Radical Reflections

Roman Kononenko [Communist Party of the Russian Federation and Leninist Komsomol] discusses the monumental events that encapsulated Russia throughout 1917, and why they remain relevant in the contemporary age.Support Radical Reflections: HEREEnd Music: USSR Anthem, Igor Presnyakov.

Josh Jackson returns to the show for a second time to discuss all things related to the suspension of Jeremy Corbyn from the Labour Party.Support Radical Reflections: HEREEnd Music: Libanus, The Trials Of Cato   

Gloria La Riva outlines the aims of her third-party US presidential campaign bid, covering a range of issues that place her campaign in principled opposition to both Democratic and Republican pledges. La Riva 2020 campaign: HERESupport Radical Reflections: HEREEnd Music: Irish Goodbyes; Good Friend

Helen Yaffe [academic economist] discusses Che Guevara's contributions towards Cuban diplomacy between 1959-1965, focusing upon his radical economic policies that ultimately came to define the country's socialist development.Connect with Helen: HEREPick up a copy: HERESupport Radical Reflections: HEREEnd Music: Fusil Contra Fusil [Guns against Guns], Silvio Rodríguez

Eoghan O'Neill discusses his new book, methodically explaining how our current economic/social surroundings distort the exploitation of labour in a  number of different guises.Find The Capitalist Illusion: HEREConnect with the CPI: HERE and HERESupport Radical Reflections: HEREEnd Music: By Memory Inspired, Glasnevin

Ben Norton of The Grayzone lays down a comprehensive assessment of Nicaraguan history, and the national liberation movement that has shaped the country's development.The Grayzone: HERESupport Radical Reflections: HEREEnd Track: Tom Paine's Bones, The Trials Of Cato

Vincent Bevins graphically exposes the US sponsored 1965 regime in Indonesia, and the stark consequences involved for its people and national affairs.Get The Jakarta Method: HERESupport Radical Reflections: HEREOur Intro Track Creator: HEREEnd Music: Young Blood by Good Friend

The Qiao Collective lay down a strong defence of the country's ongoing commitments, and debunk a few common Western tropes levelled at the CCP in the process.Qiao Collective: HEREFurther Reading on China: HERE and HERESupport Radical Reflections: HEREEnd Music: Difyrrwch by The Trials of Cato

Stella Rooney [Unite the Union member and professional artist] discusses the pressures of working in the arts under capitalism, and how expressive qualities can be used in the fight for socialism. Connect with Stella: https://www.stellarooney.comRadical Reflections: https://www.patreon.com/radicalreflectionsEnd Music: Rock Bottom Revival, Good Friend 

Bernard Regan of Cuba Solidarity Campaign lays down a strong defence of the country's contemporary arrangements, and how it continues to deliver on the revolution's gains in the modern age. Visit: https://cuba-solidarity.org.ukSupport Radical Reflections: https://www.patreon.com/radicalreflectionsEnd Music: The War, Angels and Airwaves

Breht of Revolutionary Left Radio joins us for a second time to discuss all things related to employment under socialism, and how it positively compares to those working within the capitalist mode of production.Visit: https://www.revolutionaryleftradio.comHome of Radical Reflections: http://www.radicalreflections.co.ukEnd Music: The Internationale [in Gaelic] by Pol MacAdaim

Jonathon Shafi joins us to discuss the concerning events in Glasgow, and how to oppose them going forward.Jonathon: https://twitter.com/Jonathon_ShafiRadical Reflections: https://www.patreon.com/radicalreflectionsEnd Music: The Internationale by Alistair Hulett

We've teamed up with Existential Comics to discuss digital production, and how it could be improved and managed more efficiently under socialism. Existential Comics: http://existentialcomics.comRadical Reflections: https://www.patreon.com/radicalreflections

Cameron Crowder of WHOA-GSO and Black Alliance For Peace talks to us about the monumental events unfolding within the US, and how we should understand and assess them.Connect With Cameron: https://twitter.com/birthmarxistWHOA-GSO: https://twitter.com/gsowhoaBlack Alliance For Peace: https://twitter.com/blacks4peaceEnd Music: These are the Things by the Trials of Cato

In our latest Coronavirus Response, Matt Kerr [Labour Party Councillor for Cardonald Ward] gives his thoughts on how the electoral representation of labour should assess and respond to the ongoing coronavirus epidemic.Connect with Matt: https://twitter.com/MattKerrLabourHome of Radical Reflections: http://www.radicalreflections.co.ukhttps://twitter.com/RadReflectionshttps://www.patreon.com/radicalreflectionsEnd Music: The Curious Case of Hy Brasil by Good Friend                                           

