In this conversation, Jonathan Kay and Sean McMeekin explore the historical roots and evolution of communism, examining its connections to Christianity, the influence of revolutionary thinkers like Rousseau, and the contrasting ideologies of Marxism and anarchism. They discuss the implications of capitalism's alienation on society, the potential for a more humane version of communism as envisioned by Bukharin, and the strange persistence of communist ideas in contemporary politics. The dialogue highlights the complexities of revolutionary thought and the ongoing relevance of these discussions in today's world.
Read more from Sean McMeekin: https://quillette.com/2024/09/10/where-virtue-meets-terror-communism/
00:00 Introduction
00:05 Exploring the Roots of Communism
08:20 The Prophetic Warnings of Bakunin
13:35 Anarchism and the Russian Revolution
15:45 Christianity's Influence on Revolutionary Thought
21:55 The Alienation of Capitalism and Its Consequences
35:46 The Tragic Story of Bukharin
38:13 The Consequences of Collectivization
43:25 The Russian Political Character and Historical Continuity
46:44 Marxism and Its Misinterpretations
50:39 The Export of Communism to East Asia
57:29 The Role of War in Advancing Communism
01:03:59 The Romanticization of Violence in Revolutionary Thought
01:08:31 The Strange Non-Death of Communism
01:19:11 end slides.mp4
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