Marx Engels Institute
220 episodes - English - Latest episode: 4 months ago -News and analysis podcast from a Marxist perspective hosted by Alexander Mckay
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Episodes
The DPRK and The Occupied South
January 27, 2024 11:39 - 43 minutes - 59.1 MBDr Dermot Hudson returns to the programme to talk about the recent policy change made by the Supreme Peoples Assembly of the DPRK towards the occupied south. Outro Music is the DPRK Military Choir performing the song 'Reunification'
Palestine - The Heart of The Liberation Struggle
December 01, 2023 22:09 - 1 hour - 89.9 MBMatteo Capasso returns to discuss the war on Gaza. We also discuss how Palestine is at the heart of liberation movements against US imperialism.
The Burmese Communist Party & The Peoples War
November 25, 2023 16:13 - 1 hour - 83.7 MBI recently spoke with the American Communist writer Michael Christopher regarding his work on the current situation in Myanmar. He has written several pieces on the subject including for the CPUSA publication 'Peoples World' covering the war against the military regime and role played by the Communist Party of Burma. You can find Michael's 'Peoples World' article here You can also find Michaels latest substack article here
The Artsakh War And The Crisis In Armenia
September 21, 2023 14:19 - 1 hour - 82.8 MBIn this episode I spoke to the Armenian journalist Alison Tahmizian about the recent Azerbaijani war on Artsakh. We discuss the history of the war, dating back to the late period of the USSR, and the role played by British imperialism in supporting the Azeri regime run by Ilham Aliyev. We also discuss the abysmal role played by current Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and how he has acted to undermine the sovereignty and independence of Armenia. Be sure to follow Alison on twitter/X...
Interview With Matteo Capasso
September 02, 2023 19:16 - 1 hour - 83.8 MBIn this episode I spoke with Matteo Capasso, auther of the recently released book 'Everyday Politics In The Libyan Arab Jamahiriya'. We discuss the early years of the revolutionary process in Libya and how it tied into the global wave of revolution and coutner revolution.
The NATO War On Donbas - Interview With Steve Sweeney
July 22, 2023 10:01 - 1 hour - 147 MBIn this episode I spoke to RT journalist Steve Sweeney who is currently reporting from the frontline areas of the Donbas. We talk about the almost decade long war that has been waged by the Ukrainian armed forces on the Russian and Russian speaking areas of the country. We also cover the latest updates from the frontlines.
The Korean Revolution Stands Strong - Interview With Dermot Hudson
July 07, 2023 16:14 - 1 hour - 89.4 MBThis week I spoke to Dermot Hudson of the Korean Friendship Association on a series of matters related to the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (DPRK). We cover how the DPRK emerged stronger from the testing period of the 1990s following the collapse of the Socialist bloc in the period 1989-1991. We talk about the connection between the Workers Party of Korea and the masses through the practice of the mass line has helped both protect and strengthen the revolution. Be sure to visit the...
Narrative Management - Interview With Kit Klarenberg
June 30, 2023 11:19 - 1 hour - 102 MBKit Klarenberg returns to the programme to talk about his own recent tangle with British "anti terror" cops as well as the various propaganda and narrative management techniques deployed by the British state.
Ukraine War Livestream Audio
June 23, 2023 10:58 - 42 minutes - 58.9 MBThis is the audio from a recent livestream over the history of Ukraine war.
The DPRK, Occupied Korea and Decaying Imperialism - Interview With Joti Brar
June 22, 2023 19:40 - 1 hour - 83.5 MBJoti Brar joins me again to talk about the recent meeting of the World Anti Imperialist Platform in US occupied Korea. We talk about the impact of the US occupating on Korea, how the two halves of that nation are literally the opposite of what you've been told about them and how western Marxists must learn from the example of the DPRK. Be sure to check out the World Anti Imperialist Platform website. Outro Music is 'Cholima On The Wing' a song from the DPRK
Study Guide - The Principles of Communism
June 05, 2023 18:30 - 1 hour - 140 MBAn audio study guide for Engels often neglected 1847 work 'The Principles of Communism'.
