The slew of scandals emanating from Buckingham Palace - most recently the sexual abuse allegations levelled against Prince Andrew - are eating away at the public's opinion of the Monarchy. In this talk, Andy Southwark discusses the real role of the Monarchy as an important reserve power of the ruling class, maintained as a counter-revolutionary weapon to be deployed in the fight against socialism. Get involved with Socialist Appeal today: https://linktr.ee/socialistappeal
Feb 03, 2022•42 min
One of capitalism's oldest myths is that of the efficiency of the so-called 'free-market' and its superiority to a socialist planned economy. Defending economic planning, this talk responds to the libertarian ideas of the Austrian School of economics, whose 'theories' amount to vitriolic support of the unrestricted rule of capital at the expense of the needs of society. Want to learn more? Adam's article on Marxism vs libertarianism is available in the latest issue of In Defence of Marxism, the ...
Jan 27, 2022•49 min
In this talk, Rob Sewell discusses the life and ideas of Lenin, and how we can follow in his footsteps. Lenin's understanding of the Marxist method allowed him to navigate the twists and turns on the road to revolution. Anyone seriously committed to fighting for socialism must learn from his life and ideas. Read more about Lenin's formative years in the article 'The Young Lenin' in the latest issue of In Defence of Marxism, available from https://www.socialist.net/subscribe Get involved with Soc...
Jan 21, 2022•49 min
On the 103rd anniversary of the death of the revolutionary martyr, Rosa Luxemburg, Marie Frederiksen, author of The Revolutionary Legacy of Rosa Luxemburg, dispels some of the most common myths surrounding her life and ideas. In particular, she takes apart the idea that Luxemburg developed some particular theory about how “spontaneity” is somehow superior to organised revolutionary action; and the idea that she was opposed to the Russian Revolution and Bolshevism. Purchase your copy of The Revol...
Jan 19, 2022•40 min
Lights! Camera! Revolution! In this podcast, Steve Jones provides a Marxist analysis of cinema, investigating what it can reveal about society, and how it can be used as a propaganda tool - both for and against the establishment. Get involved with Socialist Appeal today: https://linktr.ee/socialistappeal Check out our 'Films to watch in quarantine' series for more politically-oriented film recommendations: https://www.socialist.net/films-to-watch-in-quarantine-a-marxist-guide-part-one.htm
Dec 29, 2021•38 min
In this podcast, Niklas discusses why the USSR collapsed and how this led to the Putin regime today. Far from signalling the victory of bourgeois democracy and the 'end of history', the restoration of capitalism in Russia triggered one of the biggest economic and social crises in world history. Get involved with Socialist Appeal today: https://linktr.ee/socialistappeal Read more on this subject in Niklas' article for In Defence of Marxism: https://www.marxist.com/the-collapse-of-the-soviet-union...
Dec 26, 2021•50 min
In this podcast, Shaun Morris from the editorial board of Revolution Scotland discusses the future of the Union. The rise in support for Scottish Independence has the ruling class wringing their hands with worry. The breakaway of Scotland threatens to reduce the UK into a diminished Little England, and would intensify the class struggle in both nations. Get involved with Socialist Appeal today: https://linktr.ee/socialistappeal Get involved with Revolution Scotland, supporters of the IMT in Scot...
Dec 16, 2021•33 min
In this podcast, Laurie O'Connel combats the idea that class society is eternal, by exploring its origins, it's development, and how we can change it. By understanding the birth of class society and the nature of its institutions, we can discover the means by which we can overthrow them. Get involved with Socialist Appeal today: https://www.linktr.ee/socialistappeal Read more about the origins of class society in the latest issue of the In Defence of Marxism theoretical journal: https://www.soci...
