Tin Foil Hat With Sam Tripoli
#622: The Bolshevik Revolution Of America With Richard Spence
Episode guests
Podcast summary created with Snipd AI
Quick takeaways
- Fascism and communism are different mutations of Marxism, with fascism glorifying the state and communism seeking to destroy class barriers.
- Socialism and communism are interconnected ideologies, with socialism being the transitional phase towards achieving communism.
- The term 'anti-Semitic' was coined to make Jew-hate sound more palatable and specifically focuses on opposition towards Jews.
- Key figures in the Russian Revolution came from privileged backgrounds, showing a disconnection between the revolutionary leaders and the working class.
Deep dives
The Origins of Fascism and Socialism
Fascism, originated by Benito Mussolini, is a mutant form of Marxism and a glorification of the state. It aims to reconcile social classes under a political system controlled by a fascist party. On the other hand, Marxism believes in the eventual transformation of society through socialism into a just unified communal state called communism. Socialism is the means to achieve communism and is considered an evolutionary process. Fascism involves the state and corporations working together to control people's rights and behaviors.
Misuse of the Term 'Fascism'
The term 'fascism' is often misused and thrown around to label anyone on the right, even though its true definition refers to Mussolini's ideology. Fascism and communism are not opposing ideologies, but rather different mutations of Marxism. Fascism emphasizes the organization of society around social classes and the idealization of the state, while communism seeks to destroy class barriers through international revolution and create a new society with non-economic satisfaction.
The Evolution of Socialism and Communism
Socialism and communism are interconnected ideologies, with socialism being the transitional phase towards achieving communism. Marxism argues that history progresses through economic phases, and communism represents the ideal state where economic conflicts are resolved. Communism seeks to liberate the toiling masses from capitalist ownership and oppression, creating a new world order. Fascism and communism both aim to unite social classes under a common ideology, but fascism at a national level and communism at an international level.
The Term 'Anti-Semitic' and Its Origins
The term 'anti-Semitic' was coined by Wilhelm Marr, a German journalist and Jew-hater in the 19th century, as a replacement for the term 'Jew hate.' It was an attempt to make Jew-hate sound more palatable. Anti-Semitic originally referred to opposition towards Jews, but it has since been used to specifically mean anti-Jewish sentiment. The term is based on linguistic categorizations and is focused on Jews rather than Arabs or other Semitic people.
The Role of Elites in the Russian Revolution
The podcast delves into the backgrounds of key figures in the Russian Revolution, such as Lenin, Trotsky, and Stalin, and reveals their privileged upbringings. Lenin, born into the hereditary nobility, came from a relatively affluent background. Trotsky came from a wealthy Jewish family, and Stalin's family experienced social decline. These revolutionaries were not factory workers or peasants, but intellectuals and members of the middle class who felt a sense of entitlement to lead the struggle for the working class. The elite's disconnection from the working class was comparable to the American elite's perception of the ignorant masses, reinforcing the idea that active minorities often drive historical change.
The Size of the Revolutionary Movement
The podcast explores the scale of the revolutionary movement during the Russian Revolution. While the Russian Empire had a population of about 170 million, the actual number of active revolutionaries, including Marxists and anarchists, was relatively small, estimated to be around a quarter of a million to two million people. This accounts for less than 1% of the population. The revolutionaries were not able to mobilize the entire country and were primarily concentrated in universities and intellectual circles. The discussion highlights that historical change is often driven by active minorities rather than the mass population.
Comparing the Revolutionary Movements of the Past and Present
The podcast draws parallels between the revolutionary movements of the past, such as the Russian Revolution, and the current societal tensions. It suggests that certain patterns can be observed, wherein privileged individuals, like the revolutionaries of the past, often engage in societal conflicts out of a need for purpose or to fulfill their desire for fight or flight. However, the size and scope of the modern movements, such as Antifa, are comparatively smaller, and the threat of overthrowing the government is not equivalent to that during the Russian Revolution. The discussion emphasizes the importance of understanding historical context and the motivations behind revolutionary movements.
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