As the U.S. war machine ramps up aggression towards China, understanding the history of the country's engagement with the world is more crucial than ever. This multi-part series takes an in-depth look at the history of China's foreign policy since the 1949 revolution brought the Communist Party to power.

This series is now seamlessly combined into this one episode file, with bonus content including immersive archival recordings and original music.

Brian is joined by Kenneth Hammond, a Professor of East Asian and Global History at New Mexico State University and an activist with the organization Pivot to Peace.

Part 1: 1949-1959 - Starts at 0:00:00
Part 2: 1959-1965 - Starts at 0:57:18
Part 3: 1965-1975 - Starts at 1:50:40
Part 4: 1975-1989 - Starts at 2:38:15
Part 5: 1989-1995 - Starts at 3:40:09
Part 6: 1995-2010 - Starts at 4:02:07
Part 7: 2011-2021 - Starts at 5:00:52

Please make an urgently-needed contribution to The Socialist Program by joining our Patreon community at patreon.com/thesocialistprogram. We rely on the generous support of our listeners to keep bringing you consistent, high-quality shows. All Patreon donors of $5 a month or more are invited to join the monthly Q&A seminar with Brian.

China's Foreign Policy: Complete Series + Bonus Content (1949-Today)

On today's episode John Prysner and Prof. Richard Wolff discuss how one year into the war in Ukraine, the U.S. government has committed $100 billion dollars to this bloody proxy conflict that is threatening the whole world with catastrophe. But while huge numbers of people suffer and die, some capitalists are focused on getting their share of this enormous sum of money. Who profits from war?

Professor Richard Wolff is an author & co-founder of the organization Democracy at Work. You can find his work at rdwolff.com.

Please make an urgently-needed contribution to The Socialist Program by joining our Patreon community at patreon.com/thesocialistprogram. We rely on the generous support of our listeners to keep bringing you consistent, high-quality shows. All Patreon donors of $5 a month or more are invited to join the monthly Q&A seminar with Brian.

Ukraine War Turns 1: A $100 Billion Giveaway to the Arms Industry

On today's episode Walter Smolarek and Prof. Richard Wolff discuss "Bidenomics" (which Professor Wolff calls "political theatre"), Biden's real economic record, and why his policies are so harmful. What has "Bidenomics" meant for the working class?

Professor Richard Wolff is an author & co-founder of the organization Democracy at Work. You can find his work at rdwolff.com.

Please make an urgently-needed contribution to The Socialist Program by joining our Patreon community at patreon.com/thesocialistprogram. We rely on the generous support of our listeners to keep bringing you consistent, high-quality shows. All Patreon donors of $5 a month or more are invited to join the monthly Q&A seminar with Brian.

"Bidenomics"?? The Real Record of Biden’s Policies for the Working Class

On today's episode Brian Becker and Prof. Richard Wolff discuss the alarming pace of rising defaults on auto loans as hundreds of thousands of consumers face mounting bills amid surging new car prices.

Professor Richard Wolff is an author & co-founder of the organization Democracy at Work. You can find his work at rdwolff.com.

Please make an urgently-needed contribution to The Socialist Program by joining our Patreon community at patreon.com/thesocialistprogram. We rely on the generous support of our listeners to keep bringing you consistent, high-quality shows. All Patreon donors of $5 a month or more are invited to join the monthly Q&A seminar with Brian.

Debt Is Crushing U.S. Workers

As world leaders from the Global South convene in South Africa for the BRICS Summit this week, the West is watching closely. 23 countries have applied to join Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa in the grouping, which is focused on trade and development in their regions — typically dominated by colonizing powers in Europe and the United States. Where is BRICS headed and what unifies the grouping?

Brian Becker is joined by Mikaela Nhondo Erskog, member of secretariat of Pan Africanism Today, researcher at Tricontinental: Institute for Social Research, member of No Cold War, and host of the podcast The Crane: An Africa-China podcast coming from the DongSheng News collective.

Please make an urgently-needed contribution to The Socialist Program by joining our Patreon community at https://www.patreon.com/TheSocialistProgram. We rely on the generous support of our listeners to keep bringing you consistent, high-quality shows. All Patreon donors of $5 a month or more are invited to join the monthly Q&A seminar with Brian.

BRICS Summit: China, Africa, Russia and the 23 New Applicants

On today's episode Brian Becker and Prof. Richard Wolff discuss the BRICS summit in Johannesburg, which resulted in the historic expansion of the bloc. With six new members, will the BRICS be able to mount a more formidable challenge to the dominance of Washington and Wall Street over international finance and diplomacy? What does this mean for the working people of the world?

