In this episode I am joined by my friend Dave Field as we explore the history and ideology of radical thought and revolutionary activism in the 19th to early-20th centuries. Specifically we focus on the early division in the (1st) International Workingman’s Association, and the split between the Bakunin and Marx factions. We read from Bakunin, who prophetically charged that Marx’s proposed dictatorship of the proletariat would never lead to true socialism, and instead result in an horrific authoritarian state. We explore this idea of “authoritarian” socialism, and push back against Bakunin’s critique through the use of audio from a 2012 Marxist-Leninist sponsored socialism conference. Ultimately, however, through a brief discussion of the history of Marxism-Leninism in the early Soviet Union, Dave and I are compelled to agree with Bakunin’s critique. Valid critique’s of Bakunin’s ideas will have to wait for a future episode. In addition to audio and video from the show, I have posted a link to the full audio of Jonah Birch speaking at the 2012 socialism conference. Enjoy:
Link to video of the show: http://bambuser.com/v/4048882
Audio of the show:
Link to full audio from Jonah Birch at Socialism 2012: http://wearemany.org/a/2012/06/anarchy-vs-authority
Down and to the Left 