Best Rosa Luxemburg Podcasts (2024)

1
VENEZUELA: "The most revolutionary thing one can do, is always to proclaim loudly what is happening." 37:00

9M ago37:00

37:00

The Venezuelan working class and the Communist Party (PCV) are being attacked by the ruling Socialist Party. In this podcast, Stewart McGill talks to Paul Dobson, a member of the Central Committee of the PCV. Paul describes starkly and succinctly the nature of the attacks, and asks people to spend some time trying to understand the situation. He al…

1
Empire, Race and Class 2: Hoisting the Starry Plough 52:40

11M ago52:40

52:40

In this cast I talk to Stiofán Ó Nualláin and Seán Byers from Trademark Belfast about the prospects for the 32 counties of Ireland over the forthcoming years/ decades on a burning planet. See more about Trademark here: https://trademarkbelfast.com/ and here for their excellent podcasts: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/trademark-belfast and …

1
Empire, Race and Class 1:04:45

11M ago1:04:45

1:04:45

The first of our new Spartacus League podcasts. This features Roger Mackenzie, the international editor of the Morning Star, and Aston Villa fan. The podcast was recorded just after the first reports of the explosion at al-Ahli Arab hospital in the north of the Gaza Strip, so we talked about that and the situation in Gaza more than we originally in…

1
New Thinking Series: Wiping Out Debt 1:33:52

1y ago1:33:52

1:33:52

What should the UK government be doing to protect people from the impacts of the cost-of-living crisis, both in the UK and around the world, to improve public services and to help tackle the household debt crisis? Nearly ten million people are heavily in debt in the UK. We are in a personal debt crisis. Rent debt, credit cards, and utility bills ha…

1
New Thinking Series: How do you tax the rich and powerful? 1:06:52

1y ago1:06:52

1:06:52

The last decade has seen wages and benefits cut or frozen while the assets and incomes of the rich have grown hugely, with our tax system guaranteeing the rising wealth of the super-rich in particular. UK private wealth has been growing substantially over time. There is currently no comprehensive tax on ownership of wealth in the UK, but as with ot…

1
New Thinking Series: Five simple steps to eradicate poverty 1:18:27

1+ y ago1:18:27

1:18:27

Please note: this session also contained a visual presentations of the graphs and stats to back up Professor Danny Dorling's arguments. We suggest listening to the podcast with the aide of the slides that you can view here. In this episode Professor Danny Dorling discusses the wide range of inequalities in family incomes and other key measures, and…

1
The New Thinking Series: How private corporations stole the sea 1:02:32

1+ y ago1:02:32

1:02:32

For most of human history, the oceans have been seen as a global commons, which belong to us all. But our seas are now being ravaged by exploitation for corporate profit, resulting in a social, economic and ecological crisis that threatens the life support system of Earth. Guy Standing’s book, ‘The Blue Commons’, argues the only way forward is to r…

1
Episode 10 - The EU and Freedom of Movement 1:04:02

2y ago1:04:02

1:04:02

Exploring the state of the left across Europe, the fight against the rising far-right, the European Union movement and one of its core principles - the concept of free movement and the role it played in the Brexit debate - John McDonnell speaks to Dr Philippe Marlière and Dr Maya Goodfellow. Dr Maya Goodfellow is a writer and academic, specialising…

1
Episode 9 - The History of Anti-Colonial Struggle 50:48

2y ago50:48

50:48

Explore the history of anti-colonialism, struggles against neo-colonialism, and the continued fight against global inequality - John McDonnell discusses these themes in-depth with Asad Rehman and Heidi Chow. Asad Rehman has worked in the non-government and charity sectors for over 25 years. Today, his expertise puts him at the forefront of the clim…

1
Episode 8 - Global Environmental Movements 57:48

2y ago57:48

57:48

Explore the formation, impact and goals of environmental movements globally and how they intersect with the fight against global inequality - John McDonnell discusses these theme in depth with Vijay Prashad and Asad Rehman. Vijay Prashad is an Indian Marxist historian,editor and commentator. He is an executive-director of Tricontinental: Institute …

1
Episode 7 - The Russian Revolution 1:14:32

2y ago1:14:32

1:14:32

A discussion on the context and events of the Russian Revolution including the nature of Russian society prior to the revolution; the emergence of the revolutionary movements and the Bolshevik Party; what sparked the revolution and the civil war; and the lasting international impact of the revolution. John McDonnell speaks to two expert historians …

