Socialist Legacy: Recent Episodes
Socialist Legacy
I've decided to start a podcast and YouTube channel for reading aloud texts from and about the history of socialism, short and long form, and some of my own reflections on occasion.
I'm not sure there's much of an audience for this, but I'm going to try some different things and see if anything works.
I might try to do some basic introductions to various topics, but that will take a lot of work and I don't have much time to spare right now. Reading ready to hand material is a much easier place to start.
The more support I’m able to get, the more time I can devote to this project, which will allow me to produce more ambitious material and with more regularity. So if you enjoy it or feel you benefit from it, please consider becoming a patron at patreon.com/socialistlegacy. Thank you!
This week we discuss "No Shortcuts: The Struggle for the Revolutionary Party" by Szamuely https://www.sublationmag.com/post/no-shortcuts-the-struggle-for-the-revolutionary-party
I wrote up my criticisms into a response article, "How to Rebuild the Party?" https://www.sublationmag.com/post/how-to-rebuild-the-party
Join us streaming live every Tuesday night at 5pm Eastern on the @Sublation Media with Douglas Lain Twitch channel: https://www.twitch.tv/sublationmedia
Join the Socialist Legacy Discord Server: https://discord.gg/Jrnnuh9ABU
You can support Socialist Legacy on Patreon: Socialist Legacy: https://www.patreon.com/socialistlegacy
These recordings are also available as a podcast: https://feeds.soundcloud.com/users/soundcloud:users:151083608/sounds.rss
In this episode we discuss this article: https://cosmonautmag.com/2022/07/state-democracy-and-transition-is-there-a-democratic-road-to-socialism/
Join us streaming live every Tuesday night at 5pm Eastern on the @Sublation Media with Douglas Lain Twitch channel: https://www.twitch.tv/sublationmedia
You can support Socialist Legacy on Patreon: Socialist Legacy: https://www.patreon.com/socialistlegacy
These recordings are also available as a podcast: https://feeds.soundcloud.com/users/soundcloud:users:151083608/sounds.rss
In this episode we discuss the role of reforms in the struggle for socialism, specifically in relation to these articles:
- "Wrong Life and Abortion" by Ethan Linehan: https://www.sublationmag.com/post/wrong-life-and-abortion
- "Abortion and Bad Critique" by Conrad Hamilton: https://www.sublationmag.com/post/abortion-and-bad-critique
Also mentioned: - Engels on the independence of law, in a letter to Conrad Schmidt: https://www.marxists.org/archive/marx/works/1890/letters/90_10_27.htm - Engels on historical materialism, in a letter to Joseph Bloch: https://www.marxists.org/archive/marx/works/1890/letters/90_09_21.htm - Engels on the relation of the socialist party to reform laws, in a letter to August Bebel: https://wikirouge.net/texts/en/Letter_to_August_Bebel,_November_24,_1879
Join us streaming live every Tuesday night at 5pm Eastern on the Sublation Media Twitch channel: https://www.twitch.tv/sublationmedia
You can support Socialist Legacy on Patreon: Socialist Legacy: https://www.patreon.com/socialistlegacy
These recordings are also available as a podcast: https://feeds.soundcloud.com/users/soundcloud:users:151083608/sounds.rss
This week we discuss Hal Draper's critique of sectarian organization and his alternative approach to promoting socialist ideas, the "political center", and reflect on the Jacobin/DSA strategy in light of this critique.
