Imtv Radio - Marxist Ideas. Fighting For Revolution.

The Great French Revolution was one of the greatest events in human history. In just four years, the masses rose up and swept away the ancient regime that had stood for centuries, igniting revolutionary flames across Europe. Yet these heroic efforts ultimately prepared the way for the rule of the capitalist class, and could only herald what was to come: the struggle of the working class for socialism. Nevertheless, it is vital that all who are fighting for communism to carefully study these titanic events, and to grasp the dynamics of revolution in preparation for the colossal class struggles that are being provoked by the crisis of the capitalist system. In this episode, Keelan Kellegher discusses the epic drama of the French Revolution, drawing out lessons essential for every revolutionary communist today. ✊ Join our campaign to build a Revolutionary Communist Party: https://communist.red/join

From La France Insoumise, to Podemos, to the ‘Communist’ Party of Britain, a number of figures and groups on the left believe that rallying around the national flag is the best way to attract the support of the working class. This opportunism goes back a long way. Both the reformists and the Stalinists have tended to bend to the chauvinism of the ruling class, leading to the betrayal of workers and oppressed peoples. As communists, we understand that the working class has no nation, and that reshaping or filling nationalities with a ‘progressive’ content cannot lead the masses to emancipation. In this talk, Jack Tye Wilson argues why communists must reject these siren calls for ‘progressive’ patriotism. Instead, we must put forward a programme of proletarian internationalism. Only on this basis can the world working class achieve its common interests. ✊ Join the campaign to build a Revolutionary Communist Party: https://communist.red/join

John Reed, the author of Ten Days that Shook the World, once said that Lenin was the most loved and the most hated person alive. He was loved by tens of millions who wanted to change society, but hated by the ruling class and their apologists. As the leader of the Russian Revolution, Lenin was a man who changed the world. A convinced Marxist, he created the Bolshevik Party, the most revolutionary party in history. Lenin translated the ideas of Marxism into reality. One hundred years since his death, the bourgeois historians continue to slander him and his ideas. Join Alan Woods and Rob Sewell, authors of the anticipated book In Defence of Lenin, on the centenary of Lenin's death for a discussion on his real life and ideas. By understanding the significance of Lenin, we can understand how to carry out the revolutionary struggle for communism today. Pre-order the book here: https://wellredbooks.co.uk/product/in-defence-of-lenin/ ✊ Join the campaign to build a Revolutionary Communist Party: socialist.net/

For communists, China has a special importance, as it is home to the largest working class in the world. While the western capitalists denounce China as a totalitarian dictatorship, and the Stalinists praise it as a socialist motherland, Marxists must have a scientific understanding of the Chinese regime. In this episode, Jorge Martín explains the real nature of China today; its place in the world capitalist system; as well as the crisis, inter-imperialist conflict, and class struggle headed its way in the coming period.

The October Revolution was not just an act of economic and political emancipation for the downtrodden masses, it also represented artistic and creative emancipation. Individual geniuses - such as Eisenstein, Meyerhold, Stanislavski, Tatlin, El Lizzitsky, and Shostakovich - rose to prominence and revolutionised their artforms. But more remarkably, millions of ordinary people were given access to the world of art and culture, previously denied to them by the bourgeois class. A spiritual and cultural uplifting on this scale had never been seen in human history. In this episode, Nelson Wan discusses these outstanding artistic achievements, and why another revolution in art will not be brought about until the revolution in society is completed. ✊ Join the campaign to build a Revolutionary Communist Party: https://socialist.net/join

The coup in Gabon in August was most recent in a series of setbacks for French imperialism. The Sahel region of West Africa, which France has historically treated as it's colonial back yard, is today known as the 'coup belt', and has seen military takeovers in Chad, Niger, Mali, Sudan, Burkina Faso, Sierra Leone and Guinea. In this talk, Josh Holroyd will explain the causes of these seismic events, as well as the revolutionary way forward: the masses can't be duped by the cynical Chinese and Russian imperialists, but must rely on their own forces.

The Soviet Union stands out in history as the first time a workers' state began the task of planning the economy. In this talk, Adam Booth uncovers the dynamics and laws of the Soviet economy, explaining the objective forces which propelled the policies of the Bolsheviks, and later the Stalinist bureaucrats. Through understanding the Soviet economy, we can see the potential of economic planning today, as well as a glimpse of what a future communist society might look like.

With a deafening chorus from the imperialist establishment in support of Israel's genocidal war, it's vital that communists have a clear understanding of the current conflict, and the role of our own ruling class. In this episode, Khaled Malachi discusses the history of Israel and Palestine, and outlines a revolutionary way forward.