1
Episode 6 - Struggles against fascism and the far right in Italy and Spain 1:13:21

2y ago1:13:21

1:13:21

A discussion on the rise of fascism and the far-right in Italy and Spain, resulting in the brutal regimes of Franco and Mussolini. This episode explores the conditions that led to their rise and the left struggles in both country during and after the establishment of both fascist regimes - John McDonnell speaks to three expert historians: Jessica T…

1
Episode 5 - The Attlee Government 1:04:20

2+ y ago1:04:20

1:04:20

On the background to and the formation of the Attlee Government in 1945. With Francis Beckett, author, journalist, biographer and historian; Rebecca Long-Bailey, Member of Parliament for Salford and Eccles, and former Shadow Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy; and Paul Dimoldenberg, Labour Councillor in Westminster sinc…

1
Episode 4 - The Foundation of the Labour Party 1:01:36

2+ y ago1:01:36

1:01:36

Explore the rise of the trade union movement and eventual foundation of the Labour Party in 1900, with John McDonnell and three expert historians and activists: Matthew Worley, Simon Hannah and Baroness Pauline Bryan. Matthew Worley is a Professor of Modern History at the University of Reading, where he focuses on twentieth-century British culture …

1
7: 📢 Circulation — a conversation with Nishat Awan 27:17

2+ y ago27:17

27:17

Description In our last episode, we considered how institutions such as the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) are managing the extinction of the bluefin tuna, which is emptying the seas and leading to the forced displacement of fisherfolk, namely, that are traditionally living from the wildlife in those seas. I…

1
Episode 14. Reform or Revolution - Part 4 13:29

2+ y ago13:29

13:29

The final part of this series on Rosa Luxemburg's seminal work. To me personally, what makes me think reform might be a waste of time, or, rather, a plaster on a seriously infected wound.By Carole Bulewski

1
STOP THE WAR - START THE PEACE: Communist Party of Britain General Secretary on NATO, Russia and Ukraine. 53:44

2+ y ago53:44

53:44

A special episode in which Communist Party of Britain General Secretary Rob Griffiths and Convenor of the party’s Political Economy Commission Stewart McGill discuss the unfolding crisis in Ukraine: how we got here and how we can work for peace. This is the comprehensive analysis based on current and historical fact that the supine mainstream media…

1
Episode 13. Reform or Revolution – Part 3 14:38

3y ago14:38

14:38

Penultimate episode on Reform or Revolution. Here we see Rosa arguing that the reforms advocated by the likes of Bernstein and Konrad Schmidt will only go so far because ot the capitalist nature of the State itself.By Carole Bulewski

1
Episode 12. Reform or Revolution - Part 2 14:10

3y ago14:10

14:10

Rosa continues to refute Bernstein's theory, this time from an economic point of view. The element she was missing in her analysis was that of time, and we know now that capitalism, like Covid-19, always finds a way to mutate and reinfect society. And maybe that, in itself, is justification enough to support revolution rather than reform.…

1
Episode 11. Reform or Revolution - Part 1 14:16

3y ago14:16

14:16

"Reform or Revolution” is one of Rosa Luxemburg's major works. It was written in 1898-1899 and is the ‘orthodox’ Marxist response to Eduard Bernstein’s “Problems of Socialism”. Here we start exploring what Bernstein's ideas were in terms of the evolution of Capitalism and how to effectively respond to this evolution. Ideas that Rosa and the Marxist…

1
Episode 10. Rosa and the Unions - The Labour of Sisyphus 9:13

3y ago9:13

9:13

Rosa Luxemburg had a complicated relationship with unions. From their role as organised defence of the working class, she wanted them to move on to become weapons of attack against capitalist exploitation . Union leaders misunderstood her and she became their nemesis. If there is a true role for unions in this day and age, though, isn't that Rosa L…

1
Episode 3 - The Chartists 1:04:00

3y ago1:04:00

1:04:00

The Chartist movement of the 1830s and 1840s was the first mass movement driven by Britain’s working classes. But how and why did the movement arise? What was society really like for working people at the time? And what were the lasting impacts and implications of the Chartists’ struggle? Explore this fascinating area of our history with John McDon…

1
Episode 9 - Berlin: First Impressions 27:44

3y ago27:44

27:44

In 1897, Rosa has just completed her PhD and is coming to Berlin, a centre of Socialist activities. The legalised Social Democratic Party, or SPD, has more than 100,000 members, and 90 different socialist daily newspapers. This is the perfect place for Rosa's next move.By Carole Bulewski

1
Episode 8. Rosa and the French Socialists 15:09

3+ y ago15:09

15:09

The late 19th century was an active time for French Socialism. Rosa Luxemburg would debate with Guesde and Jaures, the main leaders of the French left, the former a revolutionary closer to her ideas and the latter a formidable character with whom she didn't always agree.By Carole Bulewski

