Globalization has given giant private interests virtually free reign to influence policies and institutions that undermine local interests. This dominant economic paradigm in which private interests trump public interest is being pushed back by emerging forces ranging from new financial technologies, social media and changing populist narratives about the importance of effective public governance. Ellen speaks with renown global economist, author and futurist Hazel Henderson about these changes, Walt talks with David Morris of the Institute for Local Self Reliance about those changing narratives and Matt Stannard discusses threads of endemic racism that manifest in private bank practices. And we check in with one of our colleagues about why they will be demonstrating at the Philadelphia Democratic Convention about the role of money in our democracy.
Meditations and Molotovs – 06.13.16
There is simply no way to understand the massacre in Orlando without asking fundamental questions about our society, its various institutions, cultures and ideologies.
Hence, today’s program features a discussion concerning violence, guns, patriarchy, capitalism, civilization, homophobia, religion, militarism, racism, ecological devastation and how all of these things are inherently connected.
In the end, the government isn’t taking anyone’s guns in the U.S. There will be no “buy back” program. There will be no “confiscation efforts.” And there surely won’t be a “ban on assault weapons” in the near future. In the meantime, what are decent Americans to do?
Meditations and Molotovs – 05.23.16
On today’s program, Vince addresses a question he’s been asked thousands of times as an activist and writer: “What do you want?” And, more importantly, “How are we going to get it?” The Left knows what it doesn’t want – exploitation, inequality, dis-empowerment, racism – but what replaces the structures, institutions and cultures that produce these phenomena? People can resist all they wish, but without a vision for the future, resistance is futile. Let’s talk about the future.