Best Socialist Party (CWI England Podcasts (2024)

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130. The fight for workers' politics now 31:13

21d ago31:13

31:13

Over the last two years of strikes the working class in Britain has begun to feel its collective power. It is about to face a Starmer-led government that will defend the interests of the capitalist class. Further development of trade union militancy is going to be vital, but our class will also desperately need its own party. Any steps that can be …

1
Crisis & Class Struggle in Germany 28:30

1M ago28:30

28:30

Sascha Staničić, national spokesperson of the Socialist Organisation Solidarity, Sol, the CWI in Germany, discusses the CWI’s analysis of the crisis and class struggle in Germany, with Sean Figg, from the CWI’s International Secretariat.For a whole period German capitalism has been a bulwark of stability for capitalism on the European continent. No…

1
Capitalism in Crisis and at War – A Marxist Analysis 42:43

2M ago42:43

42:43

The crisis of world capitalism means war and conflicts, economic stagnation and crises, and political instability on every continent. The working class, young people, and the poor masses around the world are responding with uprisings, mass movements, strike waves and an increased searching for the forms of organisation and the political ideas neces…

1
129. Marion Lloyd: a socialist candidate for PCS general secretary 21:46

6M ago21:46

21:46

Marion will build an industrial plan capable of winning, including national and selective action and overtime bans. Marion will ensure that PCS takes the lead to coordinate with other unions on pay, jobs and against Tory anti-union laws. Marion will give your reps and branches the tools they need to do the job you elected them to do. Get involved: …

1
128. Behind the headlines, how can the Israel-Palestine conflict be solved? 43:29

6M ago43:29

43:29

Capitalism and its political representatives are totally incapable of meeting any of the needs of working-class and poor people anywhere on the globe. All that is on offer is a never-ending diet of war, poverty, oppression and repression.Now the Israeli regime is on the verge of launching a brutal land offensive in Gaza, raising the possibility of …

1
127. A Marxist take on the world economic crisis 57:14

6M ago57:14

57:14

In this podcast with Hannah Sell, Socialist Party general secretary, we look at the world economy, how the capitalist system works – or doesn’t work - and draw conclusions for socialists. It is the first time that, across much of the world, a surge in inflation has coexisted with widespread financial vulnerabilities. The longer the inflation persis…

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126. Chile 50 Years On - socialism is possible but heroism isn't enough 48:51

7M ago48:51

48:51

Fifty years since it was crushed, the Chilean revolution of 1970-73 remains a reference point, not only in Chile, but internationally, for both the working class and its organisations - and the capitalist classes. In Chile, in the wake of the 2019 mass movement, the legacy of the coup is again hotly contested. The defenders of capitalism feel compe…

1
125. Dave Nellist - former 'Workers' MP on a Worker's Wage' discusses the Tory sleaze scandal 38:25

2+ y ago38:25

38:25

We sat down with Socialist Party member Dave Nellist to discuss the latest Tory sleaze scandal, how he went about only taking a average worker's wage and how as a supporter of the Militant (now the Socialist Party) he used his position as a Labour MP to give a voice for working class people everywhere and fight for socialist change.Dave was a ‘Mili…

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124. Cop 26 - Socialist Change to end Climate Change 52:29

2+ y ago52:29

52:29

November 5/6 in Glasgow saw some of the largest political mobilisations since the onslaught of the Covid pandemic. The catalyst was the bosses’ summit, COP26, a forum to find ‘solutions’ to limit global warming, but more importantly, to save the capitalist system. The first protest on the Friday saw a march of up to 20,000 strong – which was an ove…

1
123. Cuban protests – what do they represent? 35:38

2+ y ago35:38

35:38

Cuban protests – what do they represent? On 11 July, Cuba was rocked by the largest protests to have taken place since the “Maleconazo” protests that erupted in 1994. The 1994 protests followed the collapse of the former USSR and the abrupt cutting off of aid to Cuba. It resulted in a staggering 30% decline in Cuban GDP and the introduction of what…

1
122. Afghanistan in crisis: A colossal failure of western capitalism 34:09

2+ y ago34:09

34:09

Afghanistan in crisis: A colossal failure of western capitalism. After two decades of military occupation and trillions of dollars spent by western governments, millions of Afghans are now back to where they were in 2001 - under the brutal rule of the Taliban. Yet the capitalist politicians responsible for this tragic debacle - Messrs Tony Blair, G…

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121. Fighting to save the NHS 37:19

2+ y ago37:19

37:19

The future of the NHS hangs in the balance. Nearly five million people are waiting for treatment. Covid has pushed our health services to the limit, but years of underfunding meant it was already in crisis before the pandemic. Waiting lists were already rising, as were the huge staff shortages.But rather than addressing these problems as a priority…