Professor Richard Wolff is an author & co-founder of the organization Democracy at Work. You can find his work at rdwolff.com.

Please make an urgently-needed contribution to The Socialist Program by joining our Patreon community at patreon.com/thesocialistprogram. We rely on the generous support of our listeners to keep bringing you consistent, high-quality shows. All Patreon donors of $5 a month or more are invited to join the monthly Q&A seminar with Brian.

BRICS expansion shakes western-dominated world order

As the much-hyped Ukrainian counter-offensive fails to produce major military breakthroughs, officials in the West are becoming concerned that their proxy war against Russia is not going according to plan. But instead of negotiating a lasting peace, the instinct of the war makers is the opposite – double down on massive arms shipments, and insist that Ukrainians die in even larger numbers. 

Brian Becker is joined by Walter Smolarek, the editor of Liberation News.

Please make an urgently-needed contribution to The Socialist Program by joining our Patreon community at https://www.patreon.com/TheSocialistProgram. We rely on the generous support of our listeners to keep bringing you consistent, high-quality shows. All Patreon donors of $5 a month or more are invited to join the monthly Q&A seminar with Brian.

As Ukraine Death Toll Spirals, NATO Demands More Must Be Willing to Die

On today's episode Walter Smolarek and Prof. Richard Wolff mark Labor Day with a discussion on how workers are fighting back with intensity not seen in many years. From UPS to academic workers to writers and actors, major labor struggles have been erupting nationwide in a revolt against mounting inequality and corporate greed. And the next major fight on the horizon is a potential strike at the Big Three automakers.

Professor Richard Wolff is an author & co-founder of the organization Democracy at Work. You can find his work at rdwolff.com.

Please make an urgently-needed contribution to The Socialist Program by joining our Patreon community at patreon.com/thesocialistprogram. We rely on the generous support of our listeners to keep bringing you consistent, high-quality shows. All Patreon donors of $5 a month or more are invited to join the monthly Q&A seminar with Brian.

How Can the Labor Movement Keep up the Momentum?

On today's episode Nicole Roussell interviews Brian Becker about U.S. media coverage of the "huge threat" of Medicare costs to the U.S. budget, the Ukraine war, the U.S. pivot toward war with China, Putin and Kim Jong Un meeting this week, and the rising cost of car insurance.

Please make an urgently-needed contribution to The Socialist Program by joining our Patreon community at patreon.com/thesocialistprogram. We rely on the generous support of our listeners to keep bringing you consistent, high-quality shows. All Patreon donors of $5 a month or more are invited to join the monthly Q&A seminar with Brian.

War War War: Analyzing the Capitalist Media

On today's episode Brian and Prof. Richard Wolff discuss the real possibility of a massive strike as the contract for nearly 150,000 members of the United Auto Workers runs out on Thursday. Union members are demanding fair pay and protection from mass layoffs, but the Big Three auto companies — Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis — haven't yet agreed.

Professor Richard Wolff is an author & co-founder of the organization Democracy at Work. You can find his work at rdwolff.com.

Please make an urgently-needed contribution to The Socialist Program by joining our Patreon community at patreon.com/thesocialistprogram. We rely on the generous support of our listeners to keep bringing you consistent, high-quality shows. All Patreon donors of $5 a month or more are invited to join the monthly Q&A seminar with Brian.

STRIKE! Autoworkers Are Ready!

New relationships are growing and strengthening among countries in the Global South. Leader of North Korea Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin are meeting, while Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro traveled to Beijing to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping. What do these big geopolitical shifts mean for the residents of the Global South and the globe?

Brian Becker is joined by Ben Norton, an investigative journalist based in Latin America, and editor of the independent news website Geopolitical Economy Report at geopoliticaleconomy.com.

Please make an urgently-needed contribution to The Socialist Program by joining our Patreon community at https://www.patreon.com/TheSocialistProgram. We rely on the generous support of our listeners to keep bringing you consistent, high-quality shows. All Patreon donors of $5 a month or more are invited to join the monthly Q&A seminar with Brian.

Kim Meets Putin, Maduro Meets Xi: A New Era of Global Politics

On today's episode Brian and Prof. Richard Wolff discuss the criminal inaction of the White House and Congress against inflation and the rising costs of basic goods we need to live.

Professor Richard Wolff is an author & co-founder of the organization Democracy at Work. You can find his work at rdwolff.com.

Please make an urgently-needed contribution to The Socialist Program by joining our Patreon community at patreon.com/thesocialistprogram. We rely on the generous support of our listeners to keep bringing you consistent, high-quality shows. All Patreon donors of $5 a month or more are invited to join the monthly Q&A seminar with Brian.

