A.K. 47 - Selections from the Works of Alexandra Kollontai

Kristen Ghodsee speaks to Scott R. Sehon, a professor of philosophy, about his new book, Socialism: A Logical Introduction, and why we should use arguments to make a case for socialism and against capitalism. The first ten U.S.-based listeners to email Alexandra.kollontai.podcast@gmail.com with a name and address will get a free copy of Professor Sehon's new book. Mentioned in this episode: Anti-anti-communismWhat Democratic Socialists Should Think about Anti-Communismwww.scottrsehon.com Thanks so much for listening. This podcast has no Patreon account and receives no funding. If you would like to support the work being done here, please spread the word and share with your friends and networks, and consider exploring the following links: Buy Kristen Ghodsee's new book now: Everyday Utopia Subscribe to Kristen Ghodsee's (very occasional) free newsletter. Learn more about Kristen Ghodsee's work at: www.kristenghodsee.com

For International Women's Day, Kristen Ghodsee reads the Black Trinidadian activist and journalist Claudia Jones's speech for International Women's Day in 1950. This speech, (and the published version which appeared afterwards) led to Jones's arrest and eventual deportation from the United States. Jones was a member of the CPUSA, and believed that women's emancipation and civil rights required a strong stance against imperialism and militarism. She say capitalism, patriarchy, and white supremacy are deeply intertwined ideologies. Read the full text of Claudia Jones's speech here Listen to Kristen Ghodsee's IWD guest appearance on the Upstream Podcast Watch Kristen Ghodsee's IWD guest appearance on the Total Liberation Podcast Read Kristen Ghodsee's 2019 Op-Ed in the New York Times on IWD Read an Associated Press article about 8 March 2024 Thanks so much for listening. This podcast has no Patreon account and receives no funding. If you would like to support the work being done here, please spread the word and share with your friends and networks, and consider exploring the following links: Buy Kristen Ghodsee's new book now: Everyday Utopia Subscribe to Kristen Ghodsee's (very occasional) free newsletter. Learn more about Kristen Ghodsee's work at: www.kristenghodsee.com

Kristen Ghodsee reads a profile of Alexandra Kollontai which appeared in the Washington Post on May 15, 1927 when Kollontai was serving as the Soviet ambassador to Mexico. Mentioned in this episode: The hardcover of Everyday Utopia is on sale at Amazon.com for $14.99 (50% off) Thanks so much for listening. This podcast has no Patreon account and receives no funding. If you would like to support the work being done here, please spread the word and share with your friends and networks, and consider exploring the following links: Buy Kristen Ghodsee's new book now: Everyday Utopia Subscribe to Kristen Ghodsee's (very occasional) free newsletter. Learn more about Kristen Ghodsee's work at: www.kristenghodsee.com

Kristen Ghodsee and her daughter share a conversation about Kollontai's pro-natalism and the current discourse about the BirthStrike. Are the relevant moral imperatives about having or not having children? And how does the climate crisis factor into people's decisions? We also discuss the future of the podcast and the newly discovered fact that it is listened to in 100 countries around the world. Thanks so much for listening. This podcast has no Patreon account and receives no funding. If you would like to support the work being done here, please spread the word and share with your friends and networks, and consider exploring the following links: Buy Kristen Ghodsee's new book now: Everyday Utopia Subscribe to Kristen Ghodsee's (very occasional) free newsletter. Learn more about Kristen Ghodsee's work at: www.kristenghodsee.com

Kristen Ghodsee reads the final part of Alexandra Kollontai's 1921 essay, "The Labor of Women in the Evolution of the Economy" to explore Kollontai's arguments for the socialization of the family and the socialist uses of the maternal instinct. Although Kollontai is openly pro-natalist, and emphasizes that motherhood is a social obligation to help produce new workers for the world's first workers state, she is making these arguments to suspicious men in the Bolshevik government who do not want to expend resources to socialize the domestic labor that Russian women historically did for free. Mentioned in this episode: Pythagoras' Utopia Everyday UtopiaThe Star Trek Game PlanYear in ReadingThe MillionsMarxism and MistletoeAlso, wishing everyone a Happy New Year! Thanks so much for listening. This podcast has no Patreon account and receives no funding. If you would like to support the work being done here, please spread the word and share with your friends and networks, and consider exploring the following links: Buy Kristen Ghodsee's new book now: Everyday Utopia Subscribe to Kristen Ghodsee's (very occasional) free newsletter. Learn more about Kristen Ghodsee's work at: www.kristenghodsee.com