1
Episode 2 - The Civil War 1:09:57

3+ y ago1:09:57

1:09:57

What caused the English Civil War (1642–1651)? What was society like for working people in this period? And what impact did the Civil War have on society then - and now, more than three centuries on? Explore this fascinating area of our history with John McDonnell and three expert historians: Ann Hughes, John Rees and Ted Vallance. Ann Hughes is a …

1
Episode 7. More Letters to Leo 20:25

3+ y ago20:25

20:25

Rosa works tirelessly for the Cause, but she also expresses her feelings towards Leo Jogiches in her letters.By Carole Bulewski

1
Episode 6. Life and the Cause 13:02

3+ y ago13:02

13:02

Rosa is finding it increasingly difficult to reconcile her responsibilities with her private life.By Carole Bulewski

1
6: 📢 Red Gold Rush — a conversation with Jennifer Telesca 29:06

3+ y ago29:06

29:06

Description In the previous episode, we considered legacies of pelagic extraction from the perspective of artisanal fisherfolk, and discussed how to begin unthinking and unknowing these extractive ontologies. In the following, with Dr Jennifer Telesca we focus on the role of institutions tasked with conservation management in 'managing extinction'.…

1
Episode 1 - The Peasants' Revolt 1:26:05

3+ y ago1:26:05

1:26:05

What caused the people's revolts? What was society really like in this period? And what were the lasting consequences for working people in Britain? John McDonnell explores this area of our history with historians Martin Empson, Ted Vallance and Justine Firnhaber-Baker, and a more recent employer of camp tactics in Climate Camp and Occupy, Joe Ryle…

1
5: 📢 Artisanal Fisheries & the Art of Unthinking — a conversation with Epifania Amoo-Adare, Nii Ayitey Sackey & Solomon Sampa 25:22

3+ y ago25:22

25:22

Description Previous episodes have focused on certain measures of conservation in fisheries, such as Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY), which were historically put in place to protect domestic industries rather than fish populations. These measures often reinforce legacies of pelagic extraction. This episode focuses on the situation from the perspect…

1
4: 📢 Terraqueous Territoriality — a conversation with Liam Campling 22:31

3+ y ago22:31

22:31

Description This episode focuses on modes of maritime extraction that continue legacies of colonial rule. In discussion with Liam Campling we explore some of the legal and economic infrastructures that support and perpetuate forms of pelagic extractivism, such as Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) and Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY) among others, base…

1
Episode 5: La Révolution Française 29:00

3+ y ago29:00

29:00

On the occasion of the 100-year anniversary of 1793, Rosa Luxemburg wrote an article for Sprawa Robotnicza, hers and Leo Jogiches's newspaper. The full text, as published by Pluto Press in "Socialism or Barbarism" is presented here, with my commentary on the French Revolution.By Carole Bulewski

1
3: 📢 Colonial Currencies & Other Investment Stratagems — a conversation with Ndongo Samba Sylla 31:30

3+ y ago31:30

31:30

Description After developing an understanding of the Berlin Conference’s implications, of the concept of Eurafrica, and of how the European Integration project was truly founded in the previous episodes, we wanted to understand more about how these structures have continued, and how they have been transformed and institutionalised in contemporary i…

1
Episode 4: Letters from Paris 18:36

3+ y ago18:36

18:36

Rosa is in Paris to supervise the printing of issues of Sprawa Robotnicza, the newspaper she and Leo have founded. Leo is in Zurich, telling her what to do, what's wrong with her work, and she's rebelling against his attitude.By Carole Bulewski

1
2: 📢 EURAFRICA — a conversation with Stefan Jonsson and Peo Hansen 28:44

3+ y ago28:44

28:44

Description In this episode we consider how the very foundation of the EU was grounded on an extractivist model. In their book Eurafrica, the Untold History of European Integration and Colonialism, Prof. Peo Hansen and Prof. Stefan Jonsson, debunk the theory of what they refer to as the "Immaculate Conception of the European Union formation", one w…

1
1: 📢 The Curse of Berlin – a conversation with Adekeye Adebajo 27:30

3+ y ago27:30

27:30

Description Through sorcery and extraction, the EURO–VISION series begins with Prof Adekeye Adebajo, Director of the Institute for Pan-African Thought and Conversation at the University of Johannesburg. The conversation focuses on the history of extraction between the European and the African continent, which has laid the groundwork for the Critica…

1
Episode 3: Shared Passions 16:47

3+ y ago16:47

16:47

A look into Rosa's life with fellow revolutionary socialist Leo Jogiches, opening up a series on the letters she wrote to him from Lake Geneva and Paris, where she was overseeing the printing of their newspaper, The Worker's Cause.By Carole Bulewski

1
Episode 2: Beginnings 14:36

3+ y ago14:36

14:36

A brief background on Rosa's early years in Poland, and her first struggles.