- Hal Draper's "Anatomy of the Micro-Sect": https://www.marxists.org/archive/draper/1973/xx/microsect.htm
- Hal Draper's "Toward a New Beginning – On Another Road: The Alternative to the Micro_Sect": https://www.marxists.org/archive/draper/1971/alt/alt.htm
- Bhaskar Sunkara's interview with Doug Lain: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbQTRkEGj2Q
- Panel discussion with Sunkara, Mike Macnair, and Seth Ackerman: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJobDfA5-9Q
- Ackerman's "A Blueprint for a New Party": https://jacobin.com/2016/11/bernie-sanders-democratic-labor-party-ackerman
- Monty Johnstone's "Marx and Engels and the Concept of the Party": https://www.marxists.org/archive/johnstone/1967/xx/me-party.htm
Join us streaming live every Tuesday night at 5pm Eastern on the Sublation Media Twitch channel: https://www.twitch.tv/sublationmedia
You can support Sublation Media and Socialist Legacy on Patreon: Sublation Media: https://www.patreon.com/dietsoap Socialist Legacy: https://www.patreon.com/socialistlegacy
These recordings are also available as a podcast: https://feeds.soundcloud.com/users/soundcloud:users:151083608/sounds.rss
My interview on the Sublation Magazine Show: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Uk2zR5H1p0&t=1760s Interview with Derick Varn (premiering on July 1 at 7pm ET): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHnnveJXNUY
This week we finish discussing Seth Ackerman's "A Blueprint for a New Party" and its differences from the Marxist concept of the party, and why any of this matters today.
Join us streaming live every Tuesday night at 5pm Eastern on the Sublation Media Twitch channel: https://www.twitch.tv/sublationmedia
You can support Sublation Media and Socialist Legacy on Patreon: Sublation Media: https://www.patreon.com/dietsoap Socialist Legacy: https://www.patreon.com/socialistlegacy
These recordings are also available as a podcast: https://feeds.soundcloud.com/users/soundcloud:users:151083608/sounds.rss
Seth Ackerman's "A Blueprint for a New Party": https://jacobin.com/2016/11/bernie-sanders-democratic-labor-party-ackerman Monty Johnstone: "Marx and Engels and the Concept of the Party": https://www.marxists.org/archive/johnstone/1967/xx/me-party.htm
My interview on the Sublation Magazine Show: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Uk2zR5H1p0&t=1760s
This we begin discussing Seth Ackerman's "A Blueprint for a New Party" and the political independence of the working class.
Join us streaming live every Tuesday night at 5pm Eastern on the Sublation Media Twitch channel: https://www.twitch.tv/sublationmedia
You can support Sublation Media and Socialist Legacy on Patreon: Sublation Media: https://www.patreon.com/dietsoap Socialist Legacy: https://www.patreon.com/socialistlegacy
These recordings are also available as a podcast: https://feeds.soundcloud.com/users/soundcloud:users:151083608/sounds.rss
Seth Ackerman's "A Blueprint for a New Party": https://jacobin.com/2016/11/bernie-sanders-democratic-labor-party-ackerman
This week we discuss the class independence of the proletarian party.
Join us streaming live every Tuesday night at 5pm Eastern on the Sublation Media Twitch channel: https://www.twitch.tv/sublationmedia
You can support Sublation Media and Socialist Legacy on Patreon: Sublation Media: https://www.patreon.com/dietsoap Socialist Legacy: https://www.patreon.com/socialistlegacy
These recordings are also available as a podcast: https://feeds.soundcloud.com/users/soundcloud:users:151083608/sounds.rss
Monty Johnstone's "Marx and Engels and the Concept of the Party": https://www.marxists.org/archive/johnstone/1967/xx/me-party.htm
In our first livestream for the Sublation Media Twitch channel, we discuss the Marxist concept of the proletarian party as elaborated by Monty Johnstone.
We will be streaming every Tuesday night at 5pm Eastern. Join us here: https://www.twitch.tv/sublationmedia
You can support Sublation Media and Socialist Legacy on Patreon: Sublation Media: https://www.patreon.com/dietsoap Socialist Legacy: https://www.patreon.com/socialistlegacy
These recordings are also available as a podcast: https://feeds.soundcloud.com/users/soundcloud:users:151083608/sounds.rss
Monty Johnstone's "Marx and Engels and the Concept of the Party": https://www.marxists.org/archive/johnstone/1967/xx/me-party.htm
Reflections on the reasons behind contempt for socialism and its potential significance.
If you enjoyed this episode, consider supporting Socialist Legacy on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/socialistlegacy
This lecture sets up the reading for our second session, Karl Kautsky's "The Class Struggle" aka "The Erfurt Program".
