1Dime Radio Liberal Socialism? WTF (Ft.Matt McManus)
Matt McManus, a political theorist and author of The Political Theory of Liberal Socialism, joins to discuss the complexities of liberal socialism. He explores the radical history of liberalism, arguing how socialists can learn from it. The conversation covers key figures like Thomas Paine and Mary Wollstonecraft, alongside their critiques of capitalism and advocacy for equality. McManus also delves into the obstacles to transitioning to socialism and the necessary balance between individual liberties and collective governance.
01:51:56
Core Principles of Liberal Socialism
- Liberal socialism synthesizes liberal principles with socialist goals focused on equality and solidarity for all.
- It rejects expansive property rights but embraces personal property and workplace democracy.
Liberalism's Diverse Roots
- Liberalism is diverse and historically rich with strands supporting redistribution and social justice.
- Commitment to equality, liberty, and solidarity are fundamental, contrasting narrow economistic views.
Paine vs Burke: Roots of Liberal Split
- The split between left and right liberalism emerged vividly in the debate between Thomas Paine and Edmund Burke.
- Paine championed equal rights and revolutionary change, critiquing Burke's reliance on tradition and unequal rights.
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Intro
00:00 • 4min
Intersecting Ideologies: Liberalism and Socialism
03:30 • 28min
Foundations of American Ideals
31:45 • 13min
A Critique of Aristocracy and the Call for Economic Justice
44:33 • 4min
Mary Wollstonecraft: Pioneer of Equality
48:59 • 10min
Exploring Liberal Socialism and Its Critics
58:56 • 25min
Political Parties and Vanguardism in Liberal Democracies
01:23:53 • 5min
Radical Democracy and Its Complexities
01:29:18 • 21min
Exploring Liberal Socialism and the Power Dynamics Within
01:50:04 • 2min
The liberal tradition in America
The liberal tradition in America
Louis Hartz
An introduction to the principles of morals and legislation
An introduction to the principles of morals and legislation
Jeremy Bentham
In this book, Bentham lays out his theory of utilitarianism, arguing that actions are right insofar as they promote the greatest happiness for the greatest number.
He introduces the concept of the 'hedonistic calculus,' which involves measuring the units of pleasure and pain resulting from actions to determine their moral value.
The book is a comprehensive analysis of the principles of morals and legislation, including the sources of pleasures and pains, the measurement of these, and the morally and legally relevant components of human actions.
The Communist Manifesto
Friedrich Engels
Karl Marx
Reflections on the revolution in France
Edmund Burke
Edmund Burke's "Reflections on the Revolution in France" is a powerful critique of the French Revolution, arguing that it was based on abstract principles that ignored the complexities of human society and the importance of tradition.
Burke's work is a classic statement of conservative political philosophy, emphasizing the importance of gradual change, respect for institutions, and the dangers of radicalism.
The "Reflections" remains a relevant and insightful commentary on the challenges facing modern societies.
Burke's emphasis on prudence, tradition, and the importance of preserving social order continues to resonate with conservatives today.
The book is a cornerstone of conservative political thought.
A Vindication of the rights of woman
Mary Wollstonecraft
The lost history of liberalism
Helena Rosenblatt
In *The Lost History of Liberalism*, Helena Rosenblatt offers a comprehensive 'word history' of liberalism, examining how the term has been used and understood across centuries.
The book delves into the moral core of liberalism, highlighting its engagement with various political and social movements, and challenges common assumptions about its meaning.
Rosenblatt emphasizes the importance of understanding liberalism's historical context, particularly its roots in French and German thought, to reconnect with its lost traditions.
The civil war in France
The civil war in France
Karl Marx
Karl Marx's "The Civil War in France" is a pamphlet analyzing the Paris Commune of 1871.
Marx examines the Commune's revolutionary significance, its attempts to establish a new form of government, and its ultimate suppression by the French army.
The pamphlet offers a powerful critique of the state and its role in maintaining class power.
Marx's analysis of the Commune's successes and failures has had a lasting impact on revolutionary theory and practice.
The pamphlet's insights into the nature of the state, the dynamics of class struggle, and the possibilities of revolutionary transformation remain relevant today.
It is a key text for understanding the history of revolutionary movements and the ongoing struggle for social change.
Critique of the Gotha programme
Karl Marx
In this critique, Marx addresses several key issues including the dictatorship of the proletariat, the period of transition from capitalism to communism, and the two phases of communist society.
He criticizes the Gotha Programme for its adherence to Lassallean ideas, its failure to address labor compensation and wealth distribution properly, and its concept of a 'free state' which Marx sees as contradictory.
Marx also discusses the principle of 'from each according to his ability, to each according to his needs' and argues that in a socialist society, individuals should be paid based on their labor, not their needs.
The document is a central text in Marxist theory and continues to influence discussions on socialism and communism.
The theory of moral sentiments
Adam Smith
Published in 1759, 'The Theory of Moral Sentiments' is Adam Smith's first major published work, based on his lectures at Glasgow University.
