
The Regrettable Century
362 episodes — Page 2 of 8
Patreon Preview: Do We Need an Updated Theory of Fascism? (Part II of II)
trailerToday we read the second half of an article titled Do We Need an Updated Theory of Fascism? Theorizing the nature and implications of the global far-right resurgence by Prof. Dr. Alex Demirović, which was published by the Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung. We liked this article for a few reasons, not the least of which was that it sparked good discussion... Do We Need an Updated Theory of Fascism? by Alex Demirović Send us a message (sorry we can't respond on here). Support the show Visit the Regrettable Century Merch Shop
Patreon Preview: Anatomy of the Microsect (Patron Roundtable)
trailerWe sat down with our patrons to read and discuss the 1973 Hal Draper Pamphlet, Anatomy of the Microsect. https://www.marxists.org/archive/draper/1973/xx/microsect.htm Send us a message (sorry we can't respond on here). Support the show Visit the Regrettable Century Merch Shop
S7 Ep 23Under an Elm Tree: William Morris, Animism, and Anti-Capitalism (Featuring Dr. Mathias Nordvig and Arnold from Fight Like an Animal Podcast)
This week, the animist caucus of the Regrettable Century (Kevin) teamed up with Dr. Mathias Nordvig, professor of Nordic Studies at the University of Colorado Boulder and the Sacred Flame Podcast, as well as Arnold from the Fight Like an Animal Podcast to talk about the intersection of animist spirituality and radical politics. To that end, the crew read and discussed William Morris' short essay titled Under an Elm Tree. Click Here for More Mathias Nordvig Click Here for Fight Like an Animal Podcast Send us a message (sorry we can't respond on here). Support the show Visit the Regrettable Century Merch Shop
PATREON PREVIEW: Regrettable Geopolitics 08/23/2025
trailerBounty on Maduro, Israeli Pedophile Protected by Trump... Again, Palestinian Dead are 83% Civilians, Zelensky in the Whitehouse... Again, Ukraine's Failing Drone Industry, The Inexorable Russian Lava Flow Pushes On... Send us a message (sorry we can't respond on here). Support the show Visit the Regrettable Century Merch Shop
PATREON PREVIEW: Regrettable Geopolitics 08/19/2025
trailerTrump Wusses out on China Tariffs... Again, Leaks Expose Netanyahu's Hunger Plan, Israeli Spies Have Thoroughly Infiltrated Big Tech, The Alaska Summit, Ukraine's Infantry Crisis, Ukraine's Morale Crisis, Dobrapilia Breakthrough, The Collapse Speeds Up... Send us a message (sorry we can't respond on here). Support the show Visit the Regrettable Century Merch Shop
S7 Ep 22Never Coming of Age in America: Adulting and Alienation in a Decadent Society
This week the boys are joined by eternal co-host Jess to discuss the novelty of adults being adults. We discuss the self-infantilization of millennials and older zoomers, which is a reflection of the crisis of meaning and deep rot at the heart of liberal modernity. We believe this is the result of a purely self-oriented conception of liberty and the ideological victory of capital's redefinition of the very essence of what it means to be human. --------- Adulting in Middle Age https://jacobin.com/2024/01/adulting-middle-age-millennials-boomers Are millennials really an ‘infantilised generation’ - and if so, why? https://theweek.com/107508/are-millennials-infantilised-generation Arrested Development https://newint.org/features/2018/01/01/arrested-development Send us a message (sorry we can't respond on here). Support the show Visit the Regrettable Century Merch Shop
Patreon Preview: Do We Need an Updated Theory of Fascism? (Part I of II)
trailerToday we read an article titled Do We Need an Updated Theory of Fascism? Theorizing the nature and implications of the global far-right resurgence by Prof. Dr. Alex Demirović, which was published by the Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung. This is an excellent article that we think misses the mark in a few places and provides much fodder for discussion. Do We Need an Updated Theory of Fascism? by Alex Demirović Send us a message (sorry we can't respond on here). Support the show Visit the Regrettable Century Merch Shop
S7 Ep 21The Luddites Were Right, Actually