Reading Group Syllabus: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Fn9DrqQmK_25yOoxLH-DyzSo15KN3IOumwF59AFLQAA/edit?usp=sharing
The Socialist Legacy: socialistlegacy.com Contact: contact@socialistlegacy.com
What is a socialist party? Lecture 1: Introducing the reading group
About the Campaign for a Socialist Party: campaignforasocialistparty.com Contact the campaign: campaignforasocialistparty@gmail.com
Reading group syllabus: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Fn9DrqQmK_25yOoxLH-DyzSo15KN3IOumwF59AFLQAA/edit?usp=sharing
The Socialist Legacy: socialistlegacy.com Contact: contact@socialistlegacy.com
The tenth installment in a series in which I read Julius Braunthal's 1961 book, History of the International, 1864-1914.
In this episode, I read chapter fourteen, "The Crusade against the International".
If you've enjoyed this recording, please consider supporting the Socialist Legacy on Patreon, at http://www.patreon.com/socialistlegacy
The ninth installment in a series in which I read Julius Braunthal's 1961 book, History of the International, 1864-1914.
In this episode, I read chapter thirteen, "The International in the Franco-German War and in the Paris Commune".
If you've enjoyed this recording, please consider supporting the Socialist Legacy on Patreon, at http://www.patreon.com/socialistlegacy
Another episode of extemporaneous reflections, summarizing and building upon the previous episode on Marx's contribution to socialism
If you've enjoyed this video, please consider supporting the Socialist Legacy on Patreon, at http://www.patreon.com/socialistlegacy
In this episode, I talk extemporaneously about Karl Marx's contribution to the socialist movement, and what defined "Marxism" as a distinctive tendency within that movement.
Mentioned in this video: - Marx to J. Weydemeyer in New York: https://www.marxists.org/archive/marx/works/1852/letters/52_03_05-ab.htm - Forgetting Mark Fisher? A discussion with Efraim Carlebach https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-aOATKC4J0 - Platypus Affiliated Society http://platypus1917.org
If you've enjoyed this recording, please consider supporting the Socialist Legacy on Patreon, at http://www.patreon.com/socialistlegacy
The eighth installment in a series in which I read Julius Braunthal's 1961 book, History of the International, 1864-1914.
In this episode, I read chapter twelve, "Ideological and Political Problems of the International", dealing with the struggle Marx and Engels waged within the international against other political tendencies, particularly the anarchist followers of Proudhon and the faction organized around Mikhail Bakunin.
If you've enjoyed this recording, please consider supporting the Socialist Legacy on Patreon, at http://www.patreon.com/socialistlegacy
The seventh installment in a series in which I read Julius Braunthal's 1961 book, History of the International, 1864-1914.
In this episode, I read chapter eleven, "The Strength of the International—Legend and Reality".
If you've enjoyed this recording, please consider supporting the Socialist Legacy on Patreon, at http://www.patreon.com/socialistlegacy
The sixth installment in a series in which I read Julius Braunthal's 1961 book, History of the International, 1864-1914.
In this episode, I read chapters nine, "The Founding of the Historic International", and ten, "The Principles and Statutes of the First International", on the birth of the International Working Men's Association.
If you've enjoyed this video, please consider supporting the Socialist Legacy on Patreon, at http://www.patreon.com/socialistlegacy
The fifth installment in a series in which I read Julius Braunthal's 1961 book, History of the International, 1864-1914.
In this episode, I read chapters seven, "The Society of Fraternal Democrats", and eight, "The International Association", on the relation between the socialist movement and the international struggle for democracy before, during, and immediately after the revolutions of 1848.
If you've enjoyed this recording, please consider supporting the Socialist Legacy on Patreon, at http://www.patreon.com/socialistlegacy
The fourth installment in a series in which I read Julius Braunthal's 1961 book, History of the International, 1864-1914.
In this episode, I read chapter six, "The Communist League", covering the history of the infamous organization for which Marx and Engels authored "The Manifesto of the Communist Party."
If you've enjoyed this recording, please consider supporting the Socialist Legacy on Patreon, at http://www.patreon.com/socialistlegacy
The third installment in a series in which I read Julius Braunthal's 1961 book, History of the International, 1864-1914.