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120. Tories in crisis - Preparing for struggle in post-Covid Britain 48:07

3y ago48:07

48:07

Tories in crisis - Preparing for struggle in post-Covid BritainFar from an era of sustained economic upswing, social peace and a Tory ascendency opening up for post-Covid Britain, the prospects ahead are for heightened class conflict and turbulent political times.The last fifteen months have been unprecedented in the history of capitalism. In Brita…

1
119. Organising in the food and retail industry 45:46

3y ago45:46

45:46

Retail has felt the full impact of the Covid pandemic but the resulting heightened struggle between different capitalist interests within the sector, and between big business and retail workers, reflects longer-term trends.During the pandemic, we saw shortages of basic goods during the first few weeks – what was this due to? There were lots of talk…

1
118. Where now for the Scottish independence movement? 18:56

3y ago18:56

18:56

6 May 2021 saw the election of a majority of MSPs to the Scottish parliament committed to a second referendum on Scottish independence. Is an independent Scotland now inevitable? How will Boris Johnson and the Tories respond? Should socialists and the workers' movement fight to lead the struggle for self-determination for Scotland? Philip Stott, na…

1
117. How can Palestinian liberation and an end to Israeli state terror be won? 38:09

3y ago38:09

38:09

What can the Palestinians in Palestine and Israel do to develop their struggle?What are the UN and governments around the world doing to try to get a ceasefire?And what about the methods of Palestinian struggle? Do the rockets fired from Gaza help the Palestinians’ struggle?And what about the working class in Israel? How possible is it for Israeli …

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116. May elections and crisis in the Labour Party 26:46

3y ago26:46

26:46

The Tories are claiming victory – but what is the perspective for Johnson and his party? The austerity they are planning for the working class and the lack of solutions that they have for all the problems we face will smash any hope-against-hopes there is that they will improve things.The Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition (TUSC) is the elector…

1
115. Biden’s stimulus – can it solve the problems of US and world capitalism? 35:19

3y ago35:19

35:19

And what about beyond the US – how will this spending play out on the world stage? What does it mean when Biden says ‘America’s back’?Do these packages represent a new New Deal comparable to that of Roosevelt in the 1930s? What results did FDR’s version achieve? How should the left respond to this turnaround of approach? We ask what role does the l…

1
114. Football super-league - reclaim the game 27:13

3y ago27:13

27:13

The withdrawal of the six football clubs in England from the Super League - after protests and action by fans, players and other club staff - will be rightly celebrated. That’s the start. What is necessary now to reclaim football? The billionaire owners who attempted to rob our clubs and game are still in charge. They cannot be trusted and must be …

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113. Corruption, cronyism and capitalist politics 29:15

3y ago29:15

29:15

This episode was recorded on Tuesday 23 April 2021 and by the time we’ve published it more revelations have emerged from the murk of Westminster. Johnson won the last general election by distancing himself from his own party - including Cameron - and ludicrously posing as some kind of champion of the 'little people' against the elites. But this sca…

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112. A socialist mayor for Liverpool 42:56

3y ago42:56

42:56

How can elected positions be used to advance the struggle of working class and young people against the bosses’ and the Tories’ Covid austerity?The Socialist Party is part of the Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition, organising to work with trade unionists and socialists to offer a programme that builds on Corbyn’s anti-austerity stand at the bal…

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111. PCS elections - the struggle for fighting trade unionism 38:51

3y ago38:51

38:51

111. PCS elections – the struggle for fighting trade unionismHow can the trade unions, as the main mass organisation of the working class, be organised to fulfil their full potential in the fight against Tory covid austerity?In this episode we speak to Marion Lloyd, the socialist candidate for president of the PCS union which organises civil servic…

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110. The Paris Commune 29:30

3y ago29:30

29:30

The Paris Commune 1871 is rich in lessons for the struggles today. Listen to Peter Taaffe, Socialist Party political secretary, discussing the rich lessons for today.The Committee for a Workers’ International, the world socialist organisation to which the Socialist Party is affiliated, will host an online rally to celebrate the Paris Commune annive…

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109. End violence against women 20:12

3y ago20:12

20:12

What is the socialist approach to ending both violence against women and defending the right to protest?This bonus episode is a recording of the introduction to a national meeting hosted by the Socialist Party on Friday 19 March, attended by around 150 people.What are the factors that made the murder of Sarah Everard the trigger for the protests?Wh…

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108. SNP warfare – what does it represent? 25:57

3y ago25:57

25:57

What does this mean for the independence movement in Scotland?How can workers and young people, who overwhelmingly back independence, take their struggle forward? The Socialist Party Scotland is the sister party of the Socialist Party in England and Wales.This episode of Socialism looks at the feud within the SNP and what it means for the independe…