Inflation and the Next Crash

The opening week of the United Nations General Assembly shows clearly that this is a new era of global politics. Ukrainian President Zelensky threw down the hammer demanding more war, suggesting even an escalation to nuclear weapons, while Biden is trying desperately to break up the forming alliances in the Global South. Tomorrow Zelensky and Biden will meet in Washington, where they’ll make a hard sell for tens of billions more in war spending. 

Brian Becker is joined by Walter Smolarek, the editor of Liberation News.

Please make an urgently-needed contribution to The Socialist Program by joining our Patreon community at https://www.patreon.com/TheSocialistProgram. We rely on the generous support of our listeners to keep bringing you consistent, high-quality shows. All Patreon donors of $5 a month or more are invited to join the monthly Q&A seminar with Brian.

Zelensky in Washington: US Prepares to Escalate Ukraine War

On today's episode Brian and Prof. Richard Wolff discuss the looming government shutdown and what it shows about the U.S. capitalist system. Is it a stable democracy if it can't stay open? Why aren't lawmakers using the clear solutions at hand?

Professor Richard Wolff is an author & co-founder of the organization Democracy at Work. You can find his work at rdwolff.com.

Please make an urgently-needed contribution to The Socialist Program by joining our Patreon community at patreon.com/thesocialistprogram. We rely on the generous support of our listeners to keep bringing you consistent, high-quality shows. All Patreon donors of $5 a month or more are invited to join the monthly Q&A seminar with Brian.

The Politics of the Government Shutdown

Brian Becker went on a four-city speaking tour this month. This is his talk at the first stop on the tour on September 14 in Denver, CO, with a packed house at the Denver Liberation Center.

This episode is a preview of the full talk that is available for Patrons in the TSP community. Subscribe at patreon.com/thesocialistprogram to hear the rest of this episode, support the show, join our monthly patron-only Q&A seminars, and access the highly valuable archive of years of socialist analysis.

The New McCarthyism and the New Cold War [Preview]

In this patrons-only Q&A seminar, Brian discusses the Canadian parliament giving a Nazi soldier a standing ovation, conflict brewing in the territories of the former Yugoslavia, patron's questions, and more.

This episode is a preview of a longer seminar for Patrons in the TSP community. Subscribe at patreon.com/thesocialistprogram to hear the rest of this seminar, support the show, register for next time, and access the highly valuable archive of years of socialist analysis.

Why Canada’s Parliament Gave Standing Ovation for Ukrainian Nazi Soldier? [Preview]

On today's episode Walter Smolarek and Prof. Richard Wolff discuss how student loan repayments have officials resumed after being frozen following the outbreak of the COVID pandemic. With millions across the country feeling the weight of this crushing debt burden again, what will it take to win relief?

Professor Richard Wolff is an author & co-founder of the organization Democracy at Work. You can find his work at rdwolff.com.

Please make an urgently-needed contribution to The Socialist Program by joining our Patreon community at patreon.com/thesocialistprogram. We rely on the generous support of our listeners to keep bringing you consistent, high-quality shows. All Patreon donors of $5 a month or more are invited to join the monthly Q&A seminar with Brian.

Government to Student Loan Borrowers: Time to Pay Up!

On today's episode Brian and Prof. Richard Wolff discuss the largest ever walkout of healthcare workers — 75,000 Kaiser Permanente employees walked out last week. What does this mean for healthcare workers and workers everywhere?

Professor Richard Wolff is an author & co-founder of the organization Democracy at Work. You can find his work at rdwolff.com.

Please make an urgently-needed contribution to The Socialist Program by joining our Patreon community at patreon.com/thesocialistprogram. We rely on the generous support of our listeners to keep bringing you consistent, high-quality shows. All Patreon donors of $5 a month or more are invited to join the monthly Q&A seminar with Brian.

U.S. Healthcare Fails Patients But Nurses Fight Back

Miko Peled, the son of an Israeli general, explains the barbarity and criminal logic of the Israeli bombardment of Gaza. 

Palestinians are being massacred by Israel after the Al-Aqsa Flood uprising that began on October 7, with bombs hitting apartment buildings and ambulances, fuel running out, and Israel blockading food, water, and aid from the Gaza Strip — announced by Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant as treatment for “human animals.” Meanwhile, Western media is pushing the narrative that presents Israelis as victims rather than the long-besieged Palestinians. What is the root of this war? How did a group of fighters take Israel’s well-funded army with a sophisticated surveillance arm by surprise? What is the status of the Israeli state?

Brian Becker is joined by Miko Peled, a human rights activist, host of The Miko Peled Podcast, and author of “The General’s Son - A Journey of an Israeli in Palestine” and "Injustice: The Story of the Holy Land Foundation Five.” You can find his podcast, books, and much more at mikopeled.com.

