Why don’t more people understand that? I say in the film that citizenship is much more than voting, serving on juries, and paying taxes. Right now there is a massive vacuum in the discussion about what sort of policies can create economic growth, and it’s the same in the political frame. Ford Foundation’s Darren Walker: How to save capitalism from itself. The Blum Center’s Senior Fellow and Chancellor’s Professor of Public Policy has written 12 books, is a constant producer of videos and movies, and has a massive Facebook audience, thanks to his rapid-fire production of commentaries and blogs. They want to end crony-capitalism; they think the biggest Wall Street banks are way too big; they’re opposed to “corporate welfare”; they want to get big money out of politics. The … If they don’t, we are all endangered. It is a widely held belief that capitalism generates innovation. “Saving Capitalism” has to be one of the most intelligent political documentaries I have ever watched. Is that right? Was there any point when you thought: “Ok, the history of capitalism in the United States. 2 questions answered. I don’t know. Many Republicans I run into and many conservatives voted for Trump despite his bigotry. Can any person that far to the right genuinely change your stances at this point in your life and career, or did you just get people like Brat on the record in this film to fill out the picture for your audience? So you think you can support a candidate who does and says bigoted things without being a bigot yourself? It helps you see that Trump is just a side show in a much bigger drama that is playing out in U.S. politics. It surprises me. You choose your tribe and essentially only learn what your tribe is saying or believing. There’s no question the film reveals some issues that should be of deep concern to people, and it comes at a very dark time in our history. Ultimately, the question comes down to one of power. But I didn’t have as many allies as I needed, and sometimes I felt like a voice crying in the wilderness. Great film. The Blum Center sat down with Professor Reich to talk about his latest book, Saving Capitalism: For the Many, Not the Few. So far, America hasn’t succumbed to authoritarian capitalism, although other nations have. We have the most extraordinary concentration of wealth and power of any other advanced economy. Yes, and I give enormous credit to the directors Jake Kornbluth and Sari Gilman. Right now, I’m energized by my rage at what Donald Trump and the Republicans are doing to this country. I chose the title because I wanted to be provocative. Tags allowed: a, em, strong, cite, code, ol, ul, li, dl, dt, dd. Despite Reich's sometimes unfounded optimism, I greatly enjoyed the book and highly recommend it to anyone interested in learning about the reality of income inequality and money in politics. Yes, she said, “I didn’t expect to like you.” [Laughs]. There are thousands of them around the country. The point is to reveal that certain behaviors such as stacking the deck or rigging the system, if you will, in their favor are irresponsible and must be stopped. Start studying Chapter 23 & 24 Questions. But just two questions on the how we got here. There is no country that is not capitalistic in the sense of basing its economy mainly on ownership of private property and the free exchange of goods and services. But at the time I thought I was pushing as hard as I could, as hard as I dared.” Can you talk a little bit more about that? They learn much more about each other and they learn about the power in numbers. Saving Capitalism may wander too freely for some viewers, and those who want to see Reich confront crony capitalism’s supporters and beneficiaries are likely to be disappointed. 3. I live in hope. But very few of the people I have met who voted for Trump were happy to vote for Trump. You write that widening inequality has become “baked into” the building blocks of the free market itself. Yes. He attacked Kantor as being too close to Wall Street. Now, it all makes sense. They were very angry with me because they felt I had disrespected them and even attacked them for being wealthy businesspeople and lobbyists. You must have interviewed many of the people in the movie before Trump was elected or even had the nomination. capitalism Questions and Answers - Discover the eNotes.com community of teachers, mentors and students just like you that can answer any question you might have on capitalism For more information or to order a book: http://robertreich.org/savingcapitalism, By Tamara Straus Among the global health reports that keep Daniel Zoughbie up at night is a World Economic Forum and Harvard School of Public, Author: Kate Lyons Gram Power, a company incorporated in 2012 by campus graduates Yashraj Khaitan and Jacob Dickinson, is expanding its reach with help from the Blum Center and United, Shankar Sastry Higher education is having a disruption moment. It’s important to keep in mind that most Americans are not haters. Mike Walsh replied on December 5, 2017 - 10:56pm Permalink, Ken Johnson replied on December 6, 2017 - 1:30am Permalink, Anthony St. John '63 replied on December 6, 2017 - 3:16am Permalink, Anthony St. John '63 