On Mass

For this episode of On Mass the conversation with Esperanza further deepens as we explore the relationship of the sex industry to capitalism, imperialism and patriarchy.Esperanza is a Maoist, writer, and organizer who works with the anti-imperialist and transnational organization AF3IRM.To follow Esperanza, go to @endclasssociety on Twitter or read her articles on Medium: https://proletarianfeminist.medium.com

For part one of this episode, I interview Esperanza on the topic of the sex industry and prostitution/sex work as it functions under capitalist-imperialism. The second part of this episode will follow in a week or two!Esperanza is a Maoist, writer, and organizer who works with the anti-imperialist and transnational organization AF3IRM.To follow Esperanza, go to @endclasssociety on Twitter.

In this Episode of On Mass we interview Tyler A. Shipley who is a Professor of Society, Culture and Commerce in the Department of Liberal Studies at Humber College to discuss his newest book, "Canada in the World: Settler Capitalism and Colonial Imagination". Book description by Fernwood Publishing: "Canada in the World begins by arguing that the colonial relations with Indigenous peoples represent the first example of foreign policy, and demonstrates how these relations became a foundational and existential element of the new state. Colonialism—the project to establish settler capitalism in North America and the ideological assumption that Europeans were more advanced and thus deserved to conquer the Indigenous people—says Shipley, lives at the very heart of Canada."To purchase his book from Fernwood Publishing click here. 

In this episode of On Mass we take a look into Iranian history as it pertains to imperialist (American and British) aggression and the class forces within the country in relation to said imperialism. The episode begins with a brief explanation of capitalist-imperialism, and then looks at the British Petroleum Company's exploitation of Iranian oil, the coup that deposed of Mohammed Mosaddegh, and a look at how communists attempted and/or failed to respond to the conditions within Iran.Some Sources:Iran: The Rise and Fall of the Tudeh Party by Farhang JahanpourHarvest of Shame: Tudeh and the Bazargan Government by Mohsen M. MilaniThe Tudeh Military Network during the Oil Nationalization Period by Osamu MiyataTudeh Factionalism and the 1953 Coup in Iran by Maziar BehroozNeither East Nor West by Nikki R. KeddieUSSR-Iran Relations (1979-86) by Mansoor Akbar

In this episode of On Mass, comrade Peter Clark and I discuss social democracy (or democratic "socialism") as a political tendency in relation to the reality of capitalist-imperialist exploitation. We also discuss the ideas of Professor Richard D. Wolff who is the host of the leftist show Economic Update and how his ideas factor into the general topics of social democracy, opportunism and reformism.

In this episode of On Mass, I briefly explain why I haven't released any episodes in the past little bit, as well as provide my take on Venezuela and America's recent attempt to oust the Maduro government in the classic capitalist-imperialist way. I also explain why I think the Leftist government of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) has been struggling with its internal class contradictions since they assumed power in 1999. The first half of the episode gives a brief overview of some of the internal class contradictions at play, and the latter looks at the false and hypocritical imperialist rhetoric that is being spouted in order to overthrow the Leftist government of Venezuela. This episode is a brief explanation of some of the dynamics at play in the conflict and is by no means a completely comprehensive analysis of the situation.Some Sources:The bourgeois critique of the Venezuelan government mentioned in the second half of the episode:http://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/article/post-chavez-ven

In this episode of On Mass I expand my argument in regards to whether China is a socialist country or a capitalist-imperialist country in the present day. I begin by conceptualizing how we should think about socialism, and then move towards giving a brief account of how China developed after it's revolution in 1949 with an emphasis on the Cultural Revolution's attempt to correct problems that developed in most socialist countries as they pertained to the transition to socialism on the level of economics, culture, ideology, and politics. For this argument I focused on the question of whether China is capitalist and briefly discussed its imperialistic elements, but didn't go into detail in regards to imperialism as a concept. A concept we'll revisit in the near future. References Charles Bettelheim - Cultural Revolution and Industrial Organization in China: Changes in Management and the Division of Labor (http://www.marx2mao.com/Other/CRIOC74.html) Charles Bettelheim - Class Struggles in the USSR Deng Yuan Hsu

In this episode of On Mass I discuss the dynamics and implications of the movie "Black Panther" and the contours of Black liberation. I also talk about some of the historical debates around this topic and discuss the opinions of Marcus Garvey, A. Phillip Randolph, Cyril Briggs, and Harry Haywood and relate them to an ongoing debate I've been having with members of the African People's Socialist Party and Black liberalism in general. References: Joshua Bloom - Black Against Empire: The History and Politics of the Black Panther Party Harry Haywood - Black Bolshevik: Autobiography of an Afro-American Communist Mark Solomon - The Cry Was Unity: Communists and African Americans Ryan Miniot - The Black Left's War On Marcus Garvey and Garveyism Louis J. Parascandola - Cyril Briggs and the African Blood Brotherhood Cyril Briggs - The Negro Convention

A discussion with two indigenous communist organizers about Canadian settler-colonialism and revolutionary communism. Some references: Unist'ot'en Camp: http://unistoten.camp/no-pipelines/ Environmental Disaster: http://www.cbc.ca/news2/interactives/…rrows-first-nation/ Mental Health: http://www.heretohelp.bc.ca/visions/aborig…stical-reality

An interview with author and professor of philosophy J. Moufawad-Paul on his book Continuity and Rupture, which touches on the topic of Marxism-Leninism-Maoism.