Brutal Signs of a Collapsing Empire | Richard D. Wolff

Richard D. Wolff is Professor of Economics Emeritus, University of Massachusetts, Amherst where he taught economics from 1973 to 2008. He is currently a Visiting Professor in the Graduate Program in International Affairs of the New School University, New York City.
Earlier he taught economics at Yale University (1967-1969) and at the City College of the City University of New York (1969-1973). In 1994, he was a Visiting Professor of Economics at the University of Paris (France), I (Sorbonne). Wolff was also a regular lecturer at the Brecht Forum in New York City. (www.rdwolff.com/about)

[@jerzypodgorski8630]

Empires are the most dangerous not when they are the strongest but when they are collapsing.

[@TORO.008]

Like A Wounded Cornered Predator.

[@jerzypodgorski8630]

@@TORO.008 Or a criminal who fears responsibility for his crimes.

[@TORO.008]

@@jerzypodgorski8630 all the above,✌️

[@fndngnvrlnd]

​@@TORO.008at least a predator has honour and integrity!!! The US had neither!!!!!

[@lovestrong3582]

Do you think USA will take Europe down with it?

[@user-on1oe2ds4i]

Prof. Wolff is simply the best at what he does. Teaching economics. And Nima is simply the best at what he does. Interviewing top tier guests with no interruptions. TY gentkemen!

[@jacquelineperet6599]

INDEED

[@USFISTER]

Lmao Richard Wolff is terrible at economics and almost everything he says about economics is incorrect and misleading. All he knows is humanities / social studies, which suggests that his deficiency is in mathematical ability

[@USFISTER]

Wolff compares a job to slavery. Corporations do not have a right to treat employees any way they want and never have. Autocracy has nothing to do corporations. Employers have no control over your life off the clock. Wolff doesn’t understand anything, he just manipulates the narrative because hes an underachiever

[@lachlanmorgan-fraser2552]

Could you give an example of where he is wrong on economics? ​@@USFISTER

[@USFISTER]

@@lachlanmorgan-fraser2552 I just told you, literally everything he says is backwards starting with the very basics. Conservatism means to prevent change. Economic conservatism is the same thing as fiscal liberalism. How can you change wealth distribution through conservative (fiscally liberal) policies when conservatism preserves power for those who already have it?

[@PerceivedREALITY999]

US wanted to make a fool out of Russia and China. But instead, the US made a fool of itself. Let that be a lesson.

[@PNNYRFACE]

An agent of chaos with no plan but self service

[@TORO.008]

🤣

[@Elisa-mg3rc]

Neo-cons are hard learners, they never learn

[@dannycbe949]

And the pulled the collective West in as absolutely foolish...the leaderships out of touch with the people

[@fndngnvrlnd]

​@@PNNYRFACEit doesn't even know how to look after itself!!!!

[@Baobabaloo]

I love listening to this man. I never had much interest in economics, but if this guy is the lecturer, I'm attending.

[@aliciaczechowski3281]

Richard Wolff is a gifted communicator. He makes "the dreary science" fascinating.

[@VenomLD50Med]

Amazing man to chat with. Met him at UMass, down to earth for a brilliant guy.

[@BR-gz3cv]

Prof Wolff is brilliant. Thank you for hosting him. We need more to hear his important messages.

[@thucduyen9592]

His analysis of the French politics is really on point. A part from Arnaud Bertrand on X & Prof Wulff, is one of the best analyst on French politics for me ( as someone who grew up in France & has been living outside of France for decades now but will vote for the 2nd round this Sunday).

[@servehonestly]

Thank you Prof Wolff, your lectures for us, is priceless, i hope governments all over grasp YOUR wisdom and apply them... With the Right MOTIVE... Whatever it is... FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE PEOPLE

[@godfatherofcinema]

What a way to start my morning: coffee, Lawrence Wilkerson and now, Richard Wolff. Great work, Nima!

[@L05-td6qm]

1:02:32

[@TheXvillainiesofNature]

Yes, absolutely! Same here. Bravo Nima!

[@TheVanillatech]

Morning? It's nine in the god damn evening!!!!!!

[@zarategabe]

Prof Wolff is a treasure for sure and Nima is great at picking quality guests

[@user-hp4ol2yl1z]

Proff Wolff excellent and concise as ever. Great guest Nima.

