The Tankie Craze--Resurgent Stalinism among Youth -- Ep. 9

Anne Jaclard, MHI’s organizational secretary and a veteran of the left ever since the 1960s, joins Brendan and Andrew to discuss and offer follow-up reflections on “Both Times as Tragedy: the Resurgence of Stalinism among Today’s ‘Left’ Youth,” (https://www.marxisthumanistinitiative.org/philosophy-organization/video-mhi-panels-at-left-forum-conference-confronting-right-left-authoritarianism-confronting-trumpism.html) a talk she gave at last year’s Left Forum. They discuss her surprise upon discovering this retrograde trend; former “Tankie” youth who are now disillusioned with Stalinism and have reached out to MHI; why it is important for socialists to oppose the resurgence of Stalinism; and how to combat it. The discussion grapples with why many youth find Stalinism appealing, and it explores additional factors underlying the trend, including the prevalence of “post-truth” thinking and of reactionary Third-Worldist “anti-imperialism” that serves as an entry point into Stalinism. During the interview, Anne and the co-hosts make reference to: (1) a Stalinist-dominated forum hosted by a student group (https://www.marxisthumanistinitiative.org/alternatives-to-capital/video-boots-riley-andrew-kliman-and-rick-wolff-debate-morality-of-stalinism-and-western-capitalism.html) that she attended and at which Andrew spoke (along with pro-Stalinist panelists Boots Riley and Rick Wolff), and (2) an article by Solarpunk Anarchist, “Why this Anarchist has Stopped Using the Word Communism (an overlong explanation).” (https://solarpunkanarchists.com/2018/01/22/why-this-anarchist-has-stopped-using-the-word-communism/) This episode’s current-events segment is devoted to a discussion of MHI’s new editorial statement, “Stop Trump’s Self-interested Drive to War Against Iran—and Against the American People.” (https://www.marxisthumanistinitiative.org/mhieditorial/editorial-stop-trumps-self-interested-drive-to-war-against-iran-and-against-the-american-people.html) * ~ * ~ * ~ * Radio Free Humanity is a podcast covering news, polit