Marxism, Anarchism, and the Power of Communist Imagination: Richard Gilman-Opalsky on Utopia and Revolution

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May 11, 2025

Richard Gilman-Opalsky, an author and philosopher from the University of Illinois at Springfield, delves into the power of utopian thinking and the intersections of Marxism and anarchism. He argues that communism is not a distant goal but is reflected in everyday acts of resistance and care. The conversation critiques the failures of liberal capitalism, emphasizes the significance of imagination in envisioning alternatives, and highlights the revolutionary potential of small, transformative actions in the face of modern challenges.

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INSIGHT

Practicality vs Imagination in Revolution

The demand for practicality in revolutionary politics historically reacts against revolutionary aims and misunderstands Marx's appreciation of philosophy and imagination.
Marxism must reject the reductionist view that opposes imagination and embrace the imagination as a material struggle resource.

INSIGHT

Communism as a Process, Not a State

Communism is the active process that abolishes the present state of things, not a fixed stable state or ideology.
This understanding combats ideological misrepresentations and continues the 21st-century struggle against Cold War misconceptions.

INSIGHT

Integrating Anarchism into Marxism

Marxism needs to integrate anarchist insights to overcome false ideological incompatibilities.
Appreciating small-scale revolutionary acts, not just world-historical ones, revives a richer understanding of communism.

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Bruno Gulli

Richard Gilman Opalski

24/7: Late Capitalism and the Ends of Sleep

Jonathan Crary

The revolution of everyday life

Raoul Vaneigem

The philosophy of the limit

Drucilla Cornell

The imaginary institution of society

Cornelius Castoriadis

Imaginary Power, Real Horizons, The Practicality of Utopianism

The Practicality of Utopianism

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Gamer Theory

Mackenzie Wark

Evolutionary Socialism

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Structural Transformation of the Public Sphere

Jürgen Habermas

Jürgen Habermas's "The Structural Transformation of the Public Sphere" is a seminal work in critical theory, exploring the historical development and decline of the public sphere in Western societies. Habermas traces the evolution of public discourse from its origins in coffee houses and salons to its transformation under the influence of mass media and consumerism. He argues that the public sphere, a space for rational-critical debate, has been increasingly colonized by private interests, leading to a decline in democratic participation and public deliberation. The book's analysis of the relationship between power, communication, and public opinion remains highly influential in contemporary political and communication studies. Habermas's work has sparked extensive debate and critique, particularly regarding its assumptions about rationality and its limitations in addressing issues of social inequality and power imbalances. Despite these critiques, the book continues to be a cornerstone of critical theory and a crucial resource for understanding the complexities of public discourse in modern societies.

Escape from Freedom

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Grundrisse

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Karl Marx

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Dialectic of Enlightenment

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Max Horkheimer

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Roberto Calasso

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Max Stirner

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W.E.B. Du Bois

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Socialism

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Ludwig von Mises

This book is a definitive refutation of nearly every type of socialism ever devised. Mises presents a wide-ranging analysis of society, comparing the results of socialist planning with those of free-market capitalism in all areas of life. He argues that a socialist commonwealth cannot apply economic calculation due to the absence of market prices, and defends capitalism against various criticisms. The book addresses issues such as economic inequality, the impossibility of monopoly in a free market system, and the inefficiencies of centrally planned systems.

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The German Ideology

Friedrich Engels

Karl Marx

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What if communism isn’t a destination, but something already unfolding in everyday acts of resistance, care, and imagination? In this episode, Richard Gilman-Opalsky joins us to discuss the political force of utopian thinking, the ongoing tension between Marxism and anarchism, and the need to move beyond stale demands for “practical” revolution. Drawing from his two most recent books— Imaginary Power, Real Horizons: The Practicality of Utopianism—as well as Communist Ontologies (with Bruno Gullì) from Minor Compositions, we explore the imagination as a site of material struggle, the persistence of Cold War ideology, and the overlooked revolutionary power of small things. This conversation ranges from the German Ideology to Gaza, from the failures of liberal capitalism to the fragile flame of collective dreaming.

Imaginary Power, Real Horizons: The Practicality of Utopianism: https://www.akpress.org/imaginary-power-real-horizons.html

Communist Ontologies: https://www.minorcompositions.info/?p=1320

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