In this episode, I finish chapter four, "The Conspiracy of the Equals", picking up where we left off with Babeuf's attempt to save the French Revolution from self-destruction, and read chapter five, "The Counter-Revolutionary International", concerning the efforts of the ruling classes of Europe to snuff out the revolution as it spread across the continent.
If you've enjoyed this recording, please consider supporting the Socialist Legacy on Patreon, at http://www.patreon.com/socialistlegacy
The second installment in a series in which I read Julius Braunthal's 1961 book, History of the International, 1864-1914. In this episode, I read chapter three, "The Corresponding Society", about the first independent working class political movement in history, and the beginning of chapter four, "The Conspiracy of the Equals", concerning the rise and fall of the Jacobins during the French Revolution.
If you've enjoyed this recording, please consider supporting the Socialist Legacy on Patreon, at http://www.patreon.com/socialistlegacy
The first installment in a series in which I read Julius Braunthal's 1961 book, History of the International, 1864-1914. In this episode, I read the first two chapters, "The Birth of the Idea", and "Thomas Paine, Internationalist".
If you've enjoyed this recording, please consider supporting the Socialist Legacy on Patreon, at http://www.patreon.com/socialistlegacy
Some reflections on this project, and the relationship between socialism and intellectual inquiry more generally.
"The spirit which has awakened, pervades, and moves the multitude, is that of intellectual inquiry. The light of thought is illuming the minds of the masses; kindled by the cheap publications, the discussions, missionaries, and meetings of the last ten years: a light which no power can extinguish, nor control its vivifying influence. For the spark once struck is inextinguishable, and will go on extending and radiating with increasing power; thought will generate thought; and each illumined mind will become a centre for the enlightenment of thousands, till the effulgent blaze penetrates every cranny of corruption, and scare selfishness and injustice from their seats of power. Chartism is an emanation of this spirit: its aim is the regeneration of all, the subjugation of none; its objects, as righteous as those of its opponents are wicked and unjust, are to place our institutions on the basis of justice, to secure labour its reward and merit its fruits, and to purify the heart and rectify the conduct of all, by knowledge, morality, and love of freedom. Discord and folly have to some extent unhappily prevailed, for want of sufficient investigation, but still Chartism has already been led by knowledge beyond the crushing influence of irresponsible and vindictive persecutors; and though prejudice and faction may contend with it for a season, it is yet destined to become a great and efficient instrument of moral and intellectual improvement."
- William Lovett and John Collins, from "Chartism; A New Organization of the People", written in Warwick jail, 1840
If you've enjoyed this recording, please consider supporting the Socialist Legacy on Patreon, at https://www.patreon.com/socialistlegacy
The Principle of Self-Emancipation in Marx and Engels, by Hal Draper: https://www.marxists.org/archive/draper/1971/xx/emancipation.html
If you've enjoyed this recording, please consider supporting the Socialist Legacy on Patreon, at https://www.patreon.com/socialistlegacy
The Principle of Self-Emancipation in Marx and Engels, by Hal Draper: https://www.marxists.org/archive/draper/1971/xx/emancipation.html
If you've enjoyed this recording, please consider supporting the Socialist Legacy on Patreon, at https://www.patreon.com/socialistlegacy
An Introduction to Hal Draper, by Ernest Haberkern: https://www.marxists.org/archive/drap...
Anatomy of the Micro-Sect, by Hal Draper: https://www.marxists.org/archive/drap...
If you've enjoyed this recording, please consider supporting the Socialist Legacy on Patreon, at https://www.patreon.com/socialistlegacy
Toward a New Beginning–On Another Road: The Alternative to the Micro-Sect, by Hal Draper: https://www.marxists.org/archive/drap...
Beyond sect or movement: What is a political center? A Platypus panel featuring Michael Hirsch, Jim Creegan, and Spencer A. Leonard - transcript: https://platypus1917.org/2019/09/01/b... - recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmTXI...