Marxist, as well as conservative and liberal bourgeois historians alike, have always had a fundamental misunderstanding about the Luddites. It turns out they weren't just reactionary peasants who feared technology and wanted to keep the world mired in an economy based on stacking sticks and mud. The Luddites weren’t resisting technology itself—they were fighting the economic systems that exploited them through it. This week, the boys dive into a conversation about Luddism's past, present, and future. The Luddites Were Right https://www.currentaffairs.org/news/2021/06/the-luddites-were-right What the Luddites Really Fought Against https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/what-the-luddites-really-fought-against-264412/ Rethinking the Luddites in the Age of AI https://www.theinteldrop.org/2023/10/02/rethinking-the-luddites-in-the-age-of-a-i/ Send us a message (sorry we can't respond on here). Support the show Visit the Regrettable Century Merch Shop
Patreon Preview: Towards the Founding of Something New
trailerThis week Chris, Jason, and Ben read over the founding document of a now-defunct group to which Jason and Ben used to belong. While much has changed in the years since Jason wrote this document, the fundamental arguments remain the same. It is time for new working-class organizations that seek to build power from the ground up, abandoning any association with liberal NGOs, the democratic party, the microsect form, and internet-based culture war. ---- We've including the document that we're reading below as a PDF. Send us a message (sorry we can't respond on here). Support the show Visit the Regrettable Century Merch Shop
PATREON PREVIEW: Regrettable Geopolitics 07/18/2025
trailerUltra-Orthodox Abandon Bibi, Israel Kills More Christians, Israel Kills a US Citizen, SBU Chief Merc'd in Broad Daylight, The West Slowly Begins to Abandon Ukraine, Zelensky's Authoritarianism, Pokrovsk in Peril, Russia's Methodical Advance is Unchecked... Send us a message (sorry we can't respond on here). Support the show Visit the Regrettable Century Merch Shop
S7 Ep 20On Care For Our Common Home: Laudato Si and Christian Anti-Capitalism (Part II)
This week the gang tackles Chapter I of Laudato Si, but the late Pope Francis. You can follow along by grabbing the PDF from Verso or from the Vatican website. This Papal Encyclical calls for urgent action to address the global environmental crisis, critiques consumerism, blind developmentalism, inequality, and profit seeking. The document calls for global political solidarity to transition to a sustainable economy and for protection of the worlds most vulnerable populations. Send us a message (sorry we can't respond on here). Support the show Visit the Regrettable Century Merch Shop
PATREON PREVIEW -- Regrettable Geopolitics 07/11/2025
trailerDeep State Don's Pedophile Coverup Extravaganza, More Tariff Idiocy, Israel's Relentless War Crimes Perpetration, Yermak's Power Grab in Kiev, Azerbaijan Mafia/NATO State, Russian Gains, Ukrainian Systemic Breakdown... Send us a message (sorry we can't respond on here). Support the show Visit the Regrettable Century Merch Shop
PATREON PREVIEW -- Regrettable Geopolitics 07/04/2025
trailerIsrael failed to assassinate Khamenei, US lifts some sanctions on Hungary/Russia, Russia controls 100% Luhansk, US cuts off military aid to Ukraine, Azov civil war, the collapse continues... Send us a message (sorry we can't respond on here). Support the show Visit the Regrettable Century Merch Shop
S7 Ep 19The Pinnacle of Spectacle: Trump, War, and Opposition in Late Spectacular Capitalism
This week Chris and Jason signed on to give an update on the status of the spectacular nature of American Capitalism. Trump's useless strikes on Iran and false declaration of victory prompted us to revisit Guy Debord's concept of the spectacle in relation to contemporary American politics. Revenge of the Spectacle: This Time It's Personal http://www.redwedgemagazine.com/online-issue/revenge-of-the-spectacle-this-time-its-personal The Game of War. Guy Debord and the Society of the Spectacle. https://www.threemonkeysonline.com/the-game-of-war-guy-debord-and-the-society-of-the-spectacle/ Send us a message (sorry we can't respond on here). Support the show Visit the Regrettable Century Merch Shop
PATREON PREVIEW: Regrettable Geopolitics 6/28/2025
trailerUS Attacks Iran... Did It Work?, Iran Tosses out the IAEA, NATO Potemkin Summit, The Inexorable Russian Lava Flow Pushes On, Ukraine Keeps Collapsing... How to Pronounce Schadenfreude https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3_DjiLLDfo Send us a message (sorry we can't respond on here). Support the show Visit the Regrettable Century Merch Shop