Kristen Ghodsee reads the second part of Alexandra Kollontai's 1921 essay, "The Labor of Women in the Evolution of the Economy" to explore Kollontai's arguments for the socialization of the family and the socialist uses of the maternal instinct. Although Kollontai is openly pro-natalist, and emphasizes that motherhood is a social obligation to help produce new workers for the world's first workers state, she is making these arguments to suspicious men in the Bolshevik government who do not want to expend resources to socialize the domestic labor that Russian women historically did for free. Mentioned in this episode: review of the podcastNotable Books of 2023 Everyday UtopiaThe Star Trek Game PlanThanks so much for listening. This podcast has no Patreon account and receives no funding. If you would like to support the work being done here, please spread the word and share with your friends and networks, and consider exploring the following links: Buy Kristen Ghodsee's new book now: Everyday Utopia Subscribe to Kristen Ghodsee's (very occasional) free newsletter. Learn more about Kristen Ghodsee's work at: www.kristenghodsee.com

Kristen Ghodsee reads the first part of Alexandra Kollontai's 1921 essay, "The Labor of Women in the Evolution of the Economy." A portion of this essay on abortion was discussed on the 6 March 2019 episode, but here Ghodsee digs in to Kollontai's argument for the socialization of the family. Mentioned in this episode: eight Season 22 finalistsAlexandra.kollontai.podcast@gmail.comEveryday Utopia: What 2000 Years of Wild Experiments Can Teach Us About the Good LifeOnly available for listeners in the United States. Thanks so much for listening. This podcast has no Patreon account and receives no funding. If you would like to support the work being done here, please spread the word and share with your friends and networks, and consider exploring the following links: Buy Kristen Ghodsee's new book now: Everyday Utopia Subscribe to Kristen Ghodsee's (very occasional) free newsletter. Learn more about Kristen Ghodsee's work at: www.kristenghodsee.com

In this bonus episode, Kristen Ghodsee welcomes back her now almost 22-year-old daughter to discuss a theory of fun. What would a society look like if we prioritized the ability of everyone to have as much fun as they wanted (in whatever form that fun might take)? Rather than worrying about the fitness benefits of different human behaviors, maybe all we really need to do is focus on having a good time, and the rest will take care of itself. Mentioned in this episode: The Barbie MovieAntonio GramsciMax Weber and the Protestant EthicCyndi Lauper song: "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun"Taylor Swift "22" Thanks so much for listening. This podcast has no Patreon account and receives no funding. If you would like to support the work being done here, please spread the word and share with your friends and networks, and consider exploring the following links: Buy Kristen Ghodsee's new book now: Everyday Utopia Subscribe to Kristen Ghodsee's (very occasional) free newsletter. Learn more about Kristen Ghodsee's work at: www.kristenghodsee.com

Kristen Ghodsee reads the fifth and final part of Alexandra Kollontai's 1921 text: "The Workers Opposition." Mentioned in this episode are: Everyday Utopia: In Praise of Radical Alternatives to the Traditional Family HomeTwin OaksWhen Did Marriage Become a Luxury Good?What Does Utopia Mean to You?"Diese Familien leben an einem utopischen Ort,"Everyday UtopiaThe Nation MagazineEveryday UtopiaInside Higher Ed Thanks so much for listening. This podcast has no Patreon account and receives no funding. If you would like to support the work being done here, please spread the word and share with your friends and networks, and consider exploring the following links: Buy Kristen Ghodsee's new book now: Everyday Utopia Subscribe to Kristen Ghodsee's (very occasional) free newsletter. Learn more about Kristen Ghodsee's work at: www.kristenghodsee.com

Kristen Ghodsee reads the fourth part of Alexandra Kollontai's 1921 text: "The Workers Opposition" and moans a bit about joining Instagram: @kristenghodsee Mentioned in this episode are: Maybe you should just join a commune.Everyday Utopia - Kristen GhodseeThe Benefits of Utopian ThinkingThanks so much for listening. This podcast has no Patreon account and receives no funding. If you would like to support the work being done here, please spread the word and share with your friends and networks, and consider exploring the following links: Buy Kristen Ghodsee's new book now: Everyday Utopia Subscribe to Kristen Ghodsee's (very occasional) free newsletter. Learn more about Kristen Ghodsee's work at: www.kristenghodsee.com