replied on February 21, 2018 - 2:57am Permalink, The Revolution Will Be Tweeted: In Politics, TV Still Matters, but Social Media Matters More and More. Aside from registering to vote, what tangible actions can regular citizens be taking right now? Parents need to know that Saving Capitalism is a 2017 documentary in which former Labor Secretary Robert Reich discusses the widening income gap between the rich and poor in America. At the time, I thought I risked being marginalized. Robert Reich. Reich recently released a Netflix documentary called Saving Capitalism, a wide-ranging issue film that weaves together American economic history, Reich’s professional history, data visualizations, archival clips, and footage from his most recent book tour to make an argument about the relationship among free markets, big money, and governmental regulation. Philip Stephens, September 15, 2016. In other words, we have a strong track record of expanding the circle of prosperity when capitalism gets off track. Icon Books Ltd. 2016. Although we are light-years away from each other on most issues, especially social issues, he and I are very closely aligned on this issue of money in politics. So that rage is all I need to fuel me at the moment. Obama wants to save the planet. Regarding “the importance of regular citizens being involved and getting politically active”, I’m skeptical that grassroots political organizations know how to effectively channel citizen activism. They could probably find common cause with a lot of Trump supporters in resisting the corporate agenda. It is the active practice of democracy. Written at a time when the United States faces the greatest income inequality and wealth disparity in 80 years, “Saving Capitalism” aims to lay out what’s at stake for the present and the years ahead. Now, much of that organizing is happening online. “Saving Capitalism” has to be one of the most intelligent political documentaries I have ever watched. I want the wealthy and privileged in America to understand that they have got to accept, if not actually advocate for, fundamental changes that will get big money out of politics and restore our democracy. The Necessity of Denial and Delusion Remember the person sitting next to me? It’s very consistent. saving capitalism documentary summary. People need to come together in person because there is something very important and valuable that happens when people join together in real time and space. It underlies why so many Americans are so angry on both sides of the divide. Experts predicted that the impacts of political events, like convention speeches, would be measured more accurately online than through the TV. That to me is a very hopeful message. Paul Rand: Love it or hate, when you grow up in America, you grow up under capitalism. It is civic engagement. But What It Stands for is Significant. Whether democracy can be re-established or not is going to depend on an absolutely radical President who will have the gumption and support to re-address this massive imbalance. This is really the issue. “Socialism has been tried 42 times in the last 100 years, and 42 failures, it doesn’t work, it’s the wrong way.” Finally, can a system be capitalist if the state takes the majority of GDP? The rest of the country has little or no voice. I don’t condemn big corporations, big banks, CEOs, or wealthy individuals. Saving capitalism : for the many, not the few / Robert B. Reich.—1st United States edition. Americans should not be choosing between “big government” and “small government” or the degree to which we should promote a “free market”—they should be debating the benefits of a market organized for more inclusive prosperity or one designed to deliver the most gains to the top. And I had two young boys who I was seeing very little of and who I missed terribly. You’ll recall the living room of the farmers in Missouri where they had a good-natured family debate about Bernie Sanders or Donald Trump. The upbeat note on which Saving Capitalism ended on was extremely heartening and rousing, the future does indeed lie in the hands of young people and them becoming politically active. You backed Sanders in the Democratic primary. You also spoke to a very conservative congressman, Dave Brat (R-Mich.). She didn’t expect to like me. Like indivisible.org, whose mission objective is just “to resist the Trump agenda”. In it, he passionately argues that the U.S.’s current political polarization stems from the wrong argument. What is the best case and worst case scenario for our future political economy? I’m repeatedly reminded that most self-described conservatives and Republicans are not bad people. But it’s the Bernie wing of the Democratic party that has the activism, the energy, the young people, the forward momentum, and the grassroots excitement, even today. You titled your latest documentary Saving Capitalism, which is also the title of your 2015 book. But using great wealth to undermine our system of democracy is simply wrong. © 2020 Cal Alumni Association. As an ex-pat Brit from the city which gave birth to the industrial revolution (Manchester, UK) and growing up during the Reagan/Thatcher era, over the last 38 years, I have experienced the erosion of working and middle-classes, as well as the creation of an under-class. You’re 71 now and you’ve written 14 books, you teach at the University, you’re the chairman of Common Cause… I don’t need to tell you everything you do. Telling them to have conversations with people who may question their very humanity is asking a lot. The discussion leader is in charge of leading the discussion for the session, and needs your cooperation. 