S7 Ep 18On Care For Our Common Home: Laudato Si and Christian Anti-Capitalism (Part I)
Real romantic anti-capitalism hours are back, and this week the boys brought in Mir and Daniel to read Laudato Si by the late Pope Francis, as published by Verso Books (you can read it on the Vatican website or in book form, but we got the free ebook from Verso). This Papal Encyclical calls for urgent action to address the global environmental crisis, critiques consumerism, blind developmentalism, inequality, and profit seeking. The document calls for global political solidarity to transition to a sustainable economy and for protection of the worlds most vulnerable populations. Send us a message (sorry we can't respond on here). Support the show Visit the Regrettable Century Merch Shop
Patreon Preview: The Question of Nationalities & Social Democracy by Otto Bauer: (Episode XI) FINAL
trailerThis is it folks, the second half of Chapter 7 and the grand finale of the reading series. Go to the Patreon to hear the whole episode. Join the Discord to help us determine what's next… And Read Along Here: https://libcom.org/article/question-nationalities-and-social-democracy-otto-bauer Send us a message (sorry we can't respond on here). Support the show Visit the Regrettable Century Merch Shop
PATREON PREVIEW: Regrettable Geopolitics 06/09/2025
trailerPoland No Confidence in Tusk, Saudis Support For Syria, Israel Attacks Syria, More Genocide in Gaza, Russia vs Ukraine/Al Qaeda in Africa, Walkin' in the Spiderwebs, Terrorism?, Ukraine Body Swap Debacle, Russia's Inexorable Advance Continues... Send us a message (sorry we can't respond on here). Support the show Visit the Regrettable Century Merch Shop
S7 Ep 17The Velvet Counterrevolution/Divorce (Czechoslovak Socialism Part III) *UNLOCKED*
In the final episode of our Czechoslovak Socialism series, we dive into the final attempt to reform the Czechoslovak system. As with the Prague Spring, the official ML/liberal narrative about are the same, that this was an attempt to overthrow socialism and establish a capitalist democracy. Just like the Prague Spring, it seems clear that the intentions of its participants were the opposite. The vast majority of Czechoslovaks who participated in the movements that brought down the republic were attempting to reform the socialist system, not destroy it. Krapfl, James. Revolution with a Human Face Politics, Culture, and Community in Czechoslovakia, 1989–1992. Cornell University Press, 2017. Scott Brown. “Prelude to a Divorce? The Prague Spring as Dress Rehearsal for Czechoslovakia’s ‘Velvet Divorce.’” Europe-Asia Studies 60, no. 10 (2008): 1783–1804. Send us a message (sorry we can't respond on here). Support the show Visit the Regrettable Century Merch Shop
Patreon Preview -- Boundless and Bottomless Bonus: Updates On Pessimism
trailerThe dudes are back, although Sean couldn't join for this episode. Jason and Varn talk about some of the logic here, the limits of trying to pin down conservatism right now, and why politics is so frustrating. No, we didn't speak much about Dugin... but we are doing this to remind everyone that we will. Send us a message (sorry we can't respond on here). Support the show Visit the Regrettable Century Merch Shop
Patreon Preview -- The Question of Nationalities and Social Democracy by Otto Bauer: Regrettable Book Club (Episode X)
trailerThe gang takes on the first half of Chapter 7 of Bauer's analysis of the concept of the nation... Follow Along Here: https://libcom.org/article/question-nationalities-and-social-democracy-otto-bauer Send us a message (sorry we can't respond on here). Support the show Visit the Regrettable Century Merch Shop
S7 Ep 16From Dawn to Decadence (Part IV) With Varn Vlog
The boys and Varn Vlog are back again, for the long-awaited return to our series talking about "Decadence Theory." This week, the boys respond to a response to the ICC's pamphlet on decadence theory. The article we read and discussed was published by Aufheben and is titled The Theory of Decline or the Decline of Theory. Decadence: The Theory of Decline or the Decline of Theory? Part Varn Vlog Send us a message (sorry we can't respond on here). Support the show Visit the Regrettable Century Merch Shop

