[originally published on Patreon Nov 17, 2023]
Today I'm rejoined by Comrade Chad to discuss post-Trotsky Trotskyism in the US, especially their penchant for attacking communism 'from the left'. Comrade Chad walks us through some of the theory and vocabulary necessary. Then we zero in on James Cannon, Max Schactman and James Burnham in particular. We attempt to explain the theoretical positions this entailed within both Trotskyism. Marxism, and Cold War geopolitics before explaining their actions in the labor movement.
Along the way we discuss Farrell Dobbs, Jimmy Hoffa, Joseph Hansen, Burnham's theoretical works, the Congress for Cultural Freedom, and much more.
episode art by Robert Voyvodich @r.voy__
Songs:
Teamster Power by Tex Williams
After You’ve Gone by the Toshiko Akiyoshi Trio
Moiritat (Mack the Knife) by Sonny Rollins
Programmed to Chill