Cultural Marxism
May 19, 2023 15:32 - 1 hour - 91.8 MBIn this episode, I examine the usage of the term "cultural Marxism" by classical liberals such as Ben Shapiro and Peter Hitchens. I argue that whilst the form of leftist politics the right denounces does exist it is as much of an expression of bourgeois politics as the right wingers themselves are.
From Kabul To Kiev - Interview With Kit Klarenberg
May 05, 2023 18:18 - 1 hour - 113 MBKit Klarenberg returns to the progreamme to talk about his recent article for Mint Press News which covers the collapse of the US trained and quipped Afghan army. We take in the levels of delusion within the government of Ashraf Ghani, the enormous fraud carried out by many "contractors" and the similarities to Ukraine. Along the way we also take in the Balkan wars and how the Bosnians were manipulated and then discarded by US imperialism. Be sure to follow Kit on twitter Outro Music is...
Introduction To Marxism-Leninism Part 1 - The Three Sources and Three Component Parts of Marxism
April 28, 2023 19:49 - 1 hour - 83.6 MBThis is the first episode of what will be an ongoing series entitled 'Intrduction To Marxist Leninism'. In this series I will be introudcing the key concepts of the Marxist-Leninist worldview by studying some classic texts from the great revolutionary thinkers of the last 200 years. In this first episode I look at the 1913 work by Lenin 'The Three Sources and Three Component Parts of Marxism'. It is one of the best introductions to Marxism ever written and much can be learned from studying...
Commodified Rebellions
April 15, 2023 11:59 - 1 hour - 73.5 MBCapitalism requires it's political superstructure to be continually refreshed and reorganised to reflect it's need to find new ways to attack the working class. This is where the need for commodified rebellions comes in. In this programme I look at why this need arises and how the commodified rebellion has become a key part of bourgeois strategy in the 20th and 21st centuries. Music for this episode is 'Lenin Gave Us Light' a song from Soviet Moldova Episode image is from a 'UK Uncut' pr...
The Bolivarian Revolution and Anti-Imperialism - Interview With Joti Brar
April 04, 2023 22:02 - 1 hour - 52.4 MBIn this weeks internview I speak with CPGB-ML Vice Chair Joti Brar about her recent visit to Caracas. We talk about the unfolding revolutionary process that is going on there, the masses continued support for a socialist future and their building of workers democratic organisations. We also discuss the recent meeting of the World Anti-Imperialist Platform held in Caracas and the declaration made by those parties attending. Outro Music is 'La Hora Del Pueblo' A song of the PSUV
Interview With Angie Jones
March 23, 2023 23:17 - 1 hour - 51.6 MBIn this interview episode I speak with Angie Jones from the Youtube channel 'Terf Talk Down Under' about the recent protest staged by feminists in Australia against men being granted access to women only spaces, the perils of 'self ID' and much more. We talk about Angies political background within the Australian feminist and left movements, the growth of gender ideology in Australian public institutions and why she and other feminists saw the need to take a stand against it. We also cover t...
Constraints and Crises
March 20, 2023 23:51 - 55 minutes - 57.4 MBWith the shotgun wedding of UBS and Credit Suisse along with the US governments intervention over Silicon Valley Bank another banking crisis may be upon us. But is this a new crisis or a renewal of an older one that began back in 2008? In this episode I explore why the need for US imperialism is to either find follow Andrew Mellons old advice to "liquidate capital, liquidate labor" to purge the system or to find new places to wage aggressive imperialist wars, or possibly both. I also look at...
