THE SICKNESS IS THE SYSTEM: WHEN CAPITALISM FAILS TO SAVE US FROM PANDEMICS OR ITSELF
Richard D. Wolff
Edited by Liz Phillips & Maria Carnemolla
Copyright
Copyright 2021 Richard D. Wolff
Published by Democracy at Work
PO Box 30941
New York, NY 10011
info@democracyatwork.info
www.democracyatwork.info
ISBN: 978-1-7356013-1-1
Available through Lulu.com
Cover design by Liz Phillips
This cover has been designed using resources from Flaticon.com
Other Books from Democracy at Work:
Understanding Marxism by Richard D. Wolff
Understanding Socialism by Richard D. Wolff
Endorsements
The eradication of the reforms and regulations in our capitalist democracy, which once put limits on capitalism, have given birth to a rapacious and unfettered corporate state. This corporate state preys on the population, dismantles institutions that serve the common good, orchestrates tax boycotts for itself and loots the U.S. Treasury at will. The corporate state, which has bought out the two ruling parties, has, however, severely weakened the ability of the state to cope, as we are seeing with the pandemic and its economic fallout, with external stress or a crisis. Richard Wolff in his new book examines these frightening and anti-democratic configurations of corporate power, offering not only a blueprint for how we got here, but a plan for how we will rescue ourselves and create new models of economic and political justice.
- Chris Hedges, American Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, New York Times best-selling author
Even multi-billionaires today lament the inequality capitalism produces, arguing for measures to curb it. Richard Wolff stands out for his brilliant exposition that, if capitalism appears unjust, it is because it is irrational, inefficient and wasteful of human and natural resources. The same production lines that pump out untold wealth also produce industrial scale discontent and physical sickness. And yet, for most people it was hitherto impossible to imagine a world without capitalism. Covid-19 has put a dent into this corrosive certainty and, now, Prof Wolffs new book turns this dent into a magnificent source of hope and insight.
- Yanis Varoufakis , Greek economist, academic, philosopher, politician, author of Talking to my daughter about the economy
Richard Wolff is one of the most powerful and incisive voices in America. Increasingly he is being heard around the world. Here he diagnoses the deep sickness afflicting the global economy and prescribes solutions too. As an economist he transcends that dismal science, he is a tribune of Main St, a voice of the people. Like Jack London before him he cries out for economic justice, for an end to the pandemic of poverty, waste, and underachievement.
- George Galloway , British politician, broadcaster and writer
The Sickness is the System is a laypersons guide to 21st century capitalism, its myths and abuses. Richard Wolff combines over 50 timely commentaries to remind us -and school us- about the ways that the current US political economy has failed us, and in particular has exacerbated the COVID public health crisis: none of the adequate preparations were made by the US administration or the powers that be, because it wasnt profitable; and the current crisis is worse because of the cumulative and persistent abuses of US capitalism, for example. Wolff clearly explains the ways that capitalism exacerbates unemployment, inequality, racism, and patriarchy; and threatens the health and safety of workers and communities - i.e., most of us.
- Jessica Gordon-Nembhard , Ph.D. Author of Collective Courage: A History of African American Cooperative Economic Thought and Practice
In his incredibly timely, important and necessary book, The Sickness is the System , Richard D. Wolff blasts the prevailing myth that Covid-19 was the problem that caused economic devastation to billions of people around the world, rather than the latest crisis trigger that has illuminated the inherent instability in the capitalist system itself. In this compelling set of essays, and with his signature clarity, intensity, accessibility and deference to historical and present perspective, Wolff has issued not just a stark warning, but concrete reasoning, as to why this time really should be different. He shows that solutions to ongoing crises are not bi-partisan reform tweaks around its edges (which he notes have never fixed systemic economic problems), but a complete re-imaging, re-setting and restructuring of the entire system.
- Nomi Prins , geopolitical financial expert and investigative journalist, author of Collusion: How Central Bankers Rigged the World
If, like Donald Trump, you think the countrys well-being is measured by stock market performance, this is not the book for you. But if you care about deeper measures of social health as Americans suffer the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, you will find here a wealth of insight, statistics, and other ammunition that we all need in the fight for a more just society.
- Adam Hochschild , author of Lessons from a Dark Time, Rebel Cinderella , and other books
Capitalism has collapsed. We are living in denial of this truth. Professor Wolffs work is the most important economic writing we have. It asks questions that are so obvious, the beneficiaries of our out-of-control inequality dont want them asked. The current failed system has a noose around all of our necks. Richard Wolff offers an economic vision that gets our society off the gallows.
- Jimmy Dore , American comedian, political commentator, and author of Your Country Is Just Not That Into You
Editors Note
This is a unique collection of essays. We did not want to create a historical retrospective where hindsight is 2020. Thus, this book has been compiled to be a timely guide for analyzing the coronavirus pandemic, the deepening economic crash, dangerously lacking political responses, and exploding social tensions while we are still in their midst.
A book of essays such as this is designed to let the reader choose their own path. It can be read from cover to cover, or picked through for the pieces that are of greatest interest. To help readers navigate their own path, we would like to offer a few points of explanation.
There are five sections to this book. Some themes and points are intentionally repeated because they are relevant in the context of each section, in which essays are ordered by their date of release. The date of publishing adds a pertinent level of understanding of each essays contents.
Roughly half of this collection are articles by Prof. Wolff originally released in various publications between 2016 and the present. These remain untouched from how they were originally published, and each is attributed to the publication where it first appeared.
The other half of the essays has been adapted from several sources. Many come from sections of episodes of Democracy at Work's show Economic Update . Others come from videos on Prof. Wolff's YouTube channel. Some are even reworkings of Prof. Wolffs appearances on other media outlets. These pieces have a much more casual style, something that we wanted to retain as they reflect Prof. Wolffs distinctive ability to explain complex ideas simply.
The blend of formal and colloquial styles that characterizes this mix of essays is intended to provide a relatable and useful read for anyone interested in understanding the current crisis of US capitalism.