S7 Ep 15Trump’s America and the Working Class Fightback (Crossposted From the For a New Republic podcast)
We recently went on the For a New Republic podcast to talk about Trump, fascism, and rebuilding the workers' movement in the United States. For a New Republic is the official podcast of Éirígí For A New Republic, an Irish socialist republican party that seeks the reunification of Ireland and the establishment of a workers' republic. Éirígí For A New Republic For a New Republic Podcast Send us a message (sorry we can't respond on here). Support the show Visit the Regrettable Century Merch Shop
PATREON PREVIEW: Regrettable Geopolitics 05/17/2025
trailerHungary vs Ukraine, Iran Nuke Proposal, Why Trump Declared Victory Over the Houthis, Chinese Jets Better than Euro's?, Istanbul Clown Show, Ukraine's Lost War of Attrition Continues... Send us a message (sorry we can't respond on here). Support the show Visit the Regrettable Century Merch Shop
S7 Ep 14The Ever Present Present: The Long Now and the Cancellation of the Future
This week we return to an always prescient question: What happened to the future? What Lies Ahead? https://jacobin.com/2023/01/slavoj-zizek-time-future-history-catastrophe-emancipation Mark Fisher’s Specters of Scarcity https://jacobin.com/2025/01/mark-fisher-neoliberalism-acid-communism ‘Culture has lost the ability to grasp the present’ https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/mark-fisher-ghosts-retromania/ How the pandemic messed with our perception of time https://www.vox.com/science/23823507/pandemic-memory-time-perception-lockdown Send us a message (sorry we can't respond on here). Support the show Visit the Regrettable Century Merch Shop
PATREON PREVIEW: Regrettable Geopolitics 05/09/2025
trailerHabemus Papam, Al Qaeda 🤝France, Trump Owned by Xi, Trump Owned by Houthis, Trump Owned by Bibi, Pakistan vs India, China 🤝 Russia, Ukraine's Very Bleak Strategic Assessment... Send us a message (sorry we can't respond on here). Support the show Visit the Regrettable Century Merch Shop
PATREON PREVIEW: Regrettable Geopolitics 05/02/2025
trailerTrump/Zelensky Meeting, Minerals Deal, US Arms Sales to Ukraine, Superhornet Down!, North Korean Troops in Kursk, Russian Gains in April Send us a message (sorry we can't respond on here). Support the show Visit the Regrettable Century Merch Shop
S7 Ep 13The Stumbling God Emperor (or the 100 Days of Gomorrah)
The boys got together to take a look at the first 100 days of Trump's presidency. We talk about inept bumbling, cruelty, misery, war, and how it's still not fascism. Jacobin: This Is America by Daniel Bessner The Nation: The New McCarthyism Was Started by Liberals by Jeet Heer Send us a message (sorry we can't respond on here). Support the show Visit the Regrettable Century Merch Shop
PATREON PREVIEW: Regrettable Geopolitics 04/24/2025
trailerTrump Talks Truce, Iran Nuclear Deal, What's the Point of the EU?, Don't Bluff China, Sumy Missile Strike, Russia Rolls On Send us a message (sorry we can't respond on here). Support the show Visit the Regrettable Century Merch Shop
Patreon Preview -- For What We Will: A Brief History of American Socialism (For the New Zealand Federation of Socialist Societies)
trailerA couple of weeks ago, Jason gave a talk to the New Zealand Federation of Socialist Societies about the history of American Socialism. Here is the audio of that talk... Send us a message (sorry we can't respond on here). Support the show Visit the Regrettable Century Merch Shop
S7 Ep 12Freedom Stumbles On: Hegel and the Slaughter-Bench of History (PART II)
The boys (featuring the return of Mir) return to the slaughter-bench to finish discussing Terry Pinkard's article "The Spirit of History." The Spirit of History by Terry Pinkard https://aeon.co/essays/what-is-history-nobody-gave-a-deeper-answer-than-hegel Send us a message (sorry we can't respond on here). Support the show Visit the Regrettable Century Merch Shop
PATREON PREVIEW: Regrettable Geopolitics 04/12/2025
trailerKursk Losses Breakdown, China China China, Israel Executes UN Worker and Paramedics, Ansar Allah Reaps Reaper Drones, Renewed Russian Offensive? And so on... Send us a message (sorry we can't respond on here). Support the show Visit the Regrettable Century Merch Shop
Patreon Preview -- The Question of Nationalities and Social Democracy by Otto Bauer: Regrettable Book Club (Episode X)
