History 102 with WhatifAltHist's Rudyard Lynch and Austin Padgett

Communism

8 snips
Jun 21, 2024
Rudyard Lynch, creator of WhatifAltHist, and Erik Torenberg, a co-founder and cultural commentator, dive into the harsh realities of communism. They dissect its brutal cost, from mass killings to the psychological appeal of its ideologies. The conversation explores the legacy of Marxism and its hidden influence today, alongside the catastrophic effects of regimes led by Mao and Stalin. They also challenge the stigma around communist thought, advocating for a nuanced understanding of individual success within its framework.
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INSIGHT

Marxism's Enduring Influence

  • Marxism has deeply shaped modern worldviews and political discourse, influencing both left and right ideologies.
  • Many concepts like class analysis and economic materialism originated from Marx and are now often taken for granted.
ANECDOTE

Occult Roots of Leftism

  • The modern left traces roots to secret 18th-19th century groups like the Illuminati and German occult movements.
  • Early leftist ideas mixed radical atheism, anti-establishment aims, and revolutionary ambitions after Europe's oppressive post-French Revolution era.
INSIGHT

East-West Leftism Split

  • Leftism split into Western (libertine, less authoritarian) and Eastern (authoritarian, communitarian) branches circa the French Revolution.
  • This division explains fundamental differences between Western socialists and Eastern communist regimes.
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