Jacobin Radio

Joining the conversation is Luke Lebrun, a journalist from PressProgress. He dives into the controversial ethics of journalists acting as spies for foreign governments, spurred by claims from Adam Zivo. The chat also navigates the shifting political landscape in Canada, with declining support for Justin Trudeau's Liberals and the rise of far-right influencers. Luke discusses the absurdities of espionage narratives and critiques how foreign influence shapes media discourse, highlighting the ethical dilemmas facing today’s journalists.

Neil Sehgal, co-author of a study about the relationship between slaveholder ancestry and net worth among members of Congress, discusses his research. Emily Jashinsky gives a conservative’s view of the election. And Melissa Lyon, co-author of a recent National Bureau of Economic Research paper, talks about the effects of US teachers' strikes.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

At the beginning of June this year, Emmanuel Macron called a snap election for the French National Assembly. The move came after the far-right party of Marine Le Pen, the National Rally, topped the poll in France’s European election. The party was widely expected to repeat that performance in the national election and form a government for the first time. But a left-wing alliance, the New Popular Front, thwarted the ambitions of Le Pen and her ally Jordan Bardella.The New Popular Front was the largest single bloc in the National Assembly and should have been given the opportunity to nominate a prime minister. However, Macron was determined to stop that from happening. After stalling throughout the summer, Macron finally appointed a new prime minister last week. He chose Michel Barnier, a conservative politician whose party came fourth in the election.Macron appointed Barnier with the approval of Marine Le Pen. As Jacobin’s Europe editor David Broder put it, Barnier may be in office, but Le Pen will hold power. Jean-Luc Mélenchon, leader of La France Insoumise, the largest group in the New Popular Front, denounced the appointment of Barnier as a subversion of democracy and the popular will.Bruno Amable, a professor of political economy at the University of Geneva, joins Long Reads for a conversation about Macron’s role in the wider crisis of French politics. Bruno is the author, with Stefano Palombarini, of an important book that analyzed the aggressive and authoritarian class politics underpinning Macron’s project. It was translated into English as The Last Neoliberal: Macron and the Origins of France's Political Crisis.Dan spoke with Bruno before the appointment of Michel Barnier as prime minister, when it was already clear that Macron was determined to exclude the left from power.Find an earlier interview Jacobin conducted with Bruno, about Macron forming a right-wing bloc, here: https://jacobin.com/2022/04/emmanuel-macron-election-neoliberalism-france-right-leftLong Reads is a Jacobin podcast looking in-depth at political topics and thinkers, both contemporary and historical, with the magazine’s longform writers. Hosted by features editor Daniel Finn. Produced by Conor Gillies with music by Knxwledge.

Featuring Amna Akbar, Gabe Winant, and Thea Riofrancos on the American political conjuncture: the centrality of Palestine, the contradictions of left electoralism, renewed liberal militarism, the return of Obama-ism, the state of the labor and climate movements—and more. Recorded live at Socialism 2024 in Chicago.  Support The Dig at Patreon.com/TheDig Buy Unbuild Walls at haymarketbooks.org  Subscribe to Jacobin in print for $15/yr at bit.ly/digjacobin and Catalyst in print for $20/yr at bit.ly/digcatalyst

Robert Pausch of Die Zeit talks about the far right’s strong showing in German regional elections. Rob Larson, author of Mastering the Universe, looks at the obscene wealth of the superrich.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

What if a corporate merger became the hottest movie of the year? The hosts dive into the latest Deadpool and Wolverine film, questioning whether it lives up to its predecessors. They explore Disney's influence on superhero cinema and lament the drop in storytelling quality. Amid humorous critiques, they dissect the clash of tones in the multiverse, contrasting humor with emotional depth. The conversation highlights cinematic contradictions, aesthetic failures, and the commodification of beloved characters, all while reflecting on modern filmmaking's impact on audiences.

Abdel Razzaq Takriti, an expert on the Iranian Islamic Revolution's influence in the Arab East, discusses the profound shifts in regional politics. He delves into how the revolution inspired religiously-based resistance movements and impacted the Palestinian struggle, leading to key developments like the rise of Hamas and Islamic Jihad. The conversation explores the intersections of nationalism, authoritarianism, and the geopolitics of the Iran-Iraq War, shedding light on the complex dynamics that shaped the Middle East's revolutionary landscape.

Naomi Hossain explains the uprising in Bangladesh that deposed PM Shekih Hasina. Then Sandipto Dasgupta, author of Legalizing the Revolution, examines the transformation of India from colony to nation through the drafting of its constitution.

Marc Cooper, a journalist known for his leftist political insights, and Robert Brenner, a historian of social movements, delve into the implications of a dynamic Democratic Convention. They discuss how the convention's pro-union and youthful vibe united different party factions while downplaying crucial issues like climate change and Palestinian rights. The duo critiques the Harris-Waltz campaign's strategy of balancing progressivism with mainstream appeal, all amidst a divided political landscape that demands engaging non-voters and reassessing class discourse.

Haskell Wexler, a legendary cinematographer and director, and Luke LeBrun, a National Post columnist known for his investigative work, dive into the chaotic atmosphere of the 1968 Democratic National Convention. They explore Wexler's groundbreaking film 'Medium Cool', discussing its blend of documentary and narrative styles. The conversation also critiques the evolving dynamics of political messaging within the Democratic Party today, while reflecting on the ethical challenges faced by journalists. Their insights provide a compelling look at the intersection of politics and media.