If you've enjoyed this recording, please consider supporting the Socialist Legacy on Patreon, at https://www.patreon.com/socialistlegacy
A long and rambling episode in which I consider why it is so difficult to answer the simple question, "What is socialism?", I reflect on what I'm trying to accomplish with the Socialist Legacy project, and in which I read "The Man with the Hoe" by Edwin Markham, a few aphorisms from Max Horkheimer's "Dammerung", and a letter to Eugene Debs by an anonymous capitalist politician.
If you've enjoyed this recording, please consider supporting the Socialist Legacy on Patreon, at https://www.patreon.com/socialistlegacy
The full text of Johnstone's essay: https://www.marxists.org/archive/john...
If you've enjoyed this video, please consider supporting the Socialist Legacy on Patreon, at patreon.com/socialistlegacy
The full text of Johnstone's essay: https://www.marxists.org/archive/johnstone/1967/xx/me-party.htm
If you've enjoyed this recording, please consider supporting the Socialist Legacy on Patreon, at patreon.com/socialistlegacy
Some reflections provoked by the upcoming election, inspired by the election speeches of Eugene Debs.
To the extent that I have any "positive" opinions about contemporary politics, I am simply trying to channel Eugene Debs and say what he would have to say on the subject.
That's why I'm generally more interested in unearthing the forgotten or distorted history of the Debsian socialist tradition than trying to write original thoughts of my own. When I do say something in my own voice, if there is any merit in it, it's because I'm effectively bringing that legacy to bear upon present questions.
But the relevance of even such "positive" assessments is, on balance, negative, because the conditions in which they would have positive bearing on the question of "what should be done" are missing.
The pain of that absence must be felt.
A speech by a founding member of the Socialist Party of America. Text available here: https://www.marxists.org/history/usa/parties/spusa/1900/0929-herron-whyiamasoc.pdf
You can support this project at patreon.com/socialistlegacy.
The first aphorism from Max Horkheimer's 1934 book, Dämmerung.
You can support this project at patreon.com/socialistlegacy.
This was the third session of a course for members and fellow travelers of the Socialist Party of Southern New Hampshire and the Socialist Party USA, titled "What is a socialist party?"
The readings for this session, "Future of the class struggle", were:
- Karl Kautsky, The Class Struggle (1892) -- Chapter IV. The Commonwealth of the Future: https://www.marxists.org/archive/kautsky/1892/erfurt/ch04.htm -- Chapter V. The Class Struggle: https://www.marxists.org/archive/kautsky/1892/erfurt/ch05.htm
A video version of this recording is available here: https://youtu.be/UfV4tGPJH3A
If you are interested in learning more about this course, please feel free to contact me: rkotlas @ gmail . com
For more information on the Socialist Party USA, visit: socialistpartyusa.net
The 1904 Platform of the Socialist Party of America.
Available here: https://medium.com/@reidkane/socialist-party-of-america-platform-1904-d6da4cad879e
This was the second session of a course for members and fellow travelers of the Socialist Party of Southern New Hampshire and the Socialist Party USA, titled "What is a socialist party?"
The readings for this session, "Origins of the class struggle", were:
- The Erfurt Program of the Social Democratic Party of Germany (1891): https://www.marxists.org/history/international/social-democracy/1891/erfurt-program.htm
- Karl Kautsky, The Class Struggle (1892) -- Chapter I. The Passing of Small Production: https://www.marxists.org/archive/kautsky/1892/erfurt/ch01.htm -- Chapter II. The Proletariat: https://www.marxists.org/archive/kautsky/1892/erfurt/ch02.htm -- Chapter III. The Capitalist Class: https://www.marxists.org/archive/kautsky/1892/erfurt/ch03.htm
A video version of this recording is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gtnt9jT4IYA
If you are interested in learning more about this course, please feel free to contact me: rkotlas @ gmail . com
For more information on the Socialist Party USA, visit: socialistpartyusa.net
A passage from Philip Cunliffe's 2017 book, "Lenin Lives! Reimagining the Russian Revolution 1917-2017"
You can find it on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/2uaL0oW
This was the first session of a course for members and fellow travelers of the Socialist Party of Southern New Hampshire and the Socialist Party USA.