Dec 10, 2021•50 min
In this podcast from last week's Marxist Student Federation rally, speakers from the UCU, NEU and the MSF outline the crisis facing the education sector, how we got here, and what we can do to support the UCU strike and put an end to marketisation altogether. Read more in our article 'UCU strikes - All out for victory!': https://www.socialist.net/ucu-strikes-all-out-for-victory.htm Get involved in Socialist Appeal today: https://linktr.ee/socialistappeal #UCUStrikes #OneOfUsAllOfUs #UCU
Dec 07, 2021•34 min
The global economy has been down and up like a yo-yo over the past 18 months, with production stuttering in the face of the coronavirus crisis. In this podcast, James Kilby explores why capitalism repeatedly goes into crisis. Get involved with Socialist Appeal today: https://linktr.ee/socialistappeal
Dec 02, 2021•36 min
The Cuban Revolution was one of the most inspiring events in history, creating the first workers' state in the Western hemisphere. In this talk, Keelan Kellegher discusses the struggle for socialism in Cuba and where it must go from here, to spread the revolution and free itself from isolation. Get involved in Socialist Appeal today: https://www.linktr.ee/socialistappeal
Nov 24, 2021•43 min
Extreme inequality is the defining feature of Chinese society, now officially more unequal than even the USA. In this podcast, Daniel Morley discusses the future of China under capitalism, and what the crisis of Chinese capitalism means for the world economy. Get involved with Socialist Appeal today: https://linktr.ee/SocialistAppeal
Nov 18, 2021•43 min
In this podcast, Rob Sewell discusses the explosive events taking place in Britain – explaining what lies in store for the labour movement, and why we must build the forces of Marxism in order to play a leading role in these titanic battles. Get involved with Socialist Appeal today: https://linktr.ee/socialistappeal
Nov 10, 2021•49 min
Far from saving us, capitalism is killing the planet. We need a revolution. In this talk, Joe Russell discusses the climate crisis, the so-called ‘solutions’ of the ruling class, and explain why none of these can offer a way forward. Get involved with Socialist Appeal today: https://linktr.ee/socialistappeal
Nov 03, 2021•46 min
In this narrated article - published in issue 34 of In Defence of Marxism, the quarterly theoretical journal of the International Marxist Tendency - Florian Keller explains how the events surrounding the Bavarian Soviet Republic represent one of the most inspiring episodes in the German Revolution of 1918-1923. In November 1918, Germany exploded into revolution. In the Spring of 1919, the working class succeeded in seizing power and declaring a Bavarian Soviet Republic. In its short, heroic life...
Oct 14, 2021•1 hr 3 min
Watch Alan Woods' introduction to 'History of Philosophy: a Marxist Perspective' - an important new work published by Wellred Books. The text outlines how the best philosophical ideas of the past have laid the basis for the development of dialectical materialism, the philosophy of Marxism: the only set of ideas capable of explaining the real situation in society, and offering a roadmap towards a better world. Our philosophy is not simply a matter of academic interest. It is a guiding light in po...
Oct 06, 2021•53 min
In July of this year, Socialist Appeal was proscribed by the Labour Party NEC. This move is part and parcel of Starmer and the Labour right’s war against the left wing of the party which has been waged ever since he became leader. This decision to expel our supporters from the Labour Party is not a new idea. It is part of a long history by the right wing to eradicate Marxism and its influence from the party. Behind their attacks on us and the left of the party lie the establishment and the rulin...
Sep 28, 2021•36 min
Is there such a thing as good and evil? Who decides, and why? Why is there so much suffering and cruelty in our society, and how can we end this? Daniel Morley will discuss all of these questions in the final episode of the series. Want to learn more about philosophy? Pre-order your copy of Alan Woods' upcoming book 'History of Philosophy: A Marxist Perspective' today: https://www.marxist.com/hop Get involved with Socialist Appeal today! Join - https://www.socialist.net/join Donate - https://ww...
Sep 01, 2021•24 min
What is causation? Is the universe determined and predictable? And where does that leave humanity, with its notions of free will and moral responsibility? And how does this affect our role as revolutionaries? Want to learn more about philosophy? Pre-order your copy of Alan Woods' upcoming book 'History of Philosophy: A Marxist Perspective' today: https://www.marxist.com/hop Get involved with Socialist Appeal today! Join - https://www.socialist.net/join Donate - https://www.socialist.net/donate...
Aug 25, 2021•25 min
Thought is inherently about generalisation and universals. It takes us beyond the immediacy of the here and now, and links things. This contradiction - between part and whole, individual and type - is at the heart of philosophy’s deepest problems. The need to grasp reality as a complex whole, instead of as atomised, self-contained parts, is likewise one of the deepest problems for science. Want to learn more about philosophy? Pre-order your copy of Alan Woods' upcoming book 'History of Philosoph...
