The hottest Marxism Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Education Topics

Chartbook 427: Presence of mind and the present as prognosis - Reading Walter Benjamin.

Chartbook • 1788 implied HN points • 19 Jan 26
📖 Philosophy Marxism
  1. Modern life moves so fast that we often only perceive events after they change, so political action must try to foresee the present by anticipating the near future.
  2. Being truly present — having presence of mind — is a rare and valuable skill that lets people respond quickly and appropriately to unfolding events.
  3. A practical historical method combines long experience, common sense, presence of mind, and dialectical thinking, treating history as a set of dangers to spot and avert through anticipation.

Why Are There "Academic Marxists" Who Do Not Follow in Marx's Footsteps at All?

Brad DeLong's Grasping Reality • 207 implied HN points • 20 Jan 26
📖 Philosophy Marxism
  1. Very few academics today make arguments that actually follow Marx's six claims; most of those claims (teleology, stage theory, ideology-as-master-key, utopia) have weak empirical support, and only two threads still have useful traction: that relations of production must fit technology and that technological change can destabilize property orders.
  2. What people call “academic Marxism” is often a post-1960s humanities phenomenon — a left-progressive toolkit or methodology that diverged from Marx’s political-economic aims and focuses more on cultural critique and theory than on organizing working-class politics.
  3. Long-run social and economic change looks more like uneven, sectoral waves of creative destruction with institutional lag and complementary investments than synchronized stage-based revolutions, and humanities departments need a clear, defensible case for why we study literature rather than relying on implicit ideological frameworks.

How Academics Destroyed Academia

Daily Dreher • 1690 implied HN points • 27 Oct 23
🚌 Education Marxism
  1. A Marxist humanities professor criticizes the impact of Left-wing academics on academia.
  2. Academia being dominated by the Left is seen as unjust and intolerant.
  3. Concerns are raised about the dangerous embrace of extremist ideologies and the potential consequences for society.

And then The People Said "NO"

Welcome to Absurdistan • 1100 implied HN points • 09 Apr 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Marxism
  1. Last week saw significant political events and challenges to norms.
  2. Alan Dershowitz critiques Trump-related legal actions and advocates for justice and equality before the law.
  3. The Democratic Party's shift and role in a Marxist takeover, alongside the Republican Party's internal divide, are highlighted.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

The Transcult: II

Not On Your Team, But Always Fair • 943 implied HN points • 02 Aug 23
🎭️ Culture Marxism
  1. Feminism and academic feminism played a major role in rejecting evolution, a key component for the Transcult.
  2. The Transcult leverages historical treatment of homosexuals to push its agenda and can be monetized as a 'consumerist civil rights' cause.
  3. The Transcult's emergence is a mix of social contagion, intense sexualization, and a contradictory relationship with feminism.

Marx Class Starting on [May 19th]

Philosophy for the People w/Ben Burgis • 259 implied HN points • 07 Apr 24
🚌 Education Marxism
  1. A new Marx class by Ben Burgis is starting on May 19th, covering all three volumes of Capital.
  2. The class will be conducted via Zoom on Sundays from 1-3 EST, with flexible participation options for different volumes of Capital.
  3. The tuition cost for the class is $30 per month, making it accessible for a wide range of participants.

Thinking Harder About Justice: Rawls vs. Cohen vs. Marx (UNLOCKED)

Philosophy for the People w/Ben Burgis • 758 implied HN points • 08 Jan 23
📖 Philosophy Marxism
  1. Marxist philosopher G.A. Cohen criticizes John Rawls's theory of justice from the left
  2. Cohen's idea of 'socialist equality of opportunity' aims to correct inequalities linked to factors beyond an individual's control
  3. Rawls and Cohen may be in a semantic dispute about the term 'justice', but both their perspectives are important in highlighting existing injustices and guiding future progress

Analytical Marxism in the 1990s

Philosophy for the People w/Ben Burgis • 219 implied HN points • 04 Feb 24
📖 Philosophy Marxism
  1. Analytical Marxism in the 1990s is a topic that explores the book 'Reconstructing Marxism' by Wright, Levine & Sober from 1992.
  2. There is a need to think beyond the authors' perspective to move away from left identitarianism and reconstruct class politics.
  3. The discussion emphasizes the importance of delving deeper into the complexities of these concepts for a more nuanced understanding.

I'm a Marxist and an Atheist But I Don't Think Religion Would Wither Away Under Socialism

Philosophy for the People w/Ben Burgis • 419 implied HN points • 25 Jun 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Marxism
  1. Religious beliefs can be objectively false but still reflect permanent human aspects. Debates on this topic will continue.
  2. Even though Marxists critique religion as the 'opiate of the people,' not all Marxists see it as a simple bashing of religion.
  3. The idea that religion would disappear in a socialist society might not be entirely accurate.

Historical Materialism in the 1990s

Philosophy for the People w/Ben Burgis • 219 implied HN points • 14 Jan 24
💾 History Marxism
  1. The author reviews the book "Reconstructing Marxism: Essays on Explanation and the Theory of History" by Erik Olin Wright, Andrew Levine, and Elliott Sober from 1992.
  2. The author met with other academics in a cocktail bar to discuss this book every Tuesday night for a few months.
  3. The content of the book and discussions focused on historical materialism in the 1990s.

Saturday Commentary and Review #191

Fisted by Foucault • 148 implied HN points • 27 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Marxism
  1. There's a belief among some Marxists that capitalism will soon collapse due to its problems. They talk confidently about this, even when history shows capitalism has kept going strong.
  2. When discussing identity in America, some people think only those with deep family roots in the country are 'real Americans'. This view can create divisions and ignores the diverse history of immigration in the U.S.
  3. The idea of 'degrowth' is gaining traction among some thinkers who believe we should stop focusing on constant economic growth to save the planet. However, many people argue that growth can help reduce poverty and improve lives.

