Marxian Perspectives | Amitava Kumar, Richard Wolff, David Ruccio

At a recent international conference entitled “Marxism and the World Stage,” scholars, activists and artists gathered in Amherst, Massachusetts, to share news and perspectives. Amitava Kumar offered an internationalist take on September 11th; Richard Wolff spoke about revolution versus reform. David Ruccio is editor of the journal Rethinking Marxism, which organized the gathering.

Aired: Mon 11.17.03
Audio: KPFA | Download

Are We Really Powerless? | Saskia Sassen

Sociologist and author Saskia Sassen talked about power, powerlessness, and the dynamism of cities at the recent “Marxism and the World Stage” conference in Massachusetts. Two conference attendees spoke about the value of theoretical work and about progressive activism in a country seldom heard from -- Sweden.

Aired: Mon 12.01.03
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Neoliberalism’s Woes | James Crotty

At the recent “Marxism and the World Stage” conference, economist James Crotty asserted that the now-dominant neoliberal regime was built haphazardly -- and was never intended to produce widespread growth and prosperity. Crotty predicts neoliberalism’s demise within the next decade or two.

Aired: Mon 12.08.03
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Michael Hardt on the Multitude

Left theorist Michael Hardt, co-author with Antonio Negri of the book Empire, gave a talk last month on the US in Iraq; the hegemony of what he calls immaterial labor; and his and Negri’s concept of the multitude.

Aired: Mon 12.15.03
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Slavoj Žižek Takes Aim

In a recent talk Slavoj Žižek, Lacanian psychoanalyst and prominent Left thinker, held forth on Bush in Iraq; utopianism; the “end of history”; and the nature of consumption. He also called into question a number of Left/liberal positions and tendencies. Max Elbaum shares impressions of his recent visit to Vietnam (separate, non-RM segment).

Aired:  Mon 12.22.03
Audio: KPFA | Download