Richard Wolff

[Orange Juche]

I don't know if you've all heard of the guy, he's an economist that the New York Times called "America's most prominent Marxist economist.". He does that radio program Economic Update (he also does a monthly video), he's been on Bill Moyers' program, etc. The thing is, he's becoming the face of real leftism for the general public who generally knows little to nothing about it.

I was wondering what you all think of him. What he puts out there concerns me, most specifically because all he really talks about is forming cooperatives. He's shown no opposition to markets, prisons, national boundaries... etc (I claim he's not really a Marxist). And while it's good that he gets certain ideas out there, stopping at that, I feel, stunts any progress toward thinking beyond that for people just learning of leftism pretty much from him and sources like him.

I dunno. Thoughts?

[argeiphontes]

Well, he's a market socialist. I like him immensely, but that's because I agree with Alperovitz that worker coops are the "pre-history" of socialism. They are a way to start building a new society using the freedoms available in the old, by-passing the need to take over the state, and meeting class consciousness just a step ahead of where it is, hence according with historical materialism.

I can write more if you'd like, but it's probably better to check out his website: rdwolff.com (http://rdwolff.com/).