Who was Karl Marx REALLY? – A reply to CrashCourse | SPECTRE OF COMMUNISM Revolutionary Communist International 2025-04-15 | Karl Marx was a German philosopher, economist and journalist, but above all, a revolutionary. He continues to haunt the nightmares of the rich and powerful, just as he inspires workers, the poor and youth to struggle for a future without exploitation and oppression. The popular CrashCourse channel has attempted to explain Marx’s theories and their continued relevance, but we think we can do better…CrashCourse (established by the Green Brothers) is an educational YouTube channel that provides introductory videos about various topics, including politics and philosophy. A few months ago, they released a video called ‘Who Was Karl Marx? And Why Is Everyone Still Talking About Him?’ (linked below). The video correctly points out that the powers-that-be still invoke Marx’s name as a bogeyman, 150 years after his death: a fact that tells us something about the power of his ideas. CrashCourse says that we need to have an honest discussion about Marx’s actual beliefs, which they attempt to provide in an accessible form. While we agree with the sentiment, we have some issues with the way CrashCourse characterises Marxism and its so-called ‘limitations’. For example, was Marx wrong to call for revolution, when perhaps we can simply reform capitalism into a kinder, friendlier form? Are aspects of his analysis ‘outdated’? Did he focus on the plight of the working class to the point of ‘ignoring’ the oppression of women and minority groups?To fill in some of the gaps left by CrashCourse, and deal with some of their misrepresentations, we are delighted to have Josh Holroyd, a leading member of the Revolutionary Communist International, on the Spectre of Communism. Josh gives a more complete overview of what Marx really stood for, and why we communists still study his ideas today. As a body of thought, Marxism is the sharpest weapon we have in the fight against capitalism. After all, as Marx writes, “philosophers have only interpreted the world in various ways; the point, however, is to change it!”----Listen on Spotify, Apple and anywhere else you get your podcasts here: https://linktr.ee/specom Sources:‘Who Was Karl Marx? And Why Is Everyone Still Talking About Him?’, CrashCourse, youtube.com/watch?v=3imIf8NAcWQ ‘A Contribution to the Critique of Political Economy’, Karl Marx, marxists.org/archive/marx/works/1859/critique-pol-economy/index.htm ‘Communist replies to MORE right-wing lies’, Spectre of Communism Podcast, youtube.com/watch?v=CKY5gL5-YvY ‘The Civil War: America's second revolution’, John Peterson, marxist.com/idom-the-us-civil-war-america-s-second-revolution.htm ‘The Origin of the Family, Private Property and the State’, F. Engels, marxist.com/classics-the-origin-of-the-family-private-property-and-the-state.htm ‘Mondragon through a Critical Lens’, Jill Bamburg, fiftybyfifty.org/2017/10/mondragon-through-a-critical-lens ‘On Cooperation’, V. I. Lenin, marxist.com/on-cooperation-lenin1923.htm ‘Socialism: Utopian and Scientific’, F. Engels, marxist.com/classics-socialism-utopian-and-scientific.htm
🇵🇸 The working class can end this g*nocide! 🚩 Revolutionary Communist International 2025-10-03 | FULL EPISODE: youtube.com/watch?v=Ua_tGtzTHnwThis is the way forward: mass mobilisation, strikes, blockades and a coordinated workers’ boycott. The question of bringing down the western imperialist governments, which are complicit in the genocide, must be at the forefront of these protests. The working class must bring its full power to bear.End the genocide! Free Palestine!Down with the warmongers! Down with the war criminals!Workers' boycott of Israel – block everything!For a Socialist Federation of the Middle East!#palestine #freepalestine #gaza #italy #strike #marxism #flotilla #sumudflotilla #intifada greta thunberg🌐 LINKS 🌐✊ Join the Revolutionary Communist International: marxist.com/join-us.htm 🎧 Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/68nGNHz5lB8UZXICGIDMva?si=682ef70551644443 📱 Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/against-the-stream/id1777793987 📸 Instagram: instagram.com/revcomintern💬 Twitter: https://x.com/revcomintern/
Flotilla triggers mass protests, Trumps peace plan, Gen Z revolutions continue | AGAINST THE STREAM Revolutionary Communist International 2025-10-02 | Yesterday, Israel once again attacked a peaceful flotilla travelling towards Gaza to break the naval blockade and deliver humanitarian aid. In the following hours, millions came pouring onto streets across Europe to protest the assault and demand an end to the genocide. In Italy, a general strike has been called for tomorrow. Meanwhile, Trump and Netanyahu have presented their criminal ‘peace plan’ for Gaza. And, Gen Z revolutions are erupting across the world on an almost daily basis, latest in Morocco and Madagascar.In this week's Against the Stream, Jorge Martín and Hamid Alizadeh take stock of the whirlwind of events and point out the tasks for communists today.Against the Stream is the current affairs podcast of the Revolutionary Communist International. It airs weekly on YouTube on Thursdays at 6pm London time.📖 RECOMENDED READING 📖“Israel has intercepted the flotilla: block everything! – For a workers’ boycott and general strike!” by the RCI🔗 marxist.com/israel-has-intercepted-the-flotilla-block-everything-for-a-workers-boycott-and-general-strike.htm“‘Dockers don’t work for war’: international dockworkers’ meeting in Genoa shows the way forward!” by Francesco Salmeri, Partito Comunista Rivoluzionario🔗 marxist.com/dockers-don-t-work-for-war-international-dockworkers-meeting-in-genoa-shows-the-way-forward.htm“GenZ212: Moroccan youth rise up and open a new chapter in the class struggle!” by Anas Rahimi 🔗 marxist.com/genz212-moroccan-youth-rise-up-and-open-a-new-chapter-in-the-class-struggle.htm“Madagascar: GenZ protest movement develops towards a national uprising” Jorge Martín🔗 marxist.com/madagascar-genz-protest-movement-develops-towards-a-national-uprising.htm“The world turned upside down – a system in crisis” by The RCI 🔗 marxist.com/world-perspectives-2025.htm⏱️ TIMESTAMPS ⏱️0:00 Introduction1:42 Flotilla attacked, millions protest23:55 Trump's 'peace plan' for Gaza54:54 'Gen Z revolution': Madagascar1:09:40 'Gen Z revolution': Morocco🌐 LINKS 🌐✊ Join the Revolutionary Communist International: marxist.com/join-us.htm 🎧 Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/68nGNHz5lB8UZXICGIDMva?si=682ef70551644443 📱 Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/against-the-stream/id1777793987 📸 Instagram: instagram.com/revcomintern💬 Twitter: https://x.com/revcomintern/ℹ️ DISCLAIMER ℹ️This video is intended solely for educational, informational, and documentary purposes. It examines historical and contemporary political ideologies, events, and terminology — including controversial or sensitive topics — with the aim of fostering critical thinking and public understanding. This content does not promote, endorse, or glorify violence, right-wing extremism, terrorism, hate speech, or discriminatory ideologies. Any references to such topics are made in the context of analysis, journalism, or historical documentation. Viewer discretion is advised due to the sensitive nature of some discussed topics. All commentary is protected under fair use for educational and journalistic purposes in accordance with YouTube's community guidelines and policies.//Greta thunberg sumud flotilla free palestine italian protests dockworker strike marxist analysis
Marxist explains materialism and idealism Revolutionary Communist International 2025-10-01 | 📈 During capitalism’s ascent, it produced great materialist thinkers. These philosophers laid the groundwork for modern science, and provided the ideas necessary to end feudalism and disempower its ideological defenders in the Church. This was an epoch in which capitalism played a progressive role in society, embracing science and reason.📉 But as capitalism outlived its historical usefulness, its defenders have returned to various forms of reactionary idealism. They have to do this – to obfuscate the real nature of reality – in order to justify capitalism’s continued existence. The struggle against capitalism therefore starts in the realm of philosophy – with the defence of materialism.#marxism #philosophy #materialism #idealism #dialecticalmaterialism #marx #engels #lenin #trotsky
🇵🇸🚩 How to free Palestine Revolutionary Communist International 2025-09-26 | FULL EPISODE: youtube.com/watch?v=soU72QBi6T0We must unite the struggle against the g*nocide in Gaza with the struggle to overthrow all the complicit Western governments and, ultimately, the capitalist system itself!#gaza #palestine #freepalestine🇵🇸 #freepalestine #revolution #intifada #globalintifada
Trumps UN speech + Italy rises for Palestine | AGAINST THE STREAM Revolutionary Communist International 2025-09-25 | With his speech at the United Nations general assembly, Trump has once again caused shock and awe around the world. But what does his apparent change of heart on the war in Ukraine actually signify, and what does it mean for Europe? In this week on Against the Stream Fred Weston and Hamid Alizadeh discuss the turbulent beginnings of Trump’s second term, and why his presidency is not going according to plan.The second half of the episode delves into the recent events in Italy, where more than half a million people took to the streets over Israel’s genocide in Gaza. What does this outburst of anger signify, and is there a global wave of revolution on the horizon?Against the Stream is a current affairs podcast of the Revolutionary Communist International, which airs weekly on YouTube on Thursdays at 6pm London time.📖 RECOMENDED READING 📖“Italy: the dam has burst, half a million on the streets for Gaza!” by Claudio Bellotti – Partito Comunista Rivoluzionario 🔗 marxist.com/italy-the-dam-has-burst-half-a-million-on-the-streets-for-gaza.htm“Sri Lanka to Nepal: lessons from the revolutionary wave” by Ben Curry🔗 marxist.com/sri-lanka-to-nepal-lessons-from-the-revolutionary-wave.htm“France: success on 18 September – what now?” by Parti Communiste Révolutionnaire🔗 marxist.com/france-success-on-18-september-what-now.htm“East Timorese youth follow the example of Indonesia and Nepal” by Max Robert🔗 marxist.com/east-timorese-youth-follow-the-example-of-indonesia-and-nepal.htm⏱️ TIMESTAMPS ⏱️0:00 Introduction2:46 Trump's UN speech16:14 Trump leaves Ukraine with Europe27:40 Exploit abroad to stabilize at home40:45 Workers and youth shut down Italy for Palestine56:20 A new period of class struggle has begun🌐 LINKS 🌐✊ Join the Revolutionary Communist International: marxist.com/join-us.htm 🎧 Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/68nGNHz5lB8UZXICGIDMva?si=682ef70551644443 📱 Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/against-the-stream/id1777793987 📸 Instagram: instagram.com/revcomintern💬 Twitter: https://x.com/revcomintern/ℹ️ DISCLAIMER ℹ️This video is intended solely for educational, informational, and documentary purposes. It examines historical and contemporary political ideologies, events, and terminology — including controversial or sensitive topics — with the aim of fostering critical thinking and public understanding. This content does not promote, endorse, or glorify violence, right-wing extremism, terrorism, hate speech, or discriminatory ideologies. Any references to such topics are made in the context of analysis, journalism, or historical documentation. Viewer discretion is advised due to the sensitive nature of some discussed topics. All commentary is protected under fair use for educational and journalistic purposes in accordance with YouTube's community guidelines and policies.