[@11101983omega]

"The ability to forget when it's convenient is not an admirable quality." Bravo Professor.

[@cheri238]

Thank you, Nima Alkhorshid, for having Professor Richard Wolff on with his expertise.

[@dr.zoidberg8666]

I think the apocryphal quote attributed to Churchill applies generally here "Americans can always be counted on to do the right thing... after they've exhausted all other options." This is happening all throughout the west. We're trying all the wrong 'solutions' first because we're afraid of the true solution: set capitalism aside.

[@jonncockrell3606]

The Oligarchy will never accept that. They will take America down the road to Totalitarianism or defeat in a world war.

[@Boycott-if4eg]

#BanAIPAC #BanAIPAC #BanAIPAC

[@cathyburkart9395]

Ban special interest lobbies, too

[@Boycott-if4eg]

@@cathyburkart9395 focus priorities please, do not divide. Thank you.

[@grandcrowdadforde6127]

>> Divest! back away from...

[@beccabythebay]

Tell evil Netanyahu the People do not welcome him to speak to US Congress 7/24 !

[@grandwonder5858]

Ban Israel, the invader!

[@benjaminstarks4071]

Prof.Wolff is always clear and consise. Thank you.

[@Boycott-if4eg]

Smart people NEVER vote for an AIPAC candidate! STEIN 2024 💪🏻👵🏼💚💪🏻👵🏼💚💪🏻👵🏼💚💪🏻👵🏼💚💪🏻👵🏼💚💪🏻👵🏼💚💪🏻👵🏼STEIN 2024 because she is NOT AIPAC OWNED!

[@kateoneal4215]

YESSSSS!!!! I HOPE SHE'S INTERVIEWED HERE!!!

[@Boycott-if4eg]

@@kateoneal4215 she has been so look at the channel history it was about a month ago

[@user-ic4ce8xb5v]

​@@kateoneal4215 she has been interviewed here, go back in the channel history to see them

[@GraceCanadaful]

Can we be grown ups and stop overusing emojis?

[@user-ic4ce8xb5v]

@@GraceCanadaful very arbitrary definition of grown up behavior

[@conradknight1181]

Another great lecture from Professor Richard Wolff,

[@TORO.008]

🎶 ….TOO MANY BILLIONAIRES MAKING TOO MANY PROBLEMS, BUT THIS IS THE WEST WE LIVE IN…. 🎶

[@LorimaRBG]

According to Joe - and couple of hundred trillionaires😂

[@chrismorley8348]

The Party system has allowed private money to buy the entire political class in the west. There is no opposition just silence and the parliamentary privilege MPs are vested with to question government actions goes unused. That tells you everything. Our individual votes have been devalued worse than our currency. Abolish the party whip et all. All MPs independent all votes in parliament by conscience and the interest of the electorate. We need two election cycles where the only people who meet to vote are those who have paid income tax minimum of three years previous to election end of story. No beneficiaries no students no civil servants either no state employees at all. NO PRIVATE FUNDING OF POLITICIANS. We have private interests paying to have their agendas inflicted on us as public Policy. Private money has also bought and destroyed the Independance of the fifth estate. the CLIMATE SCAM IS the overarching covert huge resource grab by private capitol. Governments allowed individuals and corporations to amass such wealth that the political class the media local government and the state sector have all been bought off that it was inevitable that national sovereignty itself would be next.

[@cathyburkart9395]

Agree with you

[@jacquelineperet6599]

And Trump won't solve nothing he is part of this system lol

[@kateoneal4215]

Agreed. Except the Earth is significantly hotter now. Just because some parasites expect to make money off it, doesn't make it a lie.

[@artistmikelmato7159]

No better said but if you want more people reading it try to condense all that into a shorter . I totally agree with everything you said❤

[@Tina-jh2sk]

Well put.New Zealander here

[@dansues7351]

Boeing CEO got a $45M raise over the last couple years Union employees for like a 2% raise over 10 years Mr Wolff hits the bail on the head. No wonder Boeing doors are falling out of the sky...

[@grandwonder5858]

Boeing = the flying coffins of aviation! No wonder the US and its allies refused at all costs to let the new superior Chinese airplanes to compete with Boeing! Once those airline companies experienced the superiority of those Chinese airplanes no way in hell would they continue to deal with those flying coffins from Boeing!

