Marxism for the Masses w/ Savannah from All Power Books
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Mar 11, 2025
Discover how Marxism can be a practical tool for social change, demystified for all. A journey through accessible education reveals key concepts like the distinction between private and personal property, the means of production, and dialectical materialism. Explore the relevance of Marxist thought in today’s struggles against inequality and capitalism. Learn about the importance of personal experiences in understanding these theories and how collaborative learning can unlock revolutionary ideas. This engaging discussion emphasizes the potential of collective action and solidarity.
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Hollywood Disparity
Savannah's exposure to Marxism stemmed from witnessing stark class disparities while working in Hollywood.
Serving affluent celebrities who disregarded the homeless ignited her interest in social change.
insights INSIGHT
Marxism as a Tool
Marxism offers a scientific approach to understanding and addressing societal struggles.
It empowers individuals to see systems for what they are and provides tools for revolutionary change.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Accessibility of Marxism
Marxism is a working-class tool, accessible to people of all educational backgrounds.
Diverse groups worldwide, from illiterate peasants to today's youth, have grasped its concepts.
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Socialist Reconstruction: A Better Future for the United States
Socialist Reconstruction: A Better Future for the United States
None
PSL
Marxist Capital Illustrated
Marxist Capital Illustrated
David Smith
Das Kapital
Karl Marx
The Communist Manifesto
Friedrich Engels
Karl Marx
What Is to Be Done?
Michael R. Katz
William G. Wagner
Nikolai Chernyshevsky
Written in 1863 by Nikolai Chernyshevsky, 'What Is to Be Done?' is a novel that had a significant influence on Russian revolutionary thought. The story follows Viéra Pavlovna, a young woman who seeks economic independence and starts a cooperative workshop for seamstresses. The novel promotes the creation of small socialist cooperatives, advocates for women's rights, and critiques the patriarchal and authoritarian structures of Russian society. It was written in response to Ivan Turgenev's 'Fathers and Sons' and played a central role in polarizing the Russian intelligentsia between radical and liberal reformers. The novel's impact was so profound that it contributed to the conflicts leading up to the Russian Revolution[1][2][5].
Marxism is not some esoteric philosophy meant to be analyzed and discussed in the ivory towers of the academy—not that appreciating Marxism from an intellectual perspective is wrong, or anything—we do that quite a bit—but at its essence, Marxism is a weapon. It’s a tool for change—revolutionary change. It helps us understand the world around us not just for the sake of knowledge—but so that we can act accordingly.
This is the focus of our episode today—and the focus of our guest, who came to Marxism through real life struggle and teaches it to others with the very same spirit. Savannah is a co-founder of All Power Books—a radical bookstore and community space in Los Angeles. She developed and teaches Marxism 101 and 102 classes as part of All Power’s People’s Education Program.
In this conversation, we take a deep dive into these classes which aim to bring the social science of Marxism up to speed for our time and context. These classes are taught at an 8th grade level to be universally applicable and easy to understand—but they are crucial not just for newcomers to Marxism but for those of us hoping to improve in our communication and dissemination skills when it comes to radical theory and practice. In an incredibly effective and accessible way, Savannah teaches us about the differences between Private and Personal property, what the ‘Means of Production’ are, who owns them, how to easily grasp Dialectical and Historical Materialism, and more—all while dispelling some of the most prevalent myths about Marxism along the way.
Intermission music: "Keep Planting Flowers” by Stick to Your Guns
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