trailerThe gang tackles Chapter 06 of Bauer's analysis of the concept of the nation. The Transformation of the Principle of Nationality (pg. 355) National Autonomy and the Principle of Nationality The Roots of Capitalist Expansionism The Working Class and Capitalist Expansionism Imperialism and the Principle of Nationality Socialism and the Principle of Nationality Read along with us: https://libcom.org/article/question-nationalities-and-social-democracy-otto-bauer Send us a message (sorry we can't respond on here). Support the show Visit the Regrettable Century Merch Shop
S7 Ep 11Unbreakable Union: Introductions (With an introduction to the introduction by Jason and Chris)
Here's a bonus episode for you on what is normally an off week. Listen now to hear Jason and Chris give an introduction to the introduction of the Unbreakable Union podcast, then listen to the introduction. Unbreakable Union Podcast Send us a message (sorry we can't respond on here). Support the show Visit the Regrettable Century Merch Shop
PATREON PREVIEW: Regrettable Geopolitics 04/02/2025
trailerRare Earths Deal, War Footing in the Pacific, Coalition of the... Willing?, Ceasefire Breaches, Le Pen Convicted, Trump is Pissed off at Putin, NYT Says Ukrainians are Stupid Losers, Russian Offensive Isn't Stalling After All... Send us a message (sorry we can't respond on here). Support the show Visit the Regrettable Century Merch Shop

S7 Ep 10Introducing The Unbreakable Union Podcast: The Contemporary Importance of Soviet History
This week Chris talks to Jason and Matthew about their new podcast: Unbreakable Union. This ambitious project will span six seasons with roughly one decade being covered per season. Check out our episode then listen to the podcast below or on your preferred podcatcher. It should be showing up everywhere in the next few days. https://www.buzzsprout.com/2462690 Also, come join our Patreon and get access to our discord! Click below: Send us a message (sorry we can't respond on here). Support the show Visit the Regrettable Century Merch Shop
*re-uploaded* PATREON PREVIEW: Regrettable Geopolitics 03/29/2025
trailerSignalgate, Yemen, Ceasefire Failures, Russian Advances, and Ukrainian Flailing. Send us a message (sorry we can't respond on here). Support the show Visit the Regrettable Century Merch Shop
Patreon Preview: Patron Q&A #3
trailerOk, finally we get around to answering questions about religion and parenting... also some other stuff. Just go listen. Send us a message (sorry we can't respond on here). Support the show Visit the Regrettable Century Merch Shop
S7 Ep 9Freedom Stumbles On: Hegel and the Slaughter-Bench of History -- Part I (Featuring Mir)
The boys (featuring the return of Mir) kick back on the slaughter-bench to discuss Hegel's philosophy of history by discussing Terry Pinkard's article "The Spirit of History." The Spirit of History by Terry Pinkard https://aeon.co/essays/what-is-history-nobody-gave-a-deeper-answer-than-hegel Send us a message (sorry we can't respond on here). Support the show Visit the Regrettable Century Merch Shop
PATREON PREVIEW: Regrettable Geopolitics 03/23/2025
trailerRegrettable Geopolitics - 03/23/2025 (Israel Turns the Genocide Machine Back On, Yemen/Iran, Kursk, Other Ukraine Things, and Cease-Fire Talks) Send us a message (sorry we can't respond on here). Support the show Visit the Regrettable Century Merch Shop
Patreon Preview: Patron Q&A #2
trailerFinally, the long-awaited second Q&A episode. We talk USSR, religion, parenting, and all sort of other stuff... but some of it will have to wait until Q&A #3, which will be soon. Enjoy! Send us a message (sorry we can't respond on here). Support the show Visit the Regrettable Century Merch Shop
S7 Ep 8Bring the Race-War Home: Foreign Fighters, Neo-Nazi Networks, and Domestic Terrorism