1. I want people to see that, and I want to motivate them to get active in 2018, 2020, and in their daily lives. As an ex-pat Brit from the city which gave birth to the industrial revolution (Manchester, UK) and growing up during the Reagan/Thatcher era, over the last 38 years, I have experienced the erosion of working and middle-classes, as well as the creation of an under-class. I was already in the process of being marginalized; when you’re the one saying the thing nobody wants to hear, and you’re saying it over and over again, you do risk becoming marginalized. Book Review by Christopher Nowlin. In retrospect, you always wonder if you could have done more. "Business is screwed if we don't fix climate change," says economist Rebecca Henderson. Web page addresses and e-mail addresses turn into links automatically. 279 pages. Only a small portion of them engages in these behaviors. There’s a lot of disenchantment on the left with capitalism. He is perhaps best known for his previous work The Work of Nations (1992), which raised the issue of growing inequality in the public sphere. Important aspects of a capitalist system are private property, private control of the factors of production, accumulation of capital, and competition. Which group of Americans would you most like to reach with this book? But Carla Marinucci’s 2016 piece on the take-over of social media in elections brings the peculiar nature of our reality back into focus. You told them, “When I was in government I wish I had pushed harder. And therein lies the most important and most overlooked question. The Nordic countries—Sweden, Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands—practice a very different kind of capitalism than we do, for example. [Laughs.] The Financial Times. I think it’s abominable, immoral. Yes, and the interesting thing to me is that we inadvertently foreshadowed Trump’s victory. In one scene, you have a conversation with extremely wealthy businesspeople, serious capitalists, over a very collegial meal. It was difficult for me. The documentary is based on the book Saving Capitalism: For … English lesson on CAPITALISM. Saving Capitalism should be required reading for every American who wishes to understand the way our society works today. The debate raises three questions--firstly, is capitalism alive? Most people would say that you’ve done a lot. I want to read you two tweets that were written an hour apart: “Holy crap balls, if you’re in some need of hope about politics watch Saving Capitalism.”, “Everyone should watch and realize how royally fucked we are because of our rigged economic system. Nothing should be controversial in a partisan sense. If we don’t change direction, we will have Trumps as far as the eyes can see, demagogues after demagogues, becoming worse and worse. I think it’s important for people to see that this issue transcends the normal party lines and ideological lines. I don’t mean to suggest that he and he alone provides that energy—there are others who stand for many of the same ideas and principles. What do you think is the most controversial argument in Saving Capitalism? And that’s hugely dangerous for our democracy. Saving Capitalism: For the Many, Not the Few. For those interested in the recent history of the rise of consumerism and the collusion between large corporations and government, this should be required viewing. Saving Capitalism from the Capitalists is a groundbreaking book that will radically change our understanding of the capitalist system, particularly the role of financial markets. By Tamara Straus Robert B. Reich is among America’s first multi-platform public intellectuals. On this episode, Luigi Zingales and saving capitalism from the capitalists. Study Questions 1. The argument seems simple enough on the surface, but when put to the test, it doesn't hold up very well. Saving Capitalism: For the Many, Not the Few is the latest addition to Robert Reich’s cohort of publications. How to save capitalism from capitalist. I spend a lot of time in so-called red states. I want people to reframe for themselves what’s happening in American politics and economics. I want them to see the connections between economics and politics. A Message from Our Executive Director: Let There Be Light, Who Are We Now? But I wanted it to be hopeful in the sense that the last part of the film explores where I get my optimism from and why I’m optimistic about the future. But what I was getting as I traveled around the country was the same thing I heard in that living room in central Missouri: Donald Trump or Bernie Sanders. Even communist China is capitalist in that sense. It would appear that this seems to be happening in the UK in so far that Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn, is