Why Your Party is splitting at the top Revolutionary Communist International 2025-09-19 | What are your thoughts on the recent 'Your Party' debacle? Sound off below 👇Full episode: youtube.com/watch?v=beYsFYEXJxQ#yourparty #zarahsultana #jeremycorbyn #ukpolitics Your Party Membership Zarah Sultana Jeremy Corbyn UK Politics
Britain facing its deepest crisis ever + Corbyn/Sultana clash | AGAINST THE STREAM Revolutionary Communist International 2025-09-18 | Last week saw hundreds of thousands attend the biggest right wing demonstration in decades. Meanwhile, Keir Starmer’s Labour-government is facing a meltdown after just a year in office. How should the left respond, and what are the reasons for the rise of the right and the political crisis in the first place?In this week on Against the Stream Niklas Albin Svensson and Hamid Alizadeh discuss the background of the crisis of British capitalism, Starmer’s future, the prospects and problems of Corbyn’s new party and the tasks facing marxists in the period ahead. Against the Stream is a current affairs podcast of the Revolutionary Communist International, which airs weekly on YouTube on Thursdays at 6pm London time.⏱️ TIMESTAMPS ⏱️0:00 Introduction1:57 Massive far-right march in London25:06 The left's response33:08 'Your Party' - Britain's new left party42:41 How to fight the far-right54:40 The UK's political crisis1:14:51 Summing up1:18:58 BONUS: Conflict in 'Your Party'📖 RECOMENDED READING 📖Migration crisis: Who is to blame? by Ben Gliniecki: 🔗 https://communist.red/migration-crisis-who-is-to-blame/“Britain's largest right-wing demo in a generation – a damning indictment of the left” by The Revolutionary Communist Party🔗 marxist.com/britain-the-meaning-of-13-september-a-damning-indictment-of-the-left.htm“UK Living Standards Review 2025” by the National Institute of Economic and SocialResearch 🔗 niesr.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/JC871-NIESR-UK-Living-Standards-Review-2025-final-version.pdf🌐 LINKS 🌐✊ Join the Revolutionary Communist International: marxist.com/join-us.htm 🎧 Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/68nGNHz5lB8UZXICGIDMva?si=682ef70551644443 📱 Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/against-the-stream/id1777793987 📸 Instagram: instagram.com/revcomintern💬 Twitter: https://x.com/revcomintern/ℹ️ DISCLAIMER ℹ️This video is intended solely for educational, informational, and documentary purposes. It examines historical and contemporary political ideologies, events, and terminology — including controversial or sensitive topics — with the aim of fostering critical thinking and public understanding.This content does not promote, endorse, or glorify violence, right-wing extremism, terrorism, hate speech, or discriminatory ideologies. Any references to such topics are made in the context of analysis, journalism, or historical documentation.Viewer discretion is advised due to the sensitive nature of some discussed topics.All commentary is protected under fair use for educational and journalistic purposes in accordance with YouTube's community guidelines and policies.
Capitalism is democracy for the rich only! Revolutionary Communist International 2025-09-16 | Full episode: youtu.be/cs1e85s9nb4“To decide once every few years which member of the ruling class is to repress and crush the people through parliament – such is the real essence of bourgeois parliamentarianism." – V.I. LeninDo you agree? Sound off in the comments!🎙️ Full episode available now on YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts#marxism #communism #marx #engels #lenin #trotsky #revolution #classwar
Trotskyism after Trotsky Revolutionary Communist International 2025-09-16 | ℹ️ This video is from the wold congress of the Revolutionay Communist International, which is translated live to several languages. The edits throughout are from removing breaks for translation.***The Fourth International was founded by Trotsky in 1938. By that point, the Second ‘Socialist’ International and the Third ‘Communist’ International had completely betrayed their historic missions and acted as traitorous obstacles in the way of the victory of the working class. A new revolutionary leadership was required worldwide, one founded upon the Marxist ideas long since abandoned by the other internationals.Despite the historic task that faced the Fourth International, after Trotsky’s assassination, many of its ‘leaders’ played a lamentable role. Amidst a sea of confusion, Ted Grant – founder of the organisation that is now the Revolutionary Communist International (RCI) – stands out as the only consistent defender of the genuine, revolutionary method of Marxism.After years of omissions and slanders that have obscured the truth, this presentation brings out the real history of the Fourth International and the role of Ted Grant.***To read more about the issues discussed in this presentation, including Ted Grant's own writings from the time, visit our reading guide on the collapse of the Fourth International:marxist.com/the-collapse-of-the-fourth-international-a-reading-guide.htm🌐 LINKS 🌐► Join the Revolutionary Communist International: marxist.com/join-us.htm ► Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/68nGNHz5lB8UZXICGIDMva?si=682ef70551644443 ► Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/against-the-stream/id1777793987 ► Instagram: instagram.com/revcomintern► Twitter: https://x.com/revcomintern
Communists react to Charlie Kirks assassination Revolutionary Communist International 2025-09-12 | FULL EPISODE: youtube.com/watch?v=cs1e85s9nb4The killing of Charlie Kirk, MAGA’s most influential evangelist to conservative American youth, has sent a shockwave through the political landscape. Trump, who credited Kirk for helping him win the 2024 election, was the first to confirm the news of Kirk’s death. Today, he announced that Kirk will be posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.Kirk was a vile, bigoted reactionary. Communists stand against everything he stood for. We do not mourn his death. But we must state clearly that this act will have reactionary consequences.🌐 LINKS 🌐► Join the Revolutionary Communist International: marxist.com/join-us.htm ► Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/68nGNHz5lB8UZXICGIDMva?si=682ef70551644443 ► Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/against-the-stream/id1777793987 ► Instagram: instagram.com/revcomintern► Twitter: https://x.com/revcomintern
Charlie Kirk, French revolt, Nepal revolution | AGAINST THE STREAM Revolutionary Communist International 2025-09-11 | Lenin once said that there are weeks where decades happen. This is one of those weeks. The French government collapsed. Revolutions broke out in Indonesia and Nepal. Israel bombed peace negotiations in Qatar. And just yesterday, right-wing influencer Charlie Kirk was shot and killed.It’s easy to be disoriented by the speed of events these days. But revolutionaries most of all must have a clear grasp of what’s going on beneath the surface. For that reason, to break these lightning-fast developments down from a Marxist perspective, Jorge Martín and Hamid Alizadeh met for another episode of Against the Stream, the current affairs podcast of the Revolutionary Communist International, which airs weekly on YouTube on Thursdays at 6pm London time.ℹ️ DISCLAIMER ℹ️This video is intended solely for educational, informational, and documentary purposes. It examines historical and contemporary political ideologies, events, and terminology — including controversial or sensitive topics — with the aim of fostering critical thinking and public understanding.This content does not promote, endorse, or glorify violence, right-wing extremism, terrorism, hate speech, or discriminatory ideologies. Any references to such topics are made in the context of analysis, journalism, or historical documentation.Viewer discretion is advised due to the sensitive nature of some discussed topics.All commentary is protected under fair use for educational and journalistic purposes in accordance with YouTube's community guidelines and policies.⏱️ TIMESTAMPS ⏱️0:00 Introduction2:32 Charlie Kirk assassination13:26 Mass protests in France40:00 Israeli strikes on Doha49:54 Revolution in Nepal📖 RECOMENDED READING 📖On Charlie Kirk assasination: “Why Marxists Oppose Individual Terrorism” by Leon Trotsky: 🔗 marxists.org/archive/trotsky/1911/11/tia09.htmOn events in Nepal: “Rulers cower as Nepalese masses seek to burn the system down”🔗 marxist.com/rulers-cower-as-nepalese-masses-seek-to-burn-the-system-down.htmBackground article on Nepalese revolution of 2006-2008: “Victory of Nepalese Maoists in elections – where to now?”🔗 marxist.com/victory-nepalese-maoists-elections.htmOn events in France: “After 10 September, what now?”:🔗 marxist.com/france-10-september-the-first-thunderclap.htmBackground article: “Causes and consequences of the decline of French capitalism”:🔗 marxist.com/causes-and-consequences-of-the-decline-of-french-capitalism.htm🌐 LINKS 🌐✊ Join the Revolutionary Communist International: marxist.com/join-us.htm 🎧 Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/68nGNHz5lB8UZXICGIDMva?si=682ef70551644443 📱 Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/against-the-stream/id1777793987 📸 Instagram: instagram.com/revcomintern💬 Twitter: https://x.com/revcomintern/