Return To Perfidious Albion - Featuring Tara McCormack
March 19, 2023 21:32 - 1 hour - 57.5 MBIn this episode we are joined by International Relations specialist Tara McCormack to talk about Britain, foreign policy and the always interesting topic of the rottenness of the British state. In a wide ranging coversation we cover the Shamina Begum case, the Manchester bombing of 2017, the Ukraine war, the war on terror and much more! So enjoy an excursion to perfidious Albion with two of it's disgruntled residents. Be sure to follow Tara on twitter Episode outro is 'Song of the Leade...
Georgia On My Mind - Interview With Donald Courter
March 12, 2023 20:41 - 53 minutes - 38.9 MBFollowing the events in Georgia last week I spoke RT correspondent (and host of the Revolution Report) Donald Courter. He has been reporting from Tbilisi during the riots that were triggered by the governments attempt to pass a law regulating foreign controlled NGOs. We talk about the actual forces in play in Georgia, the long shadow of the 2008 war, former President Saakashvili and the turning of the country into a free market laboratory and the effects of this. Be sure to check out The ...
On Color "Revolutions"
March 09, 2023 20:34 - 1 hour - 69.9 MBIn light of the recent developments in Georgia the subject of, so called, color revolutions is being widely discussed again. In this episode I look at the origins of the color revolution strategy in places like Yugoslavia. I then turn to look at the development of this tactic by US imperialism through the 1990s and how this tactic is able to exploit the weaknesses of the post-soviet states. The failure of these attempts in Cuba, Iran, Venezuela and Nicaragua is also examined and how their...
Once Again On Scottish Nationalism
February 27, 2023 23:49 - 1 hour - 63.7 MBIn this follow up episode on Scottish nationalism we examine some of the reasons why the British left has come to support this particular cause. The reasons range from the ridiculous notion that Scotland is somehow more "progressive" than southern England to the equally ridiculous opportunist reasononing of the Trotskyites. Many of the reasons are more about sounding "left" than they are about actually challenging British imperialism. Outro music is "Where Is Out James Connolly' perform...
Interview With Christian Parenti
February 24, 2023 12:29 - 1 hour - 48.9 MBChristian Parenti joins me for this episode to talk about his two recent articles Trump Against Empire & Will The Left Stand Up To The Deepstate We had a wide ranging discussion covering how Trumps blundering and crude understanding of American capitalism led to him inadvertantly disrupting certain aspects of the US imperial management system. We also cover the vast expansion in the powers of the security state in the USA and how the brings into question how much of the American system can...
Duelling Speeches
February 21, 2023 23:08 - 59 minutes - 63.9 MBIn the first part of our analysis of President Putins speech to the Russian Federal Assembly we examine the part of the speech dealing with the Ukraine war and special military operation. This leads into a discussion of the class war that has been waged upon the Ukrainian working class by the oligarchy and why they turned to a coup when they couldn't get the EU agreement through in 2014. We then turn to look at old man Bidens ramblings in Poland and his farewell to Zelensky in Kiev. Outr...
Paradoxes of Propaganda - Interview With Kit Klarenberg
February 19, 2023 23:40 - 1 hour - 41.5 MBReporter for the Grayzone and Mint Press News, Kit Klarenberg returns to the programme today. We talk about the potential British involvement with the Nord Stream pipeline bombings and the Seymour Hersh story neglecting that angle. We then discuss the stitch up job that was done on the Cambridge Analytica scandal. The episode concludes with a discussion of the German "coup" plot and it's mysterious disappearance from the headlines. The sound quality on this episode is variable due to a p...
Sturgeon Falls
February 17, 2023 01:00 - 1 hour - 66.3 MBIn this special episode I look at the recent resignation of Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon. What does this tell us about the state of the SNP? Could they have won a 2nd independence referendum? Why is the Scottish left so bought into the idea of independence? All these questions and more will be addressed in this episode. Due to the lenght of the episode there will be a second part of this released next week looking why petit-bourgeois nationalism has grown in Britain since the 1...