In our latest work, Paul O'Connell of Leave, Fight, Transform [LeFT] provides a comprehensive historical and contemporary analysis of the European Union, and how socialists should both understand and interact with its institutions. Connect with LeFT: https://leftcampaign.orgConnect with Paul: https://twitter.com/pmpocHome of Radical Reflections: http://www.radicalreflections.co.uk                                                                                    https://www.patreon.com/radicalreflectionsEnd Music: Haf by The Trials of Cato

Joshua Jackson joins Radical Reflections to discuss the early development of the Labour Party, providing a comprehensive analysis of historical events that would define British electoral politics throughout the early twentieth century.Connect with Joshua: https://twitter.com/JoshuaYJacksonHome of Radical Reflections: http://www.radicalreflections.co.uk                                          https://twitter.com/RadReflections                                          https://www.patreon.com/radicalreflectionsEnd Music: Gloria by the Trials of Cato: https://www.thetrialsofcato.com                                          

In our latest work, Unite the Union activist and organiser Willie Howard gives his thoughts on the impact of coronavirus for workers.Further Reading: https://unitetheunion.orgEnd Music: My Desperate House by Gaffa Tape Sandy  

In our latest work, RMT activist and organiser Conor Cheyne gives his thoughts on the impact of coronavirus for transport workers.Further Reading: https://www.rmt.org.uk/home/End Music: Overloading the Limiter by Good Friend         

In our latest work, we chat with historian Liam Cahill on all things related to the Limerick Soviet. A forgotten revolution that we have a collective duty to bring back into public memory.Connect with Liam:https://twitter.com/LiamCahill2013Further reading:https://twitter.com/LimerickSoviethttps://www.calton-books.co.uk/books/forgotten-revolution-the-centenary-edition-the-limerick-soviet-1919/End Music:The Limerick Soviet by Alun Parry.

In our latest work, Alex Homits joins us for a second time to discuss the recent election within the 26 county Irish free state. His position as General Secretary of the Connolly Youth Movement provides a unique insight into the national political and economic question worth listening to.The CYM: www.cym.ieAlex: https://twitter.com/Leninist69End Music: The Rising of the Moon by Glasnevinhttps://www.facebook.com/glasnevinband/

Ian Goodrum of People’s World and China Daily joins us to talk all things education.A useful comparison between how education differs between capitalism and socialism, with a load of personal experience thrown in for good measure.Connect with Ian: https://twitter.com/isgoodrumRead China Daily: http://www.chinadaily.com.cn Read People's World: https://www.peoplesworld.org End Music: Kill the Chord by Gaffa Tape Sandyhttps://www.gaffatapesandy.co.uk

In our latest episode, Dermot Hudson of the UK Korea Friendship Association lays out a detailed analysis of Korean history. An inspiring and informative episode to showcase just how much the DPRK actually adds to actually-existing socialism in the contemporary world, whilst debunking a few associated myths with the statelet along the way.                               * Connect with Dermot:https://twitter.com/juche0071http://www.lulu.com/shop/dermot-hudson/in-defence-of-juche-korea/paperback/product-23559812.html                                                               *Connect with the KFA [UK]:https://twitter.com/Korea_Friend_UKhttps://www.kfauk.comhttps://www.facebook.com/Juche-Idea-Study-Group-of-England-147091862011144/                                                                   *The home of Radical Reflections:http://www.radicalreflections.co.ukwww.patreon.com/radicalreflectionswww.twitter.com/radreflections End Music: Curse the Name by Good Friendhttps://www.facebook.com/goodfriendofficial/  

Will Arment from Chicago's PSL and Answer Coalition branches joins us to discuss the contemporary Iran debacle, whilst providing practical advice on how to build the anti-war campaign and fight for socialism in your local area.               * Connect with Will:https://twitter.com/dreadpiratepsl                 * Connect with the PSL and Answer Coalition:https://www.liberationnews.org http://liberationschool.org https://www.pslweb.org https://www.answercoalition.org                                   * Consider connecting with:http://www.stopwar.org.uk                              * The home of Radical Reflections:www.radicalreflections.co.uk  End music: Let Go by Dylan McIlwaine

In our latest episode, we chat with Angie Speaks on all things related to the link between the mental health crisis and late-stage capitalism.We hope this can be a resource in solidarity with many, whilst injecting a sound analysis that the scourge is firmly linked to the material conditions of a society rigged against the vast majority of people.              *  Find out more about Angie Speaks:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUtloyZ_Iu4BJekIqPLc_fQhttps://twitter.com/SpeaksAngiehttps://www.patreon.com/angiespeaks               * The home of Radical Reflections:http://www.radicalreflections.co.uk/www.patreon.com/radicalreflectionswww.twitter.com/radreflections www.facebook.com/RadicalReflections                  * End Music:Turnstiles by Gaffa Tape Sandyhttps://www.gaffatapesandy.co.uk

