Red Menace

This is a small snippet from a much larger patreon exclusive episode, which you can sign up for (and support the show in the process) here: www.patreon.com/revleftradio

Most people, even on the Left, only know fragments of Italy's "Years of Lead." This episode pulls the whole picture into focus: the mass worker upsurge after the boom years, the 1969 Piazza Fontana bombing and the death of Giuseppe Pinelli, the rise of the Red Brigades, the kidnapping and execution of Aldo Moro, and the 1980 Bologna massacre. Alyson and Breht trace how far-right stragismo (mass bombings) intersected with far-left clandestinism, and how segments of the deep state, intelligence services, and the Cold War Gladio architecture shaped a strategy of tension that isolated the movements, kept the socialist and communist left from power, and cleared the way for the establishment of neoliberalism in Italy and beyond. Alyson and Breht then discuss what lessons we can learn from this history and if there are any similarities to the contemporary United States. Check out our episode on the Italian fascist Julius Evola HERE Check out our episode on Carl Schmitt's Concept of the Political HERE Learn more at www.revleftradio.com

Current events take center stage, with a deep dive into the Gaza ceasefire and the skepticism surrounding its sustainability. The hosts explore U.S. military aggression in Venezuela and connections to domestic issues like ICE raids and free speech. They discuss the fragile state of the economy amid an AI bubble and systemic challenges, warning of potential upheaval. As tensions rise, the need for organized resistance becomes clear — with solidarity extends to Palestine and marginalized communities.

In this episode, Alyson joins members of the Ultra-Red collective to discuss their recent trip to Central America where they learned first hand about popular education movements of the past and present. The discussion gets into the history of popular education, existing social movements in Central America today, and what we can learn from these movements in our organizing work. The journal of Ultra-Red can be found here: https://www.rabrab.net/titles/urvol1?utm_campaign=as-npc105112516 ---------------------------------------------------- Learn more about, follow, and support Rev Left and Red Menace here: https://revleftradio.com/

Dive into the intriguing world of technofeudalism as Alyson and Breht analyze its roots and implications from a Marxist viewpoint. They explore rent-seeking behaviors, the impact of private equity, and the commodification of digital spaces. The hosts tackle the nuances of Yanis Varoufakis's theories while critiquing the notion of a new economic paradigm. They also discuss tenant organizing and the importance of collective struggle against monopolistic practices, all while reexamining Marxist principles in today's context.

Alyson and Breht are guests on the Red Star Ministry Podcast, a Christian Communist outlet. Together with the host Christian, they discuss Alyson and Breht's evolving personal relationship with religion and atheism, the Dialectics of Nature and Human Consciousness, Spinozist Philosophy, Marxist Philosophy, Post-Atheism and much more.

The hosts discuss Mao Zedong’s influential speech on handling contradictions in society, focusing on class struggle and revolutionary practice. They break down the critical distinction between antagonistic and non-antagonistic contradictions. The conversation includes reflections on historical campaigns, the superficiality of liberal democracy, and how a community-oriented approach can foster collective harmony. They also analyze the complexities of Tibetan history and the need for humility in political dialogue, advocating for unity through constructive criticism.

Recent riots in Los Angeles reveal fierce community resistance to mass deportations by ICE. The discussion emphasizes the scapegoating of marginalized groups as a tactic of the powerful. Historical context links current events to ongoing systemic violence and colonialism. The podcast explores the implications of artificial intelligence in exacerbating labor issues and wealth disparities. Ultimately, there’s a message of hope for solidarity and public support in the fight against state repression and injustice.

Dive into the intriguing world of dialectical materialism as Engels applies it to the natural sciences. Discover how historical and contemporary movements shape societal transformations, and the role of labor in evolving human consciousness. Delve into the connections between Darwinian evolution and dialectics, and explore the urgent call for eco-socialism in today’s climate crisis. The conversation reveals our responsibility as self-aware beings while grappling with the philosophical implications of existence and interconnectedness.

Explore how labor sparked human consciousness, transitioning us from clever apes to a complex civilization. Discover the intertwining of labor, language, and evolution, revealing how our anatomy shaped communication. Delve into the historical impact of labor on mental development and social cooperation. Uncover the aesthetic beauty in Marxist history through personal stories and children's art. Lastly, marvel at the ancient cave paintings of Lascaux, shedding light on Paleolithic life and the importance of preserving our cultural heritage.