[@nancytai1550]

Thank you Professor Wolff for the truth!

[@ehsanyousaf9166]

We are lucky to hear Prof. Wolf ❤❤

[@KC-lc8dx]

We were at a popular beach in my generally upscale neighborhood on a restaurant terrace viewing the frivolities and were shocked by the generally frumpy appearance and bad behavior of the young 20 something beach patrons before us, and the fact that this normally once packed patio terrace was deserted bar a couple tourists, when we commented to the lovely waitress about our observations she said very matter of fact with a shrug, "as you see folks poverty is rising."

[@typeorulz]

We all see what we see from where we are perched.

[@Niagaradream]

Nobody explains things they way prof Willf does!!

[@Boycott-if4eg]

#ProsecuteBlinken #ProsecuteBlinken #ProsecuteBlinken

[@user-nr5tp2jo3u]

The U.S.A. is collapsing like U.S.S.R. was doing the same!

[@grandcrowdadforde6127]

>>> possibly !

[@cameliaburdusel5766]

Yes, but due to Gorbachev and his gov, USSR went down quite bloodless. I believe the case of US will be different . Be ready for the Apocalypse because it is coming. Cheers from Australia

[@cavebabybezerkers]

​@@grandcrowdadforde6127what's gonna save it ???

[@WonderfulFreshwaterLake]

​@@cavebabybezerkers hopefully nothing.

[@aliciaczechowski3281]

For 44 years USA spent all its energies trying to bring the Soviet Union down. USA brought itself down in the process.

[@Umar1975ful]

Ancore,this man give so much beneficial advice I could listen to him all day. Thank you for all the brilliant guest you have on here.

[@vivalaleta]

I agree.

[@user-ic4ce8xb5v]

Prof Wolff is fantastic

[@stsusa4531]

Yes, exactly described the problem of capitalism.

[@nareshjotwani8392]

You cannot teach philosophy -- or "values" -- to someone with an empty belly. I thought this would be common knowledge.

[@cavebabybezerkers]

Wait til yall dind out who these people really are

[@user-wl1pn6sk6s]

😂😂😂.Wolf is real man .what he talks is down to earth...🙏🙏🙏🙏👌👌👌✌️✌️✌️

[@shirleymuhleisen683]

Great analysis, worthy of downloading and saving. Criticism is that the issue of immigration is not immigrants, but too many to assimilate-catastrophically many, encouraged to endure horrific treks, and most are not vetted-to protect citizens.

[@PeriferijaPeriferije]

but that again is by design...none dare to speak of origin of misery, plus integrating them means less ability to hire cheap labour there to work and "creates shortages" inflating assets again owned by a few .... banks love it, real estate swindlers love it, employers love it. from the perspective of a citizen, it's horrifying but for the capitalist class..it's as good as it gets

[@90sStarterJacket]

Colonized people frequently make the same critiques of their colonizers. Too many, won’t assimilate, not safe 😂. Funny how the shoe is on the other foot now.

[@godfatherofcinema]

Nima, your show is like an opiate I’m addicted to it thank you for the fantastic show and guest and for not interrupting him like other hosts often do😊

[@PatrickMcCarty-eo7tx]

Professor Wolff talks to people like they are children, and yet he is supremely inarticulate

[@frankscott350]

All the signs point to a major course correction, particularly in how the US imposes itself on the global financial system. This overdue change must make the US's global financial policies and its dollar far less onerous to do business with. But leadership in the West appears incapable of making it. Thar be dragons. If the US/West can't remake itself into an acceptable alternative to the coming BRICS behemoth, there will be deeply troubled times ahead. The US/West either turns direction now to become a less self-serving global economic participant somewhat akin to the BRICS initiative, or de-dollarization will increase until Western isolation becomes unsustainable. It is as Professor Wolff says, "This is a dead old [system] and we're watching it painfully disintegrate."

[@yaoliang1580]

Don't be naive, they will never change their imperialist mindset and will use war to defend to defend their exorbitant privilege n exceptionism. Indeed war has already started in Ukraine n the middle east n will soon escalate into a much broader conflict which is what the US intended.

[@susanmercurio1060]

The leadership in the West benefits from the global financial policies. Why should they want to change it? Throughout history, positive changes have come from the people at the bottom of the social structure. When the people stand up and demand changes, that's when they occur.

