Overview: Max Parry and Shaenah Batterson discussed the concept of Social Democracy, its historical origins, and its role in preventing significant social change in favor of incremental reformism. They also explored the link between Social Democracy and Western imperialism, particularly in the global north, and the historical differences between Social Democrats and Communists.
Main points:
Social Democrats vs. Communists
They discuss the historical differences between Social Democrats and Communists, particularly focusing on Karl Kautsky’s theoretical views and the role of Rosa Luxemburg. Max explained the origin of the term "Social Democracy" and its evolution over time, emphasizing the need for economic justice and addressing class issues.
Marxism's Historical Context and Opportunism
The historical context of Marxism and the importance of considering long-term consequences over immediate gains. Max also touched on the crisis within Marxism due to the rise of imperialism, which led to the emergence of revisionists like Eduard Bernstein who challenged key aspects of Marx's thought.
Social Democracy and Imperialism
The historical relationship between social democracy and imperialism. Max elaborated on Lenin's theory of the labor aristocracy, which posits that capitalists bribe workers to align against other countries. They also discussed the role of social democracy in World War I.
Social Democratic vs. Marxist Socialism
The differences between Social Democrats and Marxists, particularly regarding the concept of Socialism. Shaenah explained that to Marxists, Socialism is a transitional phase leading to Communism, while to Social Democrats, it is a reformist alternative to laissez-faire capitalism.
Social Fascism and Social Imperialism
Max discusses the concept of social fascism and its relation to the exploitation of human labor power. He clarified the term social imperialism, which was originally used to refer to the treachery of various Social Democratic parties that supported World War One.
Nordic Model and SYRIZA
The Nordic model and its implications for social democracy. They discuss the 2015 Greek debt crisis and the SYRIZA party's capitulation to the Troika. They also discussed the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) and its connection to Bernie Sanders' campaign.
Bernie's Foreign Policy Criticisms
Max discusses Bernie Sanders' foreign policy weaknesses, particularly his support for NATO's military action against Serbia in 1999. He suggested that Bernie's campaign staff had quit due to his vote in favor of the war, and that Bernie's recent stance on Israel's actions in Gaza was a betrayal of his left-wing supporters.
Social Democracy's Impact on Socialism
The rise of social democracy and its implications. They note that while social democracy has gained popularity, it has not led to a true ascendancy of socialism. Max emphasized the need for a more authentic form of socialism to address wealth inequality and the growing gap between the rich and the poor. They also discussed the hypocrisy of the US in criticizing other countries' democratic systems, given its own history of white supremacy and military interventions.
Links:
https://www.globalresearch.ca/syriza-betrayal-greece-spectre-haunting-left/5705809
https://www.jeremybrecher.org/jeremy-brecher-resigns-from-bernie-sanders-staff/
https://www.politico.com/story/2015/07/14-things-bernie-sanders-has-said-about-socialism-120265
https://tribunemag.co.uk/2020/02/the-last-social-democrat
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/did-kurd-rebels-kill-olof-palme/
https://www.keeptalkinggreece.com/2018/10/29/varoufakis-soros-tsipras/
https://mondoweiss.net/2015/07/greeces-syriza-military/
https://www.marxists.org/archive/marx/works/1875/gotha/
https://www.marxists.org/archive/lenin/works/1916/imp-hsc/ch09.htm
https://www.marxists.org/archive/luxemburg/1900/reform-revolution/
https://www.marxists.org/archive/togliatti/1928/ercoli-sdandcolonialquestion.htm
