Red Flag Radio

Stalinism equates socialism/communism with state-controlled industry and a one party dictatorship. We reckon nothing could be further from genuine socialism and Marxism. Unfortuntely, this zombie idea from the 20th century has risen from the dead in the past few years and is gaining popularity among left wing people. In this ep, we debunk neo-Stalinism's main arguments: that the left needs to support "actually existing socialism", that the enemy of my enemy is my friend, and that Western Marxists and even Western workers can't fight for socialism. Further reading: "The Marxist alternative to fake communism" by April Holcombe in Red Flag "The Fraud of Stalinism" by D Taylor in Red Flag

Chloe and Emma discuss identity politics, the dominant framework on the left for opposing oppression. They debunk ideas like privilege theory, autonomous organising and centreing "lived experience",

Emma and Chloe talk about the meaning of the Epstein files and what they say about the way the rich and powerful rule over us. In the main segment we discuss One Nation and the intense Islamophobic atmosphere in Australia right now. We explain the realignment of the Coalition under new Liberal leader Angus Taylor and the concerningly high polls of Hanson's One Nation.

Emma and Chloe talk about Trump's ICE gestapo terrorising American cities and the inspiring working class resistance to their murderous regime in Minneapolis. Also, an update on the continued ruling class campaign to silence pro-Palestine protests in Australia. Links: Marxism Conference!! Register to protest Isaac Herzog! "Our union leaders are unmoved by genocide and indifferent to pay cuts" by Zak Borzovoy "Protest against war criminal Israeli President Isaac Herzog" by Shovan Bhattarai "The burgeoning resistance to Trump's deportation regime" by Joe Allen

Emma and Chloe give each other the combined Christmas and birthday present of a whole episode about class struggle in the Roman Empire and the rise of Christianity.

Chloe and Emma discuss that meeting between NYC mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani and Donald Trump. They talk about what the meeting and Mamdani's campaign reveal about the limitations of a strategy for social change that looks to the Democratic Party. Some further reading: "Mamdani, that meeting and why the Left needs to wake up" by Sarah Garnham for Red Flag "After the surreal summit" by Ashley Smith for Tempest

Chloe and Emma discuss the protest at the Indo-Pacific arms expo in Sydney, and what it reveals about Australian imperialism. We talk about the AUKUS deal, why Australian politicians are so committed to the US alliance, and their imperialist plans for the Indo-Pacific region. Further reading: News.com.au article: "Pro-Palestine activist ‘surrounded’ by cops at press conference after 13 arrested at arms expo blockade" "AUKUS deal should be scrapped" by Tom Bramble in Red Flag

Emma and Chloe critique mutual aid from a socialist perspective and discuss Dean Spade's 2020 book Mutual Aid: Building Solidarity During This Crisis (And the Next). While mutual aid might feel good, we argue that it can't meet the needs of working class people, can't challenge the capitalist state or the bosses, and won't help us build the socialist party we need. Further Reading: "Mutual aid is nice but it doesn't challenge capitalism" by Erin Russell in Red Flag

Emma and Chloe review the authoritarian offensive of Trump and the far right in the US, who have used the assassination of Charlie Kirk to intensify a crackdown on left-wing speech. We discuss the far right in the UK, who just mobilised their biggest street march ever. And we discuss developments in Australia, where Andrew Hastie and Jacinta Nampijinpa Price are pushing for a hard right turn in the Liberal Party. How can we understand the simultaneous growth of the far right around the world, and what can we do about it? Stuff to read from Red Flag: Charlie Kirk's legacy: a bosses' war on free speech - by D. Taylor The far right threat inside the Liberal Party - by Eleanor Morley

Chloe interviewed Anneke Demanuele about the anti-migrant demonstrations led by Nazis around Australia last week. Anneke is a leader in the Melbourne-based Campaign Against Racism and Fascism, which mobilised thousands of pro-Palestine, anti-fascist protestors to confront the racists in the streets. She discusses how anti-migrant racism has been whipped up by mainstream Australian politics, the organising role of open Nazis like the National Socialist Network (NSN), and how socialists in Australia can fight against the far right. Come to the National Day of Action against Racism marches: Melbourne: Saturday September 13, 11am Flinders St Sydney: Saturday September 13, 12pm Belmore Park Further reading: When fascists march, the left must get organised, by Omar Hassan

This week Emma spoke to James McVicar, the National Union of Students Education Officer and convenor of the People's Inquiry into Campus Free Speech on Palestine. James launched the inquiry with other activists to document and report the many cases of censorship directed against the Palestine solidarity movement on campuses around Australia. Emma and James discuss the origins of the inquiry, the evidence it has heard, and the strategies and motives behind these attempts to shut down students' and staffs' free speech on campus. Register for vote in the Student Referendum on PalestineMore from James on the Red Flag Website:People’s Inquiry exposes university censorship on PalestineStudents to hold nationwide vote on Gaza

Socialist activist and tenants' rights advocate, Martin Barker, returns to the show in this episode. He and Emma bust the ugly right-wing myths that try to blame immigrants, nimbys, or Chinese investors for the housing crisis, instead of the billionaire Australian developers and their politician buddies who are really responsible. They also discuss the prospects for the socialist politics and activism that could stand up to these forces - just in time to coincide with the launch of The Socialists party around the country! Join up to The Socialists here: https://victoriansocialists.org.au/joinAnd read the latest Red Flag articles on housing:NSW Labor builds profits, not housingRent freeze? No. Rent, freeze: Australia’s winter housing nightmare

Red Flag Radio spoke to Tom Bramble about the atrocious imperialist aggression of Israel and the US towards Iran. Links "The human cost of Israel's war on Iran" by Bella Beiraghi in Red Flag "West recycles old lies to justify attack on Iran" by Lucan Brunning-Hall in Red Flag To join a branch of The Socialists near you: https://victoriansocialists.org.au/join To register for launch events featuring Jordan Van den Lamb (AKA purplepingers): https://victoriansocialists.org.au/campaigns/pingers-tour