Please make an urgently-needed contribution to The Socialist Program by joining our Patreon community at https://www.patreon.com/TheSocialistProgram. We rely on the generous support of our listeners to keep bringing you consistent, high-quality shows. All Patreon donors of $5 a month or more are invited to join the monthly Q&A seminar with Brian.

The ‘Sheer Evil’ of Israel’s War Crimes: Israeli General’s Son Speaks Out

On today's episode Brian and Prof. Richard Wolff discuss Rite-Aid's folding due to lawsuits from the pharmaceutical corporation's role in the opioid epidemic, what happens to the industry with a major player going under, and how capitalism fuels the opioid crisis.

Professor Richard Wolff is an author & co-founder of the organization Democracy at Work. You can find his work at rdwolff.com.

Please make an urgently-needed contribution to The Socialist Program by joining our Patreon community at patreon.com/thesocialistprogram. We rely on the generous support of our listeners to keep bringing you consistent, high-quality shows. All Patreon donors of $5 a month or more are invited to join the monthly Q&A seminar with Brian.

Opioid Epidemic & Capitalism: Rite-Aid Goes Under From Opioid Lawsuits But Opioid Overdoses Soar

Prof. Marandi of the University of Tehran says a larger war, involving Iran, Hezbollah and others, is becoming more likely by the day as Israel continues its bombardment of Gaza. President Biden is now visiting Israel, doubling down on the United States’ unconditional support of the apartheid regime. Days after the Un documented how Israel had struck schools and hospitals where Palestinians had taken refuge, a major hospital suffered a direct hit, killing more than 500.

Brian Becker is joined by Professor Mohammad Marandi. He is an expert on American studies and postcolonial literature who teaches at the University of Tehran.

Please make an urgently-needed contribution to The Socialist Program by joining our Patreon community at https://www.patreon.com/TheSocialistProgram. We rely on the generous support of our listeners to keep bringing you consistent, high-quality shows. All Patreon donors of $5 a month or more are invited to join the monthly Q&A seminar with Brian.

Iran Analyst: Regional War is Coming Unless Israel Stops Its Attack

On today's episode Brian and Prof. Richard Wolff discuss Biden's push to spend $106 billion on Israel, Ukraine, and Taiwan, rather than on housing, bridges, or schools. 

Professor Richard Wolff is an author & co-founder of the organization Democracy at Work. You can find his work at rdwolff.com.

Please make an urgently-needed contribution to The Socialist Program by joining our Patreon community at patreon.com/thesocialistprogram. We rely on the generous support of our listeners to keep bringing you consistent, high-quality shows. All Patreon donors of $5 a month or more are invited to join the monthly Q&A seminar with Brian.

$106 Billion for Israel, Ukraine, Taiwan: How War Spending Subsidizes Capitalism

In this patrons-only Q&A seminar, Brian discusses why Netanyahu has called for "a long war," what it would take for the US to cease its support of Israel's genocide, what we can be doing right now to support Palestine, how to discuss this within other campaigns, what motivates the CIA's anti-communist witchhunts, the housing bubble in China, Modi's government's crackdowns, and more.

Link to November 4th National March On Washington for Palestine referenced in this show: https://www.answercoalition.org/national_march_for_palestine_saturday_nov_4

This episode is a preview of a longer seminar for Patrons in the TSP community. Subscribe at patreon.com/thesocialistprogram to hear the rest of this seminar, support the show, register for next time, and access the highly valuable archive of years of socialist analysis.

Why The U.S. Government Backs Israel War Crimes [Preview]

After Israel bombed a refugee camp in Gaza for a second time, the global tide is turning against the genocidal campaign  and apartheid state. 

Brian Becker is joined by Rania Khalek of BreakThrough’s own news show Dispatches. Rania is a journalist based in the Middle East, she hosts Dispatches, and she’s also the co-host of The Freedom Side Live, both of which you can find on YouTube at BreakThroughNews. You can also find her prodigious reporting on social media @RaniaKhalek.

Please make an urgently-needed contribution to The Socialist Program by joining our Patreon community at https://www.patreon.com/TheSocialistProgram. We rely on the generous support of our listeners to keep bringing you consistent, high-quality shows. All Patreon donors of $5 a month or more are invited to join the monthly Q&A seminar with Brian.

Israel’s Genocidal Rampage in Gaza: at the Brink of Regional War w/ Rania Khalek

On today's episode Brian and Prof. Richard Wolff discuss why people all over the country are finding out at the checkout counter that their bank accounts aren't working. Banks are suddenly closing accounts—sometimes without any notice—in what bankers are calling "de-risking," despite the individuals, families, and small businesses that are hit not doing anything wrong.

