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Fightback is a revolutionary organization fighting for the socialist transformation of society. We are the Canadian section of the International Marxist Tendency. We actively seek to educate workers and youth in the genuine ideas of Marxism, in order to fight back against capitalist attacks and austerity.

Fightback La Riposte


    • May 31, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekly NEW EPISODES
    • 51m AVG DURATION
    • 180 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Fightback

    Capitalism is killing Canada Post

    Play Episode Listen Later May 31, 2025 88:37


    Canada Post is in crisis. The post office has seen its market share fall and is running significant deficits. In response, management is attempting to crush the union and "amazonify" working conditions.This week, Joel is joined by Donovan Ritch to discuss the crisis in Canada Post and what the communist solution is to defend good jobs, benefits and an efficiently run postal service.Read more:https://www.marxist.ca/article/the-fight-to-save-canada-post-is-a-fight-against-capitalismhttps://www.marxist.ca/article/postal-workers-prepare-to-strike-but-how-can-we-winhttps://www.marxist.ca/article/the-revolutionary-roots-of-the-canadian-union-of-postal-workers

    Will Alberta Separate?

    Play Episode Listen Later May 15, 2025 56:44


    The re-election of the Liberals has led to a resurgence of the separatist movement in Alberta. Some polls place support for independence as high as 37 per cent and it looks like a referendum will take place next year. This week, Joel is joined by Rob Lyon to discuss why this is happening and the Communist approach to this question.If you agree with our ideas and want to fight for communism, join us! https://www.marxist.ca/join

    The Rise and Fall of the Militant Tendency

    Play Episode Listen Later May 8, 2025 58:48


    By the late 1980s the Militant tendency, the organization which Ted Grant led before founding our international, became the most successful Trotskyist tendency in Britain since the founding of Trotsky's Left Opposition.At its height Militant was a household name. Everybody knew about the Militant Tendency, not just in Britain but internationally. Militant controlled the Labour Party Young Socialists, had a growing influence in the Labour Party and the unions, had more than 50 councilors and 3 Members of Parliament. It led the Liverpool City Council in battle with the Tory government and also the multi-million strong anti-Poll Tax Campaign, which eventually brought down Thatcher!And yet, today not a single trace is left of what was built. So what went wrong?To educate comrades on this important history and draw out the lessons for building the Revolutionary Communist International today, Communist Revolution editor Joel Bergman presents on how the Militant was built, and how it was destroyed.#communist #marxist #revolutionarycommunistinternational #rci #internationalmarxisttendency #imt#tedgrant #grantism #trotskyist #trotskyism #britishtrotskyism #trotsky #themilitant #militanttendency #cwi #committeeforaworkersinternational #socialistpartybritain #socialistalternative #taaffe #petertaaffe

    Canadian Federal Election: A Marxist Analysis

    Play Episode Listen Later May 2, 2025 62:47


    This week, Marco and Joel help to unpack the results of the federal election. In particular, they help look beneath the appearances of things to get to the heart of what has just happened and draw the lessons for the left and the labour movement.Read Joel's article: https://www.marxist.ca/article/the-ruling-class-get-their-manIf you agree with our ideas and want to fight for communism, join us! https://www.marxist.ca/article/the-ruling-class-get-their-man

    ‘Intifada, revolution!' or ‘Vote Palestine'?

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 24, 2025 56:32


    Description: This week, Joel and Marco discuss the Palestine solidarity movement and what tactics will help bring the movement forward. In particular they discuss issues with the Vote Palestine campaign and counterpose this to the revolutionary methods of class struggle.Read our analysis and position:https://www.marxist.ca/article/can-we-actually-vote-palestinehttps://www.marxist.ca/article/intifada-revolution-or-vote-palestine-a-reply-to-the-palestinian-youth-movementAre you a communist? Join us!https://www.marxist.ca/join

    The Great French Revolution: A Marxist Analysis

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 16, 2025 41:21


    The French Revolution is one of the greatest events in history. It set the world on fire and ushered in a completely new epoch. In this episode, Jeremy Swinarton of the Central Committee of the Revolutionary Communist Party discusses the epic drama of the revolution. He illuminates a wealth of lessons on the dynamics of the class struggle, lessons that are essential for every revolutionary today.