How Trump forces India and China together Revolutionary Communist International 2025-09-10 | FULL EPISODE: youtube.com/watch?v=CaHTtI65nXg🇺🇸🔨🇮🇳 Donald Trump has taken a sledgehammer to decades of US foreign policy in South Asia by imposing 50 percent tariffs on a swathe of Indian goods. This is a slap in the face for Trump’s former close ally, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is now seeking more reliable friends in Beijing.🎙️ Get a Marxist analysis of the most significant events in global politics every Thursday with Against the Stream! Available on YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts 🚩#marxism #politics #politicalanalysis #communism
China humiliates the West, revolution in Indonesia, French regime in crisis | AGAINST THE STREAM Revolutionary Communist International 2025-09-04 | Against the Stream is back for another season of weekly Marxist analysis! This week, Hamid Alizadeh and Jorge Martín catch up on all the convulsive developments over the summer: the further decline of western imperialism and the rise of China, the crisis of the regime in France, and the revolutionary explosion in Indonesia.Against the Stream, the current affairs podcast of the Revolutionary Communist International, airs weekly on YouTube on Thursdays at 6pm London time.⚠️ We apologise for the distortion in the sound which occurs a few times throughout the episode – we will do our best to ensure that this is resolved in the next episode!⏱️ TIMESTAMPS ⏱️0:00 Introduction4:07 Trump inadvertently strengthens China31:03 Europe: The crisis deepens1:01:20 Revolution in Indonesia1:12:45 Let's build a revolutionary organisation!📖 RECOMENDED READING 📖US and China: ► “China’s Military Is Now Leading”, in Foreign Policy 🔗 tinyurl.com/ycy24fwa► “World Perspectives 2025: the world turned upside down”, Revolutionary Communist International 🔗 tinyurl.com/h76nys8z France:► Bayrou declares war on the working class, by Parti Communiste Révolutionnaire 🔗 tinyurl.com/hpfm89we ►Let’s block everything! For a workers’ government!, by Parti Communiste Révolutionnaire 🔗 tinyurl.com/253s2rd4Indonesia:► Protests getting larger after ride-share driver killed, by Bima Wicaksana 🔗 tinyurl.com/36prk7eu ► The wheel of revolution has turned, by Bima Wicaksana 🔗 tinyurl.com/yne9xdna🌐 LINKS 🌐► Join the Revolutionary Communist International: marxist.com/join-us.htm ► Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/68nGNHz5lB8UZXICGIDMva?si=682ef70551644443 ►Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/against-the-stream/id1777793987 ► Instagram: instagram.com/revcomintern►Twitter: https://x.com/revcomintern
✊ Communists chant The Internationale in over a dozen languages Revolutionary Communist International 2025-08-21 | 🌎 In August, hundreds of communists from around the world gathered in Italy to discuss the path forward for the Revolutionary Communist International. 🌋 The discussions on world perspectives made one thing abundantly clear: the crisis of capitalism is radicalising people everywhere, and we must recruit rapidly if we are to play a role in the coming waves of revolutions!🚩 Do you want to see socialism in your lifetime? Then get organised! www.marxist.com/join 📚 Do you want to learn more about Marxist ideas? Get your copy of Marxist classics at www.wellred-books.com
Hundreds of communists sing ‘Bandiera Rossa’ ✊🚩 Revolutionary Communist International 2025-08-13 | ...
Fred Weston introduces The Classics of Marxism: Volume One Revolutionary Communist International 2025-07-18 | wellred-books.com/classics-volume-oneWellred Books’ bestselling title The Classics of Marxism: Volume One is available in a brand new edition. In this lead-off, Fred Weston from the International Secretariat of the RCI introduces how, far from being relics of the past, the writings inside by Marx, Engels, Lenin and Trotsky are the most modern texts you can come across if you want to understand the nature of the capitalist system and how it can be overthrown.Get your copy now!
Reform or Revolution? – In Defense of Marxism Issue #50 Revolutionary Communist International 2025-07-15 | marxist.com/magazine.htmThe latest issue of In Defence of Marxism is out now! 📖☭An important thread in this issue is the struggle between reformism and revolution, which can be observed throughout the history of the class struggle. As revolutionaries, it is essential that we are able to clearly articulate the limits of reformism, whilst skilfully connecting with workers who hold illusions in reformist leaders and parties.The editorial ‘The Struggle Against Reformism’ explains the relationship between the struggle for reforms under capitalism, reformism, and revolution. In particular, it tackles the question of the development of revolutionary consciousness through the struggle for reforms, how this comes into conflict with the limits of reformism, and the role of communists in this process.Arturo Rodriguez has written the lead article in this issue: ‘Lessons from Greece’, which is a detailed retrospective on the Greek crisis from 2010-2015. Using the experience of the left-reformist Syriza government, he draws out all the key lessons on the limitations of reformism, which emerged clearly in this struggle.Looking back much further in history, Lukas Kutschera’s article: ‘The German Peasants’ War’, gives an overview of what amounted to the first bourgeois revolution, 500 years ago. The article explains the origins of the war, the interests of the various classes involved, and why it ultimately ended in defeat for the peasants. As is typical in all such movements, the question of reform versus revolution arose, with Thomas Müntzer articulating the most radical ideas of the struggle.Hélène Bissonnette's ‘Morality and the Class Struggle’ explores the hypocritical nature of ‘official’ morality under class society, and how it goes into crisis at a certain stage. Whilst the ruling class uses its morality as a cynical tool, the reformists take them at their word and prove incapable of breaking free from its pressure.The issue ends with an article by Alan Woods on ‘Figaro and the French Revolution’. In it he explains the subversive nature of Mozart's opera, ‘The Marriage of Figaro’, and how it revolutionised the art form. Importantly, he shows how although Mozart was not a revolutionary, his operas gave expression to the growing ferment in society, which culminated in the French Revolution only a few years later.Get your copy now! ⚒️🚩Photo credit: Alexis Tsipras at rally in Athens, January 2015 (AP / Alamy)
Trump & Netanyahus 12-day war on Iran: who won? | AGAINST THE STREAM Revolutionary Communist International 2025-06-26 | This week, in a dramatic turn of events, Trump – who campaigned on the promise to end US ‘forever wars’ – decided to get involved in Israel’s war on Iran by dropping bombs on its nuclear facilities. Now, after an attack on a US base and some strong words, Trump has enforced a ceasefire between the warring parties. In the aftermath, Trump has celebrated his ‘12 day’ war as a stunning success, which “obliterated” Iran’s nuclear programme. However, this chaotic escalation of the situation in the Middle East is bound to have consequences on the stability not only of the region, but the entire world. Reports are coming out that show Iran’s nuclear programme is still very much intact. Oil prices have been on a rollercoaster ride. And, in America, Trump has been faced by a barrage of criticism from the very people that brought him to power.To explain the consequences of this latest adventure by US imperialism, Jorge Martín and Hamid Alizadeh from the International Secretariat of the Revolutionary Communist International sat down for a special, bonus episode of Against the Stream, the weekly current affairs podcast of the RCI. This episode premieres on YouTube at 6pm London time.To focus on the upcoming world congress of the Revolutionary Commnuist International, Against the Stream plans to take a break until the first Thursday of September. Until then, you can catch up on all our analysis on YouTube, Spotify or Apple Podcasts.Join us in building the Revolutionary Communist International! www.marxist.com/join
This is not about nuclear weapons – Communist explains Israel/Iran war Revolutionary Communist International 2025-06-22 | Hamid Alizadeh from the Revolutionary Communist International debates Nana Akua on GB News.Iran war: “those whom the gods wish to destroy they first make mad” marxist.com/iran-war-those-whom-the-gods-wish-to-destroy-they-first-make-mad.htm#iran #israel #iranisraelwar #israeliranwar #gbnews #communism #marxism
