Get access to The Backroom (75+ exclusive episodes) on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/OneDime
In this episode, we ask a blunt question: Is it still worth joining a union? The answer is yes, but the reasons why most people don’t are valid, and rooted in material realities of the globalized economy, not just lack of “class consciousness.” We then pivot to political strategy: what counts as politics? How can countries solve problems that are beyond the scope of the nation-state? What are some key issues that can be realistic organizing footholds (like healthcare and housing)?
In The Backroom on Patreon, we discuss the viral assassination of Charlie Kirk, the state of political violence in America, the Trump administration’s response, and how panic often gets used to justify the centralization of state power & the curtailment of civil liberties.
Timestamps:
00:00 The Charlie Kirk Event (The Backroom Preview)
05:46 Guest Introduction: Benjamin Studebaker
07:41 Discussion on Labor Unions and Worker Organization
58:52 Politics as Intervention and the Role of Zeitgeist
01:01:39 The Nature of Political Decisions and Cooperation
01:04:53 Challenges in International Political Systems
01:13:37 The Role of Healthcare in Political Movements
01:17:26 Building Effective Coalitions for Change
01:31:56 Nationalism vs. Internationalism in Political Movements
01:50:49 What can be done now: (healthcare & Housing)
02:00:36 The Left's Power Block
02:04:29 Late Stage vs Middle Capitalism
02:08:54 The Role of The Military
02:12:06 Anti-Civilizational Politics
02:32:15 Transition to The Backroom
GUEST:
Benjamin Studebaker — political theorist; author of Legitimacy in Liberal Democracies and The Chronic Crisis of Liberal Democracy.
• Website: https://benjaminstudebaker.com/about/
• Follow Benjamin Studebaker on X: https://x.com/BMStudebaker
FOLLOW 1Dime:
• Substack (Articles and Essays): https://substack.com/@tonyof1dime
• X/Twitter: https://x.com/1DimeOfficial
• Instagram: instagram.com/1dimeman
• Check out my main channel videos: https://www.youtube.com/@1Dimee.
Outro Music by Karl Casey
If this episode helped, please leave a like, comment, and 5-star rating, and share it with a friend.