[@susanmercurio1060]

The capitalist West created BRICS. It was inevitable that the countries being ruined by the international oligarchy would eventually organize themselves into another system.

[@johnjohnson54199]

Too little too late.

[@frankscott350]

@@yaoliang1580 Naive is not a word that's often applied to me. But that said, and yesterday's SCOTUS decision may have something to do with what you suggest, the public's patience isn't unlimited. They sense what's happening to them, as Wolff mentions. But as US financial interests turn ever more inward to sustain expected quarterly dividends, public acquiescence to parasitization will come to an end. When that day happens, it won't be pleasant. Enter the SCOTUS decision, depending. Regardless, this is often how empires end.

[@GrCanguy73]

Thank you professor. Once again

[@NeilGrattan]

Professor Wolff always a compelling podcast..

[@pmarsh6790]

You've explained the French voting system brilliantly Prof Wolff, unfortunately you seemed to have missed the point of WHY the French, Brits or Americans vote for "far Right' candidates. You assume nothing will change for ordinary taxpayers, but what we're fed up are the REASONS we're becoming poorer which is that the current leaders don't CARE about us, or our history and society or our replacement by immigrants and a different religion and culture. So it isn't that we're anti-immigrant, but anti our Leaders who despise us and everything about our countries

[@rrg8751]

He's right. Whoever you elect doesn't change anything, you just end up electing someone who cares less about you. The fundamental reason is that you are all subjectively guessing good or bad from your personal perspective, but no one has ever thought that what you really lack is a standard to measure the good changes that an official has brought to the local area and let this standard be the reason for his promotion. The stage does not change, no matter how many actors are replaced, how moving the plot is written, people will always find these plots boring, monotonous content.

[@kianleyon6613]

I love Prof. Wolff

[@bettymagpali5079]

What’s depressing is everyone just now finding out. He was that way in the primaries for 2020. There is no way Biden got 81million votes. He was senile then. But my dumb countrymen are just now noticing???? I need a new country 😏

[@anneli1735]

In my next life I’ll do something without idiots 😝

[@denome3725]

It is such a pleasure to listen and more especially to learn with Richard D. Wolff.

[@JillT123]

Brilliant. Thank you both

[@ann-christinkristiansson8948]

Thank You Richard Wolff for Your statement regarding the immigrants. Finally am I not alone! All the best!

[@Ukraine-is-Corrupt]

RW is a living legend. He is BY FAR, my favourite personality to listen too on the Internet. I learn something new, every time he opens his mouth. If I had of encountered a personality like his at University in 1987, I would have become an Economist, not a Research Engineer. RW has the 'X-Factor' ! .... Biden, Trump & everyone else, would LOVE to have RW's X-Factor !

[@simuliid]

I love the way Dr. Wolff .akes these complex ideas understandable. Even for someone who has no background in any of this❤❤❤

[@jgalt308]

It is because you have "no backround in any of this" that you BELIEVE he has made complex ideas understandable. If ideas are actually complex...all you have done rendered the definition of another word to that of meaningless. Try Steve Keen, if you want to understand that the subject of economics is mostly B.S. To grasp the history of this bullshit, you have Michael Hudson. And do not make the mistake that Hudson and Wolff share a similar understanding,

[@simuliid]

@@jgalt308 Yeah, I like them all. I think each of these folks have great ideas. Thanks for the suggestions. I didn't know who Steve Keen was. I like his stuff as well!

[@stefanschouteden5196]

Thank you, great interview. Richard is an amazing chap that the world really can learn from.

[@bernaguvenc4029]

Excellent interview and can listen to Mr. Wolff over again and again! H has the talent of explaining any subject with examples and clarity💙 Thank you to both from NY ✔️

[@barr5173]

Few are calling it as it is. It's poor vs rich. Wolff is fantastic.

[@David-ro7gm]

Michael Hudson and Richard Wolff are two economists I always enjoy listening to, since they explain complex issues in very understandable terms.

[@jgalt308]

Why? Their understanding of everything is diametrically opposed...as was demonstrated in their two joint appearances here...and I doubt Wolff will ever agree to any extended repetition of that anywhere else.

[@aliciaczechowski3281]

Another Wow! analysis from Prof. Wolff. No wonder the Bad Guys and Gals who run the US/collective west do not want The People to access rational, practical voices like his. Thank you, Nima, you do a great service in providing such an excellent platform for informed, articulate individuals.