Aug 18, 2021•24 min
If we want to understand how things change, we must understand things as self-moving, rather than seeing all change as a result of external forces. But how does matter move itself? How and why does development take place in nature? Daniel Morley will answer all of these questions in this week's episode of the ABCs of Marxist philosophy. Want to learn more about philosophy? Pre-order your copy of Alan Woods' upcoming book 'History of Philosophy: A Marxist Perspective' today: https://www.marxist.c...
Aug 11, 2021•26 min
Jorge Martin, editor for In Defence of Marxism, appeared on Rupture Radio talking about the Cuban Revolution, the recent protests that have broken out in the country, the imperialist blockade, and the tasks facing revolutionaries. You can listen to the entire thought-provoking discussion here. This is a reposted episode from the Rupture Radio podcast in Ireland. (https://anchor.fm/ruptureradio). Both the Rupture Radio podcast and Rupture Magazine (https://rupture.ie) are produced by members of R...
Aug 06, 2021•59 min
Marxist logic is dialectical, not formal. That means its starting point is change and contradiction - all truths become untruths because all that exists will perish. But how do we use logic to understand change? How do things change? Want to learn more about philosophy? Pre-order your copy of Alan Woods' upcoming book 'History of Philosophy: A Marxist Perspective' today: https://www.marxist.com/hop Get involved with Socialist Appeal today! Join - https://www.socialist.net/join Donate - https://...
Aug 04, 2021•22 min
Logic is usually seen as a dry, boring discipline suitable only for pedants. This is because it is traditionally seen as having no relation to the real world of objects, and is instead a self-contained system of rules for thought. Marxism completely rejects this formalism and seeks to find the basis for our logic in this real world. Subscribe to the newly re-launched In Defence of Marxism theoretical magazine to learn more about the revolutionary ideas of Marxism: https://www.socialist.net/subsc...
Jul 28, 2021•27 min
Join Rob Sewell and Adam Booth to discuss the Labour right's plan to kick Socialist Appeal supporters out of the Labour party, and why the left must organise to fight back against this direct political attack. #FightThePurge Get involved with Socialist Appeal today! Join - https://www.socialist.net/join Donate - https://www.socialist.net/donate Subscribe - https://www.socialist.net/subscribe Follow us on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and Soundcloud: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/SocialistAppe...
Jul 21, 2021•47 min
Are humans greedy or selfish? Do we have a soul or an essence? Is there a way that we should live, one more true than how we live now? And how does this relate to the question of knowledge and thought? Subscribe to the newly re-launched In Defence of Marxism theoretical magazine to learn more about the revolutionary ideas of Marxism: https://www.socialist.net/subscribe-idom.htm Get involved with Socialist Appeal today! Join - https://www.socialist.net/join Donate - https://www.socialist.net/don...
Jul 21, 2021•28 min
The question of idealism versus materialism most frequently expresses itself in the question of knowledge. Do we know anything for certain, and if so, how? And why has this question stubbornly persisted throughout the history of philosophy? Subscribe to the newly re-launched In Defence of Marxism theoretical magazine to learn more about the revolutionary ideas of Marxism: https://www.socialist.net/subscribe-idom.htm Get involved with Socialist Appeal today! Join - https://www.socialist.net/join...
Jul 14, 2021•25 min
There are many ways to categorise philosophy, but at the most fundamental level, all philosophies are either idealist or materialist. Marxist philosophy is fundamentally materialist, that is to say, it believes the material universe is the only universe, and that mind is a product of it. Subscribe to the newly re-launched In Defence of Marxism theoretical magazine to learn more about the revolutionary ideas of Marxism: https://www.socialist.net/subscribe-idom.htm Get involved with Socialist Appe...
Jul 07, 2021•23 min
In this podcast, Adam Booth discusses the demand for a universal basic income. The idea of a UBI is commonly raised in the context of increasing automation and the threat of "technological unemployment", which is making many existing workers obsolete from the point of view of the capitalist system. But, as Adam explains, UBI is not a solution to the problems facing society in relation to technology and its impact on jobs and wages - the "race against the machine". Instead, Marxists should be dem...
Jun 30, 2021•45 min
In this podcast, Daniel Morley discusses the idea of workers' democracy, contrasting this with the formal democracy that we have under capitalism, and explaining the ways in which the working class can take control of the wider economy. Providing historical examples, Daniel shows how the working class can take power in order to run society in the interests of the many, rather than for the profits of the few. Get involved with Socialist Appeal today! Join - https://www.socialist.net/join Donate ...
Jun 23, 2021•58 min