Jessica Burbank: Capitalism is Undemocratic

In this episode, Jessica Burbank explains the origins of her anticapitalist views. We discuss her working class background, her family’s economic hardships during the 2008 economic crash, and the massive bank bailouts that led her to dive deep into the field of economics. 

Next, we pivot to a discussion of capitalism as an undemocratic system designed “by and for the bosses.” We explore how this for-profit system manufactures scarcity, tying this fundamental tenet of capitalism to the kind of predatory practices of the oil and gas industries. These companies have engaged in horrific price gouging as American’s suffer through the economic hardships of an ongoing pandemic. (For more on this topic, watch Jessica’s video with More Perfect Union titled “Why Gas Prices Are So High Right Now.”)

Jessica is an organizer and political analyst whose work with More Perfect Union and The Young Turks shines light on so many important issues, from military spending to the labor movement.  Don’t miss her Ted-X talk – “A New Direction for the U.S. Economy” – wherein Jessica calls for revolution and the complete overhaul of our economic system. 

Follow Jessica Burbank on TikTok, Instagram, Twitter, and Substack. Be sure to watch her videos about CIA history. 

Check out her work with The Young Turks:

Rebel HQ
Unbossed with Senator Nina Turner (YouTube show and podcast)
(“Unhoused On Skid Row In Need Of Basic Facilities”)

Jessica Burbank’s recommended reading:

Stephanie Kelton’s book

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This show is sponsored by Beautiful Trouble — an international network of organizers, artists, and trainers working to equip grassroots movements with the tools to become more creative, effective, and irresistible.