Marxist Audio Archive

It is clear that urgent action on climate change is needed. But the capitalists and their political representatives are completely incapable of carrying out the radical changes that are required.

The necessary action will never take place so long as those in power put profits before the health of the planet. In this episode, Fightback activist Alvaro discusses why we need a revolution to fight climate change! 

Leon Trotsky, along with Lenin, was one of the main leaders of the Russian Revolution of 1917. He was also a prolific writer and Marxist theoretician whose writings are a treasure trove for socialists today looking to fight against the capitalist system.

But what is Trotskyism? And why is it relevant today?

The Doug Ford government in Ontario, Jason Kenney in Alberta, as well as the CAQ government in Quebec, share similarities with the experience of class struggle in Ontario in the 1990s. In 2018 Fightback editor Alex Grant spoke on the lessons of the 1990s for the struggles of today. This is a forgotten history that needs to be reclaimed by the movement against the vitriol of the right wing, and the apologism of the reformists and labour bureaucrats.

This year, the Black Lives Matter movement re-emerged on a higher level. People are aware that racism is not just a matter of individuals but of the entire system. As Malcolm X said "You can't have capitalism without racism."

But why does capitalism need racism? What is the Marxist approach to fighting racism?

The crisis of capitalism has been particularly acute in Alberta. With the collapse of oil prices, tens of thousands lost their jobs. COVID-19 has only accelerated the crisis.

Meanwhile Jason Kenney's United Conservative Party government is ruling with an iron fist, offloading the cost of this crisis onto working class people while crushing all opposition.

While it is commonplace for people on the left in Canada to write off Albertan workers, the writing is on the wall and class struggle of epic proportions is in preparation.

But what are the perspectives for revolution in Alberta?

With the election of Trump, fascists have felt emboldened, carrying out bloody attacks. With the polarization of American politics, it has become commonplace for political commentators to refer to Trump as a fascist and warn about the rise of fascism.

But what is fascism? Is Trump a fascist? How does fascism arise and how can we effectively fight against it and win?

Postmodernism is very popular on university campuses, and is even starting to gain an echo in the workers’ movement. Postmodernism denies the very idea of historical progress. Scientific truth is also sidelined in favour of a ‘subjective’ emphasis on language, experience and identity. In this talk, Fightback activist Olive discusses where these ideas come from, and what Marxists have to say about them. 

Mental health problems are on the rise, and this shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone. The capitalist system offers no future to the working class and this creates a situation in which mental health problems proliferate.

But what is the connection between capitalism and mental health?

For more from Jessica, listen to World Gone Mad: The crisis of capitalism and mental health

No other event in human history has been the subject of more distortions, falsehoods and fabrications the Russian Revolution. In this talk, Fightback editor Alex Grant discusses the top 10 lies about the Russian Revolution, and why Marxists defend the revolution today.

Listen to Fightback editor Alex Grant on Cheri DiNovo's "Left, Lefter, Leftist". This month: School reopenings, the second wave of the pandemic, will there be an election, and more!

Also listen on Cheri DiNovo's soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/cheri-dinovo