Jacobin Radio

Lily Geismer, a historian at Claremont McKenna College, and Brent Cebul from the University of Pennsylvania delve into the intricacies of professional-class liberalism as explored in their collection, Mastery and Drift. They discuss how the PMC has shaped contemporary politics, including trends from the Clinton and Obama eras to the rise of populism. With insights on the tension between expert-driven policies and grassroots movements, they critique the reliance on philanthropy over public solutions. The conversation offers a historical lens on labor, activism, and the changing face of liberalism.

Siddhartha Deb, an author known for revealing the darker aspects of modern India, joins the discussion on the rise of the Hindu right and its impact on Indian society. They delve into Narendra Modi's decade-long rule and the BJP's Hindutva agenda, examining its effects on marginalized communities and democracy. Deb critiques the intersection of neoliberalism and Hindutva, the politicization of sports like the IPL, and explores the tragic story of Father Stan Swamy, advocating for indigenous rights amid rising authoritarianism and media control.

Featuring Ilias Alami and Tim Sahay on a global conjuncture defined by Washington’s shredding of the liberal international order’s legitimacy amid a panic over decline: the escalating Cold War with China; Gaza genocide; Trump’s tariff wars and militarism, and his pivot toward Putin on Ukraine; European defense buildup and fiscal revolution; what this all means for the poor majority of the Global South, and more. Part one of a two-part series. Subscribe to The Polycrisis newsletter phenomenalworld.org/series/the-polycrisis Download a free copy of The Spectre of State Capitalism by Ilias Alami and Adam Dixon: academic.oup.com/book/57552 Transnational Institute reports: The New Frontline: The US-China Battle for Control of Global Networks: tni.org/en/article/the-new-frontline Geopolitics of Capitalism: State of Power 2025: tni.org/en/publication/geopolitics-of-capitalism The Dig goes deep into politics everywhere, from labor struggles and political economy to imperialism and immigration. Hosted by Daniel Denvir.

Vanessa Wills, author of the book Marx’s Ethical Vision, speaks about the morality behind Marxian science. Mathis Ebbinghaus discusses the recent paper he co-wrote about the effects of the summer 2020 anti-cop protests on police budgets. Behind the News, hosted by Doug Henwood, covers the worlds of economics and politics and their complex interactions, from the local to the global. Find the archive online: https://www.leftbusinessobserver.com/radio.html

There are plenty of reasons to be discouraged about the world today, but the labor movement is giving us real cause for hope. Across industries and regions, workers are organizing on a scale we haven’t seen in decades — and they’re winning. What sets this new wave of labor activism apart from the usual staff-driven campaigns is that workers themselves are leading the way. Important challenges remain. Organizing is up, but nowhere near the scale needed to reverse labor’s trajectory. And with the Trump–Musk attack on workers’ rights and MAGA’s onslaught on democracy writ large, labor organizing is more important than ever. Eric Blanc, labor activist and teacher, joins Barry Eidlin to discuss his new book, We Are the Union: How Worker-to-Worker Organizing is Revitalizing Labor and Winning Big. Based on in-depth research and his own on-the-ground organizing experience, Blanc lays out what is driving the organizing upsurge, and how it provides a model for reversing labor’s fortunes. Blanc sets out a vision of worker-to-worker organizing, explaining how it works and why it is labor’s best and only hope for the future. Jacobin Radio with Suzi Weissman features conversations with leading thinkers and activists, with a focus on labor, the economy, and protest movements.

Featuring Eric Blanc on We Are the Union: How Worker-to-Worker Organizing Is Revitalizing Labor and Winning Big. Interview conducted by guest host Gabriel Winant. Support The Dig at Patreon.com/TheDig Defend federal workers and federal services: actionnetwork.org/forms/let-us-work/ Contact the Emergency Workplace Organizing Committee (EWOC) for help organizing your workplace: workerorganizing.org Contact Workers Organizing Workers (WOW) if you are interested in taking a job in a strategic industry to unionize it: form.jotform.com/250337473301045 Buy All Our Trials: Prisons, Policing, and the Feminist Fight to End Violence at Haymarketbooks.com Subscribe to a year of Jacobin for only $15— a special offer for Dig listeners! bit.ly/digjacobin The Dig goes deep into politics everywhere, from labor struggles and political economy to imperialism and immigration. Hosted by Daniel Denvir.

The discussion tackles the complexities of state-led industrial policy and its role in reshoring American manufacturing. It contrasts Trump's tariff strategies with Biden's efforts to boost high-tech industries. Historical successes in industrial policies from countries like Japan and France are highlighted, along with the political obstacles of implementing such strategies. The podcast also critiques the CHIPS Act and its bureaucratic hurdles. Ultimately, it calls for empowering workers and forging a left-wing movement for transformative economic policies.

Ben Tarnoff, a writer focusing on the tech industry, discusses the rise of tech worker militancy and the backlash from corporate leaders. He highlights how younger workers are challenging the status quo. Jody Dean, a political science professor and author of 'Capital's Grave,' delves into neo-feudalism, analyzing the implications of this evolving economic structure. Together, they explore the cultural and political shifts within Silicon Valley and the precarious nature of modern labor, revealing a deepening psychological landscape influenced by increasing anxieties.

Brace Belden and Liz Franczak, the dynamic duo behind TrueAnon, dive deep into the bizarre world of tech oligarchs like Elon Musk. They discuss how these figures have warped our minds and seized control, blending capitalism with unsettling ideologies. The hosts tackle the rise of AI 'art,' questioning its role in society amid concerns about mental health and consumer culture. With critiques on the chaotic digital landscape and the far-right movements, this conversation is tightrope-walking between technology's promises and perilous implications.

Eric Blanc, author of We Are the Union, talks about worker-led organizing at Amazon, Starbucks, and beyond. Molly O'Neal, Quincy Institute fellow, analyzes the recent German election. Behind the News, hosted by Doug Henwood, covers the worlds of economics and politics and their complex interactions, from the local to the global. Find the archive online: https://www.leftbusinessobserver.com/radio.html