Marxist Voice

In this talk, Daniel Morley explains why ‘academic Marxism’ is incompatible with the real revolutionary ideas of Marxism. To paraphrase Marx’s famous aphorism: The academics have only interpreted the world in various ways; the point, however, is to change it. Ever since their inception, there has been a war waged against the genuine ideas of Marxism – not only by the ruling classes and by Stalinist regimes, but in the universities also. The aim of this concerted campaign has always been the same: to blunt the revolutionary edge of Marxism. In the interwar years – a period of revolution and counter-revolution – the Frankfurt School and its theorists served to obscure socialist ideas and sow confusion. Subsequently, postmodernist thinkers have played a similarly pernicious role. Deciding that Marx's ideas were outdated and that ‘new ideas’ were necessary, these so-called Marxists opened the backdoor to idealism and all manner of reactionary conclusions. Today, prominent academic ‘Marxists’ such as Slavoj Zizek and David Harvey show where this path leads – to utopian and reformist attempts to patch up capitalism.

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In this podcast, Fred Weston – editor of marxist.com – discusses what attitude Marxists should take to the Beijing regime, and outlines the future perspectives for China, its working class, and the coming Chinese revolution.

China has risen rapidly to become a major global power. It now represents a serious challenge to US imperialism, which only 20 years ago claimed hegemony over world capitalism. The result has been an ever-deepening trade war between the two countries, which has escalated in recent months with the tussle over Huawei and Tik Tok.

Some argue that China’s ascent and development is a vindication of communism, presenting the potential for a new economic model.

But, in reality, China’s rise is being accomplished with all the same brutal capitalist methods used by every imperialist power in history: exploitation of the working class at home and abroad; repression against the Uighurs and Hong Kongers; and profit-seeking policies that are exacerbating the contradictions of the capitalist system worldwide.

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In this session, Natasha Sorrell discusses how it is the working class who produce all the wealth in society. The capitalists, meanwhile, are mere parasites. That is why we need to fight for a socialist economic plan – one where workers are in control.

In ‘normal’ times, the capitalists would have us believe that it is the bosses and ‘entrepreneurs’ who are essential to society. But the pandemic has shown who plays the really essential role: the nurses, carers, and cleaners – in short, the working class, without whom not a lightbulb shines, not a wheel turns, and not a telephone rings.

Hypocritically, Boris Johnson and his ministers have even come out clapping for NHS staff – the very same workers who are underpaid and overworked thanks to Tory austerity and attacks.

At the same time, left-wing writers like David Graeber talk about a proliferation of ‘bullshit jobs’ nowadays, with vast sectors such as advertising and marketing contributing nothing genuinely useful to society. And yet, they are essential from the perspective of capitalism: a market-based, profit-driven system, built on a competitive race to the bottom.

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For this week's episode of Marxist Voice, we are joined by Fiona Lali - lead organiser at the Marxist Student Federation - who will be interviewing Olive and Tori - two Marxist students playing a leading role in the ongoing rent strike movement.

With young people being lured back into universities by the Tory government and corruption university management, rent strike movements have exploded on campuses up and down the country. Students are rightly rising up in indignation at their shameful treatment.

Having been deceived with false promises of continued in-person teaching, many have been left trapped in shoddy accommodation buildings, with little to no support, to receive reduced-quality teaching by underpaid and overworked academic staff.

This comes as no surprise: although the coronavirus pandemic triggered these events, the incessant drive towards marketisation of our universities has long been a feature of the British education system, affecting both staff and students alike.

The Marxist Student Federation poses the question squarely: capitalism got us into this mess; only socialism can get us out of it!

The rent strike movement could use this momentum to build a radical, nationwide campaign alongside the trade unions, linking demands for abolishing rent and free education with workers' rights and democratic control of universities.

Listen to this episode to hear how Marxist students have been intervening in this movement, and the demands that they're putting forward for young people to rally around.

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In this recent talk to Socialist Appeal supporters, Antonio Balmer (from the Socialist Revolution USA editorial board) discusses the recent dramatic events in Washington, which are yet another symptom of the decline of American capitalism - and a harbinger of revolutionary explosions to come.

The storming of Capitol Hill by a mob of Trump supporters on 6 January is a graphic illustration of the deep crisis gripping US capitalism and the whole system of American bourgeois democracy. The fact that these unprecedented events can occur within the 'belly of the beast' has sent shockwaves across the world, undermining the very foundations of US imperialism.

Similarly, this extreme political polarisation to the right will embolden and radicalise those on the left. This 'insurrection' has exposed the fragility of the capitalist state, bringing the police and the army into question once again.