Professor Richard Wolff is an author & co-founder of the organization Democracy at Work. You can find his work at rdwolff.com.

Please make an urgently-needed contribution to The Socialist Program by joining our Patreon community at patreon.com/thesocialistprogram. We rely on the generous support of our listeners to keep bringing you consistent, high-quality shows. All Patreon donors of $5 a month or more are invited to join the monthly Q&A seminar with Brian.

Cutthroat Bankers' New Scheme: Why Banks Are Suddenly Closing Accounts

More than 10,000 Palestinians have been killed by Israel as countries around the world withdraw their ambassadors from Israel. But when the one Palestinian member of Congress, Rashida Tlaib, speaks in support of the Palestinian people, she is censured by the House of Representatives.

Brian Becker is joined by Vijay Prashad, the Executive Director of the Tricontinental Institute for Social Research, Chief Editor of LeftWord Books, and a prolific author, most recently publishing a new book with Noam Chomsky called “The Withdrawal: Iraq, Libya, Afghanistan, and the Fragility of U.S. Power.” He also spoke at the biggest march for Palestine in U.S. history last week, the November 4th National March on Washington.

Please make an urgently-needed contribution to The Socialist Program by joining our Patreon community at https://www.patreon.com/TheSocialistProgram. We rely on the generous support of our listeners to keep bringing you consistent, high-quality shows. All Patreon donors of $5 a month or more are invited to join the monthly Q&A seminar with Brian.

What ‘From the River to the Sea’ Really Means & Why Israel Can’t Win, w/ Vijay Prashad

On today's episode Brian and Prof. Richard Wolff discuss how inflation is hitting our paychecks—despite financial reports stating good news.

Professor Richard Wolff is an author & co-founder of the organization Democracy at Work. You can find his work at rdwolff.com.

Please make an urgently-needed contribution to The Socialist Program by joining our Patreon community at patreon.com/thesocialistprogram. We rely on the generous support of our listeners to keep bringing you consistent, high-quality shows. All Patreon donors of $5 a month or more are invited to join the monthly Q&A seminar with Brian.

Biden’s Economic Policies: Recession in 2024?

Israeli forces raided Gaza’s al-Shifa Hospital, including the emergency department, the surgical department, and the maternity ward in their ongoing assault that has killed more than 11,000 Palestinians. On Friday, people all over the world are walking out, striking, and protesting the genocide—read more at shutitdown4palestine.org. 

Brian Becker is joined by Layan Sima Fuleihan, a popular educator, organizer, the Education Director at The People’s Forum, and an editor at 1804 Books.

Please make an urgently-needed contribution to The Socialist Program by joining our Patreon community at https://www.patreon.com/TheSocialistProgram. We rely on the generous support of our listeners to keep bringing you consistent, high-quality shows. All Patreon donors of $5 a month or more are invited to join the monthly Q&A seminar with Brian.

How the War Will End: Israel Can Kill, But Can’t Win

On today's episode Walter Smolarek and Prof. Richard Wolff discuss the number of people in the U.S. living paycheck to paycheck and the level of disconnect the elites in government have from the working class.

Professor Richard Wolff is an author & co-founder of the organization Democracy at Work. You can find his work at rdwolff.com.

Please make an urgently-needed contribution to The Socialist Program by joining our Patreon community at patreon.com/thesocialistprogram. We rely on the generous support of our listeners to keep bringing you consistent, high-quality shows. All Patreon donors of $5 a month or more are invited to join the monthly Q&A seminar with Brian.

60% Living Paycheck to Paycheck: Time for a New System

More than 14,000 Palestinians have been killed since October 7, and this week Israel and Palestine came to an agreement for a four-day pause in the war. Will the pause extend into a permanent ceasefire? How did this agreement come about when this deal has been available since October?

Brian Becker is joined by Yara Shoufani, a member of the Palestinian Youth Movement and a PhD student in Political Science at York University, and Mohammed Nabulsi, an organizer with the Palestinian Youth Movement and an attorney based out of Houston.

Please make an urgently-needed contribution to The Socialist Program by joining our Patreon community at https://www.patreon.com/TheSocialistProgram. We rely on the generous support of our listeners to keep bringing you consistent, high-quality shows. All Patreon donors of $5 a month or more are invited to join the monthly Q&A seminar with Brian.

Will the Gaza Ceasefire Last? Why Palestine Can’t Be Defeated

News and views about the world for those who want to change it, with Brian Becker

The Socialist Program with Brian Becker

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