Kristen Ghodsee reads the third part of Alexandra Kollontai's 1921 text: "The Workers Opposition." Thanks so much for listening. This podcast has no Patreon account and receives no funding. If you would like to support the work being done here, please spread the word and share with your friends and networks, and consider exploring the following links: Buy Kristen Ghodsee's new book now: Everyday Utopia Subscribe to Kristen Ghodsee's (very occasional) free newsletter. Learn more about Kristen Ghodsee's work at: www.kristenghodsee.com

Kristen Ghodsee reads the second part of Alexandra Kollontai's 1921 text: "The Workers Opposition." Check out these upcoming events: How To Academy, August 3Second Life Book ClubSociety for Ethical Culture Sunday PlatformHalf King Reading SeriesThanks so much for listening. This podcast has no Patreon account and receives no funding. If you would like to support the work being done here, please spread the word and share with your friends and networks, and consider exploring the following links: Buy Kristen Ghodsee's new book now: Everyday Utopia Subscribe to Kristen Ghodsee's (very occasional) free newsletter. Learn more about Kristen Ghodsee's work at: www.kristenghodsee.com

Kristen Ghodsee reads the first part of Alexandra Kollontai's 1921 text: "The Workers Opposition." Mentioned in this episode are these upcoming events: How To Academy, August 3Second Life Book ClubSociety for Ethical Culture Sunday PlatformHalf King Reading SeriesThanks so much for listening. This podcast has no Patreon account and receives no funding. If you would like to support the work being done here, please spread the word and share with your friends and networks, and consider exploring the following links: Buy Kristen Ghodsee's new book now: Everyday Utopia Subscribe to Kristen Ghodsee's (very occasional) free newsletter. Learn more about Kristen Ghodsee's work at: www.kristenghodsee.com

On the eve of a possible UPS strike in the United States, Kristen Ghodsee reads a 1968 introduction to Alexandra Kollontai's 1921 pamphlet written in support of the Workers Opposition. This was a fundamental critique of Bolshevism from within the Party ranks, which was squashed and ended Kollontai's political career in the USSR. Mentioned in this episode: Building Utopia with Dr. Kristen GhodseeEveryday Utopia and Radical Imagination with Kristen GhodseeDiverse Utopias with Kristen Ghodsee,Gender Oppression isn’t inherent in human natureJacobin Magazine More recent writing from Kristen Ghodsee: Living Communally Can Make Us Less Lonely,The NationThe Ukrainian Utopia that almost ExistedThe Washington PostTo Smash the Patriarchy, We Need to Get Specific About What It MeansJacobin Magazine Also check out these upcoming events, all information will be posted here: Society for Ethical Culture Sunday PlatformThanks so much for listening. This podcast has no Patreon account and receives no funding. If you would like to support the work being done here, please spread the word and share with your friends and networks, and consider exploring the following links: Buy Kristen Ghodsee's new book now: Everyday Utopia Subscribe to Kristen Ghodsee's (very occasional) free newsletter. Learn more about Kristen Ghodsee's work at: www.kristenghodsee.com

Kristen Ghodsee reads Cathy Porter's 1980 translation of Kollontai's 1922 short story, "Conversation Piece," about a woman having to choose between the man she loves romantically and the man she loves intellectually and spiritually. Mentioned in this episode: Listen to Kristen GhodseeNew York TimeshereRead a 2000-word abstractEveryday UtopiaJacobin MagazineWatch the Everyday Utopia book discussionWatch the Everyday Utopia book discussionListen to Kristen GhodseeThanks so much for listening. This podcast has no Patreon account and receives no funding. If you would like to support the work being done here, please spread the word and share with your friends and networks, and consider exploring the following links: Buy Kristen Ghodsee's new book now: Everyday Utopia Subscribe to Kristen Ghodsee's (very occasional) free newsletter. Learn more about Kristen Ghodsee's work at: www.kristenghodsee.com

Kristen Ghodsee reads an April 25, 1982 review of a [then] new English translation of Alexandra Kollontai's collection, "A Great Love," translated by Cathy Porter. Mentioned in this episode are: A list of utopian summer reading recommendations at Literary Hub.com. A new podcast interview at Revolutionary Left Radio. An excerpt of Everyday Utopia in Penn Today. Thanks so much for listening. This podcast has no Patreon account and receives no funding. If you would like to support the work being done here, please spread the word and share with your friends and networks, and consider exploring the following links: Buy Kristen Ghodsee's new book now: Everyday Utopia Subscribe to Kristen Ghodsee's (very occasional) free newsletter. Learn more about Kristen Ghodsee's work at: www.kristenghodsee.com

