No Royal Road: Getting Medieval With Rodney Hilton, Part 1

While the introduction music is that of Varn Vlog on this podcaster, this series will be simultaneously released on both the Varn Vlog podcast feed and the Regrettable Century podcast feed.   This is a long-running series we are doing on understanding social technologies, relationships of production, and how we get here:  i.e. what is the social and class history of the past.   

In this episode, begin discussing sections of "Class Conflict and the Crisis of Feudalism: Essays in Medieval Social History" by Rodney Hilton.Wondering why British Marxists are often overlooked? Or perhaps you're curious about the fiery debates over the existence of feudalism that once captivated French and British historians? Step aboard as we embark on a fascinating journey through the world of Rodney Hilton, a significant figure in the British Marxist tradition. 

Fasten your seatbelts, it's time to dive headfirst into the complex world of feudalism and minoralism. During our discussion, we'll be using Rodney Hilton's contributions as a guide, comparing the perspectives of the British Academy and the French Academy. From the origins of feudalism to Marx's views on it, we'll leave no stone unturned when it comes to these historically significant systems. We'll also discuss the complexities of class formation, and the tension between feudalism and capitalism.

We'll also offer insight into the revolutionary pessimism versus misanthropy debate, utilizing Neil Davidson's book, "How Revolutionary Were the Bush War Revolutions", as a springboard. Join us as we dissect the concept of revolution, investigating its application in different societies and its significance in shaping social order. Offering a rich and engaging discussion, this is an episode you won't want to miss. It doesn't matter if you're an academic, an enthusiast, or just intrigued by history and politics - there's something here for everyone. Let's embark on this intellectual journey together.

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Crew:
Host: C. Derick Varn
Intro and Outro Music by Bitter Lake.
Intro Video Design: Jason Myles
Art Design: Corn and C. Derick Varn

Links and Social Media:
twitter: @varnvlog
blue sky: @varnvlog.bsky.social
You can find the additional streams on Youtube