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The Socialist Program With Brian Becker Podcasts

1
How the World Changes: Understanding Historical Materialism
1:01:30
1:01:30
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1:01:30Before 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? B…
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1
How the World Changes: Understanding Historical Materialism
1:01:27
1:01:27
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1:01:27Before 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? B…
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1
Inside China: Why They’re Opening 1,000 New Schools for Marxism w/ Prof. Hammond
46:11
46:11
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46:11In 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…
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1
Inside China: Why They’re Opening 1,000 New Schools for Marxism w/ Prof. Hammond
46:08
46:08
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46:08In 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…
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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…
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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…
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1
Trump Cancels Gaza Ceasefire Talks While Mass Starvation Reigns [Preview]
12:44
12:44
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12:44Mass 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 For…
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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 treatme…
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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 treatme…
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1
ICE Chases Farmworker Off Roof to His Death. Now His Community Is Chasing Out ICE
45:50
45:50
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45:50ICE 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…
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651
ICE Chases Farmworker Off Roof to His Death. Now His Community Is Chasing Out ICE
45:48
45:48
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45:48ICE 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…
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1
Dismantling Education Is the U.S. Empire Digging Its Own Grave w/ Prof. Wolff
30:08
30:08
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30:08The 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…
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1
Supreme Court Allows Mass Firings by Trump
30:33
30:33
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30:33The 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 i…
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1
A New Gaza Ceasefire? How will Hamas and Netanyahu react to Trump’s proposal? [Preview]
11:57
11:57
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11:57Donald 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…
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951
A New Gaza Ceasefire? How will Hamas and Netanyahu react to Trump’s proposal? [Preview]
11:56
11:56
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11:56Donald 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…
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1
Trump and the Den of Thieves, aka Congress w/ Prof. Wolff
29:22
29:22
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29:22Trump 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 Profess…
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1
A Socialist Mayor for New York City? + Is the U.S. Empire in Decline? [Preview]
12:28
12:28
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12:28New Yorkers voted by a large margin for Zohran Mamdani, a self-described Democratic Socialist, in the Democratic Party primary this week. The entire U.S. ruling class, much of it rooted in New York City, on Wall Street, has declared war against Mamdani, hoping to prevent his expected victory in the general election in November. Brian and Layan also…
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Under Israel’s Bombs in Iran: ‘Netanyahu Was Begging for a Ceasefire’ w/ Prof. Marandi
32:27
32:27
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32:27Trump and Israel started a dangerous war against Iran but Trump called it off after dropping massive bombs. What happened? Was the United States defeated again? How did Iran pull off a victory?Brian Becker is joined by Professor Mohammad Marandi, an expert on American studies who teaches at the University of Tehran.Join the The Socialist Program co…
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Under Israel’s Bombs in Iran: ‘Netanyahu Was Begging for a Ceasefire’ w/ Prof. Marandi
32:26
32:26
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32:26Trump and Israel started a dangerous war against Iran but Trump called it off after dropping massive bombs. What happened? Was the United States defeated again? How did Iran pull off a victory? Brian Becker is joined by Professor Mohammad Marandi, an expert on American studies who teaches at the University of Tehran. Join the The Socialist Program …
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1
Trump’s Iran Fail: Endless Wars Won’t Stop US and Israel’s Decline w/ Prof. Wolff
32:54
32:54
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32:54The Trump Administration bombed Iran and then within 24 hours announced a ceasefire. Brian Becker and Professor Richard Wolff analyze Trump and Netanyahu's erratic actions and the bigger picture behind them.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 Soci…
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1
From Iraq to Libya and Now Iran: Understanding U.S. Wars in the Middle East [Preview]
11:17
11:17
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11:17The Trump White House has ordered U.S. Naval and Air Force assets to move in the direction of Iran in preparation for a major U.S. war against this country of 90 million people. Trump promised to be the president bringing peace and ending endless war; instead, he has become the partner of war criminal Benjamin Netanyahu in expanding Israel’s genoci…
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1
Trump Escalates Wars on Iran, Immigrants, and All of the U.S. Working Class w/ Prof. Wolff
34:19
34:19
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34:19Trump is escalating a potentially huge war against Iran while pushing massive cuts on basic needs for Americans like food and health care, enacting widespread tariffs, and terrorizing immigrants with deportation raids.Nicole Roussell and Prof. Richard Wolff discuss what’s new and what’s not new about the U.S. government attacks.Professor Richard Wo…
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The Israeli government, with the full support of Donald Trump and the White House, has launched a war against Iran and the people of Iran, posing the danger of a wider regional war that could lead to a global confrontation unlike anything since World War II.Brian Becker is joined by Layan Sima Fuleihan, a Palestinian organizer with the Shut It Down…
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1