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107. 1971: how workers beat anti-union laws 1:01:22

3y ago1:01:22

1:01:22

What can we learn from the defeat of the Industrial Relations Act 1971?Capitalist commentators often refer to the 1970s as a kind of dark age, and accuse socialists of wanting to return to it. What they’re frightened of is the huge power of a working class that fought and often won during that decade.One major victory was the defeat of the Tories’ …

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106. Black workers' charter 50:23

3y ago50:23

50:23

How can we fight racism and capitalism today?Black and Asian people have been disproportionately affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. In fact, they are disproportionately affected by austerity, and by all the inequalities and attacks that face the working class.Meanwhile, working-class youth showed their willingness to fight racism and class inequali…

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105. Russia protests: what future for Putin's regime? 48:28

3y ago48:28

48:28

What next for the mass protests in Russia?Facing down brutal police repression, tens of thousands seized the streets in Russia to oppose the arrest of opposition leader Alexi Navalny. Vladimir Putin's dictatorial regime was shaken.While working-class Russians suffer ever more misery, Putin has built himself an opulent private palace. The anger agai…

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104. School workers need a fighting union 56:35

3y ago56:35

56:35

How can the National Education Union win for school workers?During the pandemic, educators and support staff have been on the front line of the Tories’ war for private wealth over public health. Schools became key breeding grounds for Covid-19.Then, in January, the NEU forced a humiliating government U-turn on school reopening. What are the lessons…

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103. The Arab Spring 25:51

3y ago25:51

25:51

What are the 2011 Arab Spring’s lessons for now?Ten years ago, revolutions erupted in Egypt and Tunisia, and rapidly spread in the Middle East and North Africa. Workers and poor people enraged by their living conditions toppled dictators.World capitalist governments were taken by surprise. Why did Marxists in the Committee for a Workers’ Internatio…

1
102. US: the storming of the Capitol 40:02

3y ago40:02

40:02

How should socialists respond to the dramatic crisis in the US?On Wednesday 6 January 2021, Trump supporters - some armed - invaded Congress. It was the culmination of the loose-cannon president’s desperate attempts to overturn the election result. But the US capitalist class is used to inflicting humiliations like this on the rest of the world – n…

1
101. Britain, 2021: a new era of capitalist crisis 48:20

3+ y ago48:20

48:20

What is the outlook for class struggle in Britain in 2021?The pandemic was a world-shattering turning point. All the weaknesses of capitalism were laid bare in 2020. But in few countries more so than Britain.The nightmare which began in 2020 has not been limited to public health, but has infected the already-ailing world economy – with British capi…

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100. 2020 highlights: A socialist youth charter 53:36

3+ y ago53:36

53:36

What do young people need today - and how can they fight for it?Last summer, massive, young, working-class protests exploded around the world after the murder of George Floyd, and other appalling incidents of racism and police violence. But it's not just these issues that angered young people.In the US, Britain and around the world, the youth are s…

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99. 2020 highlights: US imperialism in decline 27:00

3+ y ago27:00

27:00

The crisis-ridden US has two options: socialism or barbarism. In the run-up to last year’s election, the United States was faced with a litany of crises. This episode was recorded during the run-up - but Biden’s election changes little. Like many capitalist economies, the US had to partly suspend production in the face of the coronavirus pandemic. …

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98. 2020 highlights: Trotsky's revolutionary ideas 58:50

3+ y ago58:50

58:50

80 years on from Trotsky’s assassination: can they kill his ideas?Lev Davidovich Bronstein, better known as Leon Trotsky, was murdered on 21 August 1940. What was Stalin so afraid of? And why do capitalist commentators still try to bury Trotsky’s ideas today?Earlier this year, the Committee for a Workers’ International published a new book, and Soc…

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97. Chartism 30:32

3+ y ago30:32

30:32

How did Britain's working class fight to overthrow early capitalism?In the early 19th century, the industrial revolution was rapidly creating a big new social class in Britain: the working class. Workers produced huge amounts of new wealth for the ruling capitalists, but had appalling conditions and no say in politics. Sound familiar?Trade unions a…

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96. Engels’ Origin of the Family, Private Property and the State 43:12

3+ y ago43:12

43:12

What are the roots of women’s oppression?Thousands of years ago, early human societies lived without economic classes or gender oppression. Life was basic, precarious and sometimes brutal. But all contributed what they could to producing the necessities of life, and men and women had an equal say and social status. How did humans move from this to …

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95. Engels' Socialism: Utopian and Scientific (re-run) 28:24