Will the US go to war? / Trumpism unravelling | AGAINST THE STREAM Revolutionary Communist International 2025-06-19 | [Due to technical difficulties, this episode was published late. Apologies!]This week, the turmoil in the Middle East reached new heights as Israel launched a series of attacks on Iran, targeting its military leadership and striking several of its nuclear facilities. This has since escalated dramatically with further attacks on Iran and Iranian retaliations against Israel.Israel’s latest war represents a dramatic turn in the situation both in the Middle East and globally, as Trump is currently weighing up US involvement in the strikes against Iran. Despite a layer of the Republican establishment frothing at the mouth over the chance to deal a blow to a longstanding enemy, many prominent voices within Trump’s camp oppose US intervention as a betrayal of his initial promise to be the ‘peace President’ and bring an end to US support for ‘forever wars’.With splits emerging within Trumpism over the future of US foreign policy, it is unclear how these events in the Middle East will develop. As Marxists, we cannot predict the course of events with absolute certainty, but this makes it all the more crucial to engage in a meticulous study of such twists and turns in the world situation. For this reason, this week’s episode of Against the Stream welcomes Fred Weston and Hamid Alizadeh from the International Secretariat of the Revolutionary Communist International, to pick apart this week’s developments and what they mean for the situation in the Middle East and the US.This is the last episode of Against the Stream until the first week of September. Catch up on all of our previous episodes on Youtube, Spotify or Apple Podcasts.Chapters:00:00 – Israel attacks Iran1:01:00 – Trumpism begins to unravel1:19:00 – Why we produce Against the Stream
LA riots and the Musk/Trump feud | AGAINST THE STREAM Revolutionary Communist International 2025-06-12 | This week, thousands of workers flooded onto the streets of LA in response to ICE agents raiding workplaces and neighbourhoods. Since then, Trump has tried to crush the movement by calling in the Marines and the National Guard. But in so doing, he risks provoking a mass movement similar to Black Lives Matter, which forced him into hiding in the White House bunker five years ago. The democrats have attempted to attach themselves to this wave of protests. Posing as the ‘resistance’ and a friend to immigrants, they are attempting to direct it into safe channels. But the truth is, they are just as much enemies of immigrants as Trump’s republicans. Like all capitalist politicians, they use immigrants as scapegoats while exploiting them as extremely vulnerable labourers.Trump is not only facing opposition from workers. The richest man in the world, Elon Musk, this week entered into a public feud with Trump over the ‘big beautiful bill’. With the American economy stagnating and debt piling up, this spat reveals the fact that Trump is in an impossible position: he cannot fulfil the promises he has made to American workers and their bosses at the same time.To break down how communists should approach these problems, Jorge Martín and Hamid Alizadeh from the International Secretariat of the Revolutionary Communist International sat down to discuss world perspectives on a special episode of Against the Stream, the weekly podcast of the RCI, giving you a Marxist analysis of world affairs.Against the Stream premieres weekly on YouTube. Tune in every Thursday at 6pm London time, or catch up on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.Join us in building the Revolutionary Communist International! www.marxist.com/join0:00 Intro1:07 LA protests against ICE28:10 Immigration: a threat to the working class?55:13 Musk/Trump feud
2025: Where is the world going? – A Marxist analysis | AGAINST THE STREAM Revolutionary Communist International 2025-06-05 | 2025 marks a turning point in world history.The tectonic plates of international relations are shifting, the globalised world economy is being torn apart, and the entire capitalist order is being shaken to its foundations by political, economic, environmental and social crises. An unstable new epoch – an epoch of war, revolution and counter-revolution – has opened up. In preparation for the first congress of the Revolutionary Communist International, Jorge Martín and Hamid Alizadeh from the International Secretariat of the Revolutionary Communist International sat down to discuss world perspectives on a special episode of Against the Stream, the weekly podcast of the RCI, giving you a Marxist analysis of world affairs.Against the Stream premieres weekly on YouTube. Tune in every Thursday at 6pm London time, or catch up on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.Articles mentioned:Monopoly capitalism, imperialism, and the world economy:marxist.com/monopoly-capitalism-imperialism-and-the-world-economy.htmDebt is crushing the developing world:ft.com/content/29a0f7fa-1871-4012-a730-48717fc61ecbMatthew Miller lying compliation:https://x.com/LetsStopC9/status/1929804052935631000Pakistan: URGENT SOLIDARITY APPEAL – release arrested leaders of the Awaami Action Committee Gilgit Baltistan!:marxist.com/pakistan-urgent-solidarity-appeal-release-arrested-leaders-of-the-awaami-action-committee-gilgit-baltistan.htmPakistan: protests continue for the release of comrades in Gilgit Baltistan despite state repression:marxist.com/pakistan-protests-continue-for-the-release-of-comrades-in-gilgit-baltistan-despite-state-repression.htmChapters0:00 Intro1:51 The changing world relations16:11 Ukrainian drone attack26:32 Why Russia is winning32:50 Sabotaging peace negotiations36:30 Biden spokesman admits Israel commits war crimes39:48 Gaza has unmasked Western capitalism53:34 Austerity at home, warfare abroad58:16 The world economy in 20251:11:09 Renewed interest in communism1:14:50 Comrades in Pakistan under attack1:24:00 Get organised!
The REAL reason Europe wants to continue the war in Ukraine Revolutionary Communist International 2025-05-30 | The European war propaganda conceals the fact that they are absolutely terrified of peace in Ukraine. For the Europeans, peace – which would inevitably mean acknowledging a defeat to Russia – would be a disaster which would speed up the US’ withdrawal from the continent, leaving them alone to face a strengthened opponent in the East, and intensifying all of the crises and pressures that are ripping the European ‘Union’ apart.Really, they are the warmongers. They would like nothing better than for Trump to ‘see the light’, dispense with talks and put the US’ weight behind Ukraine again, dragging out this unwinnable war even further. For that reason, they are doing everything they can to pin Trump down and provoke Russia. Friedrich Merz, for example, yesterday announced that Ukraine’s ‘allies’ would be scrapping all range limits on weapons sent to Ukraine!What are your thoughts? Sound off below 👇 and catch the full episode now wherever you listen to podcasts 🎙️🚩#ukraine #ukrainewar #communism
Who is the obstacle to peace in Ukraine? and Trumps big beautiful bill | AGAINST THE STREAM Revolutionary Communist International 2025-05-29 | Since the negotiations to end the Ukraine war began, the liberals and their mouthpieces have been at pains to present Putin as a stubborn obstacle to peace, and Zelensky and his allies as begging for a ceasefire. Now, Trump’s remark that “Putin has gone absolutely crazy” has seemingly vindicated their warnings.But behind their propaganda offensive is the fact that they are absolutely terrified of peace in Ukraine. For the Europeans in particular, peace – which would inevitably mean acknowledging a defeat to Russia – would be a disaster which would speed up the US’ withdrawal from the continent, leaving them alone to face a strengthened opponent to their east, and intensifying all of the crises and pressures that are ripping the European ‘Union’ apart. Really, they are the warmongers. They would like nothing better than for Trump to ‘see the light’, dispense with talks and put the US’s weight behind Ukraine again, dragging out this unwinnable war even further. For that reason, they are doing everything they can to pin Trump down and provoke Russia. Friedrich Merz, for example, yesterday announced that Ukraine’s ‘allies’ would be scrapping all range limits on weapons sent to Ukraine!The question is all the more acute for the Europeans because of the political crises facing the entire continent. Last week's elections in Portugal and Romania once again showed the continued rise of right-wing populists, who have been able to ride to prominence on the back of seething anti-establishment hatred. In response to these blows to the established order, The Financial Times commented that all the ‘centrist’ governments need to do is “deliver”. But how can they deliver when the economy is lacklustre and they are having to increase military spending, for which they will inevitably make the poor foot the bill? What they don’t understand is that at the bottom of these upsets is the crisis of capitalism, which no capitalist cabinet, no matter how ‘sensible’, will be able to solve.Nor are things rosy for the US economy. Trump has managed to pass his “big beautiful bill” this week, which cuts taxes for the rich and cuts spending on the poor. It also adds $4 trillion to the US deficit, which has set alarm bells ringing in stock markets all over the world. For decades, the US has been a safe haven for capitalists. Now, amid unprecedented instability, investors are questioning if the US’ government will be able to repay their debts. This has huge implications for the world economy. To explain where the world is going, Niklas Albin Svenson and Hamid Alizadeh from the International Secretariat of the Revolutionary Communist International met for another episode of Against the Stream, the weekly current affairs podcast of the RCI.Against the Stream premieres weekly on YouTube. Tune in every Thursday at 6pm London time, or catch up on Spotify or Apple Music.
