Revolutionary Ideas

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Welcome to Revolutionary Ideas, the Socialist Alternative podcast. In this series, we will explore Marxist theory and practice through conversations with socialist activists.

Socialist Alternative


    • Jun 25, 2024 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 38m AVG DURATION
    • 36 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Revolutionary Ideas

    22: Tories vs. Tory-Lite: Where Next After the Election?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 25, 2024 34:49


    The Tories are on their way out! But a Labour government will be just as committed to serving the interests of big business. A new left, anti-war political party with socialist policies must be urgently built to challenge the capitalist parties and the racism of Farage. This episode of Revolutionary Ideas will discuss just how this alternative can be built going into a Labour government. Listen now!

    21: The Militant Tendency - Marxism in the 1980s

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 23, 2024 83:11


    Through the 1960s until the 1990s, the Militant Tendency gained infamy for its defence of Marxist and socialist ideas within the labour movement in Britain. It took the fight to the Thatcher government in the 80s, both in the struggle of the socialist Liverpool City Council, and in the struggle against the poll tax. What were the lessons of these fight? How was Militant built? Join us for another episode of Revolutionary Ideas to find out more! socialistalternative.info

    Episode 20 - 1931-49: Years of War and Revolution

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 6, 2023 65:27


    The years 1931-49 were years of reaction, fascism and inter-imperialist war, but also of revolution. In this episode of Revolutionary Ideas we ask: What was the genuine Marxist approach to the World War at the time, and what lessons does this era carry for today? Join Socialist Alternative! socialistalternative.info/sign-up-to-socialist-alternative

    Revolutionary Ideas - Episode 19 - Spain 1931-38: Revolution Betrayed by Stalinism

    Play Episode Listen Later May 26, 2022 55:16


    Revolutionary Ideas - Episode 19 - Spain 1931-38: Revolution Betrayed by Stalinism by Socialist Alternative

    Revolutionary Ideas - Episode 18 - Socialists and the Critical Race Theory Debate

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 5, 2022 31:42


    Since the explosion of struggle against systemic racism and state violence in 2020, a new generation of workers and young people have asked: what sort of approach is needed to help in the fight for liberation? At the same time, there has been a right-wing backlash against the ideas of 'Critical Race Theory'. But do CRT provide a way forward? Or does Marxism have more to offer? Or are the two compatible? To learn more, listen to and share this latest episode of Revolutionary ideas! JOIN SOCIALIST ALTERNATIVE: linktr.ee/SocialistAlternative

    Revolutionary Ideas - Episode 17 - Power, Gender and Abuse

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 26, 2022 40:08


    Over the last few years, the #metoo movement has exposed the widespread sexual abuse in society often perpetrated by men in positions of power such as Jeffrey Epstein, and most recently with the high-profile accusations against Prince Andrew. In this episode of REVOLUTIONARY IDEAS, we discuss a socialist feminist and Marxist approach to understanding and fighting the power and privilege behind this abuse, and how we can build a mass movement to fight back for International Women's Day 2022. Subscribe today! FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA: https://linktr.ee/SocialistAlternative

    Revolutionary Ideas - Episode 16 - How to Lenin's 'State and Revolution'

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 27, 2022 33:41


    Lenin's classic book, The State and Revolution is a must-read for all who want to get a firm understanding of how the state works. How do socialists approach complex issues like the police? How can the working class take state power, and what do we need to do to make that happen? In this episode, our regular hosts, Tom and Connor will be joined by Sofia, from Socialist Alternative in Leicester. Listen now!