Mr Z Goes On Tour
February 11, 2023 21:54 - 1 hour - 72.9 MBThis week saw the grotescque spectacle of Zelensky doing a Star Wars cosplaying session in the Brtish parliament and being given an IOU for fighter jets in return. We look at that before turning to the perennial question of brext and a recent immigration related riot that took place in Britain and the usage of migration by imperialism. Be sure to read out latest article on the Marx Engels Institute site Outro Music is "In The Flesh" by Pink Floyd taken from the album "The Wall" (1979) lyric...
A Time Of Revelations
February 05, 2023 20:08 - 58 minutes - 63.7 MBAs the Russian forces continue to encircle Artymovsk/Bakhmut and the Zelensky regime starts dragooning the blind and disabled into the Ukrainian army we look at what the Nato gang might be trying to achieve. We then turn to the most recent revelations from former Israeli PM Naftali Bennett regarding who made sure that the peace talks in March of last year did not succeed. Be sure to check out the latest on the Marx-Engels Institute site If you want to support the programme you can do s...
Interview With Joti Brar
February 03, 2023 12:01 - 1 hour - 44.1 MBIn this episode I speak to Joti Brar, Vice Chair Communist Party of Great Britain - Marxist Leninist. In this interview we speak about the World Anti Imperialist Platform and the US imperialists plans for war with China, the war against Russia and the failure of anti war movements in the west. This will go out for public release on Friday. Be sure to check out the CPGB-ML website Here is the link to Joti's telegram channel
The Dead End Of Labourism - Red Star Bulletin #35
January 28, 2023 21:32 - 59 minutes - 63.2 MBIn a break to our regularly schedule programmes on the Ukraine war I take a look at why the Labour Party does not deserve one single vote at the next British elections. I also argue why Starmer is absolutely within the tradition of labour party leaders and why parliamentarism is absolutley fatal to Communist Parties. Be sure to check out more of our episodes on patreon Be sure to visit the Marx-Engels Institute website Outro Music is "The Molly Maguires" by Luke Kelly Episode Artwork ...
World Of Tanks - Red Star Bulletin #34
January 26, 2023 12:36 - 1 hour - 76.3 MBAs the Russian armed forces cointinue their advances across Donetsk and Zaporozhye we ask if the promises of new tanks from Germany, Britain and the US will actually make all that much difference in the war. We also examine a speech given by prominent expenses fiddler David Lammy, the next British foreign minister no less, and argue that he's fully in line with the imperialist traditions of the Labour Party. Be sure to check out the latest article on the Marx-Engels Institute website You...
The Davos Men Cometh - Red Star Bulletin #33
January 24, 2023 21:03 - 45 minutes - 49 MBIn tonights bulletin we look at the recent purges in the Ukrainian government and ask what the hell the Americans are up to? The tank based hysteria continues, largely fuelled by journalists who've never even played 'World Of Tanks'. And we finally look at the bizarre and crazy world of Davos, Greta Thunberg and Keir Starmer. Outro Music is 'Plastic Man' by The Kinks
Dangerous Assumptions - Red Star Bulletin #32
January 22, 2023 21:15 - 1 hour - 67.3 MBIn this episode of the bulletin we look at the latest from the frontlines in Ukraine. This includes the fall of Soledar and the encirclement of Artymovsk, the role of the Wagner group and the new Russian offensive in the Zaporozyhe region. From there we look at the latest Ukrainian conscription drive and the likelihood of a Ukrainian offensive. We also consider the resignation of Zelenskys chief spin doctor Arestovich and what his revelations can tell us about the war. Episode Outro is...
The Fraud of "Anti Fascism"
January 20, 2023 15:25 - 1 hour - 77.8 MBI start off this episode by talking about the launch of the Marx Engels Institute which is now the home of this podcast. As I say on the episode there will be an essay accompanying this epiosde published on the site in the next few days. For the bulk of the episode I examine how did the concept of anti facsism change from being a socialist force driven by the working class to being a laundry service for the reputations of imperialist politicians? In this episode I explore the historical c...
