Uploaded February 2024 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Part 2 on the Socialist Transition is available on Patreon: patreon.com/OneDime
In this episode of 1Dime Radio, I am joined by the Marxist theorist Ted Reese to discuss his book 'Socialism or Extinction'. We discuss Marxist crisis theory/ “breakdown theory” and Karl Marx’s theory of the “tendency of the rate of profit to fall” in capitalism, elaborated by Henryk Grossman. Ted Reese discusses the “final contradictions” of capitalism, such as automation, the ecological crisis, and the “everything bubble” that could lead to the final breakdown of capitalism. Ted explains why Keynesian Social Democracy and the Green New Deal can’t solve the root problem and prevent capitalism’s inevitable tendency towards crisis.
In Part 2 of the podcast (for Patrons) we discuss the Socialist/Communist alternative and viability of various specific solutions to the climate crisis, such as “overpopulation”, degrowth, and different forms of clean energy and sustainable resources such as Hemp. In this bonus episode, we also discuss the particularities of a communist transition and what stages of socialism could look like. This involves questions regarding the logistics of democracy, communism, labor, distribution, planning, dealing with poverty, transitioning away from the capitalist mode of production, and preventing counter-revolution. We think it is important to think seriously about the big questions regarding alternatives to capitalism and how to get there, which can be quite challenging to envision.
Find Ted Reese on Twitter: twitter.com/Grossmanite
My Twitter: twitter.com/1DimeOfficial
Email 1dimeman@gmail.com for inquiries
Read more faster with Speechify: speechify.com/?source=fb-for-mobile&via=1Dime
Part 2 on the Socialist Transition is available on Patreon: patreon.com/OneDime
In this episode of 1Dime Radio, I am joined by the Marxist theorist Ted Reese to discuss his book 'Socialism or Extinction'. We discuss Marxist crisis theory/ “breakdown theory” and Karl Marx’s theory of the “tendency of the rate of profit to fall” in capitalism, elaborated by Henryk Grossman. Ted Reese discusses the “final contradictions” of capitalism, such as automation, the ecological crisis, and the “everything bubble” that could lead to the final breakdown of capitalism. Ted explains why Keynesian Social Democracy and the Green New Deal can’t solve the root problem and prevent capitalism’s inevitable tendency towards crisis.
In Part 2 of the podcast (for Patrons) we discuss the Socialist/Communist alternative and viability of various specific solutions to the climate crisis, such as “overpopulation”, degrowth, and different forms of clean energy and sustainable resources such as Hemp. In this bonus episode, we also discuss the particularities of a communist transition and what stages of socialism could look like. This involves questions regarding the logistics of democracy, communism, labor, distribution, planning, dealing with poverty, transitioning away from the capitalist mode of production, and preventing counter-revolution. We think it is important to think seriously about the big questions regarding alternatives to capitalism and how to get there, which can be quite challenging to envision.
Find Ted Reese on Twitter: twitter.com/Grossmanite
My Twitter: twitter.com/1DimeOfficial
Email 1dimeman@gmail.com for inquiries
Read more faster with Speechify: speechify.com/?source=fb-for-mobile&via=1Dime










In this episode of 1Dime Radio, I am joined by Chris Cutrone, founder of the Platypus Affiliated Society, to debate the professional-managerial class, elite theory, and whether either offers a better explanation of today’s left than Marxism. Taking Cutrone’s essay “Was Lenin PMC?” as our starting point, we clash over the 20% versus 80% framework, liberal democracy, managerialism, the role of intellectuals in socialist politics, and what Marxism is actually for in the absence of a proletarian socialist movement.
In exclusive The Backroom segment on Patreon only, we move from history into strategy: whether a viable class coalition must extend beyond the proletariat, and debate the extend as to whether Marxism is still relevant. We talk about why most self-described Marxists have no real commitment to communism and I also ask Cutrone why he still considers himself a Marxist. Then we dive into the Graham Platner fiasco, the culture of #MeToo, and some characteristically hot takes from Cutrone.
You can listen to 1Dime Radio on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get podcasts.
Timestamps:
0:00 The Backroom Preview: Graham Platner and MeToo
4:12 1Dime Radio Intro
5:10 Marxism vs. Elite Theory
13:42 The 20% vs. the 80%
18:15 Is the Left Actually Left?
22:50 Marxism and Liberal Democracy
30:01 What Elite Theory Explains
36:34 Theory, Strategy, and Practice
41:03 The Synthetic Left and Family Abolition
51:26 Marxism as the Critique of Socialism
59:20 Intellectuals, Class, and the PMC
66:15 Elite Overproduction and Academia
74:16 What Is Marxism For?
78:28 In What Sense Is Cutrone a Marxist?
1:25:48 Join Us in The Backroom
GUEST:
Chris Cutrone | Founder of the Platypus Affiliated Society
* Chris Cutrone’s website: [https://chriscutrone.platypus1917.org/](https://chriscutrone.platypus1917.org/)
* Platypus Affiliated Society: [https://platypus1917.org/](https://platypus1917.org/)
* “Was Lenin PMC?”: [https://www.sublationmag.com/post/was-lenin-pmc-how-elite-theory-doesn-t-fit-the-movement-for-socialism](https://www.sublationmag.com/post/was-lenin-pmc-how-elite-theory-doesn-t-fit-the-movement-for-socialism)
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