    Federal election, Vote Palestine and combating the crisis

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 10, 2025 73:00


    This week, Joel is joined by Holly Quilty of the Communist Revolution editorial board to discuss the communist approach to the federal election, our opinion of the Vote Palestine campaign and the communist approach to combating the unfolding crisis. The Communist Program to combat the crisis: https://www.marxist.ca/article/the-communist-program-to-combat-the-crisis"Ruling class places its bets on Mark Carney" article: https://www.marxist.ca/article/ruling-class-places-its-bets-on-mark-carneyDo you want to fight for a communist future? JOIN US! https://www.marxist.ca/join

    Why Is the Left So Lame?

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 28, 2025 59:57


    The left is in crisis. Having adapted themselves to the capitalist establishment, both the New Democratic Party and Quebec solidaire fail to inspire. The NDP is headed for its worst electoral defeat in a generation and QS is 5th place in the polls and their leader, Gabriel Nadeau Dubois has now resigned.This week, Joel Bergman is joined by Julien Arseneau to discuss what this all means.Read about the crisis in Québec solidaire: https://www.marxist.ca/article/quebec-the-significance-of-gabriel-nadeau-duboiss-resignationIf you agree with our ideas and want to fight for communism, join us! https://www.marxist.ca/join

    The Materialist Conception of History

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 19, 2025 36:09


    Can history be understood scientifically? Modern science shows us that all realms of nature are dictated by objective laws—from quantum physics to molecular biology. But most mainstream historians refuse to admit that the same is true about human society.As Marx famously said: “Men make their own history, but they do not make it as they please.” History isn't merely driven by the free will of great individuals. Nor is it a senseless mess, as postmodernist thinkers would have you believe. The economic structure of a given society sets the stage for historical development. Great changes in politics and culture are driven by changes in production. By studying this relation, we can develop the tools we need to leave our own mark on history.Therefore, we are proud to release a presentation by Marcus Katryniuk, an activist of the RCP, on the Materialist Conception of History, and how workers and youth can make history.Further Reading:What is Historical Materialism?Civilization, Barbarism, and the Marxist View of History

    Mark Carney: A safe pair of hands for the ruling class #podcast

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 15, 2025 50:18


    Canada now has a former banker, never elected to any political post in his life, in the most important seat of the country. He has miraculously resuscitated the Liberals, capitalizing on the fears raised by Trump's threats. But while Carney may fight against Trump, the question remains: In whose interests? In this week's episode of the Revolutionary Communist Podcast, RCP activists Joel Bergman & Marco LaGrotta provide a Communist perspective on what is happening.If you liked this episode of the podcast, be sure to check out our latest article on marxist.ca - Ruling class places its bets on Mark Carney

    The Trade War is Not OUR War: The Communist Position

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 7, 2025 43:30


    The trade war has begun. Or has it?The trade war with the US threatens to rapidly shift the situation in Canada and its consequences will destroy the living standards of average workers on both sides of the border. "Team Canada" would have us believe that the only way out of the crisis is by rallying behind Canadian businesses and Canadian capitalists. Communists on the other hand believe that we need a working class response to the impending economic dislocation. In this presentation, Communist Revolution editor Joel Bergman explains the communist position on the trade war and the way forward for workers and youth.

