Marx Engels Institute

Full episode available to Patrons: https://www.patreon.com/posts/postmodern-57364680 We use the sub-nationalisms of Quebec and Scotland to understand nationalism theory and nation-building in the postmodern era. We contend that nationalisms in our current postmodern period are predominantly led by the petite bourgeoisie, in contrast to the ones of the past led by the bourgeoisie. We ask: Can a nat...

We attempt to analyse the unholy circus that is the party conference  season in Britain!  We ask if Boris has run out of slogans? Has Keir  Starmer run out of time? Does anyone in the cabint have a brain? What is  the mythical beast known as the "Socialist Campaign Group"? And what do  you call a reformist without reforms? All this and more!    The article refere...

Full episode available for patrons: https://www.patreon.com/posts/slow-death-of-57099684 We investigate the reasons why the American labour movement is so disorganized, with a particular focus on the McCarthyist attacks on working class militants during the post-WWII period.

We sat down with George Hoare, co-host of the Aufhebunga bunga podcast, to look at Brexit and COVID-19 using Gramsci's concepts of historic bloc and hegemony as guides.  Check out George's first book: An Introduction to Antonio Gramsci: His Life, Thought and Legacy And his latest book: The End of the End of History: Politics in the Twenty-First Century Mentioned in the show: The Full Brexit B...

Leila and Alex review the 2021 re-election of a Canadian minority Liberal government led by Justin Trudeau and take a look at the broader political economy of Canada.

Access this episode and the previous two available to Patrons: https://www.patreon.com/posts/great-miners-of-56438229 Part 1 Part 2 In this final instalment, we speak about the strike itself, the events that surrounded it and the final fall of the Great Strike in 1985.

We are unlocking this episode recently released to patrons as it contains a lot of useful information on the role regulatory bodies actually play under state monopoly capitalism.   What role does a regulator like the Food & Drug Administration (FDA)  actually play?  In this episode we examine the FDA, it's capture and  control by the pharmaceutical industry and how this fit...

This is a preview of our latest patreon episode where we discuss the ethics around the latest Texas anti-abortion bill.  

Max Blumenthal, journalist and founder of The Grayzone, joins us to discuss war propaganda as used in Afghanistan, Syria, and beyond. The discussion is also includes analysis of the current wave of propaganda promoting the COVID-19 health protocols. Be sure to check out Max Blumenthals Rokfin channel https://rokfin.com/MaxBlumenthal Also check out Max's latest book, The Management of Savagery.

In this episode Alex & Leila address accusations made on tweetsphere, were they wrong on the vaccine passport? Is the thing that dwells in the Edinburgh lego set a government? Is Nicola Sturgeon even real or a fictional character? What the hell is the ruling class up to? All these questions and more will be addressed in this episode!

Elena Lange returns to review self-proclaimed "globalist" Benjamin Bratton's newest book "The Revenge of the Real: Politics for a Post-Pandemic World". Articles mentioned during the show: " Basic fucking common sense " by Elena Lange " Revenge of the Unreal " by Nicolas Hausdorf Elena's recent book "Value without Fetish" is available here as a free PDF download: https://brill.com/view/title/31889?...

Full episode available to Patrons: https://www.patreon.com/posts/great-miners-of-55295480 In this three-part episode, we look at one of the most significant work stoppages of the modern era: the UK Miners' strike of 1984-1985. In this second episode, we speak about the first wave of major miners' strikes in the post-war era, starting with the stunning and heroic industrial actions of 1972 to 1974....

Following the US pullout and the Taliban taking control of the entirety of Afghanistan we examine the reasons for this latest imperial debacle. We look at the history, the role of British imperialism, the Saur Revolution, Operation Cyclone, 9/11 and the 20 years of US failure.

Full episode available to subscribers over Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/posts/great-miners-of-55047749 In this three-part episode, we look at one of the most significant work stoppages of the modern era: the UK Miners' strike of 1984-1985. In this first episode, we survey the political economy leading up to these stunning events.

Full episode available to Patrons: https://www.patreon.com/posts/q-time-part-2-54432833 We go on to answer questions about whether clients of sex workers should be criminalized, what relevance do gender and LGBT+ ideology have to Marxist theory, Scottish independence, the Canadian Indigenous question, and whether Ireland will ever see a workers' uprising.

We talk through the politics and history surrounding Oliver Stone's 1995 movie Nixon. Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/red_star_radio

Full episode available for Patrons: https://www.patreon.com/posts/q-time-54194652 It's the first "ask us anything" episode!  We asked for questions and you, good listeners, delivered! So much so in fact that this will be a two-part episode with the second out next Tuesday.  So enjoy this first part where we answer your questions on the Hungarian Revolution of 1956, Stalin and the decline...

The riots that broke out in South Africa brought back into the focus the nature of the post apartheid era.  In this episode we look at the nature of the deal that ended apartheid, the strength and sacrifices of the South African working class and the political trajectory of the ANC.  We also draw on Lenin's analysis of "spontaneity" and Trotsky's concept of "permanent revolution" to shed...

Full episode available to patrons: https://www.patreon.com/posts/is-sex-work-work-53926889 We look at the claim that prostitution is wage labour like any other, and decide whether or not the claim stands up to Marxist scrutiny. Articles mentioned: Prostitution and ways of fighting it (Kollontai) Lenin on the Women’s Question (Zetkin) Socialists Should Support Sex Workers’ Rights (Liza Featherstone...

In this episode we cover a lot of ground!  We mark the passing of the  career of Matt Hancock, the demise of the Donald Rumsfeld and the  failures of "entryist" tactics that Alex pursued in the Labour Party under Corbyn.

So just what the hell is "Critical Race Theory"?  In this episode Alex and Leila take a dive into the murky waters of post-modernism, the epic fails of Herbert Marcuse and the racket that is academia to find out what the hell this is all about. The answer may just surprise you.  

Full episode here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/che-guevera-on-53079523 We look at the history of the Cuban revolution through Che Guevera's essay " Socialism and man in Cuba", wherein Che theorizes how to create the new man and woman as communism is built in Cuba. Our discussion touches on the role of love and leadership in communist revolution and governance. The essay: https://www.marxists.org...

With the Batley & Spen by-election set to deliver yet more defeat and disaster for Keith Starmers Labour Party we are releasing our patrons only episode recorded just after the Labour defeat in Hartlepool.  

Full episode: https://www.patreon.com/posts/what-is-part-2-2-52762824 In part 2 of a 2 part episode, we review Greg Albo's article "The Old and New Economics of Imperialism" to assess the strength of Poulantza's versus Lenin's theory of imperialism. We talk about signs of American decay and China's rise as the next leading imperialist power. Albo's article here [this is a link to the PDF]: https:/...

In part 1 of a 2 part episode, we review the major theories of imperialism as derived by intellectuals including Hobson, Hilferding, Luxemburg, Bukharin, Lenin, Kautsky, Poulantzas and more. This episode is heavy on the theory, but we hope we've included enough humour and interesting historical tidbits to make it go down easier.  The second part will be available for Patrons here: https://www...