General Election 2019 Emergency Broadcast: Vote for the Labour Party

In our latest episode, we speak to Nick Hayes of Means TV about all things entertainment and media.   He brought some excellent contributions about the ongoing Means TV project, whilst also critiquing capitalist models of entertainment and explaining how they would improve under socialism.  Find out more about Means TV: www.youtube.com/meanstv                                              www.twitter.com/means_tv                                              www.means.mediaHome of Radical Reflections: www.radicalreflections.co.ukSupport Radical Reflections: www.patreon.com/radicalreflectionsEnd Music: Young Blood by Good Friendhttps://www.facebook.com/goodfriendofficial/

Our latest episode features Dave Gibney, full-time Mandate representative and fiercely committed trade unionist.He did an excellent job of debunking many of the common tripes thrown at trade unions, both concerning their role in society and how they function on a day to day basis.Find out more about Mandate: www.mandate.ieHome of Radical Reflections: www.radicalreflections.co.ukSupport Radical Reflections here: www.patreon.com/radicalreflectionsEnd Music: Hold My Breath by Endless Divisionhttps://www.facebook.com/EndlessDivision/

Our latest episode features Alexander Norton, Deputy Features Editor of the Morning Star. He brought a lot of insightful discussion on all things related to the role that a revolutionary newspaper should play in the modern world, and how it can remain both relevant and relatable in the ongoing fight for socialism.Link to the Morning Star: www.morningstaronline.co.ukLearn more about Radical Reflections: www.radicalreflections.co.ukSupport Radical Reflections here: www.patreon.com/radicalreflectionsEnd Music: Tom Paine's Bones by The Trials of Catowww.thetrialsofcato.com

In this episode, we sit down with Connor Beaton of the Radical Independence Campaign to discuss all things related to Scottish Independence.He did an excellent job of explaining the Marxist stance on national self-determination, and linking that to the wider effort for a Scottish Workers' Republic.Find Connor's work here:  https://twitter.com/cdbeaton                                      www.conter.co.ukFind out more about the Radical Independence Campaign at: https://twitter.com/Radical_Indy                                          Learn more about Radical Reflections: www.radicalreflections.co.ukSupport Radical Reflections: www.patreon.com/radicalreflectionsEnd Music: The People's Flag by Pól MacAdaim

In this episode, we sit down with Belfast based socialist Fra Hughes to discuss all things Venezuela. His recent first-hand experience of the country proved an excellent framework to discuss all things relating to the Bolivarian Revolution and how that currently affects the modern Venezuelan state. Fra's daily activism can be found more broadly at: https://twitter.com/electfrahughesFra's blog: https://northbelfastjournal.wordpress.com/2019/06/Learn more about Radical Reflections: www.radicalreflections.co.ukSupport Radical Reflections at: www.patreon.com/radicalreflectionsEnd music: The Smuggler by Glasnevinhttps://www.facebook.com/glasnevinband/                                                                              

In this episode, we collaborate with Breht Ó Séaghdha of Revolutionary Left Radio to methodically debunk the most common myths levelled at Marxists by their critics. Useful, relevant and relatable for those of all traditions and none. End Music: The Return of Fionn and the Fianna by Good FriendUseful follow up links:www.revolutionaryleftradio.comwww.patreon.com/RevLeftRadiowww.radicalreflections.co.ukwww.patreon.com/radicalreflectionswww.goodfriend.bandcamp.com

The Hong Kong protests remain an extremely divisive political issue, not least amongst the international left. We discuss all things related to their developments with Carl Zha, who did an excellent job in making a seemingly complicated issue both relatable and refreshingly understandable. Links to Carl's work available at http://www.radicalreflections.co.uk/the-hong-kong-dilemma/  

We talk with experienced socialist Shabbir Lakha on all questions concerning the Palestinian occupation and the politics of the Middle East. Fresh off the back of a period of activism in the region and fiercely committed to creating lasting working-class solidarity with Counterfire, this very special episode is both informative and compelling.

More coverage from the Irish left, in which we discuss revolutionary matters with Alex Homits, the General Secretary of the Connolly Youth Movement. Their Cork stronghold of Connolly Barracks proved a fitting place for conversation and dialogue about many topical working-class issues.

Our debut episode with Lasair Dhearg spokesperson, Pól Torbóid. The Belfast based organisation have a very specific view on the Irish national and economic question, and presented some excellent points for discussion.