Rorty vs. Marx vs. Proudhon: Is it a "Pity" that the Best Political Economist of the Nineteenth Century Majored in Philosophy?

Philosophy for the People w/Ben Burgis • 239 implied HN points • 26 Nov 23
📖 Philosophy Marxism
  1. Some Marxists exaggerate the significance of the dialectical method, but Marx's Hegelian background did provide him with unique insights into capitalism.
  2. Rorty, Marx, and Proudhon each contributed distinct perspectives to political economy in the 19th century.
  3. The discussion around majoring in philosophy as a basis for becoming a political economist raises interesting questions about educational backgrounds.

Cohen vs. Trotsky: Is Marxism Without Dialectics Really Like a Clock Without a Spring?

Philosophy for the People w/Ben Burgis • 239 implied HN points • 05 Nov 23
📖 Philosophy Marxism
  1. Marxism debates include the significance of the 'dialectical method' and if it's essential to the ideology.
  2. There's a discussion on whether Marxism can do without dialectics or if it's a crucial aspect.
  3. Understanding the relationship between Hegel's dialectical approach and Marxism is a key focus in analyzing theoretical differences.

subverting human flourishing

bad cattitude • 185 implied HN points • 17 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Marxism
  1. Marxism promotes ideas that often disrupt successful societies. It's believed that these ideas need to be imposed because they aren’t naturally accepted.
  2. Attempts to change human nature and society according to ideological beliefs often lead to negative outcomes. History shows that these changes can result in great harm.
  3. Arguments that promise improvement through radical social change are seen as misleading. People should be cautious and recognize that what works within a society is usually effective for a reason.

The Gramsci Gap

Breaking Smart • 94 implied HN points • 11 Jan 25
📖 Philosophy Marxism
  1. The 'Gramsci Gap' talks about a time when old systems are fading and new ones are struggling to emerge. It's a confusing period filled with strange and troubling events.
  2. It connects ideas of power and control, showing how rulers and the rules they create influence society. Both individual actions and larger systems can produce negative effects.
  3. Understanding this gap helps us recognize how both personal decisions and structural issues can create problems, pointing to the need for change in how we govern and relate to one another.

Fall in Love, Not in Line

Black Lodges • 39 implied HN points • 13 Feb 23
📖 Philosophy Marxism
  1. Love is a powerful emotion that keeps people bonded and committed to each other.
  2. Marxist theory can be applied to analyze how love drives humans to impact their environment and themselves.
  3. Love, as viewed through a Marxist lens, validates real individuality and is inherent to human relations.

Optimism of Will

Black Lodges • 39 implied HN points • 11 Sep 23
📖 Philosophy Marxism
  1. Life continues despite weariness and struggles.
  2. Antonio Gramsci's concept of 'optimism of the will' advocates for resilience and belief in change.
  3. Cultural and ideological struggle, collective action, and intellectual engagement are key for societal transformation.

Literary Study Needs More Marxists

Cosy Moments • 46 implied HN points • 15 Jan 25
📚 Literature Marxism
  1. Literary study often lacks a balanced perspective, and introducing more Marxist ideas could enhance understanding of texts through social and historical contexts.
  2. Removing classic texts from curricula due to their controversial content is problematic and can limit students' educational experiences.
  3. It's important to appreciate literature, like Shakespeare, for its cultural value, regardless of political beliefs.

The Trad Marxism of George Grant, Part 2

From the New World • 10 implied HN points • 03 Jan 25
📖 Philosophy Marxism
  1. George Grant blended traditionalism with Marxism, believing that while capitalism had improved life in some ways, it left a void in meaning and connection for many people.
  2. He thought that Marx's ideas offered a moral vision that could help explain social and economic issues, but felt that Marxism failed to embrace the spiritual aspect of life.
  3. Grant warned that society was becoming increasingly homogenized, with cultures and individual identities being overshadowed by impersonal economic systems.

Chris Mansour: Notes on Cryptofash

Do Not Research • 19 implied HN points • 15 Feb 22
🚌 Education Marxism
  1. Cryptofash argues that Marxism is contrary to the history of the Left, emphasizing class antagonisms over ideological struggles like those on the Left.
  2. The Left/Right political distinction became prominent during the French monarchy's crisis in the 1810s, shaping modern political landscapes, but according to Cryptofash, perpetuates bourgeois parameters.
  3. Cryptofash distinguishes Marxism from the Left, criticizing the Left for failing to understand class dynamics and revolutionary potential, emphasizing the importance of the proletariat as a revolutionary agent.

[Book Review] Russia: A Short History

JoeWrote • 10 implied HN points • 22 Feb 24
📚 Literature Marxism
  1. Abraham Ascher's book 'Russia: A Short History' effectively highlights the connection between religion, autocracy, and the shaping of Russian history, including the acceptance of autocracy in greater Russia.
  2. The book distinguishes between dictatorship and autocracy, showcasing how autocratic societies like Russia function with input from key public institutions.
  3. The author's analysis of Soviet-style communism is critiqued within the context of the historical narrative presented in the book.

Philosophy of Praxis

Black Lodges • 0 implied HN points • 07 Feb 24
📖 Philosophy Marxism
  1. History can be a powerful tool of transformation when taught differently.
  2. The linear approach to history often serves the interests of those in power.
  3. Exploring works like Paulo Freire's 'Pedagogy of the Oppressed' and Gramsci's concepts can provide insights for liberation.