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Chris Smalls, founder of the Amazon Labor Union, shares his journey from being fired for advocating COVID-19 safety to leading a historic unionization effort. Mars Verrone, a filmmaker and musician, discusses his documentary that chronicles these struggles. Together, they highlight the immense challenges of organizing against Amazon's corporate power and emphasize the significance of collective action and worker solidarity. The conversation reflects on the emotional victories at JFK8 and the importance of May Day in the ongoing fight for labor rights.

This is a free preview of the episode " China Pt. 5: A Socialist Approach to Ecological Development w/ Tings Chak". You can listen to the full episode by subscribing to our Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/upstreampodcast As a Patreon subscriber you will have access to bi-weekly episodes ranging from conversations to readings and more. Signing up for Patreon is a great way to make Upstream a weekly show, and it will also give you access to our entire back catalog of Patreon episodes along with stickers and bumper stickers at certain subscription tiers. You’ll also be helping to keep Upstream sustainable and allowing us to keep this project going. One of the primary challenges facing Global South countries in the 21st century is the question of sustainable and just development—how do you raise living standards and eliminate poverty, what some refer to as the process of industrialization, without going down the same ecologically destructive and often deadly path that Western capitalist countries went down—the path of slavery, genocide, colonization, and now, a form of neocolonialism that is essentially colonialism in all but name. How can you compete in a global capitalist economy against countries that have no qualms about ethnically cleansing an entire people just so that they can build a “riviera of the Middle East”? Well, this is a massive question that cannot be answered in a single episode, but we can begin to chip away at it and uncover some lessons and explore some evidence-based analyses that can help us to at least understand the alternative approaches that at least some Global South countries are experimenting with—because, despite what the monsters in power want us to think—there are alternatives to capitalism.   In this conversation, we’ve brought on Tings Chak to talk about China’s attempts to balance ecological and human development through the lens of a specific environmental project. Tings Chak is the Art Director and Asia Coordinator at Tricontinental: Institute for Social Research and Editor of Wenhua Zongheng. She is the co-author of the recent piece “Reviving Erhai Lake: A Socialist Approach to Balancing Human and Ecological Development” published in Tricontinental. In this conversation, we talk about Erhai Lake—which is the site of a restoration and cleanup project that China has been working on for quite some time now. A decade ago, Erhai Lake was a microcosm of how China’s rapid economic development led to ecological devastation. Today, it’s an example of quite the opposite—how China aims to move towards its own stated goal of creating an ecological civilization that represents a harmonious balance between ecological and human development.  How and why did the Communist Party of China initiate a massive poverty reduction and ecological restoration project across the country, and how does Erhai Lake fit into it? What can be learned from this project by other Global South countries looking for alternatives to the capitalist model of development? And why should we be exploring these questions in the first place? This is just some of what we cover in this conversation between Robert and Tings Chak. Artwork: Tricontinental Further resources: Reviving Erhai Lake: A Socialist Approach to Balancing Human and Ecological Development, by Xiong Jie and Tings Chak  Wenhua Zongheng China and CoronaShock Serve the People: The Eradication of Extreme Poverty in China  Chinese-Style Modernization: Revolution and the Worker-Peasant Alliance, by Lu Xinyu Without Culture, Freedom Is Impossible: The Thirty-Eighth Newsletter (2022) Culture as a Weapon of Struggle: The Medu Art Ensemble and Southern African Liberation Related episodes: (Chinese) Socialism vs (U.S.) Capitalism Listen to our ongoing series on China Upstream is a labor of love — we couldn't keep this project going without the generosity of our listeners and fans. Subscribe to our Patreon at patreon.com/upstreampodcast or please consider chipping in a one-time or recurring donation at www.upstreampodcast.org/support If your organization wants to sponsor one of our upcoming documentaries, we have a number of sponsorship packages available. Find out more at  upstreampodcast.org/sponsorship For more from Upstream, visit www.upstreampodcast.org and follow us on Instagram and Bluesky. You can also subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts.

Vijay Prashad, a journalist and Executive Director of Tricontinental: Institute for Social Research, delves into the dark history of the CIA and its role in global assassinations in his book, Washington Bullets. He discusses the true cost of these covert operations, emphasizing how local communities suffer the most. The conversation also critiques the glamorization of the CIA, explores historical coups, and highlights the need for genuine trust in a fragmented society. Expect passionate insights on imperialism, resistance, and the vital importance of political education.

Explore the deep connections between fascism and capitalism as the historical roots reveal manipulation of worker patriotism. Delve into Mussolini's transition from socialism to fascism and the implications for today's society. The dynamics between fascism and liberalism highlight how the latter's weaknesses pave the way for extremist ideologies. Economic struggles post-World War I illustrate the erosion of workers' rights, reminding us of ongoing threats to organized labor. This analysis invites listeners to consider the relevance of fascist critiques in contemporary contexts.

Calla Walsh, an anti-imperialist organizer and member of the Merrimack Four, shares her gripping story of activism and state repression. She recounts the dramatic rooftop protest against Elbit Systems, a major arms manufacturer, sparked by violence in Palestine. Walsh discusses her personal journey from mainstream politics to radical activism, the emotional and legal toll of facing severe charges, and the unique challenges women and queer individuals face in these movements. The conversation emphasizes the resilience of activists amid repression and the urgent need for solidarity in their fight.

Li Jingjing, a multimedia reporter at CGTN in Beijing, tackles the challenge of unlearning pervasive anti-China propaganda. She shares her decade-long journey of covering China's politics and culture, urging listeners to confront misconceptions, especially regarding the handling of COVID-19. Jingjing breaks down China’s political system, revealing its collaborative nature and grassroots representation. She highlights the diverse voices in the National People's Congress and the crucial role of ethnic minorities, shedding light on a richer, more nuanced understanding of China.

In a captivating discussion, David Smith, a Sociology Professor at the University of Kansas and author of "Marx's Capital Illustrated," unpacks the essence of capitalism through Marx's seminal work. They delve into concepts like commodity fetishism and the dichotomy of use versus exchange value. Smith highlights the relevance of Marx's critique in today's economic landscape, addressing labor struggles and the role of money. Ultimately, they envision a society centered on sharing, exploring the profound implications of capitalism's profit-driven nature.

Jason Hickel, a professor at the Autonomous University of Barcelona and author focused on global inequality, dives deep into China's complex history and its rise as a socialist state. He discusses the impact of China's revolutionary journey, addressing its achievements in public health and education. Hickel critiques the misconceptions surrounding China's economic evolution and its unique model compared to Western capitalism. The conversation encourages a reassessment of poverty alleviation in light of socialist policies and reflects on the narratives that shape our understanding of socialism today.

Dive into the intriguing contrasts between bourgeois and socialist democracies. Discover how civic rights and societal organization differ in the U.S. and China. The discussion debunks myths about Chinese society and explores the unique narrative of democratic expression within a socialist framework. Economic factors and historical context reshape the dialogue on democracy, emphasizing freedom from deprivation over traditional voting rights. It’s a captivating exploration of governance that challenges conventional views!

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.