Kristen Ghodsee reads an article about the creation in 2019 of the Kollontai Vodka Antisessista by a group of self-managed workers in Milan. Sales from this vodka are used to finance a autonomist literary cafe in Bari. The whole project is a wonderful example of the contemporary legacy of Kollontai and her continuing inspiration for feminists and activists around the world. In Italy, buy Kollontai Vodka here (The proceeds from the sale of the vodka will finance mutual aid projects for women and LGBTIQ subjects) Preorder Everyday Utopia at 25% off at Barnes & Noble in North America on April 26, 27, and 28, 2023 Thanks so much for listening. This podcast has no Patreon account and receives no funding. If you would like to support the work being done here, please spread the word and share with your friends and networks, and consider exploring the following links: Buy Kristen Ghodsee's new book now: Everyday Utopia Subscribe to Kristen Ghodsee's (very occasional) free newsletter. Learn more about Kristen Ghodsee's work at: www.kristenghodsee.com

Kristen Ghodsee reads the second half of a biographical article written by the American Katharine Anthony and published in The North American Review in September 1930. At this point in time, Kollontai was serving as the Soviet ambassador to Norway, and Katharine Anthony was introducing Kollontai to an American audience as a feminist and women's rights activist, and playing down her connections to the Bolsheviks. Please help me with the pre-order campaign for Everyday Utopia! Everyday UtopiaBookshop.orgAmazonBarnes & NobleWaterstonesAmazonWH SmithThanks so much for listening. This podcast has no Patreon account and receives no funding. If you would like to support the work being done here, please spread the word and share with your friends and networks, and consider exploring the following links: Buy Kristen Ghodsee's new book now: Everyday Utopia Subscribe to Kristen Ghodsee's (very occasional) free newsletter. Learn more about Kristen Ghodsee's work at: www.kristenghodsee.com

Kristen Ghodsee reads the first half of a biographical article written by the American Katharine Anthony and published in The North American Review in September 1930. At this point in time, Kollontai was serving as the Soviet ambassador to Norway, and Katharine Anthony was introducing Kollontai to an American audience as a feminist and women's rights activist, and playing down her connections to the Bolsheviks. Please help me with the pre-order campaign for Everyday Utopia! Everyday UtopiaBookshop.orgAmazonBarnes & NobleWaterstonesAmazonWH SmithThanks so much for listening. This podcast has no Patreon account and receives no funding. If you would like to support the work being done here, please spread the word and share with your friends and networks, and consider exploring the following links: Buy Kristen Ghodsee's new book now: Everyday Utopia Subscribe to Kristen Ghodsee's (very occasional) free newsletter. Learn more about Kristen Ghodsee's work at: www.kristenghodsee.com

To celebrate International Women's Day in 2023, Kristen Ghodsee reads an abridged version of Clara Zetkin's article on the official establishment of March 8 as International Communist Women's Day. The article is from International Press Correspondence, Vol. 2 No. 18, published on 8 March 1922. Clara Zetkin was the leader of the women's section of the Social Democratic Party (SPD) of Germany, and a close friend and mentor to Alexandra Kollontai when the latter was in exile in Western Europe. Both Kollontai and Zetkin were in attendance in 1910 at the 2nd International Conference of Socialist Women where the assembled delegates voted to establish an international women's day once a year. The date of 8 March, however, was only firmly established internationally after the 1922 congress in Moscow, in honor of the women's demonstration that kicked off the February revolution in Russia (which occurred on 8 March by the Western calendar). Zetkin's passionate article clearly shows that IWD was meant to do more than merely celebrate women. It was supposed to be a mass recruitment event to bring new men and women into the struggle against the continued ravages of capitalism. Mentioned in this episode is the starred review in Publishers Weekly of Ghodsee's forthcoming book, Everyday Utopia. From the archives: my pre-pandemic ode to International Women's Day in the New York Times (paywall) Thanks so much for listening. This podcast has no Patreon account and receives no funding. If you would like to support the work being done here, please spread the word and share with your friends and networks, and consider exploring the following links: Buy Kristen Ghodsee's new book now: Everyday Utopia Subscribe to Kristen Ghodsee's (very occasional) free newsletter. Learn more about Kristen Ghodsee's work at: www.kristenghodsee.com