Ep 77 - The Stalin Eras: Part 5 Criticisms and Contradictions
Proles Pod
The much anticipated criticisms and contradictions episode of The Stalin Eras! In this episode we wrestle with the following controversies during Stalin’s leadership of the USSR: the Gulag, anti-homosexuality laws, anti-abortion Laws, the “Final” Contradiction, and more! You don’t want to miss this one! The Stalin Eras, inspired by the classic RevLeft Radio episode “Stalin: A Marxist-Leninist Perspective, mixes both narrative history (ala Blowback) and discussion (like classic Prolespod) to provide the most comprehensive English overview of the life and impact of Soviet...
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Ep 76 - The Stalin Eras Part 4 Discussion (1939-1953)
Proles Pod
As "The Stalin Eras” draws to a close, we discuss, in more granular detail, Joseph Stalin’s placement within the context of Soviet history, focusing on the years 1939 up to his death in 1953. Our host for this episode is (also) Jeremy, from Intervenciones Gringas! We talk accusations of imperialism, the final results of Stalin's theory of Socialism in One Country, and the contradiction of "orthodox" Marxism. The Stalin Eras, inspired by the classic RevLeft Radio episode “Stalin: A Marxist-Leninist Perspective, mixes both narrative history (ala Blowback) and discussion (like...
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Ep 75 - The Stalin Eras: Part 4.5 Narrative (1943-1953)
Proles Pod
In this final narrative of "The Stalin Eras”, we detail Joseph Stalin’s life within the context of Soviet history through the years 1943-1953. This narrative, titled “Long Live Comrade Stalin!" covers viscerally the experience of the Soviet people during the Great Patriotic War as well as the key ingredients to their victory, the early days of the cold war, and Stalin's final years. The Stalin Eras, inspired by the classic RevLeft Radio episode “Stalin: A Marxist-Leninist Perspective, mixes both narrative history (ala Blowback) and discussion (like classic Prolespod) to...
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Ep 74 - The Stalin Eras: Part 4.0 Narrative (1939-1942)
Proles Pod
In the narrative for Part 4.0 of "The Stalin Eras”, we detail Joseph Stalin’s life within the context of Soviet history through the years 1939-1942. This narrative, titled “Enemy at the Gates" highlights the pivotal years leading to the Nazi invasion of the USSR: the invasion of Poland, Soviet influence over the Baltics, the death of Leon Trotsky, and the start of Operation Barbarossa! Stay tuned for the next episode which will continue the narrative through from 1943-1953, Stalin's final years. The Stalin Eras, inspired by the classic RevLeft Radio episode “Stalin: A...
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Ep 73 - January: 2025 Is It Over Yet?
Proles Pod
In this episode, we switched it up a bit to discuss some of the wild events that have been happening and analyze their impact, what we think about them etc. From the "Roman Salute" to the California wildfires, we got it all here. With silliness throughout. You can sign up at where you get access to early release episodes, study guides, the aforementioned bonus episodes, TheoryBeats, and MORE! YOU CAN DO SO FOR FREE, which will get you the study guides, merch, and other random drops. Please subscribe on your favorite podcast catcher and rate or review to help extend our reach. Like and rate us...
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Ep 72 - Palestine Will Be Free
Proles Pod
Ameed and Cody from join Rae and Jeremy in a Q&A on the conditions and complications related to the struggle of the Palestinian people. Questions were collected from you, the listener. We did our best to condense similar questions together but also to give a solid variety, across multiple topics. Some are covered in the main feed episode. Some in the Patreon bonus. You can sign up at where you get access to early release episodes, study guides, the aforementioned bonus episodes, TheoryBeats, and MORE! YOU CAN DO SO FOR FREE, which will get you the study guides, merch, and other random...
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Ep 71 - The Stalin Eras: Part 3.5 Narrative (1936-1939)
Proles Pod
Our longest and most controversial episode. This narrative, titled “War Is Already Here” (using the latest archival scholarship) details the legitimacy of the controversial Moscow Trials, the origins of the “Great Terror”, the climax of the Spanish Civil War, war with Japan and apocalyptically - the beginning of a second globe spanning conflict! The Stalin Eras, inspired by the classic RevLeft Radio episode “Stalin: A Marxist-Leninist Perspective", mixes both narrative history (ala Blowback) and discussion (like classic Prolespod) to provide the most comprehensive...
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Ep 70 - The Stalin Eras: Part 3.0 Discussion (1935-1939)
Proles Pod
In the Part 3 Discussion, we cover evidence for the Moscow Trials (more to come in the Part 3.5 Narrative), The Spanish Civil War, Molotov-Ribbentrop, and more. Our host is Legacy Prole, Taylor! The Stalin Eras, inspired by the classic RevLeft Radio episode “Stalin: A Marxist-Leninist Perspective, mixes both narrative history (ala Blowback) and discussion (like classic Prolespod) to provide the most comprehensive English overview of the life and impact of Soviet leader Joseph Stalin in podcast format. Whether you’re a socialist history enthusiast, someone who’s just curious to...
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Ep 69 - The Stalin Eras: Part Three Narrative (1935-1936)
Proles Pod
In the narrative for Part Three of "The Stalin Eras”, Tony and Jeremy detail Joseph Stalin’s life within the context of Soviet history through the years 1935-1936. This narrative, titled “Triumph and Tribulations” highlights the USSR as a rising star to both the global proletariat and colonized peoples, the utter triumph of socialist construction during the Great Depression, the highly progressive 1936 Soviet Constitution, and finally the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War! Stay tuned for the next episode which will continue the narrative through from 1936-1939 focusing mostly on the...
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Ep 68 - An Intermission
Proles Pod
Comrades! We are hard at work on the Stalin Eras, as you all know. Part 3 in particular, given the Moscow Trials, The Military Trial, Ezhovchina, and other major topics, this episode in particular has taken a LOT of work. We have also uncovered a bunch of archival material that we hope will create context that we believe has never been presented in the English language. On top of that, a few listeners have given us feedback that, particularly given the very dense nature of the material, that they feel like they are falling behind and thus unable to engage with the discussion online and...
info_outlineIn this episode of the podcast, we are joined by Evan from Left of the Projector Podcast to delve into a Marxist analysis of the new animated series X-Men '97. We explore the show's portrayal of the mutant struggle through a Marxist lens, examining characters like Magneto and Professor X as representations of different revolutionary strategies. We discuss the complex dynamics of Genosha, a nation of mutants, as it transitions from slavery to liberation, drawing parallels to real-world post-colonial struggles. We also analyze the show's depiction of the exploitation of mutant labor and the justification for their oppression, mirroring the dynamics of class struggle in capitalist societies. Additionally, we critique the show's portrayal of international relations and the hypocrisy of organizations like the UN. Finally, we touch upon the challenges faced by the mutant state after the revolution, including the constant threat of counter-revolution and the complexities of governance.
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If you have any questions or comments, email us at [email protected]. May the spectre haunt your streets, and solidarity forever.
Sources:
"Letter to American Workers" V.I. Lenin
https://www.marxists.org/archive/lenin/works/1918/aug/20.htm
Intro Music:
"X-men 97 Theme" by The Newton Brothers
Outro Music:
"Eastern Bloc Beats" by DJ DTA