The book argues that morality is driven by humanity's natural sociability and the need for approval from peers, rather than by rational calculation or innate moral sense.
Smith introduces key concepts such as sympathy, the impartial spectator, and the invisible hand, which explain how individuals judge the conduct and character of themselves and others.
The work delves into the emotional and social aspects of human behavior, highlighting the role of emotions like pity and compassion in shaping moral sentiments and behaviors.
The Political Theory of Liberal Socialism
The Political Theory of Liberal Socialism
Matthew McManus
The subjection of women
John Stuart Mill
Published in 1869, 'The Subjection of Women' is an essay by John Stuart Mill that argues against the social and legal inequalities faced by women.
Mill contends that the inferior status of women is not based on natural differences but rather on social customs and historical power dynamics.
He compares the status of women to that of slaves, highlighting the lack of legal rights, including property ownership and suffrage.
Mill advocates for women's education, employment opportunities, and the reform of marriage laws to achieve greater equality.
The essay, influenced significantly by his wife Harriet Taylor Mill, was a groundbreaking call for gender equality and had a significant impact on the women's rights movement despite facing criticism and controversy at the time of its publication.
The great debate
Aims of Industry.
Principles of Political Economy
null
Carl Menger
Carl Mengers "Grundsätze der Volkswirtschaftslehre" markieren den Beginn der Österreichischen Schule der Nationalökonomie.
Menger entwickelte eine subjektive Wertlehre, die den Wert von Gütern von der individuellen Nachfrage ableitet, im Gegensatz zu den klassischen Theorien, die den Wert auf die Produktionskosten stützten.
Das Buch legte die Grundlage für die Weiterentwicklung der Österreichischen Schule durch Ökonomen wie Böhm-Bawerk und Mises.
Mengers Werk ist ein Meilenstein in der Geschichte der Wirtschaftswissenschaften und beeinflusst bis heute die wirtschaftspolitische Debatte.
Seine Analyse der Entstehung von Märkten und Preisen ist von bleibender Bedeutung.
Liberalism
J. Gresham Machen
Democracy in America
Alexis de Tocqueville
Written after his travels in the United States, 'Democracy in America' is a comprehensive study of American society and government.
Tocqueville examines the democratic revolution and its impact on American life, discussing topics such as the sovereignty of the people, the role of civil society, the dangers of the tyranny of the majority, and the influence of religion and individualism.
The book is a philosophical and political analysis that aims to understand why republican representative democracy succeeded in the United States while failing in other places, and it offers insights into the future of democracy both in America and globally.
The Rights of Man
Thomas Paine
Two Treatises Of Government
John Locke
Published in 1689, 'Two Treatises of Government' is a seminal work by John Locke that critiques the divine right of kings and advocates for a government based on the consent of the governed.
The first treatise refutes Robert Filmer's 'Patriarcha,' which argued for the divine right of kings, while the second treatise outlines Locke's theory of civil society, the state of nature, natural rights, and the social contract.
Locke argues that legitimate governments derive their power from the consent of the people and that individuals have the right to rebellion if the government fails to protect their natural rights to life, liberty, and property.
His ideas significantly influenced the American and French Revolutions and remain central to liberal political theory.
The Socialist Manifesto
The Case for Radical Politics in an Era of Extreme Inequality
Bhaskar Sunkara
In 'The Socialist Manifesto', Bhaskar Sunkara provides a detailed history of socialism from the mid-1800s and presents a compelling case for its relevance in the 21st century.
He argues that socialism offers a means to combat inequality, racism, and sexism, and outlines a vision for a democratic and decentralized socialist future.
Get access to The Backroom Exclusive episodes on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/OneDime
In this episode of 1Dime Radio, Matt McManus joins me to discuss his new book, The Political Theory of Liberal Socialism, which goes over the lost radical history of liberalism and what socialists can learn from liberalism.
In The Backroom episode on Patreon titled “Democratic Socialism or Liberal Communism,” we discuss the obstacles to transition to socialism, critiques of Liberal Socialism, and the notion of “socialist managed democracy.” Become a Patron at Patreon.com/OneDime if you haven’t already!
Timestamps:
0:00 The Backroom Teaser 4:17 Liberal Socialism? WTF! 16:38 The Radical History of Liberalism 34:04 The Birth of Left and Right: Paine vs Burke 43:11 Was Thomas Paine a Socialist? 48:59 Mary Wollstonecraft and Radical Feminism 01:08:34 Marx's Critique of Liberalism 01:18:28 My Critique 01:35:00 Democracy vs Liberalism 01:43:03 Power & The Transition to Socialism
Check out The Political Theory of Liberal Socialism: https://www.routledge.com/The-Political-Theory-of-Liberal-Socialism/McManus/p/book/9781032647234
https://www.amazon.ca/Liberalism-Socialism-Mortal-Enemies-Embittered/dp/3030795365
Follow Matt on X: https://x.com/MattPolProf
Follow me on X: https://x.com/1DimeOfficial
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Outro Music by Karl Casey
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