Gaza genocide escalates, Ukraine peace talks, and comrades arrested in Pakistan | AGAINST THE STREAM Revolutionary Communist International 2025-05-22 | For a year and a half, the western imperialists have not only been defending Israel's right to massacre, starve and ethnically cleanse the population of Gaza – they have been selling them the weapons to do it. Now, all of a sudden, they’re criticising the “intolerable” suffering that Israel is causing. Does this mean that the imperialists have gained a conscience?Certainly not. At a time when Netanyahu is escalating the genocide and explicitly declaring that Israel plans to conquer the territory and expel the Palestinians, what these blood-soaked hypocrites fear are the revolutionary implications of being associated with yet more horror. The consequences in the Middle East and beyond of Netanyahu’s policy – of recklessly dragging out the war to cling on to power – are forcing even Trump to look for other points of support in the Middle East.Meanwhile, Trump and Putin have continued to haggle over the fate of Ukraine. In the western media, Putin has been depicted as a stubborn obstacle to peace. In reality, it is Zelensky and the Europeans who have resisted the negotiation of an end to the war, for they refuse to concede what is becoming apparent to all: that Ukraine has lost.Finally, in Pakistan-occupied Gigit Baltistan, leaders of the Awami Action Committee – including several members of the Pakistani section of the Revolutionary Communist International – have been scandalously arrested. In response to this brazen attack, which is an attempt to behead a growing mass movement against the Pakistani regime, the Revolutionary Communist International have launched an international campaign demanding that these political prisoners be set free.To explain where these events are leading the world, Jorge Martín and Hamid Alizadeh from the International Secretariat of the Revolutionary Communist International met for another episode of Against the Stream, the weekly current affairs podcast of the RCI.This episode premiered on YouTube. Tune in every Thursday at 6pm London time, or catch up on Spotify or Apple Music.The Revolutionary Communist International is fighting capitalism in over 60 countries – join us! www.marxist.com/join_____0:00 Intro1:43 Shooting of Israeli embassy staff16:15 Rift between the West and Israel35:46 Kneecap member charged with terrorism42:04 Ukraine peace negotiations1:10:27 Comrades arrested in Pakistan
Trump-Netanyahu clash, India-Pakistan war, and revolutionary movement in Serbia | AGAINST THE STREAM Revolutionary Communist International 2025-05-15 | War between India and Pakistan. Revolutionary crisis in Serbia. Escalation of the genocide in Gaza. These are just a few of the mighty events piling up on one another at a breathtaking pace. Against the Stream is here to help revolutionaries navigate these tumultuous events. In Kashmir, India and Pakistan – both nuclear powers – once again briefly went to war. The countries have been in conflict since the partition of the subcontinent by British imperialism in 1947, but tensions have burst into the open again because of the profound change in the international balance of forces, and because both regimes are seeking to cut across the crises and class struggle they are facing on the home front. Against the atrocious position taken by the ‘communist’ parties of India, which have lined up behind their respective ruling class under the banner of ‘national unity’, genuine communists understand that this war serves no one but the rich, and that the elites of both countries must be overthrown if war is to be done away with altogether.Meanwhile, Israel’s genocidal imperialist rampage has escalated, with Netanyahu’s cabinet now explicitly declaring that they aim to conquer Gaza and to expel the Palestinians. Trump, however, has thrown a spanner in the works by moving to distance himself from Netanyahu. Having demoted Mike Waltz, who was one of the biggest advocates of Israel’s plan to bomb Iran, Trump is now touring the Middle East in an attempt to draw closer to the other Arab regimes.In the often rapid and complicated twists and turns in the situation, what underlies Trump’s strategy? And what position does this place Netanyahu in?In Serbia, on the other hand, a revolutionary crisis has erupted. From the student protests which emerged in response to the deaths of 16 people after the collapse of the concrete canopy at a major railway station, a powerful movement has developed which is now establishing Zborovi across the country: assemblies of students, and in some cases of workers too.These represent embryonic organs of popular power, as emerged on a higher level in the course of the Russian Revolution in the form of soviets. In embryo, as organs of power opposed to the capitalist government, they threaten the rule of not only Vučić, but the entire Serbian regime.To explain what attitudes communists should take to these dramatic events, Francesco Merli and Hamid Alizadeh from the International Secretariat of the Revolutionary Communist International met for another episode of Against the Stream, the weekly current affairs podcast of the RCI.____The Revolutionary Communist International is fighting capitalism in over 60 countries - join us! www.marxist.com/join____Articles mentioned:On the CPI, the CPIM and the war: no to Modi’s ‘national unity’!marxist.com/on-the-cpi-the-cpim-and-the-war-no-to-modi-s-national-unity.htmIndia and Pakistan enter another war: only class war can end all warsmarxist.com/india-and-pakistan-enter-another-war-only-class-war-can-end-all-wars.htmNeither India or Pakistan – for a Socialist Federation by Ted Grantmarxist.com/neither-india-or-pakistan-for-a-socialist-federation.htmRevolutionary crisis in Serbiamarxist.com/revolutionary-crisis-in-serbia.htm___0:00 Intro2:30 Trump-Netanyahu clash21:53 India-Pakistan war48:28 Revolutionary movement in Serbia
What is Marxism actually about? Revolutionary Communist International 2025-05-15 | Is communism against ‘human nature’? Would workers in charge inevitably be ‘corrupted by power’? Do communists ‘oppose free speech’? These are some of the bad-faith distortions of Marxism propagated by the likes of Jordan Peterson, Charlie Kirk and Elon Musk. But how do Marxists actually envision a communist society to take form?Watch Fred Weston, leading member of the Revolutionary Communist International, respond to typical straw-men arguements against communism here: youtu.be/CKY5gL5-YvY
Why are Labour voters moving to Reform UK? Revolutionary Communist International 2025-05-12 | Last week's byelections in the UK were an earthquake in British politics. For the first time since the rise of the Labour Party 100 years ago, the two-party system has been upended. Now, a new contender for power has decisively entered the race: Reform.Nigel Farage’s right-wing party has shot up in popularity, and is now polling level with – even above – what have been the two main parties for at least a century. What is behind this upset? Does it mean that British people are getting more racist, more right-wing?Full episode: youtube.com/watch?v=klbvgtNgLkw
What is behind the rise of Reform UK? | AGAINST THE STREAM Revolutionary Communist International 2025-05-08 | Last week's byelections in the UK were an earthquake in British politics. For the first time since the rise of the Labour Party 100 years ago, the two-party system has been upended. Now, a new contender for power has decisively entered the race: Reform.It has been less than a year since the last general election in Britain. Since then, the Labour party has collapsed in popularity as a result of Starmer’s repeated attacks on the poor – chiefly his savage cut to winter fuel payments for pensioners and disability benefits. The Tory party, meanwhile – the oldest and most successful political party in the world – has continued to sink into irrelevance.In the meantime, Nigel Farage’s right-wing party, Reform, has shot up in popularity, and is now polling level with – even above – what have been the two main parties for at least a century. What is behind this upset? Does it mean that British people are getting more racist, more right-wing? As this episode of Against the Stream explains, the resurgence of Farage is a product of the miserable state of broken Britain. For decades, the establishment parties have presided over austerity, privatisation and deindustrialisation. Boarded-up high streets, food banks, ambulance queues and pensioners freezing in their homes have become commonplace in Britain in 2025. As a result, anger is building against the politicians who have presided over this mess. For the time being, this anger is finding its outlet in the party of the only mainstream anti-establishment politician: Nigel Farage.And this is not just the case in Britain. Similar right-wing populist figures like Trump, Weidel of the AfD, and Le Pen are popping up all across the western world and are gaining steam as the liberal establishment becomes more and more reviled.To uncover what is behind the rise of Reform, Niklas Albin Svensson and Hamid Alizadeh from the International Secretariat of the Revolutionary Communist International met for another episode of Against the Stream, the weekly current affairs podcast of the RCI.This episode premiered on YouTube. Tune in every Thursday at 6pm GMT, or catch up on Spotify or Apple Music.Join us in building the Revolutionary Communist International! www.marxist.com/join
The case for theory: why communists should study philosophy | SPECTRE OF COMMUNISM Revolutionary Communist International 2025-05-06 | “Do I really need to read long theoretical books to be a communist?” This is a common question among class fighters today. In our final episode of the season, we make the case that, in order to change the world, it is first necessary to understand it. And for that, we need a philosophy!The American trade unionist Bill Haywood once said: “I’ve never read Marx's Capital, but I've got the marks of capital all over my body!” While it’s true that working people don’t need to pick up any books to understand through bitter experience the horrors of capitalism, is life experience enough?After all, if the experience of exploitation was sufficient to bring about revolutionary change, surely capitalism would’ve been brought down long ago?If we look at the bafflement of the liberals and cynicism of the reformists in the face of politics today, we see the consequences of failing to scratch the surface to the deeper truth of what is going on.Just as a surgeon would not attempt to operate through intuition and guesswork alone, if we are serious about ending capitalism, we first need to diagnose why it is in crisis and determine what we can replace it with.Marxist philosophy is the most powerful tool we have for this purpose. But Marxism is itself the culmination of millennia of philosophical development. It is no accident that Vladimir Lenin steeled himself, not only in Marx, but also the great German philosopher Hegel!Leading communist and host of the Against the Stream podcast, Hamid Alizadeh takes us on a whistle-stop tour of the history of thought, from Plato to Marx, to illustrate the advantages of developing a philosophical outlook, rather than relying on mere ‘common sense’.It was precisely the worked-out philosophical perspective of the leadership of the Bolshevik Party, Lenin and Trotsky in particular, that allowed them to understand the dynamics of history that gave rise to the Russian Revolution, and play a leading role in ensuring its victory. As Trotsky wrote:“It is historical experience that the greatest revolution in all history was not led by the party which started out with bombs but by the party which started out with dialectical materialism.”By the end of this video, we hope you will not only be convinced of the value of studying theory, but eagre to take it up!As Marx once said: “ignorance never yet helped anybody!”This is the final episode of Spectre of Communism season four. We will be back later in the year for a new season! Please like, share and subscribe, and let us know in the comments what you thought about this season, all feedback is appreciated!In the meantime, check out our sister show, Against the Stream, which provides rolling analysis of the world situation from a Marxist point of view every Thursday. See you soon!— Sources:Lenin Collected Works: Volume 38, (Philosophical Notebooks), marxists.org/archive/lenin/works/cw/volume38.htm Anti-Dühring, Friedrich Engels, marxist.com/classics-anti-duehring.htm Ludwig Feuerbach and the End of Classical German Philosophy, Friedrich Engels, marxist.com/classics-ludwig-feuerbach-and-the-end-of-classical-german-philosophy.htm ‘How Lenin studied Hegel’, Hamid Alizadeh, marxist.com/how-lenin-studied-hegel.htm ‘Lenin in a Year: In Defence of Materialism’, Alan Woods, marxist.com/materialism-and-and-empirio-criticism-introduction-by-alan-woods.htm‘In defence of theory — or ignorance never yet helped anybody’, Alan Woods, marxist.com/defence-theory-ignorance-never-helped.htm Karl Popper’s objections to Marxism (criticised in the episode), ‘Selection from Karl Popper’s Conjectures and Refutations’, sfu.ca/~swartz/popper.htm‘Marxism versus postmodernism’, Daniel Morley and Hamid Alizadeh, marxist.com/marxism-versus-postmodernism.htm‘Aristotle’s Metaphysics’, Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/aristotle-metaphysics/The Republic, Plato, https://classics.mit.edu/Plato/republic.html ‘An Open Letter to Comrade Burnham’, L. Trotsky, marxists.org/archive/trotsky/idom/dm/14-burnham.htm
The war in Ukraine: setting the record straight | AGAINST THE STREAM Revolutionary Communist International 2025-05-01 | Since Russian tanks rolled into Ukraine three years ago, a flood of lies has gushed forth from western governments and the billionaire press alike to obscure the real nature of this war.[Click here for a comprehensive reading list on the background to the Ukraine war: marxist.com/top-reads-on-the-ukraine-conflict-war-and-imperialism.htm]Painting it as a simple battle between good and evil, they have remained totally silent about the fact that behind Ukraine is the world's foremost imperialist power, which has led Ukraine to the slaughter in pursuit of its interests. Moreover, in their attempt to paint Zelensky as a beloved hero of democracy and Putin as a tyrant, they have concealed the real cause of the war, which did not begin in February 2022 but is the product of the aggressive thrust of western imperialism into Ukraine in the wake of the collapse of the USSR.Today, Ukraine is shattered. Tens of thousands of young Ukrainians have been massacred in the trenches. As people around the world begin to ask, ‘What was it all for?’, it is vital that communists can explain what lies behind the conflict.To explain who was really responsible for the destruction of Ukraine, Jorge Martín and Hamid Alizadeh from the International Secretariat of the Revolutionary Communist International met for another episode of Against the Stream, the weekly current affairs podcast of the RCI.This episode premiered on YouTube. Tune in every Thursday at 6pm GMT, or catch up on Spotify or Apple Music.__Join us in building the Revolutionary Communist International! www.marxist.com/join
No force on earth can stop an idea whose time has come! Revolutionary Communist International 2025-04-30 | Karl Marx was a German philosopher, economist and journalist, and above all a revolutionary. He continues to haunt the nightmares of the rich and powerful, just as he inspires workers, the poor and youth to struggle for a future without exploitation and oppression.The popular CrashCourse channel has attempted to explain Marx’s theories and their continued relevance, but we think we can do better…Full episode: youtube.com/watch?v=eNf-f3_Fxa0#marx #karlmarx #marxism #communism #lenin #trotsky #politics #newsupdate
How fascists came to power Revolutionary Communist International 2025-04-29 | Full episode: youtube.com/watch?v=t_TuWkVS8pUCapitalism has always treated f*scism as a reserve weapon in its back pocket. In times of intense class struggle, with revolution on the cards, it is an instrument of last resort that the ruling class can deploy to physically destroy the organisations of the working class, eradicate their democratic rights, and force them into subjugation. Looking at the history of M*ssolini and H*tler’s conquest of power, as Niklas explains, we find the primary responsibility lies with the politicians and wealthy industrialists who funded and abetted their movements as a ‘lesser evil’ to communism.
