Jacobin Radio

Jeff Schuhrke, a Professor of Labor Studies and author of Blue Collar Empire, joins guest host Micah Utrecht to dive into the shadowy history of the U.S. labor movement during the Cold War. They discuss how organized labor became entangled in anti-communist strategies, undermining leftist unions both here and abroad. Schuhrke reveals the complexities of labor leaders aligning with imperialistic agendas, and how this legacy has shaped the current conservative state of workers' movements. They also explore contemporary implications for labor activism and the need for global solidarity.

Joy Neumeyer, a journalist and historian specializing in Russian affairs, shares her experiences corresponding with political prisoners in Russia. She highlights the harrowing stories of dissidents enduring severe repression, revealing their resilience and hope. Neumeyer discusses the chilling atmosphere for dissent following the war in Ukraine, the influence of propaganda, and the role of youth in opposing the regime. Her reflections on solidarity through letter writing emphasize the importance of personal connections in the face of authoritarianism.

Samuel Moyn, a Yale law and history professor, critiques the judiciary's role during Trump's presidency, questioning the effectiveness of courts as a political counterbalance. Chris Maisano discusses class de-alignment, exploring the shift in working-class support from Democrats to Republicans. Evgenia Kovda dives into hipster nihilism, reflecting on cultural trends and their political implications. This conversation weaves through the complex interplay between class, politics, and cultural attitudes in America today.

The podcast delves into the Republican Party's evolution amid Trump's rise to power. It examines the tensions between traditional values and the radical shifts within the party. Insights reveal how Trump's relationship with the business class is fragile. The conversation also highlights the impact of big money on politics, showcasing the struggles for unity among party factions. Additionally, concerns about democratic norms and the growing executive power under Trump's leadership are addressed, urging grassroots efforts for change.

Ilias Alami, a political economy professor at Cambridge, and Tim Sahay, co-editor of The Polycrisis, dive into the pressing issues of global geopolitics. They explore the green energy transition and its uneven impact on countries like Morocco and Vietnam. The duo discusses the resilience of economies under U.S. sanctions and how these measures spawned innovation in China. They also unpack Europe’s defense strategy amid rising tensions and the IMF's austerity and its detrimental effects on vulnerable nations.

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.