My guest today is Grace Blakeley – UK-based political economist and author of three books, including her most recent: Vulture Capitalism. We discuss how political and corporate elites work together to protect their interests, why governments prop up monopolies, and how “the system” isn’t broken – in fact, it’s working exactly as it’s designed. We also touch on the history of capitalism and enclosure, the global legacy of imperialism, and why the struggle for a better future is ultimately a struggle over power.

Learn more about Grace, her work, and her books: https://graceblakeley.co.uk/

Read Grace’s writing on Substack: https://graceblakeley.substack.com/

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00:00 Intro: Rich people don’t create jobs

01:16 Introducing Grace Blakeley

03:05 The system isn’t broken – it’s working as designed

10:46 Keynesianism, Marxism, and dialectical materialism

16:45 How state and corporate elites work together

22:44 The moral hazard of neoliberal capitalism

27:26 Who actually takes risk?

31:19 The history of enclosure & primitive accumulation

37:09 Capitalism’s expansion through colonialism & imperialism

43:40 The myth of “prosperity for all” under capitalism

51:28 The myth of innovation under capitalism

56:22 Trumpism’s destruction of visions for the future

59:08 The importance of unions & collective action

1:05:33 The importance of community & mutual aid

1:12:12 Diagnosing the recent success of the right

1:14:24 Embedding democracy in work & politics

1:18:24 Conclusion

Host/Creator: Michael Mezzatesta

Guest: Grace Blakeley

Editor: Nuria Salgado

Sound editor: Andre Corea

Designer: Amea Wadsworth

Thanks for watching episode 005. Lots more on the way :)