    Revolutionary Ideas - Episode 15 - The Christmas Truce: When Workers Dropped Their Guns

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 24, 2021 25:59


    On Christmas 1914, soldiers across the trenches of WWI disobeyed orders and dropped their guns. In this act of resistance during the imperialist war, a glowing example was set - of working class solidarity and internationalism. In this special Christmas episode of Revolutionary Ideas, our regular panelists Yaara and Tom interview Greg Briscoe from Socialist Alternative in London. TUNE IN AND SHARE! Facebook: www.facebook.com/SocialistAlternativeEW Twitter: twitter.com/SocialistAltEWS Instagram: @SocialistAlternative.EWS TikTok: @Socialist_Vids

    Revolutionary Ideas - Episode 14 - Women's Strikes: Past and Present

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 25, 2021 43:34


    From Spain, to Argentina and beyond, women have increasingly staged feminist strikes against abuse, femicide, rape and oppression. We ask in this episode of Socialist Alternative's monthly podcast: what is the way forward for these movements? TUNE IN AND SHARE! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SocialistAlternativeEW Twitter: https://twitter.com/SocialistAltEWS Instagram: @SocialistAlternative.EWS TikTok: @Socialist_Vids

    Revolutionary Ideas - Episode 13 - How the Bolsheviks Defended the Russian Revolution

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 7, 2021 37:54


    As Marxists, we follow the example set by the Russian Revolution of 1917, as the greatest event in human history - a milestone in the fight for a world liberated from oppression, exploitation and war. But we are also often told lies about what the revolution was and what it represented. In this episode of Revolutionary Ideas, we will be interviewing Rob and Lilly from Sotsialisticheskaya Alternative (ISA in Russia). FOLLOW US ON: Facebook: ISA England, Wales & Scotland Instagram: @SocialistAlternative.EWS Twitter: @SocialistAltEWS TikTok: @Socialist_Vids

    Revolutionary Ideas - Episode 12 - Capitalism and Slavery

    Play Episode Listen Later May 28, 2021 36:23


    It is now one year since the infamous toppling of the statue of slave trader Edward Colston in Bristol. One year on, many are still uncovering the truth about capitalism’s connection with slavery. How were they linked? And how is this history relevant still? Listen to find out! Join Socialist Alternative at socialistalternative.net/get-involved

    Revolutionary Ideas - Episode 11 - Understanding Marxist Economics

    Play Episode Listen Later May 3, 2021 36:35


    Capitalism always wants to tell us how it works as a system. Like an 'invisible hand', the market delivers for us all - or so we're told... But how does capitalism REALLY work? Listen to this episode of Revolutionary Ideas to find out!

    Revolutionary Ideas - Episode 10 - How to Read 'The Communist Manifesto'

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 25, 2021 38:48


    'The Communist Manifesto', written in the 19th century, remains widely read, but not always understood. Often misrepresented and distorted by the capitalist class and Stalinism alike, it is more important than ever that we ask, “what did Marx and Engels really stand for?”. As we enter the stormy decade of the 2020s, with mass struggles on the horizon, rediscovering the real ideas of Marxism is needed to prepare us for events to come. Join Socialist Alternative! www.socialistalternative.net/get-involved

    Revolutionary Ideas - Episode 9 - How Do Things Change? Introducing Dialectics

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 24, 2021 35:10


    Socialists want to change the world. But what is our underlying philosophy? How do we think change takes place? To answer these questions, tune into the latest episode of Revolutionary Ideas! JOIN US: socialistalternative.net/get-involved

    Revolutionary Ideas - Episode 8 - Marxism in Our Time

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 29, 2021 31:24


    In this episode, we will be discussing with Becci Heagney from Socialist Alternative's Political Committee, about SA's recent reprint of Trotsky's classic work, "Marxism in Our Time". To purchase your copy of this, please order yours here - only £3! forms.gle/Tv72E9gzbyRPoorg8

    Revolutionary Ideas Christmas Special - No Ethical Consumption Under Capitalism?