World capitalism continues to spiral. The crisis is affecting the consciousness of workers and youth all over the world. Many are increasingly turning to communism. In this episode, taken from the opening rally of the recent Revolution Festival, Alan Woods discusses the crisis of capitalism, the bankruptcy of the reformist leaders, and why only the ideas of revolutionary communism can offer a way forward.

In this episode of Marxist Voice, Rob Sewell outlines the perspectives for British capitalism and the tasks of communists, as well as announcing our campaign to found the Revolutionary Communist Party in May 2024.

We are republishing Alan Wood's series on the Russian Revolution as a podcast, originally released to mark the centenary of the greatest event in human history. In the final episode of the 1917 series, Alan Woods discusses the October Revolution, when the workers and peasants of Russia seized power. Alan looks at the build up to the insurrection, which took place exactly 106 years ago on 7th November (25th October, old calendar), and explains the historic significance of the Bolshevik revolution.

We are republishing Alan Wood's series on the Russian Revolution as a podcast, originally released to mark the centenary of the greatest event in human history. In part five, Alan Woods discusses the failed coup attempt by General Kornilov and the impact this had on the political consciousness of the masses. Following the events of the "July Days" in 1917, the Bolsheviks were driven underground and the forces of reaction were emboldened. Nevertheless, the terrible conditions facing the workers, peasants, and soldiers meant that the radical mood amongst the masses did not go away. This process culminated in the reactionary forces coalescing around General Kornilov, who attempt to march on Petrograd and crush the revolutionary movement in its entirety. But, with the Bolsheviks taking a leading role, the organised working class was able to defend the city against Kornilov's coup. As a result, Lenin and Bolshevik Party won the support of the vast majority of the workers and soldiers, preparing the way for the

We are republishing Alan Wood's series on the Russian Revolution as a podcast, originally released to mark the centenary of the greatest event in human history. In part four, Alan discusses the counter-revolution that reared its head in the July Days. Terrified by the outbreak of mass, armed demonstrations with the slogan "All Power to the Soviets", the Provisional Government suppressed the leaders of the Revolution. The Bolshevik offices and printing press were shut down, with Lenin driven into hiding. These events marked a turning point in the revolution. From this moment on, dual power had ended. Only two options remained: either the forces of reaction would crush the revolution, or the Bolsheviks would lead the masses to take power.

We are republishing Alan Wood's series on the Russian Revolution as a podcast, originally released to mark the centenary of the greatest event in human history. In part three, Alan investigates the June Days. Lenin understood that despite the initial popularity of the Provisional Government, the bourgeois coalition would be unable and unwilling to meet the demands of the peasantry and proletariat of peace, land, and bread. As the temperature among the masses rose, the Bolsheviks; the only party to oppose the Provisional Government on the left; would go on to sink deep roots in the soldiery and working class.

We are republishing Alan Wood's series on the Russian Revolution as a podcast, originally released to mark the centenary of the greatest event in human history. Alan continues into part two of this series by discussing Lenin's April Theses, in which he sought to theoretically rearm the Bolshevik leaders who were in danger of taking an opportunist route following the February revolution.

In this episode of Marxist Voice, Khaled Malachi outlines the situation in Israel-Palestine, the position that communists must take, and what we can do here in Britain to get organise international solidarity with the Palestinian struggle.

We are republishing Alan Wood's series on the Russian Revolution as a podcast, originally released to mark the centenary of the greatest event in human history. Alan continues into part 2 of this series by discussing Lenin's April Theses, in which he sought to theoretically rearm the Bolshevik leaders who were in danger of taking an opportunist route following the February revolution.

The socialist revolution cannot win without first of all winning the masses. This is why the Communist International formulated the United Front tactic, which is summarised by the slogan: “March separately, but strike together!” In this episode, Sarah Vedrovitch outlines the events which led to the adoption of this tactic, how it was applied by the Communists, and how it was distorted by the Stalinists.

In a few short years, the Communist International went from being a beacon of internationalism and world revolution, to a tool for the narrow, national interests of the Soviet bureaucracy. How and why did this happen? In this talk, Jack Tye Wilson provides a Marxist response to Stalin's "theory" of 'socialism in one country', and outlines the disastrous consequences of the Comintern's abandonment of internationalism.

In the third part of our podcast series on the lessons of the Communist International, Thomas Soud covers the ultra-left mistakes made by the young forces of communism, and how Lenin and the Comintern corrected this "infantile disorder".