The Sickness is the System: When Capitalism Fails to Save Us from Pandemics or Itself

The coronavirus pandemic, the deepening economic crash, dangerously divisive political responses, and exploding social tensions have thrown an already declining American capitalist system into a tailspin. The consequences of these mounting and intertwined crises will shape our future. In this unique collection of over 50 essays, "The Sickness is the System: When Capitalism Fails to Save Us from Pandemics or Itself," Richard D. Wolff argues clearly that "returning to normal" no longer responds adequately to the accumulated problems of US capitalism. What is necessary, instead, is transition toward a new economic system that works for all of us. “A blueprint for how we got here, and a plan for how we will rescue ourselves” - Chris Hedges “A magnificent source of hope and insight.” - Yanis Varoufakis “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.” - Nomi Prins “One of the most powerful and incisive voices in America. As an economist he transcends that “dismal science”, he is a tribune of Main St, a voice of the people.” - George Galloway “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. “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 “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