[@mohammadmossayebi2609]

Excellent interview and great information from professor Wolff thank you

[@TankGump96]

Thx prof Wolfe. Truly a courageous man of the people. Wolfe, Sachs and Hudson make me proud to be a citizen❤. Gawd help all those countries our rulers have exploited

[@user-vu1sq2py9w]

Great interview 👍.

[@lalsphere]

I love the way you handle an interview as well. :)

[@louisgonzalez8846]

Thank you so much Nima, for being a profesional host!!!! Its not necessary to constantly interrupt the professor with vanal commentaries.!!!!

[@user-dj6hu9gq4t]

The supreme court’s latest decisions are the final nail in this coffin. It won’t be long now.

[@lalsphere]

I am also a long-time fan of the incomparable Richard D. Wolff!

[@g.m.8360]

The United States will highly end up to be a third world country at the end of this turmoil they started unless they do a 180 degree change even at this it may take decades this country is like in the hospital with your dying parents Dr Wolff is the student who surpassed his teachers today 😢😢😢

[@Rayseagate]

Fareed lives in an ivory tower, completely detached from reality.

[@Breese2382]

Thank you Nima and to your guest Richard

[@ceciliapaisajes]

Muchas gracias por compartir estas reflexiones!!

[@Ascertain4Yourself]

Fareed Zakaria's world view is centred on personal a want and sense of "Gees Mom look at me" "I'm on CNN", and he loves being part of Main-stream American media. He feels that defines him. To him that is all he and his family want. I am "one of them" and they like me. He will never-ever criticise America.

[@erwin5760]

One of the best from Richard Wolf. He is a gem.

[@vonfloryanzia138]

Mr. Wolff you present information very clearly so that we can understand what is actuall happening in this capitalistic system and how we got to this point. I just want to let you know I really really appreciate what you're doing and hope you will continue teaching us. N.C. here💫

[@roncanton7257]

We live in a system where you get as much as you can and give as little as you can. The wider the gap, the more successful you will be. That’s how they define success! Give nothing and take everything! Some day this must come to an end. One way or another!

[@user-pr6fd4gp2f]

Thank you gentlemen.I only hope more people wake up to what's going on .

[@nancy3853]

Solar panels is not the answer to heating and cooling your house! Neither for business! You can’t run a steel mill on solar or wind!Most of of Our Power Grid is failing and we have 97 Dams through out our are in Danger! This will cause major flooding unless fit! Hoover Dam is very Horrible Shape!

[@kateoneal4215]

We have to have a hybrid system.

[@maxiakouchev8175]

As always, brilliant interview

[@andyhughes1776]

A leader of a nation reflects the state of that nation.

[@daviddestin1990]

two words- malevolent neglect. Their sadism and cruelty is beyond question.

[@user-bh3he1gt7e]

Very, very Good. Thanks. :)

[@kateoneal4215]

PLEASE HAVE JILL STEIN ON TALKING ABOUT "LATE-STAGE CAPITALISM!!!!!" SHE UNDERSTANDS IT-- AND ISN'T OWNED BY THE OLIGHARCHS!!!!!!!

[@user-fq1xh7bg7gJoe_Frisina]

Yes, let's hear a conversation with Jill Stein.

[@MLK_Sold_Black_america_out]

You view capitalism as a cancer,yet Marx has killed more than actual cancer with the different derivatives of his religion

[@nenadteskeredzic7341]

Thanks for all you do.

[@ceinwenmoll3097]

Loved this! So informative! You chrystalise my uninformed ideas......thank you

[@d.h.hodges546]

I love Wolfie. He's my favorite economist.

[@user-em5ns9og8i]

A very sobering podcast .thank you Nima and Professor Wolffe.

[@johnjohnson54199]

Great analysis about autocracy and democracy. Great overall analysis.

[@st.patrickreid8968]

That's a awesome speech mr. Wolf.

[@insearchofnemo]

Thank you for this session. I always look forward to listen to Prof. Wolff

[@ChrisHalden007]

Great video. Thanks

[@donnagaffney6467]

Excellent discussion

[@clairehanley8677]

Thank you for your lucid description of the recent French elections!

