Spectre of Communism
Politics
Are you a communist? Think we need a revolution? Tune into the official podcast of the International Marxist Tendency, for communist theory, analysis and history, every week! Under the crisis-ridden capitalist system, humanity lurches from one disaster to another. War, poverty and precarity are facts of life for millions. Given the circumstances, it is no surprise that an unprecedented number of workers and young people are being drawn to the revolutionary banner of communism. But what does it mean to be a communist? What is the communist perspective on the most pressing questions facing humanity: like armed conflict, the climate crisis, technological development, inequality, and so on? In what philosophical and historical traditions do we stand? How do we answer typical right-wing objections to communism? The purpose of this podcast is to arm our listeners with the ideas and arguments necessary to defend the principles of communism, to win others over to a revolutionary perspective, and develop their own mastery of Marxist theory.
Location:
United States
Genres:
Politics
Description:
Are you a communist? Think we need a revolution? Tune into the official podcast of the International Marxist Tendency, for communist theory, analysis and history, every week! Under the crisis-ridden capitalist system, humanity lurches from one disaster to another. War, poverty and precarity are facts of life for millions. Given the circumstances, it is no surprise that an unprecedented number of workers and young people are being drawn to the revolutionary banner of communism. But what does it mean to be a communist? What is the communist perspective on the most pressing questions facing humanity: like armed conflict, the climate crisis, technological development, inequality, and so on? In what philosophical and historical traditions do we stand? How do we answer typical right-wing objections to communism? The purpose of this podcast is to arm our listeners with the ideas and arguments necessary to defend the principles of communism, to win others over to a revolutionary perspective, and develop their own mastery of Marxist theory.
Language:
English
Website:
https://www.marxist.com
Episodes
Why we need a Communist International – season FINALE!
4/9/2024
In June, the International Marxist Tendency will take the monumental step of founding a new Revolutionary Communist International (RCI), to provide communist workers and youth around the world with a bold rallying point in the struggle to overthrow capitalism. In doing so, the RCI will build on the immense revolutionary legacy left behind by the […]
Duration:01:02:51
Why AI under capitalism is a failure
4/2/2024
Advances in artificial intelligence continue to make headlines, as AI has begun to play a role in everything from art and journalism to conspiracy theories and unemployment. While AI is clearly here to stay, it is equally clear that the capitalist class has no interest in using it to its fullest. Once again, capitalism’s brutal […]
Duration:01:00:19
Art, culture and the Russian Revolution
3/26/2024
Communism is often presented by its enemies as being at best uninterested in art and culture, and at worst openly hostile to anything but the crudest propaganda. This is completely at odds with the approach of Lenin and the Bolsheviks, and genuine communists today. The Russian Revolution ushered in an explosion of artistic creativity, which […]
Duration:00:45:47
Would communists ban religion?
3/19/2024
Communists are often slandered by our enemies as wanting to violently suppress and ‘ban’ religion. While Marxism is a materialist philosophy, and therefore uncompromisingly atheist, the policy of Marxists towards religion bears absolutely no resemblance to this crude caricature. As Marx explained, the oppressed and exploited masses turn to religion not for abstract reasons, but […]
Duration:00:50:11
Manifesto of the Revolutionary Communist International
3/12/2024
Yesterday, the International Marxist Tendency proudly published the Manifesto of the Revolutionary Communist International: a call to arms for all communists who want to put an end to the rotten capitalist system once and for all. If you agree with our analysis, register now for the founding conference of the RCI in June, and help […]
Duration:00:58:12
Honour Aaron Bushnell: fight for revolution!
3/5/2024
On 25 February, 25-year-old US airforce serviceman, Aaron Bushnell, took his own life by self-immolation outside the Israeli embassy in Washington, in protest at US imperialism’s support for the crimes being carried out by the IDF. His last words, livestreamed to the world, were: “Free Palestine!” Just days later, IDF soldiers murdered over 100 civilians […]
Duration:00:53:13
Lies about Lenin: DEBUNKED
2/27/2024
Few people in history are more slandered than Vladimir Lenin. From school textbooks to the capitalist press, the ruling class are desperate to blacken Lenin’s name wherever they get the opportunity. But how should communists respond? 100 years after his death, the capitalist smear campaign against the greatest revolutionary that has ever lived has not […]
Duration:00:44:19
What is capitalism?
