Feb 8, 2023

Inside the anti-labor history of austerity

MESSINIS/AFP/Getty Images

Austerity, or government measures to cut spending in times of economic crisis, has a long history of being used to suppress the labor force, argues a new book called "The Capital Order." We speak to the author, Clara Mattei, an economics professor at the New School for Social Research. And, President Biden's State of the Union speech last night featured a heavy dose of economic policy, including a proposed billionaire tax.

Segments From this episode

Does austerity have a hidden agenda?

by David Brancaccio and Ariana Rosas

Feb 8, 2023

A new book explores the historical relationship between austerity, the labor force, and fascism.

Pensioners march in Athens in 2018 during a demonstration to demand the return of pension funds lost as part of austerity measures. Clara Mattei, author of "The Capital Order," argues that austerity reflects a deeper history of labor force suppression.

Angelos Tzortzinis/AFP via Getty Images

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A debrief of President Biden's State of the Union address

Marketplace’s Nancy Marshall-Genzer reports.

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The team

David Brancaccio Host

Meredith Garretson Morbey Senior Producer

Alex Schroeder Producer

Erika Soderstrom Producer

Ariana Rosas Producer

Jarrett Dang Digital Producer (gone fishing)

Jesson Duller Media Producer

Brian Allison Technical Director

Nick Esposito Media Producer

James Graham Producer, BBC

Jo Critcher Producer, BBC

Olie D'Albertanson Producer, BBC

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