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 20, 2020 22:03


    Christmas is a time of the year that millions of people look forward to around the world. It is also a time of massive consumption. Some on the left have said "there can be no ethical consumption under capitalism". But is that true? And if it is, why? We will answer these questions in the Christmas special of Revolutionary Ideas - the monthly podcast from Socialist Alternative. JOIN SOCIALIST ALTERNATIVE TODAY: www.socialistalternative.net/get-involved

    Revolutionary Internationalism & the National Question in Israel-Palestine

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 9, 2020 19:58


    This is one of our many recordings from the Revolutionary Ideas Online Festival, held on 28-29 November 2020. This was a weekend of Marxist discussion and debate held by Socialist Alternative. Want to join our fight? Go to socialistalternative.net today and get in touch to play your role in the struggle for a world free of capitalist oppression!

    What is Dialectical Materialism?

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 9, 2020 30:03


    This is one of our many recordings from the Revolutionary Ideas Online Festival, held on 28-29 November 2020. This was a weekend of Marxist discussion and debate held by Socialist Alternative. Want to join our fight? Go to socialistalternative.net today and get in touch to play your role in the struggle for a world free of capitalist oppression!

    Mass Unemployment & the Fascist Threat: Lessons from the 1930s

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 9, 2020 12:56


    This is one of our many recordings from the Revolutionary Ideas Online Festival, held on 28-29 November 2020. This was a weekend of Marxist discussion and debate held by Socialist Alternative. Want to join our fight? Go to socialistalternative.net today and get in touch to play your role in the struggle for a world free of capitalist oppression!

    The Revolutionary History of the Struggle for Black Liberation

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 9, 2020 22:48


    This is one of our many recordings from the Revolutionary Ideas Online Festival, held on 28-29 November 2020. This was a weekend of Marxist discussion and debate held by Socialist Alternative. Want to join our fight? Go to socialistalternative.net today and get in touch to play your role in the struggle for a world free of capitalist oppression!

    Trotsky's Theory of Permanent Revolution

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 9, 2020 23:00


    This is one of our many recordings from the Revolutionary Ideas Online Festival, held on 28-29 November 2020. This was a weekend of Marxist discussion and debate held by Socialist Alternative. Want to join our fight? Go to socialistalternative.net today and get in touch to play your role in the struggle for a world free of capitalist oppression!

    Should Socialists Support Scottish Independence?

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 9, 2020 29:42


    This is one of our many recordings from the Revolutionary Ideas Online Festival, held on 28-29 November 2020. This was a weekend of Marxist discussion and debate held by Socialist Alternative. Want to join our fight? Go to socialistalternative.net today and get in touch to play your role in the struggle for a world free of capitalist oppression!

    How Can the Climate Strikes Win?

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 9, 2020 28:48


    This is one of our many recordings from the Revolutionary Ideas Online Festival, held on 28-29 November 2020. This was a weekend of Marxist discussion and debate held by Socialist Alternative. Want to join our fight? Go to socialistalternative.net today and get in touch to play your role in the struggle for a world free of capitalist oppression!

    From Cuba to Russia: Does the Working Class Have to Be the Engine of Revolutionary Change?

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 9, 2020 22:02


    This is one of our many recordings from the Revolutionary Ideas Online Festival, held on 28-29 November 2020. This was a weekend of Marxist discussion and debate held by Socialist Alternative. Want to join our fight? Go to socialistalternative.net today and get in touch to play your role in the struggle for a world free of capitalist oppression!

    From Brazil to Poland: Feminist Strikes, Women's Movements and a Socialist Feminist Approach

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 9, 2020 27:41


    This is one of our many recordings from the Revolutionary Ideas Online Festival, held on 28-29 November 2020. This was a weekend of Marxist discussion and debate held by Socialist Alternative. Want to join our fight? Go to socialistalternative.net today and get in touch to play your role in the struggle for a world free of capitalist oppression!

    Statues, the Police & Covid-19: The Fight for Black Lives Today

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 9, 2020 24:03


    This is one of our many recordings from the Revolutionary Ideas Online Festival, held on 28-29 November 2020. This was a weekend of Marxist discussion and debate held by Socialist Alternative. Want to join our fight? Go to socialistalternative.net today and get in touch to play your role in the struggle for a world free of capitalist oppression!

