Christopher Phelps and Robin Vandome, "Marxism and America: New Appraisals" (Manchester UP, 2021)
Jan 7, 2025
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Christopher Phelps, an Associate Professor of American history, and Robin Vandome, a Professor in American Studies, lead a discussion on the allure of Marxism in America. They explore the historical and contemporary intersection of Marxist thought with issues of gender, race, and activism. Mara Keire delves into the feminist sex wars of the 1980s, challenging narratives around sexual violence. Andrew Hartman connects Marx's influence to American liberalism, revealing how socialist ideas evolve throughout American history, even in times of resistance.
The edited collection 'Marxism and America' critically reevaluates the relationship between Marxism and American political culture across various themes and historical periods.
Contributors highlight the enduring influence of Marxist ideas in contemporary movements, emphasizing intersections of class with gender, race, and sexuality in activism.
The podcast discusses key tensions within Marxist discourse, focusing on orthodox versus heterodox interpretations and their implications for understanding identity in class struggles.
Deep dives
Resolutions and Identity Protection
The discussion begins with Ryan Reynolds emphasizing the importance of New Year's resolutions, presenting them as opportunities for self-improvement. He humorously contrasts his personal resolution against those of large wireless companies, advocating for a more customer-friendly approach. Additionally, the episode highlights the significance of identity protection in the new year, introducing LifeLock as a solution that monitors vast amounts of data to prevent identity theft. Their service includes restoration specialists who assist customers in the event of identity theft, emphasizing the need for proactive measures in safeguarding personal information.
Exploring Marxism in American Context
The edited collection 'Marxism and America: New Appraisals' seeks to reevaluate the relationship between Marxism and American political culture. Editors Christopher Phelps and Robin Van Dome discuss the revival of socialist ideas in the U.S., particularly since the Occupy Wall Street movement a decade ago, which reintroduced class consciousness in the political arena. They highlight the dichotomy in contemporary politics, juxtaposing the rise of left-leaning figures with the intense right-wing backlash that frames Marxism as a present threat. This work aims to fill the historiographical gap regarding the unique manifestations of Marxism in an American context and encourages exploration of its relevance today.
The Eclectic Range in Marxist Thought
The collection's essays cover a broad thematic and chronological scope, showcasing a multitude of perspectives on Marxism and its interactions with American life. Contributors delve into various topics, from the effects of the Civil War on Marxist thought to modern interpretations influencing millennial culture, reflecting the enduring legacy of Marxism within contemporary discourse. The editors underscore the importance of examining not only economic class but also intersections with gender, race, and sexuality, expanding the understanding of Marxist influence in American history. This holistic approach challenges traditional boundaries of Marxist analysis and fosters a more inclusive view of its applicability.
The Tensions Within Marxist Thought
Phelps and Van Dome discuss central antinomies within Marxist discourse, particularly the tension between orthodox and heterodox interpretations. They explore historical instances where Marxism has either conformed to or diverged from traditional frameworks, such as the Communist Party's varying positions on issues related to gender and sexuality during the Popular Front era. The collection draws on contemporary discussions relating to the roles of identity and commodification in understanding class struggles, suggesting a movement beyond reductive class analysis. By addressing these tensions, the work contributes to a nuanced understanding of how Marxist ideas can coexist with diverse identities and experiences.
Contributions from Notable Thinkers
The podcast features contributions from authors like Mara Keir and Andrew Hartman, who enrich the conversation with examinations of historical connections and modern implications of Marxist thought. Keir's chapter investigates the fragmentation of feminism during the 1980s through the lens of Marxism, positing a complex interplay between sexual violence and class analysis. Hartman analyzes the reconfiguration of liberalism in American politics during the Cold War, illustrating how Marxist ideas continued to influence discourse despite prevailing anti-communist sentiments. Their insights underscore the ongoing relevance of Marxism, demonstrating that understanding its historical context can inform contemporary struggles for social justice and equity.
If the United States has been so hostile to Marxism, what accounts for Marxism's recurrent attractiveness to certain Americans? Marxism and America: New Appraisals (Manchester University Press, 2021)sheds new light on that question in essays engaging sexuality, gender, race, nationalism, class, memory, and much more, from the Civil War era through to 21st century cultures of activism. This book is an invaluable resource for historians and theorists of US political struggle.
We discussed the impetus behind the book and its broader scholarly context, before turning to Mara's chapter ("Class, commodity, consumption: theorizing sexual violence during the feminist sex wars of the 1980s") and finally Andrew's chapter ("Rethinking Karl Marx: American liberalism from the New Deal to the Cold War"). We hope you enjoy our conversation as much as we enjoyed recording it!
Catriona Gold is a PhD candidate in Geography at University College London, researching security, subjectivity and mobility in the 20-21st century United States. Her current work concerns the US Passport Office; she has previously published on US Africa Command and the 2013-16 Ebola epidemic. She can be reached by email or on Twitter.