Trump's Trade Wars, Talks with China & Attacks Against Immigrants w/ Prof. Wolff
24:47
24:47
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24:47China and the US have been in high stakes trade talks this week while the Trump Administration launches all-out attacks on immigrants, sending military forces to Los Angeles in an attempt to stop protests against ICE raids.Brian Becker and Professor Richard Wolff discuss Trump’s management of the affairs of the bourgeoisie, and the extreme stress t…
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1
Trump Wages War On Immigrant Families, Mass Movement Sweeps LA & The Country
23:05
23:05
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23:05Donald Trump and the US government declared war against working class immigrant families, against grandparents, parents, and against their children. 30 million people in the United States either have a green card giving them legal status as immigrants, or they are undocumented, working here, but without legal papers. This means that a big section o…
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1
Trump Wages War On Immigrant Families, Mass Movement Sweeps LA & The Country
23:04
23:04
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23:04Donald Trump and the US government declared war against working class immigrant families, against grandparents, parents, and against their children. 30 million people in the United States either have a green card giving them legal status as immigrants, or they are undocumented, working here, but without legal papers. This means that a big section o…
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1
Trump & Musk Trade Public Insults, Ukraine War Escalates, Is Israel Financing ISIS In Gaza? [Preview]
11:22
11:22
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11:22For the past year, Elon Musk and Donald Trump have functioned as a team. Musk financed Trump's presidential campaign. They worked together after Trump's election to fire hundreds of thousands of public sector workers, to attack all vestiges or reforms from the Civil Rights movement, to carry out a huge transfer of wealth from the working class and …
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1
Historic Medicaid & SNAP Cuts Could Tank Already Faltering U.S. Economy, w/ Prof. Richard Wolff
29:27
29:27
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29:27Are enormous cuts to Medicaid and food stamps coming? The House of Representatives has passed a bill that would make historically large cuts to both programs, which will result in millions losing access to health insurance and food stamps, now known as SNAP. These cuts will also effectively slash subsidies to retailers, farmers, food producers, and…
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1
Trump Threatens Chinese Students, Negotiations in Gaza & Listener Qs: Is a General Strike Possible? [Preview]
12:12
12:12
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12:12The Trump Administration is demanding the revocation of visas for all Chinese students. The courts challenge Trump’s tariffs. Is a ceasefire in Gaza coming? Can a general strike happen in the US? Brian and Layan take listener questions and discuss these topics and more.Brian Becker is joined by Layan Sima Fuleihan, a Palestinian organizer with the …
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1
Trump Threatens Chinese Students, Negotiations in Gaza & Listener Q's: Is a General Strike Possible? [Preview]
12:12
12:12
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12:12The Trump Administration is demanding the revocation of visas for all Chinese students. The courts challenge Trump’s tariffs. Is a ceasefire in Gaza coming? Can a general strike happen in the US? Brian and Layan take listener questions and discuss these topics and more. Brian Becker is joined by Layan Sima Fuleihan, a Palestinian organizer with the…
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1
Why Trump Is Targeting Europe w/ Prof. Richard Wolff
37:31
37:31
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37:31Trump threatened Europe with tariffs and stocks plummeted. He paused them and stocks climbed. Now the EU says they are ready for “fast track talks.” Is Europe bowing to Trump?Brian Becker and Professor Richard Wolff discuss what’s going on between the Trump Administration, Europe, the elites, and what it means for workers.Professor Richard Wolff is…
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1
Netanyahu Declares Intent to Reoccupy Gaza While US Media Downplays Genocide [Preview]
12:02
12:02
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12:02Congressman Randy Fine calls for Gaza’s nuclear annihilation, the Trump administration tries to bar international students from going to Harvard, Trump threatens even more tariffs, NATO leader calls for an even stronger NATO, and more.Brian Becker is joined by Layan Sima Fuleihan, a Palestinian organizer with the Shut It Down for Palestine coalitio…
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1
Netanyahu Declares Intent to Reoccupy Gaza While US Media Downplays Genocide [Preview]
12:01
12:01
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12:01Congressman Randy Fine calls for Gaza’s nuclear annihilation, the Trump administration tries to bar international students from going to Harvard, Trump threatens even more tariffs, NATO leader calls for an even stronger NATO, and more. Brian Becker is joined by Layan Sima Fuleihan, a Palestinian organizer with the Shut It Down for Palestine coaliti…
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1
Q&A: What Project Esther Means for Democratic Rights, & Socialist Approach to Building Unity in 2025
46:48
46:48
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46:48College graduation ceremonies are turning into hotbeds of protest against the complicity of university administrations and the U.S. government in suppressing dissent on college campuses. Project 2025 outlined the plan to repress and suppress pro-Palestinian protest as part of their larger project to crush democracy inside the United States. Brian B…
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1
Q&A: What Project Esther Means for Democratic Rights, and the Socialist Approach to Building Unity in 2025
46:48
46:48
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46:48College graduation ceremonies are turning into hotbeds of protest against the complicity of university administrations and the U.S. government in suppressing dissent on college campuses. Project 2025 outlined the plan to repress and suppress pro-Palestinian protest as part of their larger project to crush democracy inside the United States. Brian B…
…
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1
Trump Bashes ‘Interventionists,’ But Wants To Take Over Gaza [Preview]
12:51
12:51
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12:51Trump went to the Middle East this week, securing trillions in investment commitments that will line the pockets of the capitalists but do nothing to solve the dire crises in the United States. He also publicly denounced U.S. intervention in the Middle East, but then declared his intention to turn Gaza into a US-controlled “freedom zone.” Brian and…
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