

The Real History of Communism ft. Sean McMeekin
Jun 13, 2025
Sean McMeekin, a distinguished historian and author known for his expertise in 20th-century history and Soviet Russia, joins the conversation to unpack the rise of communism in Russia and its enduring legacy. He discusses how FDR's policies aided the Soviet economy, setting the stage for the Cold War. The podcast dives into Stalin's duality as both a charming leader and ruthless dictator, the ideological allure of communism post-Soviet Union, and the complex interrelations between religion and Marxism, providing essential insights into historical narratives that shape our present.
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Communism's Economic Failures
- Communism has been tried but never fully achieved due to human nature and economic inefficiencies.
- Planned economies collapse due to shortages, famines, and lack of incentives to produce quality goods.
Communism's Inherent Violence
- Violence is inherent in communist ideology, justified by Marx and Lenin as necessary for class war.
- Communists embrace political violence as an essential tool for revolution and control.
Lenin's Military Infiltration
- Lenin's strategy was to infiltrate and radicalize the Russian army to spark mutiny and revolution.
- A small vanguard elite led the revolution, supported by disaffected soldiers and criminals.