Author: ericfre

Theory

What is Socialism?

ericfre

As the horrors of the capitalist system are laid bare, more and more people are looking for an alternative. Today 41% of Americans (and a majority of young adults) have a positive view of “socialism,” but many others still have negative views based on the repressive regimes of the Soviet Union and elsewhere, and there are many different definitions of the word. What does the alternative to capitalism look like and how do we make it happen? Chantal Sundaram looks at different conceptions of socialism outlined in Hal Draper’s classic, “The Two Souls of Socialism.” Continue reading https://wordpress.com/post/marx21us.org/2257

Imperialism, International, Middle East

“From the River to the Sea:” Palestinians Resist Israeli Apartheid. May 23, 2pm.

ericfre

From the Nakba in 1948 to the continued assault and displacement of Palestinians today, Palestinians have endured the brutal occupation forces of Israel, funded by U.S. dollars, and fueled by the imperialist aims in the Middle East. Today we see a new explosion of Palestinian struggles, and growing international solidarity from below. Come to a presentation and discussion of this history, the struggle today, and the road ahead. Sunday @ 11am PT / 2pm ET.

Anti-fascism, Anti-racism, Public Meetings, Theory

Reading and Discussion Group: Fascism and Fighting the Far Right Today.

ericfre

The growth of the far right is a real threat in the United States and internationally, but it is not inevitable. In this reading group, starting Feb. 14th, we will briefly look back at the nature of classic fascism, before examining both disastrous and successful strategies to fight fascism, how it has transformed, and discussing the far-right in the United States under Trump and after. More, for reading list and links...

Theory

Antonio Gramsci: 130 years since his birth

ericfre

When we saw Joseph Biden calling for unity at his inauguration, we immediately thought of Gramsci’s line, "The historical unity of the ruling classes is realized in the state." Antonio Gramsci, born 130 years ago, on January 22nd, 1891, lived his life as a revolutionary, from daily agitation in the Turin workers struggles at the end of WWI, through the rise of fascism and his death in Mussolini’s prison. In between, he made fundamental contributions to Marxist theory of strategy and the revolutionary party as elaborated by Karl Marx, Rosa Luxembourg, and V.I. Lenin. In American academia, Gramsci’s important concept of hegemony has often been confusingly used to reject working class activity and concentrate on the articulation of counter hegemony within the domain of culture. Certainly, Gramsci’s intelligent and dialectical cultural writings are useful and enjoyable to read. But, as Leandros Bolaris emphasizes below (translated by Iannis Delatolas), Gramsci’s Marxism was always the "philosophy of action", the theory of the liberation struggle of the working class. When we consider issues like the rise of a new brand of fascism today, the use of social media in spreading false consciousness, or the relation of working class action to the revolutionary party, Gramsci remains a brilliant and useful part of the Marxist tradition.

Health, US Politics, Women's Liberation

On the Anniversary of Roe v Wade, Continue the Fight that Won Legal Abortion

ericfre

We cannot depend on Biden and Congress to defend abortion rights today from an increasingly anti-abortion Supreme Court. Four years ago, a massive Women’s March kicked off opposition to Trump. Those numbers, and a revival of the movements that won abortion rights in the first place, can not only secure those rights, but fight on for much more.