New World Notes - Capitalism vs. Reality (Part Two of Two)

This week on New World Notes: radio program #411, January 19, 2016, Tuesday from 12:00 to 12:30 p.m. (and on Wednesday from 8:30 to 9:00 p.m.), host Kenneth Dowst returns to one of his favorite commentators.

In this fine new talk, political scientist Michael Parenti refutes the claim that the "free enterprise" system (capitalism) promotes democracy and prosperity.

Part One focused on Democracy. Drawing on historical examples--from ancient Greece to the Constitutional Convention to the present day--Parenti showed how the capitalists (and their predecessors) fought democracy every step of the way--and continue to do so.

Rather, democracy emerged, in fits and starts, from the struggles of ordinary people to bring practical improvements to their lives.

Part 2 focuses on Prosperity.

Drawing on the past 150 years of history, Parenti refutes the myth that capitalism increases general prosperity. In fact the system has brought regular recessions and depressions to ordinary citizens. Not "free enterprise" but a massive increase in government spending finally lifted America out of the depression of the 1920s and 1930s.

Parenti spoke at the University of Illinois at Springfield on October 16, 2015. Thanks to the University, and to Dale Lehman of WZRD-FM, Chicago, for the original recording. I have lightly edited the original and done what I could to improve its audio quality.

New World Notes is produced under the auspices (Latin for "counter") of WWUH-FM, a community service of the University of Hartford.

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Series overview: Political and social commentary in a variety of genres. Exploring the gap between what we want--and what they're trying to make us settle for.

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