Red Flag Radio

Stalinism equates socialism/communism with state-controlled industry and a one party dictatorship. We reckon nothing could be further from genuine socialism and Marxism. Unfortuntely, this zombie idea from the 20th century has risen from the dead in the past few years and is gaining popularity among left wing people. In this ep, we debunk neo-Stalinism's main arguments: that the left needs to supp...

Since Labor's budget dropped we've heard a chorus of whingers and sooks from the business class (though they call themselves 'founders' and 'entrepreneurs') about having a few of their tax dodges taken away. In this episode we explain why they should stfu, why Labor can barely defend their own measures, and how much further socialists want to go in taxing the rich (and expropriating them).  We als...

Chloe and Emma discuss identity politics, the dominant framework on the left for opposing oppression. They debunk ideas like privilege theory, autonomous organising and centreing "lived experience",

Emma and Chloe discuss the appalling US-Israeli war on Iran. They explain why Trump has started this war, the Australian government's response, and the recent sordid history of US imperialism.  "Why the US is attacking Iran" by Tom Bramble in Red Flag  

Emma and Chloe talk about the meaning of the Epstein files and what they say about the way the rich and powerful rule over us.   In the main segment we discuss One Nation and the intense Islamophobic atmosphere in Australia right now. We explain the realignment of the Coalition under new Liberal leader Angus Taylor and the concerningly high polls of Hanson's One Nation. 

Chloe and Emma talk about the police riot in Sydney orchestrated by Chris Minns. The NSW government sent 3,500 police to bash, stampede and pepperspray a peaceful pro-Palestine demonstration of 20-30,000 people, against the rolling out of the red carpet for a war criminal who should be in the Hague. We talk about what this event reveals about the police, the Australian Labor Party and the Australi...

Emma and Chloe talk about Trump's ICE gestapo terrorising American cities and the inspiring working class resistance to their murderous regime in Minneapolis.  Also, an update on the continued ruling class campaign to silence pro-Palestine protests in Australia.    Links: Marxism Conference!!   Register to protest Isaac Herzog!   "Our union leaders are unmoved by genocide and indifferent to pay cu...

Chloe and Emma take down the rightwing, racist campaign against the Palestine movement since the Bondi massacre.    NB: Since we recorded this episode, the Greens have indicated they will vote down the Hate Speech bill. 

Emma and Chloe give each other the combined Christmas and birthday present of a whole episode about class struggle in the Roman Empire and the rise of Christianity.

Emma and Chloe discuss their respective weekend experiences of shutting down a coal port and spying on a far right rally.    "Understanding the net zero circus" by Lily Campbell in Red Flag   "The far right is organising. We have to resist" by Anneke Demanuele in Red Flag  

Chloe and Emma discuss that meeting between NYC mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani and  Donald Trump. They talk about what the meeting and Mamdani's campaign reveal about the limitations of a strategy for social change that looks to the Democratic Party.  Some further reading: "Mamdani, that meeting and why the Left needs to wake up" by Sarah Garnham for Red Flag   "After the surreal summit" by Ashley Smi...

In this episode, Chloe and Emma explain the socialist theory of the trade unions. We talk about the trade union bureaucracy and the rank-and-file socialist strategy in the unions. 

Chloe and Emma discuss the protest at the Indo-Pacific arms expo in Sydney, and what it reveals about Australian imperialism. We talk about the AUKUS deal, why Australian politicians are so committed to the US alliance, and their imperialist plans for the Indo-Pacific region.  Further reading: News.com.au article: "Pro-Palestine activist ‘surrounded’ by cops at press conference after 13 arrested a...

Chloe and Emma talk about the major shift in world politics in 2025. The political, economic and social structures of world capitalism are being reshaped to meet the demands of a new era of instability and imperialism. From the new Trump administration and the rise of other vicious far right forces, to the ramping up of imperialist tensions. We also point to the mass struggles against the system i...

Emma and Chloe critique mutual aid from a socialist perspective and discuss Dean Spade's 2020 book Mutual Aid: Building Solidarity During This Crisis (And the Next). While mutual aid might feel good, we argue that it can't meet the needs of working class people, can't challenge the capitalist state or the bosses, and won't help us build the socialist party we need.    Further Reading: "Mutual aid...

Emma and Chloe discuss the ceasefire in Gaza, before an interview with Josh Lees, eye witness to the historic general strikes for Palestine in Italy. Josh is a regular on the pod, a socialist activist for Palestine and leader of the historic March for Humanity across the Sydney Harbour Bridge.    Further reading: Italy's general strike shows the way forward - by Josh Lees   Ceasefire in Gaza: reli...

Emma and Chloe review the authoritarian offensive of Trump and the far right in the US, who have used the assassination of Charlie Kirk to intensify a crackdown on left-wing speech. We discuss the far right in the UK, who just mobilised their biggest street march ever. And we discuss developments in Australia, where Andrew Hastie and Jacinta Nampijinpa Price are pushing for a hard right turn in th...

Workers in Europe have been rising up to fight for Palestine and against their own governments. It all began with the "bloquons touts" movement in France, which mobilised millions of workers and students to block everything to oppose their government's latest austerity bill - they shut down railway stations, blockaded city squares and went on strikes across public sector work places.  Next, someth...

Chloe interviewed Anneke Demanuele about the anti-migrant demonstrations led by Nazis around Australia last week. Anneke is a leader in the Melbourne-based Campaign Against Racism and Fascism, which mobilised thousands of pro-Palestine, anti-fascist protestors to confront the racists in the streets. She discusses how anti-migrant racism has been whipped up by mainstream Australian politics, the or...

This week Emma and Chloe discuss the disturbing world of the manosphere. They discuss leading figures like Andrew Tate and Charlie Kirk, unravel the twisted logic of their talking points, and explain how the rise of the online misogynist right has been enabled by the institutions of mainstream capitalism. Lastly they go into depth on how revolutionary socialist politics are absolutely necessary to...

This week Emma spoke to James McVicar, the National Union of Students Education Officer and convenor of the People's Inquiry into Campus Free Speech on Palestine. James launched the inquiry with other activists to document and report the many cases of censorship directed against the Palestine solidarity movement on campuses around Australia. Emma and James discuss the origins of the inquiry, the e...

In this special bonus episode, Chloe discusses the historic March for Humanity over Sydney Harbour Bridge with its organiser - lead Palestine Action Group activist and Socialist Alternative member Josh Lees. Josh has been catapulted into the headlines by the runaway success of the protest, which drew a crowd of 300,000 in defiance of NSW government and police attempts to stop it marching. Josh exp...

Socialist activist and tenants' rights advocate, Martin Barker, returns to the show in this episode. He and Emma bust the ugly right-wing myths that try to blame immigrants, nimbys, or Chinese investors for the housing crisis, instead of the billionaire Australian developers and their politician buddies who are really responsible. They also discuss the prospects for the socialist politics and acti...

Chloe spoke with Rowan Cahill, radical historian and anti-war activist who refused to be drafted into the Vietnam war. They discuss the resistance to the draft in Australia, the forgotten working class resistance to the Vietnam war & its relevance for today’s fight against militarism & imperialism.   Links: Rowan’s Conscientious Objector statement Siege of Sydney University 1968  Blog post...

Red Flag Radio spoke to Tom Bramble about the atrocious imperialist aggression of Israel and the US towards Iran.  Links "The human cost of Israel's war on Iran" by Bella Beiraghi in Red Flag   "West recycles old lies to justify attack on Iran" by Lucan Brunning-Hall in Red Flag   To join a branch of The Socialists near you: https://victoriansocialists.org.au/join To register for launch events fea...