Sean McMeekin, a PhD and Bard College professor, delves into the roots of Communism and its historical impact. He discusses the influence of the French Revolution on modern ideologies and draws parallels between COVID-19 lockdowns and communist policies. The conversation highlights the philosophical connections between socialism and ancient thought, contrasting Lenin and Stalin's differing approaches. McMeekin also examines contemporary challenges to freedom of expression in the digital age and the evolving landscape for aspiring historians in academia.
Sean McMeekin's academic journey was shaped by early inspirations in history, leading to a profound exploration of communism's historical roots.
The resurgence of radical ideologies today parallels historical revolutionary movements, reflecting a persistent human desire for societal transformation.
McMeekin highlights the necessity of political violence in Marxist thought, emphasizing its role in seizing and maintaining revolutionary power.
Deep dives
Sean McMeekin's Academic Journey
Sean McMeekin shares his academic background, illustrating a transformative journey from a math and sports-oriented youth to a dedicated historian. Inspired by enthusiastic history teachers in high school, he pursued history at Stanford, deeply influenced by the European historical tradition present at the university. His early studies revolved around the French Revolution, where his fascination with the period's drama and complexity fueled his intellectual pursuits. This foundational experience shaped his subsequent exploration into various historical themes, including communism, as he returned to earlier interests in his more recent work.
The Return of Revolutionary Sentiments
McMeekin discusses the resurgence of revolutionary sentiments that echo historical radical movements, strongly linking today's social changes to past revolutions such as the French Revolution. He observes that similar radical ideas are resurfacing globally, with various ideologies advocating for tearing down established orders in pursuit of new societal structures. This reflects a continual human impulse toward radical social reform, he argues, which seems to surface periodically throughout history. The concept of 'starting over from day zero' resonates in contemporary movements, drawing parallels to historical examples of social upheaval.
Reassessing the Influence of Communism
In the wake of the Soviet Union's dissolution, McMeekin challenges the notion that communism’s history is completely over. He cites cases such as the Tiananmen Square Massacre as indicators that the underlying ideas of communism persist in various forms of governance across the globe. Furthermore, he illustrates how surveillance and social control strategies reminiscent of communist regimes are emerging in modern Western societies. This resurgence leads him to question the finality of history and the implications of adopting authoritarian practices in ostensibly democratic contexts.
Philosophical Roots of Marxism
Delving into Marxism's philosophical foundations, McMeekin explores how earlier thinkers like Plato and Rousseau contributed to Marx's ideas. He indicates that elements of Christian thought and enlightenment principles heavily influenced Marx and later communist doctrines. These philosophical traditions shaped key tenets of communism, such as equality and the rejection of traditional hierarchies, resonating through history to radical movements today. This historical continuity highlights the complexity of intellectual heritage that informs contemporary political ideologies.
Political Violence as a Necessity
McMeekin emphasizes Marx's view that political violence is inherently necessary for achieving a communist revolution. He argues that Marx and later leaders like Lenin viewed revolutions as requiring this kind of violent upheaval to dismantle existing structures of power. Lenin's strategies solidified the idea that radical measures, including ruthless repression, were key to maintaining control once power was seized. The historical precedent of violence in communist contexts underscores the ongoing debates regarding the ethics and efficacy of such approaches in pursuit of ideological goals.
Distinctions Between Soviet and Chinese Communism
The discussion reveals critical differences between the paths of Soviet and Chinese communism, particularly regarding governance and control tactics. McMeekin frames the survival of the Chinese Communist Party as rooted in its ability to learn from Soviet failures, maintaining a strong grip on power through repression and lack of political freedoms. Unlike the Soviet Union, the Chinese model embraced elements of economic liberalization while strictly controlling political discourse and dissent. This strategy has contributed to the longevity of the regime despite ongoing unease regarding social control in modern China.
Sean McMeekin PhD was educated at Stanford University and the University of California, Berkeley. Having visited American and European battlefields, libraries and archives, venturing as far east as Russia and Turkey, he now teaches at Bard College. His eight award-winning books include ‘Stalin's War: A New History of World War’. His latest book is ‘To Overthrow the World: The Rise and Fall and Rise of Communism’. In this podcast we discuss the early roots of Communism, Karl Marx and political violence, Lenin and how to seize power, and much more.