    Bolshevism vs. Stalinism

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 6, 2025 61:18


    Capitalism's defenders love to attack communism by pointing to the atrocities perpetrated by the Stalinist regime in the USSR. Bolshevism—the ideas and methods of Lenin—can only ever result in a totalitarian dictatorship, we're told. As for capitalism, there is no alternative.In reality, a river of blood separates Bolshevism and Stalinism. This presentation will reveal the real traditions of Lenin and his Bolshevik Party, traditions with which the Bolsheviks led the Russian working class to vanquish capitalism on one sixth of the planet. And it will explain how the regime set up by the Russian Revolution—the most democratic regime in history—was hollowed out, replaced by the grotesque caricature of the Stalinist regime.Read More:In Defence of LeninRussia: From Revolution to Counter-Revolution

    How Marx Became a Marxist

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 1, 2025 43:38


    Together with Friedrich Engels, Karl Marx forever transformed the landscapes of philosophy, political economy, and history. As the founder of scientific socialism, he laid the theoretical foundation on which the oppressed and exploited could free themselves from the shackles of class society once and for all.Marx's method is, to this day, essential for anyone who wishes to understand and change the world. That is why we are proud to publish this presentation given by Josh Holroyd, editor of the In Defence of Marxism magazine, from the 2025 Montreal Marxist Winter School, on the question of how Marx became himself "a marxist".And if you would like to steel yourself in the ideas of marxism, then subscribe to In Defence of Marxism today!

    Trump and the Crisis of American Imperialism

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 26, 2025 52:07


    Trump is once again at the head of the world's strongest imperialist power. One month after his innauguration, he has already provoked a trade war with Canada and Mexico, and threatened to invade Panama and Greenland. His presidency has ushered in a new period of uncertainty and chaos into politics all over the world. As revolutionary communists, we must understand what Trump's actions represent on a world stage, and how his approach to American foreign policy reflects the relative decline of American Imperialism on the world stage, alongside the rise of smaller regional powers capable of challenging American influence.For that reason we are proud to releasse a presentation by Jorge Martín, a leading member of the Revolutionary Communist International, from the 2025 Montreal Marxist Winter School on Trump and the Crisis of American Imperialism.What to read next:Lenin's Selected Writings on Imperialist WarColossus: The Rise and Decline of US Imperialism

    The Communist Position on the Trade War

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 24, 2025 48:39


    The  U.S.-Canada trade war has become the central question in Canadian politics. As Trump pivots U.S. foreign policy to attempt to assert the dominance of U.S. capital on the continent, politicians and business leaders are panicking, trying to avoid disaster.In response, there has been a developing mood of Canadian nationalism with widespread support for counter tariffs and buy-Canadian policies.But  what is the position of communists faced with this situation?RCP activists Joel Bergman and Marco La Grotta discuss how communists must respond to this unprecedented situation.Join the RCP: https://www.marxist.ca/join

    Palestine Ceasefire: What Next?

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 10, 2025 53:23


    On January 19, a ceasefire took effect, ending Israel's onslaught in Gaza. This has not meant the end of the Palestinians' suffering; many are not able to return to their homes in North Gaza and the IDF has unleashed a new wave of attacks in the West Bank. Then, on February 4, Donald Trump proposed that the US should take over Gaza and force the whole of its population to relocate to other “plots of land” so that Gaza could be rebuilt as “the Riviera of the Middle East”. In this talk, recorded on February 5, Joel Bergman from the Revolutionary Communist Party discusses what these developments mean, how they change the situation, and what our response is here in Canada.Register for the Montreal Marxist Winter School:https://www.marxist.ca/schoolIf you agree with our ideas, join us!http://www.marxist.ca/join

    Operation Solidarity

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 29, 2025 49:09


    British Columbia in 1983 was brought to the verge of a general strike. The workers were fighting back against the draconian attacks of premier Bill Bennett who was doing the dirty work for the capitalists. The conditions that led to Operation Solidarity bear a striking resemblance to the ones we face today with economic crisis, inflation and a capitalist class which is moving to offload the cost of the crisis onto the backs of the workers. It is therefore vitally important for us to learn the lessons of the tragic defeat of Operation Solidarity so that we can prepare for a new 1983 - and this time we will win! Read more here: https://www.marxist.ca/article/operation-solidarity-british-columbias-aborted-revolution