Interview With Dr Bob Gill
January 14, 2023 01:32 - 54 minutes - 34.1 MBIn this episode I speak with Dr Bob Gill. He is a medical doctor working within the British National Health Service and long time campaigner against health service privatisation. In the hour he talks about media decepitons over health policy, the treacherous role of the health union leaders and the identical nature of the NHS policies promoted by both labour and conservative parties. Be sure to follow Dr Gill on twitter @drbobgill
Biden, Britain and Ukraine
January 13, 2023 01:10 - 59 minutes - 63.8 MBWill the classified documents stashed in his corvette's glove box spell the end for Joe Biden? Have the Russians sacked their commander? Is British capitalism actually capable of waging a real war? All these questions and more will be answered in tonights Red Star Radio bulletin! Episode Artwork is 'The First Red Army Soldiers in 1918' by the Soviet Russian Artist Ivan Georgievich Drozdov (1924)
The Brasilia Riot
January 09, 2023 22:22 - 48 minutes - 52.4 MBWhat are the reasons behind the recent riot of Bolsonaro supporters in Brazil? What does this tell us about the nature of capitalist democracy in Brazil? Are there any comparisons to be made to the January 6th events in the USA? Or is such a comparison facile nonsense peddled by instagram influencers? Outro music is the anthem of the landless workers movement of Brazil
Sunak, Starmer and the Unbearable Self Deception of the British Empire
January 08, 2023 22:30 - 1 hour - 66.4 MBIn this special episode I look at the two speeches given by the British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Labour Party leader Keir Starmer. By reading through we can tell much about British capitalism and how the priorities of the ruling class are expressed by the politicians within the bourgeois state. Episode Outro is 'High Germany' by Martin Carthy
Washington Bullets - Red Star Bulletin #32
January 07, 2023 00:18 - 58 minutes - 62.7 MBIn this episode I look at the real meaning of Zelenskys Christmas in Washington, the sheer brute cynicism of the likes of Lindsay Graham and the return of Oliver North. I then turn to domestic British politics and Rishi Sunaks proposed attacks on the right to strike. I conclude by looking at the long term rates of poverty in Britain and why they never actually reduce over the last 30 years. Outro Music is 'Washington Bullets' by The Clash from the album 'Sandinista' (1980) Episode artw...
The Starmer Redundancy - Red Star Bulletin #32
December 20, 2022 22:53 - 57 minutes - 55.9 MBI star the bulletin tonight by looking at the latest from the war in Ukraine, including Putin visiting Minsk and the possible implcations of it. The bulk of the episode thought is taken up with an examination of the strikes going on in Britain and why the labour party offers no way out for the working class. Outro is 'The Red Flag'
The Holodomor Mythology - Interview With Comrade Slava
December 16, 2022 16:58 - 1 hour - 46.6 MBWith the German parliament recently passing a resolution proclaiming that the Soviet leadership in the ealry 1930's engaged in a deliberate policy of starvation in Ukraine it was clearly time to look at the mythology this resolution is based on. Comrade Slava from the Chicago Workers School joins me for this episode where we examine why the 'holodomr' is a myth created by a combination of the Nazi regime, Ukrainian fascists, the Hearst press and reactionary British historian Robert Conquest...
The Enemies Messengers - Media and the Class War
December 14, 2022 20:17 - 1 hour - 68.3 MBIn this episode of the bulletin I look at the role of the press in maintaining the rule of the capitalist class. This is after a brief overview of the latest from the frontlines in Ukraine and the always revolting role being played by a certain Boris Johnson. Outro music is 'The Revolution Will Not Be Televised' by Gil Scott Heron Intro is Malcolm X speaking on the power of the press Episode image is from 'Citizen Kane' by Orson Welles If you liked this then be sure to check out the c...
