Revolutionaries study revolutions. Many lessons might be learned from looking at the 1917 Russian Revolution and its aftermath. It began with such promise, bringing hope of a world without war, oppression, capitalism, imperialism, and states. How did it result in Stalinist mass murder and state capitalism, and finally to collapse back into traditional capitalism?
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A Channel 4 News interview with the Slovenian philosopher Slavoj Žižek circulated on the internet during November 2016, just days before the U.S. presidential election. In the video, the leftist philosopher appears in his usual manner—twitchy, repeatedly rubbing his nose—as he answers the question as to who would win his vote if he were American. Without hesitation, Žižek belts out, “Trump!” Then he elaborates: Trump is not the better candidate, or even likable, but Clinton poses the threat of absolute inertia.
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On April 8, 2017, for the closing plenary of its 9th Annual International Convention, the Platypus Affiliated Society organized a panel discussion, 1917–2017, at the School of the Art Institute in Chicago. Tasked with reflecting on the historical significance of 1917 for the Left, the panel brought together Bryan Palmer, Chair of the Canadian Studies Department at Trent University and author of numerous histories of the Left; Leo Panitch, Professor of Political Science at York University, author, and co-editor of the Socialist Register; and Chris Cutrone, President of the Platypus Affiliated Society. Pamela Nogales, of Platypus, moderated. What follows is an edited transcript of their discussion.
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Sascha Staničić ist Bundessprecher der Sozialistischen Alternative (SAV) sowie verantwortlicher Redakteur des Internetportals und gleichnamigen Magazins sozialismus.info. Seit 1987 ist er aktiv in der sozialistischen und gewerkschaftlichen Bewegung, seit 2010 Mitglied der LINKEN. Er ist (Mit-)Autor der Bücher „Anti-Sarrazin“ (PapyRossa, 2011), „Brandstifter: AfD. Pegida. Islamhass“ (Manifest-Verlag, 2017) und Mitherausgeber von „Nach Goldschätzen graben und Regenwürmer finden. Die Linke und das Regieren“ (PapyRossa, 2016).
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Ein Interview von Stefan Hain.
Wolfgang Gehrcke ist Mitglied des Bundestags und seit 2007 Mitglied des Parteivorstands der Partei DIE LINKE. 1961 trat er in die damals verbotene KPD ein und war 1968 Gründungsmitglied der DKP, aus der er 1990 austrat. Im selben Jahr trat er der PDS bei, war von 1993–1998 deren stellvertretender Bundesvorsitzender und von 1998–2002 stellvertretender Vorsitzender der PDS-Bundestagsfraktion.
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