    Trump vs. Canada

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 23, 2025 63:17


    Donald Trump is back in power and this time around he is threatening 25 per cent tariffs against Canadian goods. He has even gone so far as to threaten to annex Canada, turning it into a 51st state. Joel Bergman and Rob Lyon from the Revolutionary Communist party met for an episode of the Revolutionary Communist Podcast where they break down what this means, from a Marxist point of view. Join the RCP: https://www.marxist.ca/join Register for the Marxist Winter School: https://www.marxist.ca/school

    Free Will and Determinism

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 16, 2025 57:26


    If you want to transform the world, first we must understand what role individuals can play in the development of history. That is why the question of freewill and determinism is of fundamental importance to revolutionaries today.The following presentation, by Revolutionary Communist Party activist Holly Quilty, explores this age old philosophical debate about the relationship between historical development and human agency.

    Government crisis as Trump threat looms

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 20, 2024 48:22


    With the threat of Donald Trump hanging over them, the Trudeau government is in shambles, unable to meet the crisis of Canadian capitalism. In this episode, Joel Bergman and Marco LaGrotta discuss what this means, what we can expect in 2025, and how communists should respond. Join Us: ⁠marxist.ca/join⁠  Donate: https://www.marxist.ca/article/winter-fundraising-campaign-175000-for-the-war-to-end-all-wars

    Why communists oppose NATO

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 21, 2024 37:55


    Tomorrow, on November 22nd, the NATO Parliamentary summit opens in Montreal. We have been inundated with speeches from politicians and articles in the bourgeois press of how NATO is a force for peace in the world, a pillar of democracy against the tyranny of Russia and China. But how does this compare to NATO's real history, and to the role that it plays today on the world stage?  Especially now, as tens of thousands of students take to the streets to protests the complicity of western imperialism in Israel's ongoing slaughter in the Middle East, these questions are of vital importance for the movement. To answer these questions and more, we're joined this week by Benoït Tanguay, editor of Communist Revolution and Révolution Communiste, for a discussion on why communists oppose NATO.  Read More: marxist.ca/article/why-communists-oppose-nato Join Us: marxist.ca/join 

    Perspectives for the Canadian Class Struggle

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 12, 2024 57:58


    In recent years, Canada has appeared to be an island of stability against the sea of wars, crises and class battles taking place all over the world. Canadian capitalism, however, is quickly approaching a reckoning. Debt is reaching astronomical heights, productivity is declining, and the Canadian ruling class is looking for ways to unload the burden of the crisis onto the shoulders of working people. We can say without question that great class battles lie ahead. As revolutionary communists we must ground ourselves in a correct appraisal of the period that we are living through, to understand the general course of the Canadian class struggle and predict the impacts that events will have on mass consciousness. The most pressing task in front of us today is that of building the forces of communism here in Canada, of building a revolutionary party capable of leading the working class to the transformation of society. Join us: marxist.ca/join Subscribe: marxist.ca/subscribe

    Imperialist Crisis in the Middle East

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 10, 2024 55:01


    Netanyahu's latest escalation of violence in Lebanon risks dragging the Middle East into an all-out war. In Palestine the number of dead and displaced continues to rise with no end in sight. This is the nature of capitalist imperialism in the 21st century: horror without end. That's why we say – down with the warmongers! If we are to achieve peace, we must overthrow the rotten system at the root of imperialism and war.

    Gathering Steam: Student Strike for Palestine

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 7, 2024 25:39


    As the Israeli war machine launches its ground invasion of Lebanon, the struggle against imperialism intensifies. The Student Strike for Palestine Campaign has reached its first month of activity, and with it hundreds of students have been drawn into active resistance to the brutality unfolding in the Middle East and the complicity of our imperialists here at home. But activity alone isn't enough - we need to be able to learn the lessons of these first few weeks and continue to build the movement to shut down Canadian imperialism's ties to Netanyahu and the Israeli regime. For that reason we have collected submissions from students across the country to share those lessons which can help us build our movement and cut imperialism at its root. We are not out-numbered, we are out organized. Only the students and the working class have the power to end the genocide.

