Marx Engels Institute

In this episode we examine the recently passed Texas anti-abortion law. We look at the history of laws regarding abortion since the beginning of the capitalist period, how the christian churches have actually changed their line on it over time, the beginning of the modern anti-abortion movement in the US and how the politics of this differes with Britain and Canada.

In this weekend edition we speak to American journalist Michael Tracey  regarding his recent reporting from Poland and his encounter with the  pro-NATO left in London.  Part 2 will be released for patrons next Tuesday.

The second part of our talk with climate change skeptic Ben Pile. We speak about the politics and economics of the hydrocarbon industry, and we ask Ben what we REALLY should be worrying about. Find more of Ben's work here: https://www.climate-resistance.org/ Ben's Twitter: @clim8resistance

We talk with climate change skeptic Ben Pile to get his critical view on climate science and the politics undergirding it (Twitter: @clim8resistance). Part 2 will be coming out next week. Find more of Ben's work here: https://www.climate-resistance.org/

We've unlocked the second part of our interview with James Smith, of The Popular Show, in which we look at the use and abuses of the term "fascism", the position of the petit bourgeoisie and the usefulness of the "left-right" distinction in today's politics. Check out The Popular Show on twitter @thepopularpod

In the weekend edition we look at the history of plastic surgery, why it developed, which layers in society have embraced it the most and why it has become ever more popular.  The answer as to why it has become ever more popular are disturbing and afford us an insight into the atomised, alienated and constantly marketised nature of certain areas of life in the western world today. Episode Image is from Brazil - Directed by Terry Gilliam (1985)

In this episode we start off by examining the P&O Ferries dispute before turning to look at the latest on inflation and the idea that we are in a "long depression" since 2008. You can find out more about the P&O workers dispute on the link below. https://www.rmt.org.uk/news/pando-crisis/

We are unlocking one of our regular 'Ask Us Anything' episodes from October last year where we take questions from subscribers and from twitter. If you like this content you may want to subscribe for a whole lot more of it over on our patreon page.

Is the "rules based" international order collapsing? Has the Russian action in Ukraine ended for good the period of the unipolar world? What are we to make of President Vladimir Putin adopting the rhetoric of "responsibility to protect" arguments previously so beloved of US and British politiacal leaders?  All this and much more are subjects of our discussion with Tara McCormack who is a lecturer in international relations, sovereignty, security, intervention and the relationship between foreign policy and the structure of the state at the University of Leicester.  Be sure to follow Tara on twitter - @McCormack_Tara 

We talk about the ongoing conflict in Ukraine with investigative journalist Kit Klarenburg, with an emphasis on the use of the media in shaping the stunning pro-war unanimity. We also touch on the weaponization of propaganda against the Canadian trucker protest movement.