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Mar 2021
53m 33s

38. Communism

Goalhanger
About this episode

It was one of the great political ideologies of the 20th century, vying with capitalism for supremacy.

Now communism has retreated from the political mainstream having failed to create the utopia of a classless society.

Dominic Sandbrook and Tom Holland discuss the origins of communism as a theory and the frequently repressive attempts to govern by its principles.


A Goalhanger Films & Left Peg Media production

Produced by Jack Davenport

Exec Producer Tony Pastor


*The Rest Is History Live Tour 2023*:


Tom and Dominic are back on tour this autumn! See them live in London, New Zealand, and Australia!


Buy your tickets here: restishistorypod.com


Twitter: 


@TheRestHistory


@holland_tom


@dcsandbrook

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