This week Chris and Jason read and discussed a paper Chris wrote for a strategic studies project about neo-Nazi terror networks and their links to far-right militias in Ukraine. The influx of foreign fighters to Ukraine since the beginning of the Russian invasion of 2022 has outpaced US intel and law enforcement agencies' ability to monitor potential radicals going to and coming from Ukraine. Far-right extremists have been drawn to the conflict in Ukraine since 2014 due to affiliated organizations that belong to a web of loosely related violent neo-fascist organizations. Several affiliated extremists have been apprehended planning terror attacks and other acts of violence. Amos, Howard, and Harriet Salem. 2014. “Ukraine Clashes: Dozens Dead after Odessa Building Fire.” The Guardian. May 2, 2014. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/may/02/ukraine-dead-odessa-building-fire. “Atomwaffen Division (AWD)/ National Socialist Order (NSO) | ADL.” 2020. Www.adl.org. April 29, 2020. https://www.adl.org/resources/backgrounder/atomwaffen-division-awd-national-socialist-order-nso. Belew, Kathleen. 2018. Bring the War Home: The White Power Movement and Paramilitary America. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Harvard University Press. Department of Homeland Security: US Customs and Border Protection. 2022. “Intelligence Note: United States Citizens Joining the Fight for Ukraine.” Department of Justice: Office of Public Affairs. 2023. “Office of Public Affairs | Proud Boys Leader Sentenced to 22 Years in Prison for Seditious Conspiracy and Other Charges Related to U.S. Capitol Breach | United States Department of Justice.” Www.justice.gov. September 5, 2023. https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/proud-boys-leader-sentenced-22-years-prison-seditious-conspiracy-and-other-charges-related. Goldman, Adam. 2020. “Man Suspected of Planning Attack on Missouri Hospital Is Killed, Officials Say.” The New York Times, March 25, 2020, sec. U.S. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/25/us/politics/coronavirus-fbi-shooting.html. “James Mason.” 2019. Southern Poverty Law Center. 2019. https://www.splcenter.org/fighting-hate/extremist-files/individual/james-mason. Johnston, David Cay. 2002. “William Pierce, 69, Neo-Nazi Leader, Dies.” The New York Times, July 24, 2002, sec. U.S. https://www.nytimes.com/2002/07/24/us/william-pierce-69-neo-nazi-leader-dies.html. Kacper, Rekawek. 2022. Foreign Fighters in Ukraine: The Brown–Red Cocktail. New York: Routledge. Kheel, Rebecca. 2018. “Congress Bans Arms to Ukraine Militia Linked to Neo-Nazis.” The Hill. March 27, 2018. https://thehill.com/policy/defense/380483-congress-bans-arms-to-controversial-ukrainian-militia-linked-to-neo-nazis/. Kriner, Matthew, and Jon Lewis. 2021. “Pride & Prejudice: The Violent Evolution of the Proud Boys.” Combating Terrorism Center at West Point. July 9, 2021. https://ctc.westpoint.edu/pride-prejudice-the-violent-evolution-of-the-proud-boys/. Loisy, Par Florian, and Gwenael Bourdon et Jean-Michel Décugis Le 8 février 2022 à 06h15. 2022. “Enquête Sur Marc de Cacqueray-Valmenier, Le Sulfureux Chef Présumé des Zouaves Paris.” Leparisien.fr. February 8, 2022. https://www.leparisien.fr/faits-divers/ultra-droite-qui-est-marc-de-cacqueray-valmenier-chef-presume-des-zouaves-paris-08-02-2022-TBCYP3EIPBA67GY2R7BR3ICAOE.php. Makuch, Ben. 2023. “Wanted for Murder, an Army Vet Escaped to Ukraine — and Fought the Russians.” The Intercept. July 19, 2023. https://theintercept.com/2023/07/19/ukraine-war-american-foreign-fighter/. Maron Send us a message (sorry we can't respond on here). Support the show Visit the Regrettable Century Merch Shop
PATREON PREVIEW: Regrettable Geopolitics -- 03/09/2025 (a little Syria, a little Europe, and a lot of Russia/Ukraine)
trailerAnother lightly edited casual conversation about geopolitics. We do a whirlwind summary of the stuff that has happened since last week and land back on the subject of Ukraine for most of the program. Send us a message (sorry we can't respond on here). Support the show Visit the Regrettable Century Merch Shop
S7 Ep 7From Dawn to Decadence (Part III): With Varn Vlog *UNLOCKED*
The boys and Varn Vlog are back again, talking about "Decadence Theory" and how it differs from "crisis theory" and "breakdown theory." We discuss Samir Amin's third-worldist (and not very Marxist) take on decadence theory. Revolution or Decadence- Samir Amin https://monthlyreview.org/2018/05/01/revolution-or-decadence/ Send us a message (sorry we can't respond on here). Support the show Visit the Regrettable Century Merch Shop
PATREON PREVIEW: Regrettable Geopolitics 03/01/2025 (Ukraine: Trump vs Zelensky, Manpower Crisis, Dictatorship, Attritional Warfare)
trailerWelcome to a new series that we are trying out for Patrons. This is a lightly edited casual conversation between Jason and Chris about Geopolitics. We aren't really preparing for these by doing a lot of research and we certainly aren't doing much editing. We are going to try to do these semi-regularly and hopefully we can figure out how to do video versions as well. Send us a message (sorry we can't respond on here). Support the show Visit the Regrettable Century Merch Shop