    Student Strike for Palestine

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 20, 2024 26:43


    As Israel's assault on Gaza drags towards a year, the disgust and anger felt by millions of Canadians has only grown. Already the movement to end the genocide has seen protests of tens of thousands and encampments on every major campus in the country. But still the genocide continues, as does the unwavering support of the Canadian ruling class for the atrocities inflicted on the Palestinian people.What we need is a militant mass movement, what we need is an escalation. That is why this fall the RCP is mobilizing for a student strike on every Canadian campus to stop the genocide. If every organization, every student and worker who stands with the Palestinians rallies behind a student strike for Palestine, we could build a movement that could not be suppressed or ignored. We could paralyze our imperialists at home and take matters into our own hands.  Help build the student strike for Palestine! ⁠ marxist.ca/article/open-letter-to-all-pro-palestine-groups-unite-for-a-student-strike marxist.ca/article/towards-a-student-strike-for-palestine

    Imperialism: The Highest Stage of Capitalism

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 6, 2024 46:52


    We live in an epoch of wars, crises, revolutions, and counter-revolutions. The capitalist system has reached its limits and is spending humanity spiralling towards an uncertain, barbarous future. But in order to fight against this dying system and for the transformation of society we first need to understand it. This is why the question of imperialism is essential for every communist and revolutionary to study intently. This week we're sharing an interview with Benoit Tanguay on Lenin's "Imperialism: The Highest Stage of Capitalism", a thoroughoing analysis of the capitalist system, the reasons for it's penetration into all corners of the globe, and the conflicts it creates between competing imperialist powers.

    Left-Wing Communism: An Infantile Disorder

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 15, 2024 43:09


    In one country after another, millions of working people are coming into direct conflict with the capitalist system. In revolutionary epochs the question of "how communists can win over the masses" acquires a life-or-death importance for the revolutionary workers' movement in general. It is for this reason that we're sharing an interview with Julien Arseneau on Lenin's "Left-Wing Communism: An Infantile Disorder", which is filled with lessons on how revolutionaries can connect Marxist theory with the revolutionary struggle - and most importantly, how revolutionaries can win over the rest of the working class. The book is an essential resource for communists everywhere.

    The State and Revolution - Fundamental Ideas of Lenin

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 22, 2024 56:20


    All over the globe, movements of the oppressed are regularly running into the obstacles of the police, the courts, and even the armed forces. The state stands as the armed last line of defence for the status quo, and therefore the question of the state and our approach to it as revolutionaries and as marxists is a question that all communists must closely study. It is for this reason that we're starting off our series on the Fundamental Ideas of Lenin with an interview with Marco La Grotta, a leading comrade in the Revolutionary Communist Party here in Canada, on Lenin's State and Revolution, his classic and perhaps most famous contribution to marxist theory, applying Lenin's insights to the world and to the struggles surrounding us today.

    Towards a Revolutionary Communist International!

    Play Episode Listen Later May 29, 2024 59:39


    The Revolutionary Communist Party has landed! Onwards to the Revolutionary Communist International! Capitalism has spread to every corner of the planet, it has become a deeply interconnected global system, and therefore can only be overthrown on an international scale. This requires a revolutionary leadership that is not confined to this or that nation, but that is equally international in scope. Join us in building the forces of communism all over the globe, and building it into a mass force. This week we're joined by Fred Weston, from the International Secretariat of the IMT, to discuss the founding of the RCI in June.

    We need a Revolutionary Communist Newspaper

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 25, 2024 46:56


    Welcome to the official podcast of the Revolutionary Communist Party! Across the country there are already tens, if not hundreds, of thousands of communists - but atomized and alone we are powerless against the weight of the global capitalist system. How can we effectively join forces and organize into a collective? How can we clarify our ideas in order to fight the most effectively? To help us answer these questions, and more, we're joined by Julien Arseneau, editor of the paper Communist Revolution, to discuss the need for a Revolutonary Communist Newspaper. Join us: marxist.ca/join Subscribe/Donate: marxist.ca/subscribe Founding Congress: rcpcongress.ca Send us your contributions at "contributions@marxist.ca".

