Dialectical and Historical Materialism by Joseph Stalin
Sep 6, 2021
auto_awesome
Joseph Stalin, a historical figure and proponent of Dialectical and Historical Materialism, discusses his text on interconnected natural phenomena, the impact of social conditions on human consciousness, and continuous change in nature and society. The podcast also delves into changes in Soviet dialectics under Stalin's leadership, the relationship between dialectical materialism and anarchism, and the significance of technology in building a classless society.
Stalin's 1938 dialectical and historical materialism can be interpreted as a state ideology, a defense against fascism, or an adaptation to historical conditions.
Understanding the historical context of Stalin's text aids in refining thinking and improving organizational work.
Deep dives
Overview of Red Star and Red Start
Red Star is a revolutionary Marxist caucus organizing within DSA San Francisco, working on local and national organizing. Red Start is their educational program, aimed at political education for DSA SF and nationally, as well as leadership development for Red Star members and organizers. Red Star expects open-mindedness, good faith engagement, and honest attempts to engage with the text. They have previously explored influential texts on imperialism and wretched of the earth.
Approaches to Dialectical and Historical Materialism
Red Star discusses three different interpretations of Stalin's 1938 dialectical and historical materialism. The first interpretation sees it as a calcification and entrenchment of proletarian struggle into a state ideology. The second interpretation views it as an expansion and ideological work to defend the Soviet project against fascism. The third interpretation depicts it as an improvisation to adapt to unpredictable historical conditions. Red Star believes that all these interpretations contain elements of truth and falsehood, emphasizing the importance of critical thinking and contextual analysis.
Value of Reading Dialectical and Historical Materialism
Red Star highlights the value of reading Stalin's text in understanding dialectical materialism and its application to practical party work. The text emphasizes the interconnectedness of phenomena, the ever-evolving nature of the world, and the inherent contradictions within society. Red Star also acknowledges that Stalin's text should be read within its historical context, considering the complexities of his leadership, internal struggles, and looming Nazi threat. They believe that understanding the history and context of the text can refine thinking and improve organizational work.
Relation Between Dialectical Materialism and Anarchism
Red Star explains that the relationship between dialectical materialism and anarchism revolves around differing perspectives on authority and practical approaches. Dialectical materialism acknowledges the necessity of authority in the revolutionary struggle to prevent the return of capitalism, while anarchists often reject authority in any form. Red Star suggests that both ideologies share a common goal of eliminating class structures but differ in their understanding of historical processes and the role of power in achieving societal transformation.
After a brief hiatus, Red Start is back on! We'll aim to host a session about once a month. Stay tuned for updates at https://twitter.com/redstarsf
Listen to this recording of an introduction to "Dialectical and Historical Materialism" by Joseph Stalin, as well as a Q&A that touches on DSA's national platform, the difference between Marxism and anarchism, and whether things do, in fact, exist.
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode