logo
episode-header-image
Nov 2023
1h 47m

Commune or Nothing!: Venezuela’s Communa...

Cosmonaut Magazine
About this episode

Rudy and Christian join Chris Gilbert for a discussion on his new book Commune or Nothing! Venezuela’s Communal Movement and its Socialist Project. We cover the history of the Venezuelan communal project, and how it relates to previous attempts of the government to build a socialist economy including the Venezuelan cooperative movement or the drive to build state-run industry. We discuss the ideas of István Mészáros on how the commune centers the communal control of the labor process, and attempts to solve problems found during the socialist transition, before pivoting to ground data on the communes, the economic relationships between them and towards the outside, the issues with voluntarism, the problem of attracting the youth and the structure of the new Communard Union. We finish with an outlook for the future and a discussion on how communes center all around human development and have a more mystical side to them.

Up next
Oct 6
What Is Missing From Your Understanding of Revolutionary Democratic Centralism
Steve Bloom ruminates on the meaning and practice of democratic centralism, arguing that respect for minority positions is key to building a truly disciplined revolutionary formation. Reading: Felix Bauer 
29m 42s
Sep 29
Protest, Pop Culture and the Alt-Right: Jarrod Shanahan on a Decade of Upheaval
On this episode of Cosmopod, Isaac and Jack talk with Jarrod Shanahan about his new book, Every Fire Needs a Little Bit of Help: A Decade of Rebellion, Reaction, and Morbid Symptoms. From Occupy to Black Lives Matter to the George Floyd Rebellion, Shanahan reflects on a decade of ... Show More
1h 47m
Sep 26
Towards 2026: The Fight for Recognition
Carlos Campos Jr. analyzes the disunity of electoral campaigns pursued by the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), argues for the strategic infrastructural integration of the organization's state-level electoral efforts, and provides a tentative plan for doing so. Reading: Fel ... Show More
39m 41s
Recommended Episodes
Sep 30
[TEASER] Venezuela Pt. 2: Socialist Communes and Anti-Imperialism w/ Chris Gilbert
This is a free preview of the episode "Venezuela Pt. 2: Socialist Communes and Anti-Imperialism w/ Chris Gilbert." You can listen to the full episode by subscribing to our Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/upstreampodcast As a Patreon subscriber you'll get access to at least ... Show More
21m 13s
Oct 2024
Exploring Political Theory: Liberal Socialism
Professor and author Matt McManus returns to the show to discuss his newest book, "The Political Theory of Liberal Socialism". Together they explore the major themes of the book, hash out the disagreements they have between revolutionary Marxism and democratic socialism, explore ... Show More
2h 11m
Oct 2024
Abolish Rent: How Tenants Can End The Housing Crisis
Tracy Rosenthal and Leonardo Vilchis, co-founders of the LA Tenants Union, join Breht to discuss their organizing and their new book "Abolish Rent". Together, they discuss the housing crisis, the role played by private equity, developers, politicians, and landlords, the history a ... Show More
1h 29m
Jan 2025
Benjamin H. Bradlow, "Urban Power: Democracy and Inequality in São Paulo and Johannesburg" (Princeton UP, 2024)
Why some cities are more effective than others at reducing inequalities in the built environment.For the first time in history, most people live in cities. One in seven are living in slums, the most excluded parts of cities, in which the basics of urban life—including adequate ho ... Show More
51m 47s
Feb 2024
Jacobin Radio: Tribute to Ed Broadbent
Ed Broadbent died January 11, 2024. Suzi speaks with the co-authors of Ed's recent book, Seeking Social Democracy: Seven Decades in the Fight for Equality. We also hear clips from Ed during his long political career. Ed was the very popular leader of the New Democratic Party (NDP ... Show More
1h 12m
Jul 2024
037 - Charles Eisenstein
In this episode of "Think Tank," Robert welcomes Charles Eisenstein, an acclaimed public speaker, teacher, and author known for his profound insights into civilization, economics, spirituality, and ecology. The episode begins with Robert recalling their first meeting at Aubrey Ma ... Show More
1h 3m
Oct 2023
Conservative socialism?
What will American politics look like after Trump? Sean Illing is joined by Sohrab Ahmari to discuss his new book, Tyranny, Inc. Ahmari is one of the conservative intellectuals trying to map out a post-Trump future for the Republican Party, and his book is an attempt to justify a ... Show More
56m 29s
May 2025
Beyond Growth: Degrowth and the Well-Living Paradigm
This podcast episode explores the radical idea of moving beyond economic growth and capitalism to build a society based on Well-Living. It introduces the Well-Living Paradigm as a framework that redefines quality of life around principles like living in harmony with the Earth (li ... Show More
16m 37s
Jul 10
Revealing the Secret Architects of Capitalism, with Chris Hughes
After the 2008 financial crisis, and especially after the COVID pandemic of 2020, an increasing number of Americans are questioning the wisdom of unregulated markets and envisioning a more active role for the state. Scholars have coined a panoply of neologisms to capture this vie ... Show More
49m 27s
Dec 2024
4. A Conversation with Dean Spade
This week we talked with Dean Spade, author of Mutual Aid: Building Solidarity in this Crisis (and the Next). Dean Spade has been working to build queer and trans liberation based in racial and economic justice for the past 25 years. He’s the author of Normal Life: Administrative ... Show More
1h 21m