    Why we need a Communist International - Spectre of Communism Season Finale

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 11, 2024 62:50


    In June, the International Marxist Tendency will take the monumental step of founding a new Revolutionary Communist International (RCI), to provide communist workers and youth around the world with a bold rallying point in the struggle to overthrow capitalism. In doing so, the RCI will build on the immense revolutionary legacy left behind by the Third (Communist) International, founded by Lenin and the Bolsheviks as the world party of revolution. Register now for the founding of the RCI! https://schoolofcommunism.com/ This week's episode of Spectre of Communism podcast welcomes Fred Weston, a leading comrade of the International Marxist Tendency, to explain the historic revolutionary importance of the Communist International. In doing so, Fred demonstrates the palpable need for a similar organisation in the world today. This episode will be the finale of the first season of the podcast, which will return with new weekly content after a short break. In addition to registering for the founding conference, we also recommend reading the recently published Manifesto of the Revolutionary Communist International (available in 20 languages), which will constitute the founding document of the RCI: https://www.marxist.com/manifesto-of-... --- Ted Grant's 1943 article, ‘The Rise and Fall of the Communist International' (cited in the episode): https://www.marxist.com/the-rise-and-... New episodes of the Spectre of Communism podcast are out every Tuesday! Subscribe and listen at your preferred platform, and find us on social media, here: https://linktr.ee/specom

    Imperialism and War

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 10, 2024 44:40


    From the devestation raining down on Gaza to the ongoing conflict in the Ukraine, world imperialism is opening millions of people's eyes to the brutality of the capitalist system on a world scale. Already we have begun to see movements against imperialism ot tens of thousands of people, and we will doubtless see more as capitalism lurches further into bloody confluct and crisis. But in order to fight against imperialism and win, we need to understand what exactly we are fighting against. What is imperialism? Where does it come from? And what would be necessary to put it forever behind us as a relic of human society's barbaric past? To help us answer these questions, we share with you a presentation given by John peterson, a leading comrade withthe Revolutionary Communists of America on Imperialism and War. And if you'd like to build the forces of communism where you are, you can subscribe to our revolutionary newspaper, reach out to us, and register to attend our founding congress through the links below. RCP Founding Congress: rcpcongress.ca Join us: marxist.ca/join Subscribe: marxist.ca/subscribe

    What is the RCP?

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 4, 2024 43:34


    Welcome to the official podcast of the Revolutionary Communist Party! This week we'll be discussing the questions: What is the RCP? Why have we launched this party? What kind of party are we building? To help us answer these questions, and more, we're joined by Joel Bergman, a leading comrade in the RCP here in Canada. Rallies on April 6th: Toronto: Yonge & Dundas Square, 2:00PM Ottawa: Confederation Park, 1:00PM Montreal: Jarry Park, 1:00PM Quebec City: Victoria Park, 1:00PM Sherbrooke: Jacques Cartier Park, 5:00PM Edmonton: Gateway Blvd. & Whyte Avenue, 1:00PM Vancouver: Grandview Park, 1:00PM Victoria: Centennial Square, 12:00PM You can find the rest on our social media pages at marxist.ca/events, or you can reach out to us to organize your own activity! Join us: marxist.ca/join Subscribe: marxist.ca/subscribe

    The State and Revolution

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 20, 2024 41:35


    At some stage or another, every mass struggle necessarily comes up against the obstacle of the state - the police, the army, the courts - institutions which, we are told, exist to maintain "law and order" in society. The approach that the movement takes towards the state is therefore of vital importance; in fact, it is often what determines the victory or the defeat of whole revolutionary struggles. This is why the ruling classes have always shrouded their bodies of armed force in whatever mystical, religious, or democratic garbs they can. This week, we have a presentation by Ylva Vinberg, a founding member of the Revolutionary Communist Party in Sweden, on the marxist understanding of the state and our approach to state power in revolutionary struggles. Join us: marxist.ca/join Subscribe: marxist.ca/subscribe Bookstore: marxist.ca/store