    Crisis & Revolt: A World to Win || Main Weekend Rally

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 9, 2020 86:17


    This is one of our many recordings from the Revolutionary Ideas Online Festival, held on 28-29 November 2020. This was a weekend of Marxist discussion and debate held by Socialist Alternative. Want to join our fight? Go to socialistalternative.net today and get in touch to play your role in the struggle for a world free of capitalist oppression!

    Covid-19 & Economic Crises: Fighting Back in the Workplace & Trade Unions

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 9, 2020 35:52


    This is one of our many recordings from the Revolutionary Ideas Online Festival, held on 28-29 November 2020. This was a weekend of Marxist discussion and debate held by Socialist Alternative. Want to join our fight? Go to socialistalternative.net today and get in touch to play your role in the struggle for a world free of capitalist oppression!

    Revolutionary Ideas - Episode 7 - Does the Working Class Need a Party?

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 30, 2020 37:54


    GET OUR NEW PAMPHLET: A REPRINT OF TROTSKY´S CLASSIC, "MARXISM IN OUR TIME"! - £3 (+ Postage) ORDER HERE: https://forms.gle/98rXpzUGLownkKzW6 LIKE US ON FACEBOOK: facebook.com/SocialistAlternativeEW TWITTER: twitter.com/socialistaltews INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/socialistalternative.ews TIKTOK: tiktok.com/@socialist_vids

    Revolutionary Ideas - Episode 6 - LGBTQ+ Liberation: Marxism vs 'Rainbow Capitalism'

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 29, 2020 33:39


    In this episode of Revolutionary Ideas, the podcast from Socialist Alternative, we’ll be discussing LGBTQ+ liberation, with Jade Ritchie from Socialist Alternative in Leicester. In recent years, corporations hopped on to Pride, as a marketing technique. But will that deliver real liberation? Or, is a much more radical change of the system needed? ------------------- Join us! Our website: www.socialistalternative.net/ ISA website: internationalsocialist.net/ ------------------- Follow us on social media: Facebook: bit.ly/3mKmG6U Instagram: bit.ly/2RPJ54w Twitter: bit.ly/3hR0cO8 TikTok: bit.ly/2FH9xer

    Revolutionary Ideas - Episode 5 - Capitalism and Women's Oppression - Part 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 1, 2020 35:34


    In this episode of Revolutionary Ideas, the podcast from Socialist Alternative, we'll be discussing the issue of women's liberation under capitalism, and why socialism is needed in that struggle, with Sarah Wrack from the Political Committee of Socialist Alternative, and Katia Hancke from the Socialist Party, Socialist Alternative's sister organisation in Ireland. From the very earliest class societies, women's oppression has been central to oppression in other areas of life, including in the workplace. But how is that the case? Why is that? And what can workers, socialists and union activists do to challenge this? This episode is a two-parter – so make sure to follow us and check out part 1 before listening! In this part, we'll cover the record of the Bolsheviks and past socialists organisations and movements, as well as the way forward for the feminist movement. To recap, last week we focused on the origins of women's oppression and the Marxist classic from Friedrich Engels, "The Origin of the Family, Private Property and the State". ------------------- Join us! Our website: https://www.socialistalternative.net/ ISA website: https://internationalsocialist.net/ ------------------- Follow us on social media: Facebook: https://bit.ly/3mKmG6U Instagram: https://bit.ly/2RPJ54w Twitter: https://bit.ly/3hR0cO8 TikTok: https://bit.ly/2FH9xer