Waiting for the Fall - Red Star Bulletin #30
December 12, 2022 23:23 - 1 hour - 64.8 MBAs the Kiev regime prepares another doomed offensive in Zaporozhye I ask what, what the hell are they doing? The Saudis realign but remain the same collection of ultra reactionaries they always have been. The Serbian ruling class wait and watch whilst trying to avoid a shooting war with NATO over Kosovo but the wars fuelled by US imperialism in the former Yugoslavia cannot remain frozen for too much longer as the American empire visibly falls apart. And finally a look at why the British tr...
Mere Anarchy Is Loosed Upon The World - Red Star Bulletin #29
December 10, 2022 17:58 - 58 minutes - 61.9 MBIn this episode of the bulletin I consider the latest discussion around the potential end point for the Russia-NATO war in Ukraine that have emerged recently. I then look at the farcical "coup" that was reported to have been foiled in Germany this week, how there's always a pro-fascist section of the bourgeoisie and how the secret services of captialist states always play a role in the running of reactionary organisations. I conclude by looking at the recent comments from Olaf Scholz regar...
Anglo Ruses - Red Star Daily #28
December 05, 2022 21:57 - 50 minutes - 55.7 MBIn this episode of the bulletin I look at the likely effects of the G7 oil "price cap" and how it isn't likely to lead to the results it's originators desire. I also look at the drone attack on airfields inside Russia and how this is being played out as a propaganda operation in the British bourgeois press. In the final part of the programme I look at how the government and security services have been using the clowns from Extinction Rebelliona and Just Stop Oil to soften up public opini...
Men Out Of Time - Red Stay Daily #27
December 01, 2022 20:25 - 56 minutes - 61.2 MBIn this episode I examine the latest from the Russia-NATO war and other related stories. As the Russian armed forces reach almost full strength the NATO "allies" plot to dismember Ukraine and Moldova. Meanwhile both Angela Merkel and Oscar Lafontaine have given interviews recently which both demonstrate the stagnation and decay of German capitalism. Outro Music is 'A Man Out Of Time' by Elvis Costello & The Attractions Episode Artwork is 'The Storming of the Reichstag' by the Soviet Ru...
Unholy Empires - Red Star Daily #26
November 30, 2022 00:23 - 48 minutes - 49.7 MBIn this episode I look at the latest news from the ongoing battles around Artemovsk/Balhmut and the rumours of it's imminent fall to the Russian forces. I then look at the latest comments from a western official who's been revealed to be a fool, this time it's the Pope revealing himself to be in the Josep Borrel school of thought. I then turn to look at the various displays of idiocy over the protests in China and how the schemes of imperialism fit into this. Episode Outro is 'If I Shou...
Interview With Carlos Garrido
November 25, 2022 12:27 - 1 hour - 36.1 MBI recently spoke with Carlos Garrido, co-founder and editor of Midwestern Marx, about his new book 'Marxism and the Dialectical Materialist Worldview'. Our discussion covers the themes of the book, the importance of Hegel, Soviet Marxism, the wretchedness of the Frankfurt School and the disconnect betwteen workers and the left.
Pawns In The Game - Red Star Daily #25
November 24, 2022 22:52 - 48 minutes - 53.1 MBIn this episode I look at the fate that has befallen those who have provided themselves and their movements as allies to the US imperialists. This is relevant not only to the fate of Zelensky but also to the latest selling out of the Kurds in Syria by the US. It is also something that has relevance to the current violence in Iran that is taking place in Iranian Kurdistan and the Balochi region in South East Iran, on the border with Pakistan. I also discuss the Soviet policy on national mi...
The Revelations of Boris Johnson - Red Star Daily #24
November 23, 2022 21:44 - 1 hour - 71.5 MBIn this episode I look at the latest from the Russia-NATO war before turning to related issues including Boris Johnsons recent interview on CNN. I then exa,ine why the European nations were so weak and how Borish Johnson's interview confirmed much about this. I also look at the falling apart of Moldova and the risks of the Romanian intervention there before concluding by looking at the latest from the CSTO summit in Yerevan. Episode Artwork is 'Burning Berlin' by the Soviet Russian artis...