    The Life and Ideas of Lenin

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 11, 2024 51:34


    Welcome the the very first episode of the Revolutionary Communist Podcast! This week, we're listening to a presentation by Rob Sewell, co-author of "In Defence of Lenin", on history's greatest revolutionary leader. If you want to learn how you can fight against capitalism and for communism where you are, then reach out to us! We can provide you with all the tools you need to build the party wherever you are! In Defence of Lenin: store.marxist.ca/products/in-defence-of-lenin Join us: marxist.ca/join Subscribe: marxist.ca/subscribe

    Communist Revolution Update

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 9, 2024 2:42


    In the coming weeks, we will be totally revamping this podcast, in tandem with the launch of our new monthly newspaper: Communist Revolution. You can subscribe to the newspaper here: https://www.marxist.ca/subscribe And, join us February 17-18 for the biggest Marxist event of the year -- the Montreal Winter School. You can find the link to register here: https://www.marxist.ca/school

    What is Bonapartism? - Fightback Radio #53

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 13, 2023 58:59


    The state is ultimately the organ of domination of the exploiting class over the exploited classes, but beyond this "ABC" of Marxism, there are sometimes extraordinary moments when the state acquires greater independence from the classes and seems to rise above society. It then becomes the "reign of the sword", a military-police dictatorship, as with Napoleon Bonaparte, Hitler, Stalin and Putin. Fightback activist Hélène Bissonnette gives this presentation on "What is Bonapartism?".

    Ethnic cleansing in palestine: Canadian imperialism is complicit - This week in the Canadian Revolution #32

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 19, 2023 62:22


    In light of Israel's ongoing ethnic cleansing of Gaza, Joel and Julien talk about the complicity of Canadian imperialism, and what we can do in Canada to fight back.

    Israel-Palestine: End the occupation, fight for communism!

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 19, 2023 36:46


    Millions of people around the world have been horrified by Israel's brutal bombing of Gaza. Communists stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people and their struggle for liberation. In this talk, Fightback activist Joel Bergman discusses what we can do to fight imperialism, end the war on Gaza, and free Palestine.

    The Labour Theory of Value - Fightback Radio #52

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 8, 2023 50:24


    Fightback activist Renu Brar discusses Marx's labour theory of value, and its explaination for how workers are exploited.

    Communism has come to Canada: get organized! - This Week in the Canadian Revolution #31

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 23, 2023 52:06


    Capitalism is on the brink. An entire generation has known only crisis, cutbacks, and climate catastrophe. Everywhere we look there is war, poverty, and exploitation. And yet, the rich have seen their wealth grow enormously. People all across the country are starting to draw the correct conclusion that the root of the problem is capitalism itself. More than one million young people in Canada now believe that communism is the ideal economic system. This week, Joel is joined by Fightback and La Riposte socialiste editor Julien to discuss these developments and how Fightback/La Riposte is building a Marxist party to fight for communism!

    Free Will and Determinism - Fightback Radio #51

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 19, 2023 61:49


    What is the place of humans in history, and how can we play a role in deciding our fate? In this talk, Fightback editor Joel Bergman provides a Marxist critique of the book The Dawn of Everything by David Graeber and David Wengrow, and discusses the relationship between free will and determinism. Joel has also written an article on this topic, which is in the latest issue of In Defence of Marxism. You can subscribe here. You can also listen to Joel discuss the book with Joe Attard on the International Marxist Radio podcast.

    Why the UCP was re-elected and how to fight them - This Week in the Canadian Revolution #30

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 14, 2023 57:57


    This week, Joel is joined by Fightback editor Laine to discuss the outcome of the Alberta election. Why did Danielle Smith and the UCP hold on to power? What can we learn from the election? And what can the working class do about it?