S7 Ep 6The Neverending Pursuit of Truth: T.G. Masaryk’s Challenge to Marxism
This week we discussed the thought of one of 20th-century Marxism's socialist opponents, Tomáš Masaryk. Masaryk was reviled by Czech communists until they appropriated him and he was an opponent of capitalism until the champions of capitalism did the same. He was a social democrat with an ethical and Christian-humanist vision of socialism that inspired the Prague Spring but was later coopted by the opponents of the working class and human liberation. A State without Suicide https://www.commonwealmagazine.org/state-without-suicide Betts, R. R. “Masaryk’s Philosophy of History.” The Slavonic and East European Review 26, no. 66 (1947): 30–43. http://www.jstor.org/stable/4203912. Kohak, Erazim. “T. G. Masaryk’s Revision of Marxism.” Journal of the History of Ideas 25, no. 4 (1964): 519–42. https://doi.org/10.2307/2708184. Kovác, Dusan. "World Revolution — Tomás Garrigue Masaryk and Vladimir Ilyich Lenin" Human Affairs 1, no. 1 (1991): 22-29. https://doi.org/10.1515/humaff-1991-010105 Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk, and Karel Čapek. Talks with T.G. Masaryk. Catbird Press, 1995. Winters, Stanley B, Robert B Pynsent, and Harry Hanak. T.G. Masaryk (1850-1937).: Thinker and Critic. Palgrave Macmillan , 1989. Send us a message (sorry we can't respond on here). Support the show Visit the Regrettable Century Merch Shop
Patreon Preview -- A Refutation of All Judgements... (A Discussion of the film by Guy Debord)
trailerSo, you think you had some judgments? TOO BAD THEY ARE ALL REFUTED! This week Jason and Andrew watched and discussed Guy Debord's follow up to his Society of the Spectacle film, which is essentially a clapback at his haters. As any good Regrettable discussion goes, the film was the anchor, but the topics ranged far and wide. Enjoy! Refutation of All the Judgements, Pro or Con, Thus Far Rendered on the Film “The Society of the Spectacle" (1975) https://www.ubu.com/film/debord_refutation.html Send us a message (sorry we can't respond on here). Support the show Visit the Regrettable Century Merch Shop
S7 Ep 5In Defense of Proletarian Idealism
This week we read and discussed an article by Richard Seymour that explores Marxism's relationship with materialism and idealism. Seymour argues that the Hegelian inheritance within Marxism forces it in the direction of an idealism which is essential for a successful revolutionary politics. Duel and duality, or, degrowth and dialectics https://www.patreon.com/posts/81735357?pr=true&fbclid=IwAR2ftGQudDJQhykIW4rv_3F34xqP8RGHZdyZyb4JsGQgxzQ7qxvRNI9BP7k Send us a message (sorry we can't respond on here). Support the show Visit the Regrettable Century Merch Shop
Patreon Preview -- Question of Nationalities & Social Democracy by Otto Bauer: Regrettable Book Club (Episode IX)
trailerThe gang tackles Chapter 5 of Bauer's analysis of the concept of the nation. Read Along With Us: https://libcom.org/article/question-nationalities-and-social-democracy-otto-bauer Send us a message (sorry we can't respond on here). Support the show Visit the Regrettable Century Merch Shop
S7 Ep 4Partisans of a Dying Dream: The Populist Moment and American Socialism
This week we delve into what is sort of a pre-history of the American Socialist movement. Though the populist movement undeniably kept its Jeffersonian character, it was the first (arguably only) significant challenge to the dominance of the two major capitalist parties in the US. Much of the energy and the spirit of American populism flowed into and colored the burgeoning American workers' movement. From Populism to Socialism and Back https://jacobin.com/2019/08/populism-socialism-daniel-de-leon-eugene-debs American Populism, 1876-1896 https://digital.lib.niu.edu/illinois/gildedage/populism Populist Party Platform July 4, 1892 https://www.let.rug.nl/usa/documents/1876-1900/populist-party-platform-july-4-1892.php Cantrell, Gregg, and D. Scott Barton. “Texas Populists and the Failure of Biracial Politics.” The Journal of Southern History 55, no. 4 (1989): 659–92. https://doi.org/10.2307/2209044. Send us a message (sorry we can't respond on here). Support the show Visit the Regrettable Century Merch Shop