Confronting Capitalism with Vivek Chibber

Catalyst, Jacobin

Capitalism

Working Class

Socialism

Trump’s Tariffs

Wokeness

Domestic Industry

U.S. Economy

Protectionism

Trump Administration

Vietnam War

Democratic Party

Identity Politics

Neoliberalism

Manufacturing Jobs

Trade War

American Imperialism

U.S. Foreign Policy

Anti-War Movement

Bernie Sanders

Fentanyl Crisis

Confronting Capitalism with Vivek Chibber cuts through the chaos to provide a conceptual and historical framework for understanding how capitalism functions across the globe. Conversations span political economy, history, and strategy. Every other week, Vivek provides essential insights for effective socialist politics today. Produced by Catalyst and published by Jacobin.

215 ratings

Publishes	Twice monthly	Episodes	31	Founded	a year ago
Number of Listeners		Categories	HistoryPoliticsNews

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Latest Episodes

The Coup in Venezuela

The kidnapping of Nicolás Maduro on January 3rd was a shocking escalation in the United States’s ongoing strangulation of Venezuela. This has immediately provoked questions about the domestic Venezuelan power struggle and the demise of the Bolivarian... more

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Abundance Needs Socialism

Over the past year, Democrats have learned to embrace economic abundance thanks to Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson’s bestselling book. But is this the same kind of abundance the Left has traditionally argued for?

In this episode of Confronting Capita... more

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The Golden Age of Social Democracy

After World War II, political parties championing redistribution, full employment, and egalitarianism gained power across the globe, especially in Western Europe. But why did these social democrats give up the ambition to transition to socialism?

I... more

24 Dec 2025 • 56 min

Reform and Revolution

Social-democratic politics have been part of the socialist movement for over a century. Some features, like the commitment to pursuing economic rights for the working class via the state, have remained consistent over time. But when did social-democr... more

10 Dec 2025 • 51 min

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Recent Guests

Matt Huber

Professor of Geography and the Environment at Syracuse University and scholar of environmental policy.

Syracuse University

Episode: Abundance Needs Socialism

Phillip Rocco

Associate professor of political science at Marquette University and author of a Catalyst essay

Marquette University

Episode: Why the Democrats Can’t Fight for Anything

Neal Meyer

Finishing his PhD in sociology at NYU and frequent contributor to Jacobin.

Jacobin

Episode: How the Democrats Abandoned Workers

Paul Heideman

Contributor to Jacobin who teaches high school in New York City and has a book on the Republican Party's fractures and Trump's influence.

Episode: Can the Republican Party Survive Trump?

Hosts

Vivek Chibber

Professor of Sociology at NYU and the editor of Catalyst, a journal of theory and strategy.

Melissa Naszek

Co-host of Confronting Capitalism and contributor, focusing on political analysis and social issues.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 215 ratings

Excellent format for introducing important concepts that make up the structure of capitalism. Vivek Chibber does an excellent job of walking us through these ideas by responding to questions and providing examples.
Podcast Addict
5
seamuspuebla
2 months ago
Chibber the best!!
If you're a leftist that sees dysfunction in identity politics and dysfunction in the modern American left and want to bring it all back to basics: materialism. This is for you.
Apple Podcasts
5
bachelor Tom
Canada2 months ago
Love it!
Vivek Chibber is the best as communicating the (much needed) class analysis that those of us who grew up in the US never got in school.
This podcast is articulate and accessible to those of who never received a humanities based education.
It’s just really good.
Apple Podcasts
5
Viroquan
United States4 months ago
Brilliant and incisive
Chibber is a true sociologist. I’ve loved every episode.
Apple Podcasts
5
Jackie Sacramento
United States4 months ago
Great analysis
Great to have a contrary voice on the left highlighting the moments where we’ve lacked a viable economic vision & pushing us forward towards winning power and redistribution
Apple Podcasts
5
tammeri
United States5 months ago

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Listeners Say

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Feedback highlights a desire for more historical context and suggested readings to enrich the discussions.

Listeners praise the articulate and accessible analysis of complex socio-economic issues.

The show is considered essential for those interested in revitalizing leftist politics amidst contemporary challenges.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts	#225	United States/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts	#183	Canada/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts	#235	United Kingdom/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts	#217	Italy/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts	#234	Germany/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts	#74	Sweden/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Reform and Revolution

Q: What was the relationship like between social democracy and Marxism? Were these social democratic parties Marxist parties?

While some were explicitly Marxist, many social democratic parties employed Marxist ideas as their common political language but were not strictly Marxist parties.

Reform and Revolution

Q: When did social democracy start to really diverge from a revolutionary model, and what was the significance of that shift?

By the 1920s, the possibility of revolution receded, leading social democracies to focus on gradual reforms instead of outright revolution changes.

Office Hours With Vivek

Q: Can you talk a little bit more broadly about how you think leftists should confront different sexism, racism, and other forms of social discrimination?

There are two domains where racist and sexist attitudes exist: inside organizations and at the broader societal level. At the micro level, within organizations, we must not tolerate these attitudes, whereas at the macro level, we need to address the underlying causes of these behaviors while understanding workers' experiences.

Office Hours With Vivek

Q: Can you explain what the concept of false consciousness is, and do you find this to be a useful concept?

It's a concept that basically can mean whatever you want it to mean. The way it's been used suggests that socialist Marxists have been interested in understanding working class subjectivity and whether the spontaneous view of the typical worker is mistaken. However, I distinguish between a mistaken understanding of strategy and a mistaken understanding of basic needs.

Why We Don’t Revolt

Q: If neoliberalism rested on grudging acceptance, couldn't we say that about capitalism more generally?

Yes, Chibber contends that capitalism has never rested on active consent from workers but rather on their resigned acceptance, a condition that becomes more pronounced in the absence of strong labor movements.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About Confronting Capitalism

What is Confronting Capitalism about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This podcast offers critical insights into the workings of capitalism, focusing on its historical evolution and current dynamics. Through conversations on political economy and historical context, the host examines various movements and figures influential in shaping contemporary socialist politics. Topics frequently include social democracy, neoliberalism, and the role of class in political discourse. With a blend of theoretical analysis and accessible discussion, it aims to engage listeners who are seeking both knowledge and actionable insights related to leftist thought and activism. The show is notable for addressing complex issues in an articulate and accessible manner, making it valuable for those interested in the intersections of hi... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Confronting Capitalism?

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1. Jacobin Radio
2. Doomscroll with Joshua Citarella
3. The Dig
4. Behind the News with Doug Henwood
5. What's Left of Philosophy

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Confronting Capitalism launched a year ago and published 31 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Confronting Capitalism?

Recent guests on Confronting Capitalism include:

1. Matt Huber
2. Phillip Rocco
3. Neal Meyer
4. Paul Heideman

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