    75 years after the Nakba: How can Palestine be free? - Fightback Radio #50

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 9, 2023 56:57


    75 years since the founding of Israel and "al-Nakba" (the catastrophe) Palestinians living in Gaza are again facing bombardments by the Israeli state. Today the plight of the Palestinian people is deeper than ever before, with their brutal oppression approved and sanctioned by the western imperialist powers. It is absolutely imperative as socialists and revolutionaries that we understand the history of this struggle and have a clear perspective of what is the way forward for Palestinian liberation.

    Origins of the Family: A Marxist Perspective - Fightback Radio #49

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 2, 2023 59:59


    Why do Marxists want to abolish the family? Engels described the emergence of the patriarchal family as humanity's first counterrevolution. In this talk, Fred Weston, editor of marxist.com, presents a Marxist perspective on the family and its origins.

    Rising class struggle in Canada: PSAC strike: This Week in the Canadian Revolution #29

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 27, 2023 70:37


    This week Joel is joined by editor of La Riposte socialiste, Julien Arseneau, to bring a Marxist analysis to the largest PSAC strike in 30 years. What are the demands the workers are fighting for? What is the significance of the strike for the Canadian class struggle? And how do the workers win?

    Ted Grant and the Fourth International - Montreal Marxist Winter School 2023 #4

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 13, 2023 53:17


    The assassination of Trotsky in August 1940 dealt a devastating blow to the young and untested forces of the Fourth International. Unfortunately, the leaders of the Fourth were not up to the level of the tasks posed by history. Deprived of Trotsky's leadership they made a series of fundamental mistakes. Only the leadership of the RCP in Britain was able to readjust to the new situation on a world scale after 1945. This was the result of the theoretical capabilities of Ted Grant. His writings on economics, war, the colonial revolution, and particularly Stalinism, were, and still remain, classics of modern Marxism. In this talk from the 2023 Montreal Marxist Winter School, In Defence of Marxism editor Fred Weston discusses the Ted Grant and the Fourth International

    Lessons from the Indonesian Revolution - Montreal Marxist Winter School 2023 #3

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 6, 2023 37:37


    In the 1950s the Indonesian economy was failing, with the division between rich and poor increasing sharply. At the same time the PKI, the Communist Party of Indonesia, grew to the third largest Communist Party in the world, with three million paid members and the support of ten million trade unionists and organized peasants. Sadly this explosive combination ended in the massacre of 1 million communists in 1965. Indonesia is a graphic example of how mistakes in theory have dire consequences. In this talk from the 2023 Montreal Marxist Winter School, IMT activist Ted Sprague discusses the lessons of the Indonesian Revolution.

    Imperialist hypocrisy over 'Chinese interference' - This Week in the Canadian Revolution #28

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 4, 2023 61:26


    This week, Joel is joined by International Marxist Tendency activist Ted Sprague to talk about so-called "Chinese interference" in Canadian election, actual CSIS interference in Canadian politics, and growing imperialist rivalry between China and western capitalist powers.

    Bonus #16: Left, Lefter, Leftist - March 21

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 29, 2023 59:35


    Listen to Fightback editor Alex Grant on Cheri DiNovo's "Left, Lefter, Leftist". This month: Cheri, Alex, Curtis Jordan and Gary Kinsman discuss transit, homelessness, and the Toronto mayoral election You can also listen on the CIUT website, here.

    The real history of the American Revolution - Fightback Radio #48

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 24, 2023 36:26


    The American Revolution was a dialectically complex, and profound political and social revolution, which rooted out most of the remaining traces of monarchic rule and feudalism inherited from the only partially complete English bourgeois revolution. Unfortunately, the Revolution has been reduced to a summer barbecue on the 4th of July that completely ignores the real class roots of this world-shaking event. In this talk, Fightback activist Kian provides a Marxist analysis, to understand the inner contradictions, the fundamental forces, processes, and class struggles that motivated and drove the revolution. 

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