Jacobin Radio

Hicham Safieddine, a historian and editor behind the new English translation of Mahdi Amel's works, dives into the influential life of this key figure of the Arab left. The discussion reveals how Amel adapted Marxism to address the complexities of colonial realities in the Middle East. They explore the Lebanese Communist Party's evolution, the balance of solidarity with Palestine, and Amel's insights on the intersections of class and national liberation. The relevance of his thought today is emphasized amidst contemporary political challenges in the region.

Aslı Bâli, an expert on left-wing internationalism and decolonization, joins scholar Aziz Rana to explore the historical context of Third Worldism and its relevance today. They discuss U.S. imperialism's impact on democracy and the importance of solidarity in the Palestinian liberation movement. The conversation delves into the challenges of forming anti-imperialist coalitions and fostering revolutionary activism amid neocolonial pressures. Listeners gain insights into the interconnected struggles for justice that span across global political landscapes.

Branko Milanovic, an economist renowned for his insights on inequality, joins Niobe Way, an author investigating the emotional lives of boys. They discuss the challenges boys face in expressing emotions within rigid cultural norms, leading to a crisis in male connections. Milanovic reviews economic theories from iconic thinkers like Adam Smith and Marx, exploring their relevance to today's inequality debates. The conversation also addresses how economic disparities impact social structures and relationships, challenging listeners to rethink societal values and norms.

In this engaging conversation, Senator Bernie Sanders, a staunch advocate for social justice, shares his vision for a progressive future. Joined by Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal, a leader in the fight for racial, economic, and gender justice, they discuss grassroots activism's resurgence and the importance of diverse voter support. The duo addresses the economic struggles impacting the working class and the need for a more inclusive Democratic Party. Their insights spark a call to action for a bold, united movement to confront misinformation and corporate influence.

In this discussion, Abdel Razzaq Takriti, an expert on Arab radicalism, delves into a century of American intervention and its impact on the Middle East. He covers the Oslo Accords' disempowerment of Palestinian movements and the eruption of the Second Intifada. The conversation also explores the rise of radical groups amid U.S. wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the dynamics of the Arab Spring, and the emergence of ISIS. Takriti highlights the enduring hope for popular renewal despite decades of imperialist chaos.

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