The history of fascism: lessons for today | SPECTRE OF COMMUNISM Revolutionary Communist International 2025-04-29 | LEGAL DISCLAIMER:This channel produces educational and analytical content focused on politics and history. We often examine topics — including fascism, genocides, and extremist political movements — strictly for the purposes of historical analysis, critique, and education.We want to state clearly that we do not promote, endorse, or glorify violence or extremism. On the contrary, these videos are intended to expose, condemn, and challenge such ideas, while promoting understanding of their dangers and the importance of combating them.Our goal is to provide viewers with critical insight and context, to encourage informed discussion, and to advance scientific, socialist perspectives.______What is fascism and is it a threat today? In this episode of the Spectre of Communism podcast, we discuss the history of fascism’s rise to power in the 1930s, to learn the lessons for our movement.Our guest, Niklas Albin Svensson, is a leading member of the Revolutionary Communist International and the editor of a brand new collection of articles by Leon Trotsky and Ted Grant: ‘Democracy, Bonapartism and Fascism: Class Struggle in the 1930s’. The book is available to pre-order from Wellred Books here: wellred-books.com/democracy-bonapartism-fascism The media is full of blood-curdling comparisons between the political situation today and the 1930s, equating current politicians with the likes of Adolph Hitler. But whatever one thinks of Donald Trump, there is a clear difference between America in 2025 and Germany in 1933! The main purpose of such comparisons, Niklas argues, is to prettify ’normal’ capitalist politicians and democracy under the likes of Joe Biden and Keir Starmer, who have carried out vicious attacks on working people and facilitated genocidal imperialist policies abroad. We must not be diverted by this scaremongering. Communists must have a sober view and a scientific understanding of what fascism is and what it is not, because this guides the way we act.Capitalism has always treated fascism as a reserve weapon in its back pocket. In times of intense class struggle, with revolution on the cards, it is an instrument of last resort that the ruling class can deploy to physically destroy the organisations of the working class, eradicate their democratic rights, and force them into subjugation. Looking at the history of Mussolini and Hitler’s conquest of power, as Niklas explains, we find the primary responsibility lies with the politicians and wealthy industrialists who funded and abetted their movements as a ‘lesser evil’ to communism (as stated bluntly by no less than Winston Churchill).But the errors and crimes of the leaders of the workers’ movement are also a factor. The Social Democrats found themselves constantly propping up the ‘lesser evil’, ultimately paving the road for the greatest possible evil. Meanwhile, the Communist leaders pursued sectarian policies that equated the Social Democrats with the fascists, preventing a united struggle against a common enemy.While fascism is not in power or on the brink of power anytime soon, fascist groups do exist and pose a serious threat to workers and oppressed communities at a local level. They must be met with the overwhelming strength of the organised working class and driven off, wherever they raise their heads.The tragedies of the 1930s are an object lesson in the lengths capitalism will go to preserve its rule, and in the dangers of dividing and confusing the working class at the pivotal moment. These are harrowing but invaluable insights for class fighters today. Ultimately, the only way to guarantee the nightmares of the past are never repeated is to bring down capitalism and create a socialist alternative, before it is too late.
The rise of China and the end of the American century | AGAINST THE STREAM Revolutionary Communist International 2025-04-24 | For the last century, the USA has been the undisputed master of the capitalist world. Now, all that is changing. Today, America is in decline and facing a new contender: China.Over the last 30 years, China has exploded from an underdeveloped country, exploited by western capitalists for its cheap labour, to a cutting-edge capitalist power in its own right. Today, it accounts for 18 percent of the world's GDP and 29 percent of the world’s manufacturing, and leads the world in some of the most advanced technologies.As a result of this stormy development, which has made China the second most powerful country in the world, it has been able to stand firm in the face of Trump’s tariff war, whereas all other countries have meekly submitted. But no matter the balance of forces, such a conflict between the world’s biggest markets cannot fail to have devastating consequences for the whole world economy. This trade war between the US and China – along with the negotiations over the fate of Ukraine, which are also discussed in this episode – show that we have entered a new epoch, one of economic crisis, heightened conflict between competing powers and, in consequence, class struggle. To explain where these developments are leading the world, Jorge Martín and Hamid Alizadeh from the International Secretariat of the Revolutionary Communist International met for another episode of Against the Stream, the weekly current affairs podcast of the RCI.This episode premiered on YouTube. Tune in every Thursday at 6pm GMT, or catch up on Spotify or Apple Music.Apple Music – podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/against-the-stream/id1777793987Spotify – open.spotify.com/show/68nGNHz5lB8UZXICGIDMva?si=22c0d293fd814b63Join us in building the Revolutionary Communist International! www.marxist.com/join____Articles mentioned:US-China trade war: who holds the cards?marxist.com/us-china-trade-war-who-holds-the-cards.htmWhy America’s economy is soaring ahead of its rivalsft.com/content/1201f834-6407-4bb5-ac9d-18496ec2948b____0:00 Intro1:42 Ukraine16:19 Tariffs: US vs. China
1945: Liberation, Revolution & Betrayal Revolutionary Communist International 2025-04-23 | With the 80th anniversary of V-E day in May, the latest issue of In Defence of Marxism is themed on the revolutionary wave that swept Europe towards the end of the Second World War.It takes up questions such as “how was fascism really defeated?”, “could the working class have taken power?”, and “how was capitalism saved in countries such as Italy and France?”.Get your copy now!marxist.com/magazine.htm
Winston Churchill: Anti-semite and Mussolini admirer Revolutionary Communist International 2025-04-22 | In the West, we are led to believe that Churchill and Roosevelt single-handedly led the Allies in a struggle for democracy against the fascist totalitarianism of Nazi Germany. But what’s the real story of WWII, the one they don’t teach you at school?Full episode: youtu.be/u1vobbAMUzM The latest issue of In Defense of Marxism is all about the revolutionary upswing that followed WWII, and why the communists failed to take power in Europe – get your copy now at www.marxist.com/magazine ☭#wwii #churchill #worldwartwo #communism #marxism
The TRUTH about World War 2: Marxist historian sets the record straight | SPECTRE OF COMMUNISM Revolutionary Communist International 2025-04-22 | The Second World War is one of the most-mythologised events in history. In the West, we are led to believe that Winston Churchill and Roosevelt single-handedly led the Allies in a struggle for democracy against the fascist totalitarianism of Nazi Germany. But what’s the real story of WWII: the one they don’t teach you at school or on the History Channel?We welcome Marxist theorist, revolutionary and historian Alan Woods onto the Spectre of Communism to talk about the war, which in the last analysis came down to single combat between Nazi Germany, with all the productive forces of Europe behind it, and the might of the USSR and its planned economy. Thankfully for all of humanity, the latter emerged victorious. The fact that Soviet Russia was chiefly responsible for Hitler’s defeat is often buried in the ‘official’ histories. So too is the fact that the European imperialists (Churchill and the British ruling especially) not only allowed Hitler to run roughshod over Europe for years (indeed, many of the British elite were sympathetic with fascism), but hoped for the collapse of the USSR, whose ‘communism’ they feared more the Nazis.Alan dispels all the lies and historical mythology surrounding WWII, and explains why even today it is invoked by the bloated, half-blind imperialist politicians to puff themselves up on past glories, even as they blunder from one disaster to another on the world stage.—The latest issue of the In Defence of Marxism theoretical magazine is out now, and is focused on the Second World War. Alongside articles about the betrayed revolutionary struggles in Italy and the France; an analysis from Marxist theorist Ted Grant in 1945 about the changed balance of world relations; and an investigation into postwar Italian neorealist cinema, the issue opens with an editorial by Alan Woods which offers some more detail about the topic of this podcast episode.Buy your copy of IDoM issue 49: ‘1945: Liberation, Revolution and Betrayal’ HERE: marxist.com/magazine.htm Read Alan’s editorial online here: marxist.com/the-second-world-war-setting-the-record-straight.htm Sources:‘D-Day and the truth about the Second World War’, Alan Woods, marxist.com/wwii-anniversary-one210704.htm ‘Ted Grant Writings: Volume One’, marxist.com/ted-grant-writings.htm ‘Ted Grant Writings: Volume Two’, marxist.com/ted-grant-writings-world-war-two.htm ‘The Battle of Stalingrad – How the Soviet Union defeated the Nazis’, Alan Woods, marxist.com/seventy-years-since-the-battle-of-stalingrad-how-the-soviet-union-defeated-the-nazis.htm ‘Hitler's war on the Soviet Union and how Stalin prepared the way for it’, Andrew Wagner, marxist.com/operation-barbarossa-stalin-s-bloody-catastrophe.htm ‘History of British Trotskyism’, Ted Grant, marxist.com/history-british-trotskyism-ted-grant.htm ‘The Treaty of Versailles - the Peace to end all Peace’, Alan Woods, marxist.com/treaty-of-versailles-to-end-all-peace.htm
