In the past few years, what has been loosely called the modernist left has seen some revival, pushing the idea of the left as a modernizing force -- progressive in the most literal sense. I speak with two authors of recent books that fit squarely into this current: Nick Srnicek, co-author of Inventing the Future: Postcapitalism and a World Without Work, and Leigh Phillips, author of the colorfully-titled Austerity Ecology and the Collapse-Porn Addicts: A Defense of Growth Progress Industry and Stuff.

The return of the modernist left

A lefty take on politics and economics in Canada and beyond. Catch journalist Michal Rozworski interview leading left economists, journalists and other figures on topics of the day.

This week, two labour historians talk about their new books on Canadian and US workers’ movements in the 20th century, books which offer important and practical lessons for unions today. First up, I speak with Barry Eidlin, Assistant Professor of Sociology at McGill University, about his just-published book, Labor and the Class Idea in the […]

Labour’s fate and revival in the US and Canada

Last Thursday was a dark day in Ontario as the Conservative Party led by businessman-bully-bullshitter Doug Ford won a majority in the provincial election. Two guests assess the factors behind the Ford’s win and the chances for building an effective opposition to the coming right-wing agenda for Canada’s most populous province. First up, Doug Nesbitt, […]

How Doug Ford won and how to challenge him

This episode is dedicated to the recent, inspiring and victorious teachers’ strike in West Virginia. West Virginia teachers went out on strike in late February over low pay and continued attacks on the health insurance plan they share with all other state workers. They stayed out despite an initial deal signed by the Governor and […]

West Virginia teachers strike to win

First, I speak with Angella MacEwen about the on-going NAFTA re-negotiations and whether Trudeau's much-vaunted "progressive free trade" holds water. Angella has been a guest on the show before and is an economist at the Canadian Labour Congress. Speaking of the Labour Congress, my second guest, David Bush, looks at the turmoil that led up and has resulted from Unifor leaving Canada's house of labour. David is an editor at Rankandfile.ca and write frequently on the labour movement.

The problems with progressive free trade and a divided labour movement

On this episode, three guests provide some perspective on the politics and the economics of the Fight for $15. First, I speak with Jonathan Rosenblum, campaign director at the first Fight for $15 at SeaTac Airport, just outside Seattle, Washington. Workers there won an immediate raise to $15 via a municipal ordinance in 2015. Jon is also an […]

The return of the modernist left

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