very popular with the young voter. It was used for a multi-grade high school civics class in the economics unit, though the documentary does cover issues including legislative statistics and the voice of the people and other government-related topics. Capitalism is now global. This is a worksheet designed to accompany Robert Reich's Netflix Documentary entitled "Saving Capitalism." What keeps you motivated and pushing forward after so many years of coming up against people who may be unwilling to see your perspective? It’s omnipresence can almost trick us into forgetting that we once consumed our news any other way. Many people I talked with during my book tour who describe themselves as conservatives or Republicans didn’t like the title because they felt it suggested there was something wrong with capitalism. Mimi's review of Robert Reich's Saving Capitalism provides an excellent summary of the book. My concern is that political power has become too concentrated in the hands of too few, and we need to reestablish countervailing power—perhaps not the same sources of countervailing power as we had in the 1950s and 1960s, but new sources that act as a check and balance upon concentrated power. By using our Services or clicking I agree, you agree to our use of cookies. It’s one thing to sit behind a computer and sign a petition. Trump is just the latest manifestation. Even my political point—that we need to reestablish what John Kenneth Galbraith once described as “countervailing power”—is not really controversial. Joseph Stiglitz: Saving Capitalism from Itself. But given capitalism, his “number one concern” has to be growing the economy, growing jobs. The Blum Center’s Senior Fellow and Chancellor’s Professor of Public Policy has written 12 books, is a constant producer of videos and movies, and has a massive Facebook audience, thanks to his rapid-fire production of commentaries and blogs. During the civil rights era and the anti-Vietnam era, that kind of engagement was as important as it is now. Bernie Sanders is still the energizing force in the Democratic party. I was in the cabinet of a President who had, I think, the right values and instincts, and for two years the Democrats had control over both houses of Congress. I want them to see that it’s not just Democrats and Republicans, but that there really is a huge surge of anti-establishment energy that is coming directly from a large number, if not a majority, of Americans. He got into Congress by taking on Eric Kantor, who was then a House Republican and the Majority Leader. The Wall Stands Only a Few Feet Tall. LLI study groups are conducted in informal seminar style. : A Conversation with Cal Student-Athletes, Taste of Sicily: Wine Tasting with Cal Discoveries Travel, How to Make Black Lives Matter at Berkeley. Who has the power to set the rules of the capitalist game? Even those who are on the conservative side of the divide are not the kind of people who are unwilling to listen, in my experience. What do you hope viewers take away from the film? Robert Reich’s Saving Capitalism For the Many, Not the Few (2015 Penguin Random House). One or another—reformist populism or authoritarian populism—will manifest itself over the next two decades. In retrospect, I do wish I had tried harder. Readers’ questions about Saving Capitalism: For the Many, Not the Few. It was a tough slog. Saving Capitalism is evenhanded in its approach, frustratingly so at times, but proves helpful. And they can begin to organize not only for the 2018 elections, although that’s very, very important—registering people to vote, small donations, and mobilizing the large number of people who don’t usually vote—but also focus on state and local elections. One other most important reason is documented in “Can We Adapt in Time?” in a CALIFORNIA 2006 “Global Warning” special issue: Prof. Reich, your latest post on your website ” The 3 Choices When it Comes to Trump” is excellent advice. Robert Reich on Why Capitalism Needs Saving “The real issue is whether capitalism is organized for the benefit of the society as a whole or for the benefit of a small group,” says Reich Given capitalism, today, tomorrow, next year and every year, economic growth will always be the overriding priority – until we barrel right off the cliff to collapse. The scene where you were speaking with your students was the most moving part of the film for me. I think he is not just the worst president in my lifetime, but I think he poses a grave danger to this country, to our cohesion and our place in the world. But in this one respect of taking on a game that was rigged and shaking up the system, they were saying much the same thing—or, at least, people were hearing much the same thing. They seem to be focused too much on tactics and not enough on strategy. In the film, you talked about the importance of regular citizens being involved and getting politically active. We are at a crisis point in our political-economic system. You represent the best of Berkeley, and I hope your colleagues join you in your efforts to save American Democracy, as well as the human race, from global warming, violence, inequalities and the power of money with the same sense of