How did Trotsky fight for national liberation?

Socialists aim for a world which doesn’t need borders and ends national divisions. But today, many national groupings are forced into larger states which repress their right to decide their own destiny.

How do Marxists address the complexities of the so-called ‘national question’ - maximising international workers’ cooperation, while supporting the right to national self-determination?

This led to multiple controversies during the lifetime of Leon Trotsky. In our latest instalment on his ideas, we ask how they apply today.

This episode of Socialism looks at socialism and national liberation: Trotsky and the ‘national question’.

80 years since Trotsky's assassination: Why couldn't his ideas be killed? Join the international online rally on Sunday 23 August, 2pm London time! Register now: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/trotsky-murdered-80-years-ago-why-couldnt-his-ideas-be-killed-registration-115866871933

The CWI is producing a new book on Trotsky’s life and ideas for the 80th anniversary of his assassination, which this podcast series is following. It’s called ‘Leon Trotsky - A Revolutionary Whose Ideas Couldn’t Be Killed’. You can pre-order it now at leftbooks.co.uk.

Further listening and reading

Socialism episode 44. Kurdish national liberation: https://soundcloud.com/socialismpodcast/44-kurdish-national-liberation

Socialism episode 27. The national question, Ireland, and Brexit: https://soundcloud.com/socialismpodcast/27-the-national-question-ireland-and-brexit

The Problem of Nationalities (Trotsky): https://www.marxists.org/archive/trotsky/1930/hrr/ch39.htm

The Socialist Revolution and the Right of Nations to Self-Determination (Lenin): https://www.marxists.org/archive/lenin/works/1916/jan/x01.htm

On the National Question (Trotsky): https://www.marxists.org/archive/trotsky/1923/05/natquest.htm

The Right of Nations to Self-Determination (Lenin): https://www.marxists.org/archive/lenin/works/1914/self-det/index.htm

Troubled Times: The National Question in Ireland (Peter Hadden): https://www.marxists.org/history/etol/writers/hadden/1995/natq/index.html

Catalonia independence movement two years on: https://www.socialistparty.org.uk/articles/29658/02-10-2019/catalonia-independence-movement-two-years-on

Socialists fight for Palestinian liberation and workers' unity: https://www.socialistparty.org.uk/articles/27320/09-05-2018/socialists-fight-for-palestinian-liberation-and-workers-unity

Scottish referendum: "Britain will never be the same again" (2014): https://www.socialistparty.org.uk/articles/19222/16-09-2014/britain-will-never-be-the-same-again