Marxist explains why no oppressed minority can be liberated under capitalism Revolutionary Communist International 2025-04-16 | Marx is often alleged to not have understood or recognized any other forms of oppression except the oppression of the working class. But is that really true?Full episode: youtube.com/watch?v=eNf-f3_Fxa0 🎙️☭______marxism feminism women's oppression federici butler queer theory intersectionality what marx really stood for karl marx on misogony racism homophobia
Communists analyse the trade war: The bosses will force the workers to pay | AGAINST THE STREAM Revolutionary Communist International 2025-04-10 | Articles mentioned:“I’ve seen many phoney trade wars come and go. This is the real thing”theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/apr/09/trade-war-donald-trump-us-china“‘The Tsunami Is Coming’: China’s Global Exports Are Just Getting Started”nytimes.com/2025/04/07/business/china-manufacturing-exports-trump-tariffs.html“On the Question of Free Trade”marxists.org/archive/marx/works/1888/free-trade/index.htm“Trump’s tariff programme deepens protectionist tendencies in world economy”marxist.com/trump-s-tariff-programme-deepens-protectionist-tendencies-in-world-economy.htm______Last week, Trump’s tariffs delivered a shattering blow to the world economy, sending stock markets around the world into precipitous collapse. This week, he U-turned and paused the tariffs, with the exception of those on China, which now stand at 125 percent. What does this chaos mean for the world economy?The reversal of the tariffs has provoked a sigh of relief from the capitalist class. But it is not over yet. With the two biggest economic forces on the planet – America and China – going head to head, the globalised world economy is going to be ripped apart. This will only bring closer and intensify the devastating recession that is looming over the capitalist system. For the working class of the world, this will be a catastrophe. They will be forced to pay the price, while the capitalist politicians will do everything they can to bail out the bankers and billionaires that got us into that mess. Unemployment and brutal cuts to living standards are coming. Already, in their dash to remilitarise, governments around the world are implementing brutal austerity programmes. The ripping apart of the world economy will only intensify matters and force capitalist governments to cut even deeper.But, as we have already seen with the revolutions and mass movements in Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Serbia, Greece and elsewhere, the working class will not take this lying down. The capitalist disaster is preparing a social explosion. Such chaos will force the working class to wake up to the fact that a dignified existence is incompatible with the continued rule of capitalism.To explain how the anarchy of the market can be overthrown, Niklas Albin Svensson and Hamid Alizadeh from the International Secretariat of the Revolutionary Communist International met for another episode of Against the Stream, the weekly current affairs podcast of the RCI.This episode premiered on YouTube. Tune in every Thursday at 6pm GMT, or catch up on Spotify or Apple Music.
The truth about Mao and the Chinese Revolution | SPECTRE OF COMMUNISM Revolutionary Communist International 2025-04-08 | The Chinese Revolution is condemned as a bloody tragedy by bourgeois historians. But if it was all simply a disaster, then how do we explain China going from a backward colonial holding to the second world power today? In this episode, we deal with the truth about the Chinese Revolution of 1949.We welcome Daniel Morley from the Executive Committee of the Revolutionary Communist Party in Britain to talk about the history of the Chinese Revolution and Mao Zedong’s rise to power.He explains that the victory of Mao’s peasant army was based on the rottenness of the capitalist regime of Chiang Kai-shek, which looted China’s wealth, starved its masses, and utterly failed to defend it from Japanese invasion, instead obsessively hunting the communists.While Mao and the Red Army eventually soared to power on a wave of revolution that swept the country after WW2, it was not their intention to expropriate capitalism. But were compelled to do so given the utter bankruptcy of Chinese capitalism.On the basis of the planned economy, there were huge advances for the Chinese people in terms of living conditions; the rights of women, workers and peasants; and the modernisation of the country.However, the peculiar nature of the Chinese Revolution, which was not led by a workers’ party but a peasant army, meant the regime that was established (in the image of Stalinist Russia) did not base itself on workers’ democracy, but rather military-style commandism.This created many problems for China (including severe famine) that were not the result of communism, but rather the failure to establish the democratic planning necessary for real socialism and communism. This in turn laid the basis for the eventual restoration of capitalism.Despite this, we genuine Marxists defend the legacy of the Chinese Revolution, which liberated hundreds of millions from the yoke of imperialist domination and ushered China into the modern world. The tasks of the revolution today remain incomplete!---Listen on Spotify, Apple and anywhere else you get your podcasts here: https://linktr.ee/specomSources:‘Stalinist land programme wins peasants: Chiang’s conscripts roped to prevent escape’, Ted Grant, marxists.org/archive/grant/1949/01/china.htm‘The Chinese Communist Party 1927-37 – The development of Maoism’, Daniel Morley, marxist.com/chinese-comminist-party-1927-37-part-1.htm‘The Chinese Communist Party 1937-49 – The Unfolding of Historical Necessity: China’s Great Revolution’, Daniel Morley, marxist.com/the-chinese-communist-party-1937-49-the-unfolding-of-historical-necessity-chinas-great-revolution-part-one.htm‘Peasant War in China and the Proletariat’, Leon Trotsky, marxists.org/archive/trotsky/1932/09/china.htm‘On Contradiction’, Mao Tse-tung, marxists.org/reference/archive/mao/selected-works/volume-1/mswv1_17.htm‘Is China Communist?’, Spectre of Communism, marxist.com/audio-and-video/podcast-is-china-communist‘The Legacy of Mao Zedong is Mass Murder’, Lee Edwards, heritage.org/china/commentary/the-legacy-mao-zedong-mass-murder (criticised in video)
The case of Marine Le Pen: how the ‘democrats’ are destroying democracy Revolutionary Communist International 2025-04-04 | Full episode: youtube.com/watch?v=E5ClAISMc2cFull analysis on the case of Le Pen: marxist.com/the-case-of-marine-le-pen-how-the-democrats-are-destroying-democracy.htm______Although the liberal establishment wax lyrical about the virtues of ‘democracy’, they have shown themselves time and again to be perfectly willing to give up on these treasured principles if it suits them. In the US, Romania and now also in France, maverick candidates outside of the traditional political elite have been targeted by legal campaigns and accusations of corruption. While we do not agree with Le Pen, communists have a duty to call out the rank hypocrisy of the liberals that accuse her and similar figures of threatening democracy.______Keyword: marine le pen legal case rassemblement national rally communism marxism marxist analysis
Trumps tariff war, France bans Le Pen and the PKK lays down arms | AGAINST THE STREAM Revolutionary Communist International 2025-04-03 | Alan Woods on the Le Pen case: marxist.com/the-case-of-marine-le-pen-how-the-democrats-are-destroying-democracy.htmFrench section of the RCI (Parti Communiste Révolutionnaire) on the Le Pen case: marxist.com/france-on-the-sentencing-of-marine-le-pen.htm____Donald Trump’s sweeping tariff announcements have set the cat amongst the pigeons in the world market. In France, the hypocritical establishment is celebrating the sentencing of right-wing demagogue Marine Le Pen in court on flimsy charges. Meanwhile in the Middle East, the leader of the PKK has called on its Kurdish guerilla fighters to lay down their arms.Globalisation is now rapidly unravelling, with tariffs threatening to dramatically tear up supply chains internationally. But any attempt by the US or other powers to export the burden of their crisis-ridden economies through protectionism will do nothing to solve the fundamental bankruptcy of the capitalist system.Meanwhile, although the liberal establishment wax lyrical about the virtues of ‘democracy’, they have shown themselves time and again to be perfectly willing to give up on these treasured principles if it suits them. In the US, Romania and now also in France, maverick candidates outside of the traditional political elite have been targeted by legal campaigns and accusations of corruption. While we do not agree with Le Pen, communists have a duty to call out the rank hypocrisy of the liberals that accuse her and similar figures of threatening democracy.For some time, the struggle for Kurdish self-determination has inspired many on the left internationally. The PKK, the main military and political force among Kurds, however, has now been called upon by its leadership to lay down their arms. This is an utter capitulation on the part of the PKK leaders and represents a policy of capitulation to capitalism and imperialism, rather than the struggle against them.The greatest tools in a communist’s arsenal are our ideas. Without these it is too easy to get caught up in the constant whirlwind of events facing us in the world today. To untangle some of this week’s biggest news stories, and get to the essence of these events, Fred Weston and Hamid Alizadeh from the International Secretariat of the Revolutionary Communist International met for another episode of Against the Stream, the weekly current affairs podcast of the RCI.This episode premiered on YouTube. Tune in every Thursday at 6pm GMT, or catch up on Spotify or Apple Music.____0:00 Intro1:50 Trump’s tariff war44:36 France bans Le Pen1:13:19 The PKK lays down arms