[@heidigass]

Fantastic Thanks Dear

[@johnlund2036]

The USA did not want Russia to be a partner with Europe. (58:47)

[@PeriferijaPeriferije]

yes.. Prof Sachs has a great anegdote from that time when he was an adviser to Russia on behalf of US clearly...they wanted to and helped Poland "transition" but wanted to crush and plunder Russia ..he spoke of it many times but esp. during his in-depth interview with Tucker Carlson..it was an awesome conversation

[@KateBates22zabu]

Good interview

[@JillianEmerson-me8cx]

Brilliant.

[@Running111]

What a great explanation..

[@marke4640]

A great difference between the West and the China coalition is how they view/treat the "90%" ie., the Global South. We have yet to throw off our imperialist past and neo-con notions and embrace cooperation, collaboration, and mutual benefit. It's the new coin of the progressive world.

[@ZhenYae]

That said it all. The inability to live like a real human person. Some do truly live in the jungle in their primrose garden.

[@agustinpettinari8717]

Great work, the professor Wolf is the best! thank you for such a great work!

[@samaval9920]

Very profound!!!

[@julievelocci1246]

Love listening to this brilliant eloquent man.

[@lalsphere]

Nima, you remind me of Lex Fridman, a favorite podcaster of mine, different but equally pertinent. tnx for your good work.

[@daniellahootian6487]

beautiful explained. thank you professor. regards from Sweden ❤

[@tomfarrell8434]

I absolutely love this guy.

[@Phidiasan]

Amazing!!!!!!

[@paulgreenan7448]

The aim of big business is always the same: to establish a monopoly and that is a totalitarian system, so societies where corporations are in bed with the government are ones that automatically result in political dictatorship, not democracy.

[@ZhenYae]

But they are not in politics. A government has the mandate of the people, not corporations.

[@louisgonzalez8846]

Very well put.......a false sense of making the masses believe they are living in a democracy.!!!!!

[@cowboywoodard2569]

Thanks Nima, there are only TWO GREATS YOU HAVE ON YOUR SHOW...1# PEPE ,2# MR.CROOKE ❤

[@user-on1oe2ds4i]

Depends on what you're looking for. On economics Wolff is one of the greats.

[@el3ali]

Harun AlRadheed (5th Abbasid Caliph 786-809 AD) controlled a vast empire that stretched from the borders of China to the shores of the Atlantic ocean. It was the most powerfull empire on earth in its time It is said that he was sitting in his palace in Baghdad one afternoon and a cloud passed in the sky. He looked at it and said "No matter where you go, I shall get the tax from your rain" The British empire was once called The empire where the sun never sets down Empires come and go and the US seems to not understand this fact

[@PeriferijaPeriferije]

when your elites declare and stick to the "end of history"...any historical lessons are rejected as inapplicable to the exceptional, indispensable nation...neocon hubris and messianic compulsions are what makes them insane, cruel and dangerous

[@Talore-Evans]

Richard keeps talking about the collapse of capitalism and the empire. Yet every day, both forces tick on and we all get alittle older. And when either force is threatened, the other comes to its aid while we all watch.

[@thetombaxter]

Thanks for pointing out that the PRC is a socialist country, not a state capitalist. Where workers are free to live and work anywhere they are permitted. The PRC will not ever face Marx's overproduction problem as shown by the real property situation which is made to keep in balance and the main basis of personal wealth and saving. As you pointed out Russia is far freer than Ukraine. Their oligarchs are free to profit as long as long as they never criticize Putin nor his policies or they may face defenestration. A great example is a great hero of the Chechen, Crimea, Dagestan and Ukrainian wars and former Donetsk defense minister, now after a secret trial sentenced to five years in prison, probably for criticizing Putin for his treatment of veterans. But like Putin is charged with and wanted for war crimes by the ICC.

[@raymondkanda-kabamba9266]

Ambiguity of leadership will always lead to decays of empires... What's really democracy while they bully and dictate others... Let's build the world together....

[@grandcrowdadforde6127]

very ! perceptive && wise man ! More, Nima !!

[@acrogovender8787]

Australians should listen to this guy and catch a wake up call or they going downhill

[@ChristopherOtt77]

Wealthy people in gated communities love to virtue signal about imigration and the terrible people who are concerned about it. Dr. Wolff is an ivy league professor who is wealthy and lives in a gated community.