Confronting Capitalism with Vivek Chibber

Social-democratic politics have been part of the socialist movement for over a century. Some features, like the commitment to pursuing economic rights for the working class via the state, have remained consistent over time. But when did social-democratic ambitions to overthrow capitalism turn into efforts to reform the system? In this episode of Confronting Capitalism, Vivek Chibber takes a broad look at the early agenda of social-democratic parties. Through an examination of their views on the state, class, and socialism, he unpacks social democracy’s relationship to the Left’s politics today. The latest issue of Catalyst is out and you can subscribe for just $20 using the code CONFRONTINGCAPITALISM: https://catalyst-journal.com/subscribe/?code=CONFRONTINGCAPITALISM Have a question for us? Write to us by email: confronting.capitalism@jacobin.com

In this engaging conversation, Vivek Chibber, a sociology professor at NYU and editor of Catalyst, dives into the current crisis facing the Democrats. He argues that the party needs to pivot from unpopular cultural positions to focus on economic demands to reconnect with working-class voters. Chibber highlights polling data showing a preference for economic solutions over cultural issues, discusses the risks of centrist strategies, and defends a class-based approach to politics that respects workers' experiences and values.

Vivek Chibber, a sociology professor at NYU and editor of Catalyst, dives into the rise of neoliberalism as a class offensive rather than an intellectual shift. He discusses how political elites and employers exploited economic crises to redefine society. Chibber critiques the mainstream Keynesian response, emphasizing that political realities and class dynamics, rather than mere ideas, shaped policy changes. He encourages building working-class power to ensure progressive ideas can thrive, urging listeners to understand the roots of neoliberal success.

Join Vivek Chibber, a NYU sociology professor and editor of Catalyst, as he addresses listener questions with insightful clarity. He tackles crucial topics like the challenges socialists face when confronting discrimination in organizing. Vivek explores the concept of monopoly capitalism and its historical significance, while dissecting the implications of home ownership on class status. The discussion also includes a critical look at police abolition slogans and the need for thoughtful engagement with fascism's historical context.

In a pivotal keynote address, Vivek Chibber examines the evolution of capitalism and the Left since the 2008 crisis. He discusses how neoliberalism's legitimacy is crumbling amid rising inequality. Chibber critiques the dominance of identity politics over class issues and emphasizes the need to rebuild grassroots political institutions. He highlights Zohran Mamdani's campaign as a beacon for economic populism, calling for a revival of class-focused political discourse and the importance of sustained organizing beyond electoral victories.

Vivek Chibber, a Professor of Sociology at NYU and editor of Catalyst, dives deep into the intricate origins of capitalism. He challenges the idea that colonial plunder was a primary driver, arguing instead that wealth needed a transformed social context to become capital. Chibber also explains how peasants were forcibly integrated into markets through enclosures and critiques the narrative that merchants alone birthed capitalism. Misconceptions around Weber's Protestant ethic and ongoing primitive accumulation shed light on capitalism's persistent evolution.

Populism is in the air, providing unique opportunities and challenges to the Left. On this episode of Confronting Capitalism, Vivek Chibber discusses how populist sentiment — popular anger at elites and a demand for economic redress — helped socialists reinsert economics back into politics. Recent electoral victories, such as Zohran Mamdani’s win in the New York City Democratic primary, have shown the success of centering material demands with widespread appeal. While not populist in the classic sense, campaigns like Mamdani’s have been able to harness this broader mood of popular discontent. The strategy is not without its limitations, but it holds important lessons for how the Left can reshape a political environment that has been hostile to workers for decades. The latest issue of Catalyst is out, and you can subscribe for just $20 using the code CONFRONTINGCAPITALISM: https://catalyst-journal.com/subscribe/?code=CONFRONTINGCAPITALISM Have a question for us? Write to us by email: confronting.capitalism@jacobin.com

Utilizing class analysis is the bread and butter of socialist politics. But understanding how classes are shaped and reproduced has changed over time. On this episode of Confronting Capitalism, Vivek Chibber breaks down how the Marxist tradition has theorized class, the difference between a class in itself and a class for itself, and how class analysis is used within political organizing. The latest issue of Catalyst Journal is out and you can subscribe for just $20 using the code, CONFRONTINGCAPITALISM: https://catalyst-journal.com/subscribe/?code=CONFRONTINGCAPITALISM Have a question for us? Reach out here: confronting.capitalism@jacobin.com

The “professional managerial class” has become a staple of political debate on the Left. In this episode of Confronting Capitalism, Vivek Chibber explains why the “PMC” is better understood as a heterogeneous layer within capitalism rather than a distinct class, how and why the middle strata have expanded, and what has pushed so many professionals toward anti-capitalist politics. While skeptical of the PMC as a precise analytical category, Chibber argues that the term still captures something real about one of the most politically influential groups in modern America. The latest issue of Catalyst is out, and you can subscribe for just $20 using the link below: https://catalyst-journal.com/subscribe/?code=CONFRONTINGCAPITALISM

Phillip Rocco, an associate professor of political science at Marquette University, discusses why the Democratic Party struggles to fight effectively against the right. He emphasizes the detrimental effects of abandoning organized labor, leading to a fragmented party that fails to mobilize grassroots support. Rocco critiques the Democrats’ reliance on litigation over mass mobilization, contrasting it with the cohesive strategies of the Republican Party. He calls for a shift toward empowering local organizations and building a compelling political vision to engage disenchanted voters.