Episode 144: The Roots of Bolshevik Debates (interview with Erik Van Ree)

Co-hosts Andrew Kliman and Gabriel Donnelly welcome author and retired professor Erik Van Ree to discuss his work on the history of debates and ideas within the socialist movement. His work has largely focused on the Bolshevik party, and much of our discussion is focused on the debate around the potential for socialism in one country, which Van Ree discussed in his book Boundaries of Utopia – Imagining Communism from Plato to Stalin. A recurring theme of the discussion is the need for socialists to understand the history of their movement.

Additionally the discussants considered the similarities and differences between Stalin and Lenin as leaders and thinkers. Professor Van Ree’s new book The Revolutionary Organisation: Armed Struggle from the Late 18th Century to the Present is out now.

Plus current-events segment: the co-hosts discuss a slew of new events in the resistance to Trumpism: from the reinstatement of Jimmy Kimmel, and renewed resistance to ICE, to the upcoming No Kings rallies on the 18th of October (we hope to see you out there!).

Radio Free Humanity is a podcast covering news, politics and philosophy from a Marxist-Humanist perspective.
It is co-hosted by Gabriel Donnelly and Andrew Kliman. We intend to release new episodes every two weeks.
Radio Free Humanity is sponsored by MHI, but the views expressed by the hosts and guests of Radio Free Humanity are their own. They do not necessarily reflect the views and positions of MHI.

We welcome and encourage listeners’ comments, posted on this episode’s page.
Please visit MHI’s online print publication, With Sober Senses, for further news, commentary, and analysis.

Click here for more episodes.