At the same time, as Antonio explains, Joe Biden and the Democrats offer no way forward for workers and youth in the USA. The working class needs its own party - a mass socialist party that will fight to transform society. We must build the forces of Marxism with urgency, and prepare for the titantic struggles that are coming.

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In this session, Ellen Morton of the Glasgow Marxists discusses how these crises are laying the basis for revolution in these islands. The task ahead is to build a Marxist leadership in Britain and beyond.

The coronavirus crisis has hit Britain harder than most. The UK is a world leader in terms of ‘excess deaths’ from the pandemic, and is experiencing a deeper recession than almost any other developed capitalist country.

On top of this, Boris Johnson is presiding over the ongoing shambles that is Brexit, which will be a devastating blow to UK big business. And the breakup of the Union is increasingly likely, as support for Scottish independence rises.

All of these titanic events demonstrate the special crisis of British capitalism, which has been undergoing decline for over a century. Already the poodle of US imperialism on the international stage, ‘Great Britain’ will soon be reduced to ‘Little England’ – a humiliating fall for the former workshop of the world.

So what lies ahead? And how should Marxists partake in the events that are unfolding? Listen to the latest podcast from the Revolution Festival 2020 to find out...

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In this session, John McInally – former vice president of the PCS civil servants’ union and veteran trade union activist – will discuss how, in these conditions, we can build a revolutionary trade union movement.

The coronavirus crisis has accelerated class consciousness. Workers are getting organised to resist the tsunami of job cuts and austerity that is coming. Already, tens of thousands have joined both the NEU teachers’ union and Unison, Britain’s largest public sector union.

Members of the NEU are now at the forefront of the struggle against the government's inept handling of the pandemic, forcing the government into another policy U-turn in the first week of 2021.

Council workers in Tower Hamlets and culture sector workers at the Tate and Southbank have shown the way forward with long-running strikes.

At the same time, key unions such as Unison, Unite, and the GMB are all set to see a change of leadership in the coming year. This could have a profound impact on the entire labour movement. Paul Holmes coming a close second place in the recent general secretary elections goes to show the potential for left victories across the labour movement.

For example, Unison is in the process of electing a new general secretary. Socialist candidate Paul Holmes has the very real prospect of winning. If he does, it will transform industrial relations in Britain.

This radicalisation has huge implications for the class struggle in the period ahead. We can expect a wave of industrial militancy. Workers will increasingly be forced into action to defend pay, jobs, and conditions. It is our job as Marxists to partake in these struggles and raise the sights of rank-and-file members.

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In our latest episode of Marxist Voice, we speak to Dr Raj Mistry - a junior doctor in a hard-hit hospital in South East England - about the COVID catastrophe that is currently pushing the NHS to breaking point.

The Tories have attempted to blame a new, more infectious strain of the virus for the current crisis. But, in reality, it is Tory cuts and privatisation that have created this dire situation inside the NHS, with chronic staff shortages and a long-term decline in bed numbers.

This is why the labour movement must mobilise to kick out the Tories - and fight for socialist policies to save our NHS and tackle the pandemic.

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In our latest episode of Marxist Voice, we're joined again by Natasha Sorrell - a teacher and NEU activist - to discuss the ongoing battle between the teachers and Tories over the reopening of schools.

Thanks to a mass campaign by the National Education Union, the teachers have forced the Tory government into another U-turn, with remote learning now due to take place until the February half-term.

But the struggle for safe schools continues. Rather than listening to those who know best, the Tories are picking fights with teachers and their unions. And the Starmer Labour leadership has scandalously failed to back the teachers.

Tune in to an important discussion about how activists can support teachers in the fight to put lives before profits.

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The Black Death resulted in up to 200 million deaths in the 14th century, making it the deadliest pandemic ever recorded.

To many at the time, the plague seemed like the end of the world. What we now know is that it was not the world that was ending, but the decrepit feudal system, which was dying on its feet even before the plague hit.

Out of the contradictions and class conflicts that were ruthlessly exposed by the Black Death there later arose momentous uprisings of the poor and oppressed. These set the final seal on serfdom in many parts of Europe, setting in train a process that would culminate in the rise of the bourgeoisie and the birth of capitalism.

In this talk, Josh Holroyd traces the impact of the Black Death on society and the developments that gave rise to the death of feudalism, drawing out the parallels between the 14th century plague and the COVID-19 pandemic today.

The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed the bankruptcy of capitalism and the need for socialism. Already, out of the horror and barbarism of capitalism in decline, inspiring movements are rising up to challenge the system. Ultimately, the only way to put an end to this barbarism is to overthrow capitalism.

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