3+ y ago28:24

28:24

How did Engels explain the scientific approach to socialism?Today, there are socialists who argue that rational arguments, or moral appeals, or new technologies, or localised socialistic community projects, can defeat capitalism. These ideas are not new. Unfortunately, they have all been disproven in theory and practice.These well-meaning approache…

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94. Engels on The Housing Question 35:52

3+ y ago35:52

35:52

What did Engels have to say about the housing crisis?Cramped homes. Extortionate costs. Rip-off landlords. Rising homelessness. Projects to upgrade areas just used to force workers and poor people out. Meanwhile, posh new houses lie empty.It could be any major town or city in the 21st century. But it was all described by Friedrich Engels back in th…

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93. Engels' Condition of the Working Class in England 23:34

3+ y ago23:34

23:34

What can the horrors of industrialisation teach socialists today?175 years ago, Britain was the most advanced capitalist country on the planet. Leaps forward in industry created huge productive power and riches for the capitalists.Radicals looked to Britain as a way forward for society following revolutionary movements against the old feudal rulers…

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92. The revolutionary life of Friedrich Engels 56:39

3+ y ago56:39

56:39

Who was Friedrich Engels and what were his ideas?Marxism, originally called ‘scientific socialism’, takes its name from Karl Marx. But Marx didn’t work alone in developing his ideas. His co-philosopher – and close friend – shares the credit for that historic work.How did these two giants of socialism come together? What led Engels to develop revolu…

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91. Universities in crisis 39:32

3+ y ago39:32

39:32

How can students fight back against rip-off Covid imprisonment?Universities have enticed students onto courses with promises of a learning experience that never materialised – then trapped them there under lockdown to suck out fees and rent.Overcrowding on campus and in housing is causing major material and mental health crises. Jobs and teaching q…

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90. Uprising in Nigeria 28:58

3+ y ago28:58

28:58

What next for the uprising in Nigeria?Millions of youth have been out on the streets in response to the brutal repression and banditry of the Nigerian state’s so-called ‘Special Anti-Robbery Squad’ (Sars). They have the sympathy of millions of workers in this huge, resource-rich west African country.The scale of the protests shows this is about muc…

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89. Trotsky, art and culture 41:32

3+ y ago41:32

41:32

How did Trotsky view revolution and the arts?Because art holds a mirror up to life, many revolutionaries have taken an interest its role. Leon Trotsky in particular wrote on art, literature, and its role in society and politics.Art can be insightful because of its politics, or despite them. So how does Marxism, a political theory, have any relation…

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88. Crumbling capitalism, revolution and counter-revolution 34:12

3+ y ago34:12

34:12

88. Crumbling capitalism, revolution and counter-revolutionAs the capitalist world tears at itself, who stands to gain? Global capitalism is in its deepest crisis since the 1930s, exacerbated by ‘the great accelerator’: Covid-19 pandemic and depression.There is turmoil on every continent; class battles and uprisings; rising authoritarianism; polari…

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87. What is a 'transitional programme'? 1:02:17

3+ y ago1:02:17

1:02:17

How can socialists link day-to-day struggles to the need for revolution?Global capitalism is in a historic crisis, and offers no future to the majority of humanity. Socialism is the only alternative to bloated billionaires, mass unemployment and ruinous trade wars.On the one hand, the profit system is in such a mess that even defending existing pro…

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86. World crisis and the second wave 34:40

3+ y ago34:40

34:40

What is the state of world capitalism as it heads into a second wave of Covid-19?Over a decade ago, the global capitalist system was shaken by a historic financial crisis. It still had not recovered when the coronavirus pandemic caused the worst economic contraction in history.Pandemic, depression, environmental catastrophe, political turmoil - cap…

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85. Britain's general strike of 1926 50:23

3+ y ago50:23

50:23

What are the lessons for today from the 1926 general strike?One of the myths about the British working class is that it’s too ponderous and conservative to have a serious fight with capitalism. Actually, centuries of bitter class struggle have shown the real potential again and again.But arguably the high point came in 1926, during a period of nati…

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84. Trotsky on the trade unions 45:29

3+ y ago45:29

45:29

What was Trotsky’s advice for revolutionaries on unions?The trade unions are the basic organisations of the working class. Trotsky, like all who follow the ideas of genuine Marxism, believed the working class was the only social force which can lead socialist revolution.But the union leaders can be timid, or even hold back struggle by their members…

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83. Trotsky and the Fourth International 56:35

3+ y ago56:35

56:35

How did Trotsky help organise international socialist struggle?Capitalism is a worldwide problem. Since the days of Karl Marx, socialists have worked towards a worldwide solution.But there have been multiple attempts to organise international associations of revolutionaries. Each rose and then fell for different reasons.What can we learn from their…

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