Communist replies to MORE right-wing lies | SPECTRE OF COMMUNISM Revolutionary Communist International 2025-04-01 | Is communism against ‘human nature’? Would workers in charge inevitably be ‘corrupted by power’? Do communists ‘oppose free speech’? Watch a leading communist answer some more typical right-wing talking points!A couple of weeks ago, Fred Weston (a member of the International Secretariat for the Revolutionary Communist International) was on the show replying to slanders about communism from Ben Shapiro, Jordan Peterson, Elon Musk and Alice Weidel. But there are plenty more lies to deal with!Watch Fred face off against Charlie Kirk, Jordan Peterson (again), Peter Hitchens and Donald Trump, defending communists’ ideas and programme from common right-wing lies.00:02:13 Charlie Kirk: 'Communism is against human nature'00:25:34 Jordan Peterson: 'Power would corrupt the working class'00:52:45 Peter Hitchens and Donald Trump: 'Communism denies free speech'---Listen on Spotify, Apple and anywhere else you get your podcasts here: https://linktr.ee/specomSources:Previous video: 'Communist replies to right-wing LIES', Spectre of Communism, youtube.com/watch?v=qOQqVXzgt2g‘The Psychological Benefits of Volunteering’, Mindstate Psychology, https://www.mindstatepsychology.com.au/blog/the-psychological-benefits-of-volunteering ’New paper reveals impact of first lockdowns on depression and anxiety diagnosis’, University of Bath, bath.ac.uk/announcements/new-paper-reveals-impact-of-first-lockdown-on-depression-and-anxiety-diagnosis ‘Prehistory: The Making of the Human Mind’ (2007), Colin Renfrew ‘The Evolution of Culture: The Development of Civilisation to the Fall of Rome’ (1959), Leslie White‘The State and Revolution’, V.I. Lenin, marxist.com/the-state-and-revolution.htm ‘We produce enough food to feed 1.5 (times) the global population’, Thin Ink, news.thin-ink.net/p/we-produce-enough-food-to-feed-15 ‘Statistics on unemployment and labour underutilisation’, International Labour Organisation, ilostat.ilo.org/topics/unemployment-and-labour-underutilization ‘The 6 Companies That Own (Almost) All Media’, webfx.com/blog/internet/the-6-companies-that-own-almost-all-media-infographic 'British state arrests pro-Palestine communist – We won’t back down!', The Communist, https://communist.red/british-state-arrests-pro-palestine-communist-we-wont-back-down/'Free Mahmoud Khalil! Only class struggle can ensure freedom of speech!', Martín las Hoces, marxist.com/free-mahmoud-khalil-only-class-struggle-can-ensure-freedom-of-speech.htm‘Woodrow Wilson and the Decision to Intervene in Russia: A Reconsideration’, Eugene P. Train, jstor.org/stable/1878747 Max Hayward quoted in ‘Communists say: capitalism is incompatible with free speech!’, Joe Attard, marxist.com/communists-say-capitalism-is-incompatible-with-free-speech.htm ‘Bolshevik decriminalisation of homosexuality – intentional or oversight?’, Fred Weston, marxist.com/bolshevik-decriminalisation-of-homosexuality-intentional-or-oversight.htm
The Ukraine war: an internationalist class position Revolutionary Communist International 2025-03-28 | Full episode: youtube.com/watch?v=ljKETosTl9sRCI statement on the Ukrainian war: marxist.com/the-ukrainian-war-an-internationalist-class-position-imt-statement.htm#ukraine #ukrainewar #russia #zelensky #putin
Genocide resumes in Gaza, Europe pushes for continuation of Ukraine slaughter | AGAINST THE STREAM Revolutionary Communist International 2025-03-27 | Articles mentioned:meduza.io/feature/2025/03/17/otsyuda-vyhod-odin-trista-ili-dvestimiddleeasteye.net/news/israel-resumes-gaza-bombing-one-most-terrifying-nights-wartelegraph.co.uk/politics/2025/03/23/starmer-ukraine-peacekeeping-plan-political-theatremarxist.com/netanyahu-resumes-genocide-to-cling-to-power-2.htm______In Gaza, Netanyahu has restarted the genocide. Already, hundreds have been killed by bombs, while thousands more are at risk of starvation. In Ukraine, which has essentially lost the war to Russia, youths are still being kidnapped and conscripted into the army to die in trenches. This is what capitalism has to offer in the 21st century.Wars, genocides, and famines have accompanied capitalism since its birth. In fact, they are built into the very fabric of the system, which depends upon endless exploitation and plunder.The capitalist class in the West is particularly responsible for these graveyards. From the beginning, they have fueled the war in Ukraine at the cost of tens of thousands of Ukrainian lives. Meanwhile, they have stood by Netanyahu through thick and thin, arming him with billions of dollars worth of bombs with which to carry out the ethnic cleansing of the Palestinians.Our job as communists is not to weep but to understand in order to change it. To explain how we can bring this horror to an end, Jorge Martín and Hamid Alizadeh from the International Secretariat of the Revolutionary Communist International met for another episode of Against the Stream, the weekly current affairs podcast of the RCI.This episode premiered on YouTube. Tune in every Thursday at 6pm GMT, or catch up on Spotify or Apple Music.__0:00 Intro1:38 Gaza: The genocide resumes26:15 Gaza: What Hamas represents29:22 Ukraine: Russia and US ceasefire negotiations34:27 Ukraine: How Trump differs from the liberal establishment39:10 Ukraine: EU scrambling to continue war53:02 Ukraine: Stories from the frontlines1:20:05 Ukraine: Explaining the RCI's position on the war1:29:24 War abroad means austerity at home1:37:35 The working class has begun to move
Stalinism on trial | SPECTRE OF COMMUNISM Revolutionary Communist International 2025-03-25 | Who was Joseph Stalin and what is the legacy of his leadership? In this episode of the Spectre of Communism, we weigh the evidence, based on historical fact and the principles of Marxist theory, to give Stalinism a fair trial.The USSR achieved great things, thanks to the superiority of the planned economy. It defeated the Nazis, expropriated capitalism on a sixth of the earth’s surface and built a superpower in just a few decades. Genuine Marxists celebrate all of these accomplishments.However, we must also acknowledge that there were many mistakes, and many crimes. A line of blood separates Stalinism, by which we mean the bureaucratic counterrevolutionary dictatorship at the head of the workers’ state, from the real principles of Bolshevism and Marxism.Virtually the entire leadership of Lenin’s party that won power for the Russian workers and peasants in 1917 were killed in the frame ups of the 1930s, along with countless others. Meanwhile, the leaders of the USSR actively wrecked revolutionary struggles abroad and sought alliances with imperialism to secure their positions.How do we explain this? Jorge Martin, leading member of the Revolutionary Communist International, makes the case that Stalin and the clique around him were not guided by Marxist theory, but by the narrow interests of defending their privileges and positions. Their outlook was one of empiricism and cynical ‘pragmatism’, which was entirely contrary to the way Lenin built the Bolshevik Party.But in the end, we are only presenting the evidence: you can be the jury! Let us know what you think in the comments. Is Stalinism ‘guilty’ of betraying the world revolution?---Listen on Spotify, Apple and anywhere else you get your podcasts here: https://linktr.ee/specomSources:‘Revolution Betrayed’, Leon Trotsky marxist.com/classics-the-revolution-betrayed.htm‘Stalinism and Bolshevism’, Leon Trotsky marxist.com/stalinism-bolshevism-trotsky.htm‘Marxism and the National Question’, Joseph Stalin marxists.org/reference/archive/stalin/works/1913/03a.htm‘The April Theses (The Tasks of the Proletariat in the Present Revolution)’, V.I. Lenin marxist.com/the-april-theses-the-tasks-of-the-proletariat-in-the-present-revolution.htm‘Is Socialism in One Country Possible? A reply to the YCL’, Spectre of Communism youtube.com/watch?v=sdIM6mnoBrM‘What is the Permanent Revolution?’, Spectre of Communism youtube.com/watch?v=Z44RMQMJlRQ‘How the Spanish Revolution was betrayed’, Spectre of Communism, marxist.com/podcast-how-the-spanish-revolution-was-betrayed.htm ‘Lenin and Trotsky: What They Really Stood For’, Alan Woods and Ted Grant, marxist.com/lenin-trotsky-stalinism-johnstone.htm‘Once Again: The USSR and its Defence’, Leon Trotsky, marxists.org/archive/trotsky/1937/11/ussr.htm‘Stalin’s responsibility in the creation of Israel and its disastrous consequences’, Fred Weston, marxist.com/stalin-and-the-founding-of-israel.htm
Were Lenin and Stalin the same? Revolutionary Communist International 2025-03-24 | Full episode: youtube.com/watch?v=qOQqVXzgt2gIn Defense of Lenin: wellred-books.com/in-defence-of-lenin
Marxist theorist analyses Trumpism Revolutionary Communist International 2025-03-21 | Full episode: youtube.com/watch?v=WnVumHZM0uITrump’s dramatic return to the White House has thrown the liberals into complete panic and confusion. They have been accusing Trump of being responsible for every ill in the world, and have flung whatever insults they can at him: from semi-fascist, to fascist, to neo-fascist.Shamefully, the perennially alarmed so-called 'Lefts' are dragging like a tail behind the liberals, spreading the same confusion and falling into the old trap of 'lesser evilism'. Against this alarmism, which really serves to justify the capitalist status quo, an understanding of the real nature of Trumpism is of paramount importance for revolutionaries so that they don’t get caught in the same camp as Genocide Joe and the rest of the hated US establishment.Read 'The meaning of Donald Trump: a Marxist analysis' by Alan Woods now: marxist.com/the-meaning-of-donald-trump-a-marxist-analysis.htm 🔎☭#trump #trumpism