2/20/2024
We are often told that capitalism is the most efficient economic system; that markets are rational tools for distribution; and that only under capitalism can people live free and fair lives. However, while capitalism might enrich a parasitic handful, it is fundamentally a system of oppression and exploitation for the vast majority of humanity. But […]
Duration:00:44:34
Unrest on every continent: how communists are mobilising!
2/13/2024
This week’s special episode was recorded during the recent meeting of the global leadership of the International Marxist Tendency in Italy. We hear reports from the front lines of the class struggle from five leading comrades involved in building revolutionary communist organisations in: South Africa, Argentina, Pakistan, France and the United States. The class struggle […]
Duration:00:49:24
Defend the Cuban Revolution!
2/6/2024
The Cuban Revolution is rightly considered an inspiration by communists worldwide. This tremendous movement threw off the chains of capitalism and US imperialism, opening the way for incredible social, economic and technological advances in what had previously been a brutally oppressed society. Today, however, the Cuban Revolution faces a number of perils. This week’s episode […]
Duration:00:25:55
Is communism against human nature?
1/30/2024
A textbook argument against communism is that, although it may sound nice, it is fundamentally “against human nature”. Many communists will be sick and tired of hearing this accusation, but what actually is ‘human nature’? How should communists respond to this claim? This week’s episode of Spectre of Communism welcomes Ben Curry, writer and editor […]
Duration:00:33:03
In defence of Lenin
1/23/2024
With capitalism in its deepest-ever crisis, it is more important than ever for communists to defend the immortal achievements of one of the greatest revolutionaries the world has ever seen. For this reason, 2024’s first episode of Spectre of Communism looks at the real life and ideas of Lenin. The episode welcomes Rob Sewell, editor […]
Duration:01:06:49
Spectre of Communism Podcast intro theme
1/9/2024
By popular demand, here is our intro (and outro) theme. Credit to composer Comrade David (Insta: @hiimdavej).
Duration:00:00:35
Palestine: a communist perspective
12/19/2023
Israel’s ongoing war on Gaza is undoubtedly the defining political event of 2023. The entire political establishment has lined up behind Israel, justifying a brutal military campaign of collective punishment against the Palestinians (which has killed around 20,000 civilians so far) as “self defence.” While liberals, reformists and even some self-proclaimed “communists” parrot the rhetoric […]
Duration:00:51:28
The Origins of Christianity
12/12/2023
It’s the festive season, and the Spectre of Communism podcast is welcoming Alan Woods (marxist.com editor-in-chief) onto a special live episode to discuss the origins of Christianity from a Marxist perspective. This is a fascinating story of revolution and counter-revolution in the ancient world. Despite the reactionary nature of Christianity today, the first Christians were […]
Duration:01:03:53
LIVE tomorrow (7pm UK Time): ‘The Origins of Christianity’ – Spectre of Communism podcast
12/11/2023
It’s the festive season, and the Spectre of Communism podcast is welcoming Alan Woods (marxist.com editor-in-chief) onto a special live episode to discuss the origins of Christianity from a Marxist perspective. This is a fascinating story of revolution and counter-revolution in the ancient world. We will broadcast the episode tomorrow (12 December) at 7pm British […]
Duration:00:01:02
Napoleon: Marxism vs movie myths
12/5/2023
Ridley Scott’s recent biopic Napoleon has evoked much criticism for its shallow narrative and plethora of historical inaccuracies. But who was the real Napoleon Bonaparte? How did a young Corsican from a relatively modest background become the strongman behind an empire that would dominate Europe? This week’s episode of the Spectre of Communism Podcast welcomes […]
Duration:00:47:05
What is the state, and how do we smash it?
11/28/2023
Many people think of the state as a huge collection of bureaucratic offices and institutions that have little to do with our daily lives. Some have illusions in the state as a neutral arbiter over society, operating on the basis of universal principles of ‘democracy’ and ‘rule of law’. But for countless workers and youths […]
Duration:00:33:30
Is China Communist?
11/21/2023
The Chinese Communist Party and its defenders claim that China is building a successful socialist society, and is at the forefront of an anti-imperialist struggle against the West. But is China communist? Does the legacy of the Chinese Revolution live on today in the CCP? In reality, despite the enormous achievements of the Chinese Revolution, […]
Duration:00:41:01
What will communism look like?
11/14/2023
Right-wingers claim that communism would be a dictatorial hellscape: nothing could be further from the truth. Communism means a society free from money, social classes, poverty and oppression, where people live “from each according to their ability, each according to their needs.” But what would such a society look like, and how do we get […]
Duration:00:38:09