1
Episode 1: Why a podcast on Rosa Luxemburg? 9:28

3+ y ago9:28

9:28

An introduction to the podcast, highlighting my reasons for talking about Rosa Luxemburg in my own personal, non-academic way.By Carole Bulewski

1
Bodyline: The Empire Strikes Back Part 2 1:07:28

4y ago1:07:28

1:07:28

Nothing embodies the idea of sport as politics pursued by other means so clearly, and painfully, as the 1932/1933 cricket tour of Australia by the MCC. This story has everything: class struggle and prejudice: camaraderie across the class divide; the attempt of a decadent empire to exert control over its uppity colony at a time of economic crisis; t…

1
Bodyline: The Empire Strikes Back Part 1 45:16

4y ago45:16

45:16

Nothing embodies the idea of sport as politics pursued by other means so clearly, and painfully, as the 1932/1933 cricket tour of Australia by the MCC. This story has everything: class struggle and prejudice: camaraderie across the class divide; the attempt of a decadent empire to exert control over its uppity colony at a time of economic crisis; t…

1
Cycling: a Radical History with pedal4progress, Part 2 54:32

4y ago54:32

54:32

You may not like bicycles, you may not be that keen on cyclists, but the history of cycling and its impact is fascinating, and radical. In the second of this two-parter we talk to Les Doherty of the mighty pedal4progress about that history . We talk about the connection between the Dreyfus affair and the the birth of the Tour de France, why the UK …

1
Cycling: a Radical History with pedal4progress, Part 1. 1:00:55

4y ago1:00:55

1:00:55

You may not like bicycles, you may not be that keen on cyclists, but the history of cycling and its impact is fascinating, and radical. In this two-part episode we talk to Les Doherty of the mighty pedal4progress about that history, more next week. Les is a smooth talker as he's persuaded me to take part in some of the marathon pedal4progress fund …

1
Sport in Capitalist Society, Or The Myth of the Golden Age of Sporting Innocence 1:10:59

4y ago1:10:59

1:10:59

In this Red Caste we talk to Professor Collins about his Sport in Capitalist Society, a book which could be the text book for this series. In this magnum opus Tony exposes, inter alia, the intimate links and interdependencies between the development of UK and international sports and capitalism; the utter, tendentious cant behind the cult of amateu…

1
Rugby League: and the class war was made flesh, and dwelt among us. 1:06:05

4y ago1:06:05

1:06:05

The history of all hitherto existing Rugby codes is the history of class struggle. Here we talk with the best historian in the field about how Rugby League arose from the class politics of Britain in the late 19th century, and how its history has continued to reflect the vicissitudes of that struggle. We were privileged to be joined by Professor To…

1
Belfast Celtic Part 2: sectarian and class politics in the North of Ireland since the 1960s. 1:03:39

4y ago1:03:39

1:03:39

In this episode we talk to Jack Duffin about his experience of the tumultuous politics of the Six Counties since the 1960s. Jack is an old Official IRA member and was Best Man at the wedding of the legendary Joe McCann; here he talks about Joe and much more: the split in the Republican movement between socialists and Catholic nationalists; the inhe…

1
The Grand Old Team, the late, great Belfast Celtic. 1:08:53

4y ago1:08:53

1:08:53

This Redcast is about the late, great Belfast Celtic. Gone but most definitely not forgotten. Celtic were founded in 1891, a few years after Glasgow Celtic and with a sense of responsibility to imitate their counterparts in “style, play and charity.” We talk to our friend and comrade Jack Duffin about the history of the club and their importance to…

1
Detroit City F.C. Part 2: a little bit of the politics. 33:05

4y ago33:05

33:05

In this second part of the Detroit City FC podcast, Matt talks to us about the politics of the club's supporters and gives us his colourful take on USA politics. This was recorded before the USA November election and when Donald Trump was in hospital. Events may have been slightly overtaken parts of this cast but it remains well worth a listen, par…

1
Detroit City FC, Lefty "Soccer" on the Lake. 48:16

4y ago48:16

48:16

SINCE David Bowie sung about Panic in Detroit in 1973 I have been fascinated by Detroit. I have also been fascinated by the international spread of British football culture since being asked to teach a bunch of Penarol fans in Montevideo in 1989 how to properly sing: “You’re going to get your fucking heads in!” I’m a Nacional man but thought it bes…

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