It seeks to raise the question, "What is a socialist party?", by exploring how that question was answered historically.
We will begin with a unit covering the major works of Karl Kautsky, the leading theorist of the Second International and intellectual successor of Karl Marx and Frederick Engels.
The readings for this introductory session, "What is socialist politics?", were:
- Karl Marx, Programme of the Parti Ouvrier (1880): https://www.marxists.org/archive/marx/works/1880/05/parti-ouvrier.htm
- Socialist Party of America, 1904 Platform (1904): https://medium.com/@reidkane/socialist-party-of-america-platform-1904-d6da4cad879e
- Eugene Debs, "Competition versus Cooperation" (1900): http://marxisthistory.org/history/usa/parties/spusa/1900/0929-debs-competitionvcooperation.pdf
- George Herron, “Why I Am a Socialist” (1900): http://marxisthistory.org/history/usa/parties/spusa/1900/0929-herron-whyiamasoc.pdf
Other pieces referenced in this video:
- Rida Vaquas, “What’s a good political education? A debate from the SPD": https://theclarionmag.org/2018/06/25/whats-a-good-political-education-a-debate-from-the-spd/
- Marx, Letter to J. Weydemeyer: https://www.marxists.org/archive/marx/works/1852/letters/52_03_05-ab.htm
- Engels, Letter to August Bebel: https://www.marxists.org/archive/marx/works/1882/letters/82_10_28.htm
If you are interested in learning more about this course, please feel free to contact me: rkotlas @ gmail . com
For more information on the Socialist Party USA, visit: socialistpartyusa.net
"The duty of socialists is as plain as day — support men who represent what you want. We have no interest in other parties or those that represent them. It matters not to us whether McKinley or Bryan is ruler over us. They both believe in private capitalism. Both are opposed to socialism. Their platforms are cunningly phrased sentences to obtain votes and get them into power.
"Neither of them can wholly ruin the country. Its land and people will be here when they are forgotten. The working people of all countries have been divided between parties put up by the upholders of the existing system. Each election the voters have been deluded into believing they would be benefitted by the success of this or that party...
"The Democratic Party is no more to be trusted than the Republican Party. The mass of Republican voters believe their party will bring good conditions. They are as honest and sincere as the Democrats. But they both are mistaken. Good conditions cannot come so long as trusts and monopolies own the industries. Socialists want the people to own them...
"Our duty is to show a great growth and thus encourage others who are timid. Quit voting the ticket of your masters. Vote for what you want. Don’t throw away your vote by downing socialism and upholding what you do not want."
Text of the article: http://marxisthistory.org/history/usa/parties/spusa/1900/0723-wayland-debsdenial.pdf
On Youtube: https://youtu.be/ePKkfkzkqOY
"The country today is approaching a change. The trusts of today have lessened the number of capitalists, the trust is therefore the friend of labor. What we want is centralization of business, as trusts are, but let it be cooperative centralization."
Text available here: http://marxisthistory.org/history/usa/parties/spusa/1900/1027-debs-cantonspeech.pdf
On Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNztZa4UgKw
"A million votes for the Social Democracy will compel the reorganization, and that not by converting either of the old parties, but by compelling their union against the new party, and the speedy overthrow of both. If we can get that number now, victory is near. If we cannot then all the more reason for beginning at once, for it will take a million votes in the new party to compel the reorganization by which imperialism will die, the trusts cease from troubling, the money conspiracy lose its power to enslave, and government come to be administered by direct authority of the people themselves."
Text of the article: http://marxisthistory.org/history/usa/parties/spusa/1900/1020-mills-whyishallvotesdp.pdf
On Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pK341S_QiC0
An article by Eugene Debs, presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party of America in 1900.
Text of the article available here: http://marxisthistory.org/history/usa/parties/spusa/1900/0324-debs-startlingtruths.pdf
On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_JmQWR4xL8
The 1900 Platform of the Social Democratic Party of America, which would the following year change its name to the Socialist Party of America.
Text available here: http://marxisthistory.org/history/usa/parties/spusa/1900/0915-sdpa-platform.pdf
On Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7LZSNwzd7w