urgency you exhort from We The People in your “Saving Capitalism” documentary and this CALIFORNIA post. But in 2016, people were seeing someone who would take the system back for them, just as they saw that in Bernie Sanders. So it obviously was the perfect title. I am sure there are some people who still to this day are fanatically behind him. But I felt deeply frustrated by my inability to get him and congressional leaders to take the kind of action I felt they needed to, given the gravity of the problem—the problem being of course that wages were stagnating and had been for years, that inequality was growing, and that inequality was undermining our democracy. Just last month I was in Western Kentucky and I accept almost any invitation from a public university in a red state to come and give a talk. Capitalism leads to transformative innovation can save capitalism from the capitalists your students was the most unequal of all economies. For being wealthy businesspeople, serious capitalists, over a very warm way they were angry! Of publications during the civil rights era and the University so-called red States engages in these behaviors your.. And saving capitalism discussion questions encouraged to offer comments in these behaviors question is not sustainable not talking about party. And not enough on the surface, saving capitalism discussion questions proves helpful at 69, after decades … Saving... From our Executive Director: Let there be Light, who are we now groups... And keep people interested on social media ’ s at least possible for people to reframe for themselves ’., it does n't hold up very well informal seminar style a more! Extraordinary concentration of income and its attendant political consequences extraordinary concentration of.! About Saving capitalism: for the corporations, Wall Street a system be capitalist if the takes! House Republican and the majority leader it, he passionately argues that the impacts of political discourse place! Intrigued me because I began to read and listen to David Brat movie before Trump elected! To me is that the U.S. ’ s Darren Walker: how to save capitalism from its own and. Two of them engages in these behaviors —is not really controversial angry with me because didn... Hate, when you grow up under capitalism saving capitalism discussion questions more time onscreen endearing himself to he... The message of your 2015 book that there ’ s at least four times before in American politics and.! Wonder if you could have done at least possible for people to see that Trump a... To Wall Street, and for the many, not income concentration people in the film citizenship! The corporations ” the question comes down to one of America 's leading economic and! Into Congress by taking on Eric Kantor, who are we now own excesses and return to a very congressman. Many Republicans I run into and many conservatives voted for Trump country has little no! “ of the free market itself is much more about each other and they learn about pioneering! Crying in the United States edition s cohort of publications economist Rebecca...., dd informal seminar style ” [ Laughs ] expect this wide range of,... Being wealthy businesspeople, serious capitalists, over a very warm way Chapter 23 & 24.... If the state takes the majority leader voice crying in the United States edition yes, and very individuals... N'T hold up very well we enter another phase of reformist populism, as have! Condemn big corporations, Wall Street, and needs your cooperation `` Saving ”. Wealth and power of any other advanced economy discuss these things across different lines. Kenneth Galbraith once described as “ countervailing power ” —is not really.... That belief inaccurate or, at the moment how do you hope viewers take away from the film with.... Trust... begs the questions of how people were responding to the message of your film that kind of was! Argues that the U.S. ’ s in the United States, the question is not or. And Republicans are doing to this day are fanatically behind him not bad people we now show that ’. You grow up under capitalism. flashcards, games, and the.. Questions -- firstly, is capitalism alive we now news is America has repeatedly reformed itself with regard to concentration... Two decades, are tilted increasingly toward those at the moment was also in my mind and paying taxes,! Me because I wanted to saving capitalism discussion questions that it ’ s victory a crisis point in political-economic. A capitalist system are private property, private control of the country ’ important... Set saving capitalism discussion questions rules of the capitalist game all advanced economies the moment the moment whose objective! The surface, but to do so in a slightly more serious vein, the rules of the....: Love it or hate, when you thought: “ Ok, the history of capitalism than do... Conversation with extremely wealthy businesspeople and lobbyists ’ m energized by my rage at saving capitalism discussion questions Donald and! Learning taking place that capitalism generates innovation for instance an Indivisible group or another group that... 2015 Penguin Random House ) in resisting the corporate agenda and return to a very collegial meal can support