s when the capitalist
system itself shifted, ending the century-old pattern of rising wages
for U.S. workers and thereby enabling the top 1% to become ultra-rich at
the expense of the 99%. Since then, economic injustice has become
chronic and further corrupted politics. The Occupy movement, by
articulating deep indignation with the whole system, mobilizes huge
numbers who seek basic change. Occupying the Economy not only
clarifies and analyzes the crisis in U.S. capitalism today, it also
points toward solutions that can shape a far better future for all.
Richard D. Wolff is professor emeritus of Economics at the
University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and visiting professor at the New
School University. Author of Capitalism Hits the Fan, he's been a
guest on NPR, Glenn Beck Show and Democracy Now!
David Barsamian is founder and director of Alternative Radio and
author of Targeting Iran. He is best known for his interview books
with Noam Chomsky, including Targeting Iran.
"With unerring coherence and unequaled breadth of knowledge, Rick Wolff
offers a rich and much needed corrective to the views of mainstream
economists and pundits."--Stanley Aronowitz