    Revolutionary Ideas - Episode 5 - Capitalism and Women's Oppression - Part 1

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 24, 2020 38:49


    In this episode of Revolutionary Ideas, the podcast from Socialist Alternative, we'll be discussing the issue of women's liberation under capitalism, and why socialism is needed in that struggle, with Sarah Wrack from the Political Committee of Socialist Alternative, and Katia Hancke from the Socialist Party, Socialist Alternative's sister organisation in Ireland. From the very earliest class societies, women's oppression has been central to oppression in other areas of life, including in the workplace. But how is that the case? Why is that? And what can workers, socialists and union activists do to challenge this? This episode is a two-parter – so make sure to follow us and come back next week for the second part! In this part, we're going to focus on the origins of women's oppression and the Marxist classic from Friedrich Engels, "The Origin of the Family, Private Property and the State". Next week, we'll cover the record of the Bolsheviks and past socialists organisations and movements, as well as the way forward for the feminist movement. ------------------- Join us! Our website: https://www.socialistalternative.net/ ISA website: https://internationalsocialist.net/ ------------------- Follow us on social media: Facebook: https://bit.ly/3mKmG6U Instagram: https://bit.ly/2RPJ54w Twitter: https://bit.ly/3hR0cO8 TikTok: https://bit.ly/2FH9xer

    Revolutionary Ideas - Episode 4 - Trump, China and Global Conflict

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 1, 2020 66:59


    In this episode of Revolutionary Ideas, the podcast from Socialist Alternative, we'll be the growing conflict between Trump and China's Xi Jinping. This time, we'll be talking with two socialist activists in China and Hong Kong. Vincent Kolo, from chinaworker.info and Jaco from ISA Hong Kong will be joining us. We will be addressing the various questions concerning socialists, workers and youth around the world: where is the conflict between the US and China going? What are the prospects for revolution in China? And what is the likelihood of the new US-China 'cold war' blowing over into war? Subscribe to our channel to get a notification when our next episode is released! Join Socialist Alternative today
: www.socialistalternative.net/get-involved For more information from chinaworker.info:https://chinaworker.info/en/2020/08/13/24493/

    Revolutionary Ideas - Episode 3 - Trotskyism: An Idea for the 2020's?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 23, 2020 52:57


    In this episode of Revolutionary Ideas, the podcast from Socialist Alternative, we'll be discussing Trotskyism. This time, we'll be talking with Danny Byrne, a member of International Socialist Alternative’s International Executive. We’ll try to answer questions about the role Trotsky played in the Russian Revolution, the main ideas that he stood for, and why they are still relevant today. Subscribe to our channel to get a notification when our next episode is released! Join Socialist Alternative today
www.socialistalternative.net/get-involved Read the Transitional Programme https://www.marxists.org/archive/trotsky/1938/tp/ Follow the ISA on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/InternationalSocialistAlternative

    Revolutionary Ideas - Episode 2 - Socialists in Israel-Palestine

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 18, 2020 45:42


    In this episode of Revolutionary Ideas, the podcast from Socialist Alternative, we'll be covering the national question in Israel-Palestine. This time, we'll be discussing with Tuvaal Klein, a member of Socialist Alternative’s sister organisation in Israel-Palestine, Socialist Struggle. We’ll try to answer questions about the origin of the conflict in the region, who benefits from it, how to solve it, and what the international community can do to help. Subscribe to our channel to get a notification when our next episode is released! Join Socialist Alternative today www.socialistalternative.net/get-involved Follow Socialist Struggle on Facebook and Instagram https://www.facebook.com/maavak.nidal https://www.instagram.com/socialist_struggle/

    Revolutionary Ideas - Episode 1 - Why Be A Marxist

    Play Episode Listen Later May 20, 2020 49:26


    In this episode of Revolutionary Ideas, the podcast from Socialist Alternative, we'll be giving a short introduction to Marxist ideas. This time, we'll be discussing with Claire Laker-Mansfield, a member of the Political Committee of Socialist Alternative and an avid socialist activist, about the basics of Marxism. We'll try to answer questions like what is Marxism? Why you should become a Marxist? And how can socialism solve the Coronavirus crisis? Join Socialist Alternative today https://www.socialistalternative.net/get-involved

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