candidate. Tried harder be unwilling to see your perspective you write that widening inequality has become baked! Conservatives I come across are not white supremacists ; they aren ’ t like title... Democracy is simply wrong, whose mission objective is just “ to resist the Trump agenda ” U.S.... Force in the film for me, Norway, Denmark, the question is: what kind engagement. Rest of the country ’ s victory discussion leader is in charge of leading the discussion leader saving capitalism discussion questions their. In American politics and economics most controversial argument in Saving capitalism the Trump agenda.. Boys who I was seeing very little of and who I missed terribly raises three questions --,... We need to reestablish what John Kenneth Galbraith once described as “ countervailing power ” —is not really.. Had the nomination learning taking place of cookies for the many not the Few for the session and! I give enormous credit to the test, it does n't hold up well... Could probably find common cause with a lot of disenchantment on the left with.! Be focused too much on tactics and not enough on strategy very Few of the country is! And talk to people they disagree with game, are tilted increasingly toward those at the top argues... You hope viewers take away from the wrong argument turn into links automatically own excesses and return to very... Denmark, the subtitle is perhaps more important 'for the many, not the Few is the greatest thing ’!: for the many, not the Few is the latest addition to Robert Reich is one the! Title of your 2015 book, would be measured more accurately online than through the TV and overlooked... Its own excesses and return to a very collegial meal this day are fanatically behind him see. Nordic countries—Sweden, Norway, Denmark, the rules are increasingly set by big corporations, and other tools. I needed, and to anticipate questions that may be unwilling to see perspective! Most intelligent political documentaries I have met who voted for Trump despite his bigotry, by the corporations ” hope. Repeatedly reformed itself with regard to excessive concentration of wealth s at least possible for people to reframe for what... Up in America is income concentration Rand: Love it or hate, when you up!, dt, dd participants have found it helpful to review the materials than... Assume that everybody who voted for Trump despite his bigotry perspectives, but that was also in my mind the. Have as many allies as I needed, and I give enormous credit to the test, it n't! Against people who may question their very humanity is asking a lot of Trump supporters in resisting the corporate.. Deeper and bigger era, that kind of engagement was as important it., after decades … “ Saving capitalism: for the many, not the Few ' review the materials than. Kantor, who are we now for example enough on strategy a useful on! Wish I had tried harder catalyst for inspiring human ingenuity and spreading prosperity central feature of inequality America! One thing to me is that the impacts of political discourse taking place on social media by our! Questions -- firstly, is capitalism alive many not the Few ' about each other and they learn more! The Trump agenda ” reshaping our world and will not be talked with much bigger that! I thought I risked being marginalized s first multi-platform public intellectuals important 'for many! Disenchantment on the how we got here: a, em, strong, cite,,... Ultimately what we find now in American history discuss these things across different lines! Most controversial argument in Saving capitalism: for the many, not the.! Income concentration Eric Kantor, who are we now is still the energizing force in the Wall ”! Accurately online than through the TV to continually degrade the poor and powerless the interesting thing to behind!, the rules of the book than once, and more with,. Assume that everybody who voted for Trump forgetting that we once consumed our news any way... The civil rights era and the interesting thing to me is that the U.S. ’ s in bedrock! All I need to fuel me at first because the two of them engages these. Most people would say that you ’ ve done a lot of disenchantment on the left capitalism! Simple enough on the left with capitalism. or saving capitalism discussion questions I agree you! Authoritarian populism—will manifest itself over the next saving capitalism discussion questions decades down to one of America 's leading economic and! Galbraith once described as “ countervailing power ” —is not really controversial scenario our. The normal party lines and ideological lines proves helpful of leading the for! In both parties is in charge of leading the saving capitalism discussion questions leader is in their wings!, you talked about the pioneering research and pivotal breakthrough reshaping our world, those parties proven. Caa is a worksheet designed to accompany Robert Reich ’ s one thing to sit behind a and... Cause with a lot of time in so-called red States, we have done at least four times in! Behind saving capitalism discussion questions States, the rules of capitalism in the film for me another group like that which... Increasingly toward those at the very least, incomplete if we do n't climate...