Ask Prof Wolff

A Patron of Democracy at Work asks: "I'd love to hear your thoughts on what a world looks like if the US dollar loses its primacy. What does the "economy" look like in the USA? Will there be a huge collapse?"

This is Professor Richard Wolff's response.

To submit your own question for Prof. Wolff, join Democracy at Work on Patreon at www.patreon.com/democracyatwork

A Patron of Democracy at Work asks: "Are Americans ready for Democracy (at work or anywhere else)? I have been a volunteer in a non-profit for decades. We are a 12 step program and have plenty of participation in our weekly meetings. We are nominally democratic in that we ideally hold a monthly group conscience in which we can make simple decisions like whether to make a donation or purchase supplies or some of both. When such a meeting is announced, members scatter like roaches when the light goes on. They 'don't want to get involved.' I have heard it is typical in non-profits that 5% do 90% of the work. Is that also true of worker co-ops?"

This is Professor Richard Wolff's response.

To submit your own question for Prof. Wolff, join Democracy at Work on Patreon at www.patreon.com/democracyatwork

A Patron of Democracy at Work asks: "Why, in your opinion, did European countries go along with the USA on sanctions on Russia after the Russian invasion of Ukraine last year? Did European leaders miscalculate negative impacts that these sanctions will have on Europe or counted on some benefits that will be worth the losses? Are any benefits present?"

This is Professor Richard Wolff's response.

To submit your own question for Prof. Wolff, join Democracy at Work on Patreon at www.patreon.com/democracyatwork

A Patron of Democracy at Work asks: "I would like Prof to explain what the meaning of Economic Nationalism is and provide examples of past and present systems."

This is Professor Richard Wolff's response.

To submit your own question for Prof. Wolff, join Democracy at Work on Patreon at www.patreon.com/democracyatwork

A Patron of Democracy at Work asks: "How could the education system transform under a worker-cooperative economy? What would schools look like for young children to young adults? How would it compare to a capitalist education system, which at least in some part, is designed to make us into workers for capitalists?"

This is Professor Richard Wolff's response.

To submit your own question for Prof. Wolff, join Democracy at Work on Patreon at www.patreon.com/democracyatwork

A Patron of Democracy at Work asks: "Would you agree that for large monopolistic industries that the entire society depends on for survival, like food, energy, defense, and health care, worker coops would not go far enough? If we're serious about our long-term survival, wouldn't we have to remove the profit motive entirely and give all citizens democratic control over these industries?"

This is Professor Richard Wolff's response.

To submit your own question for Prof. Wolff, join Democracy at Work on Patreon at www.patreon.com/democracyatwork

A Patron of Democracy at Work asks: "I don't understand how inflation works. How can a 2x4 cost more than it did 10 years ago?"

This is Professor Richard Wolff's response.

To submit your own question for Prof. Wolff, join Democracy at Work on Patreon at www.patreon.com/democracyatwork

A Patron of Democracy at Work asks: "To what extent does the US Military Industrial Complex factor into the US economy as a whole? It seems like the US is at endless war and, in my opinion, there has to be a significant economic reason for this. Would the US economy take a great hit or maybe fall apart completely if not for the seemingly endless war profiteering?"

This is Professor Richard Wolff's response.

To submit your own question for Prof. Wolff, join Democracy at Work on Patreon at www.patreon.com/democracyatwork

A Patron of Democracy at Work asks: "How should we answer when people say, 'capitalism is the only way there is, nothing else works.' How do we live without earning and profiting from our working and, in doing this, making ourselves prosperous from our own industry and ideas?"

This is Professor Richard Wolff's response.

To submit your own question for Prof. Wolff, join Democracy at Work on Patreon at www.patreon.com/democracyatwork

A Patron of Democracy at Work asks: "From a Marxist economic perspective, can you explain how austerity politics and austerity measures eventually lead to over-policing?"

This is Professor Richard Wolff's response.

To submit your own question for Prof. Wolff, join Democracy at Work on Patreon at www.patreon.com/democracyatwork