Super Politics

Republished for your pleasure. Originally aired June 2020. The "war on drugs" is an intentionally racist government program that has disrupted Black and other underrepresented communities throughout the nation for over 30 years. Steve and Decatur discuss the history of this domestic "war" on our own communities, drug policy, and why our government tells us drugs are bad when all the "cool" kids in school told you otherwise. Decatur put together an apple music playlist with songs about the war on drugs here: https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/war-on-drugs/pl.u-76oNPMNu414dWW You can check out Michelle Alexander's full speech about the war on drugs, excerpted in the episode, here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P75cbEdNo2U Michelle Alexander's full book, The New Jim Crow, can be purchased here: https://newjimcrow.com/ Check out the official music video for Killer Mike's song, Reagan, here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6lIqNjC1RKU Cover photo by Roberto Valdivia on Unsplash

We interview philosophy instructor and author Ben Burgis about Marxism and whether it's the boogeyman your republican aunt told you it is. According to Burgis, it's a critique of what's wrong with capitalism and a set of democratic principles for the working class to fight for going forward. This episode was recorded on October 4, 2020.  Consider becoming a patron to unlock bonus episodes and support the show: https://www.patreon.com/superpoliticsshow Please pick up a copy of Ben's book, Give Them An Argument: Logic For the Left (https://www.johnhuntpublishing.com/zer0-books/our-books/give-them-an-argument) and subscribe to his podcast by the same name (https://podtail.com/podcast/give-them-an-argument/). Check out and join the DSA: https://act.dsausa.org/donate/membership2020?akid=s219..BOEwzq

Even before the pandemic began, the United States was in the throes of a widespread housing crisis. We discuss the current situation, the inequities inherent to the housing market and the landlord-tenant relationship, and short-term vs. long-term solutions. Mentioned in this episode: Jacobin's article on community land trusts (https://www.jacobinmag.com/2019/07/community-land-trusts-clts-problems) Philosophy Tube (https://www.youtube.com/user/thephilosophytube) Please consider supporting the show on Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/superpoliticsshow)

We break down democratic socialism with Nathan Robinson, editor of leftist magazine "Current Affairs" and author of the book "Why You Should be a Socialist." We talk about what it is, why we're down for it, and why - if you want to build a better world - we think you should be down for it too. For more, pick up a copy of the book "Why You Should Be A Socialist" by Nathan Robinson (https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250200877) An audiobook version is available too (https://www.audible.com/pd/Why-You-Should-Be-a-Socialist-Audiobook/1250242061?qid=1601193330&sr=1-1&ref=a_search_c3_lProduct_1_1&pf_rd_p=e81b7c27-6880-467a-b5a7-13cef5d729fe&pf_rd_r=2VEWX41H0DHRPP3P1CVD) To get involved in the democratic socialist movement, check out the Democratic Socialists of America (https://act.dsausa.org/donate/membership2020?akid=s219..BOEwzq) Check out Current Affairs magazine's website (https://www.currentaffairs.org/) Here is the documentary about the St. Louis projects that Decatur mentioned, called "The Pruitt-Igoe Myth" (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1788461/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0) Episode cover photo by Doug Kelley on Unsplash