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Discussion and analysis of politics, history, theory and activism from a radical revolutionary socialist perspective.
Welcome to Red Flag Radio
We are a socialist podcast based in Australia. We discuss politics, theory and history from a revolutionary Marxist perspective. We aim to explain socialist ideas in a clear and accessible way and to promote the voices of anti-capitalist activists worldwide.
Episodes
Sunday Aug 01, 2021
Sunday Aug 01, 2021
In this episode we discuss the debates around lockdown and the political response to the pandemic in Australia with Sydney based socialist activists Eleanor Morley and Josh Lees. Lockdowns continue in large parts of the country and the vaccine rollout is the slowest in the OECD. How can we understand the political priorities of the government? What is the significance of the anti-lockdown protests? Is there an alternative to lockdown?
Anti-lockdown lunacy: from the elites to the streets - https://redflag.org.au/index.php/article/anti-lockdown-lunacy-elites-streets
Join Sydney socialists for an online Forum: Fascism and anti-Fascism in 1930s Australia - Sunday 8 August at 3pm - https://www.facebook.com/events/1304459746639353
Support Red Flag Radio on Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/redflagradiopodcast
Subscribe to Red Flag newspaper - https://subscribe.redflag.org.au/
Hosted by Roz Ward. Produced by Liam Ward.
Music by Dan Kenny.
Thursday Jul 15, 2021
Thursday Jul 15, 2021
In this episode we reveal the forgotten history of Aboriginal unionists in the 1890s shearers' strikes. The participation of Aboriginal workers, including strike camp leaders like Andrew Stuart Stepney, challenges historical accounts that note the racism of the shearers’ unions and subsequently ignore the role that Aboriginal workers played within the shearers’ unions. We discuss the importance of revealing this history and draw out the lessons for unionists and socialists today.
A quote from an article in the Worker (Brisbane), 16 July 1892, that Roz reads during the episode:
I've yet to learn, don't you know, that the immortal British Empire or any other speck of country owns by sheer right divine all the land it can get its clutches on. There's no more natural sense in a bleary-eyed officer with gold lace and a taste for rum, sticking a few feet of stick, with a few square inches of painted calico attached, into the ground and saying 'I annex this 'ere country,' than there is in you or me taking a trip across to Europe and going through the same pantomime at Brighton or Monte Carlo. You or I've got exactly the same 'right ' as the gold laced gentleman who appreciates rum. The only thing is that he has a title deed in the shape of a few thousand tons of men of war, with guns enough to blow the unfortunate natives to little small bits if they object. Wonderful justice, isn't it?... The aboriginals had more right to be in Australia than we had, looking at things justly.’
Marxist Left Review - https://marxistleftreview.org/
Red Flag Books - https://shop.redflag.org.au/
Support Red Flag Radio on Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/redflagradiopodcast
Subscribe to Red Flag newspaper:
https://subscribe.redflag.org.au/
Hosted by Roz Ward. Produced by Liam Ward.
Music by Dan Kenny.
Sunday Jun 27, 2021
Sunday Jun 27, 2021
On this episode we preview The Fight for Workers’ Power: Revolution and Counter-Revolution in the 20th Century with author Tom Bramble. The book recounts key periods of international class struggle from 1914 to 1956 with the aim of bringing the lessons from these struggles to a new generation of socialists. Tom has studied, written about, and taken part in the labour movement in Australia and internationally. His books include a history of the trade union movement and the Labor Party in Australia, and Introducing Marxism: A Theory for Social Change, published in 2015.
Red Flag Books - https://shop.redflag.org.au/
Read more on Russia here - https://redflag.org.au/russia/
Come to the Melbourne book launch on Thursday 15 July - https://www.facebook.com/events/313896660248031
Support Red Flag Radio on Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/redflagradiopodcast
Subscribe to Red Flag newspaper:
https://subscribe.redflag.org.au/
Hosted by Roz Ward. Produced by Liam Ward.
Music by Dan Kenny.
Thursday Jun 17, 2021
Thursday Jun 17, 2021
The recent hospitalisation of 4 year old Tharunicaa and the story of her family Priya, Nades, and Kopika is a perfect illustration of the brutality of the Australian government's treatment of refugees. On this episode we discuss the campaign to bring this family back to Biloela with full residency rights and what their experience has revealed about the politics of the Australian refugee torture regime. Aran Mylvaganam, a refugee who was detained as a child when he arrived in Australia in 1997 and who later founded the Tamil Refugee Council, discusses the history of Tamil persecution in Sri Lanka. Liz Walsh, socialist and veteran refugee activist, argues that the campaign for this family should be the basis for building a new movement to fight for all refugees.
Join the Perth campaign - https://www.facebook.com/tamilrefugeecounciloz and https://www.facebook.com/curtinuwasar
Aran will be speaking at Socialism in Sydney - http://www.socialismsydney.com/program/2154/
Red Flag coverage of the story of the 'Biloela family' - https://redflag.org.au/article/relief-one-biloela-family-fight-isnt-over
Profile of Kokilapathmapriya (Priya) Nadesalingam by Ben Hillier - https://redflag.org.au/article/freedom-fighter-celebrate-international-womens-day
Support Red Flag Radio on Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/redflagradiopodcast
Subscribe to Red Flag newspaper:
https://subscribe.redflag.org.au/
Hosted by Roz Ward. Produced by Liam Ward.
Music by Dan Kenny.
Sunday May 30, 2021
Sunday May 30, 2021
What are the differences between a socialist approach to fighting for liberation from oppression and the ideas that dominate what has become known as 'identity politics'? How can we genuinely combat oppression based on attributes of identity? What are the strengths of a politics of solidarity rather than 'allyship'? How important is it to experience oppression in order to understand it? On this episode we're joined by socialist activist Sarah Garnham to answer these questions and more.
Further reading on this topic:
The problem with identity politics by Louise O'Shea - https://redflag.org.au/node/5900
Against reductionism: Marxism and oppression by Sarah Garnham - https://marxistleftreview.org/articles/against-reductionism-marxism-and-oppression/
Support Red Flag Radio on Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/redflagradiopodcast
Subscribe to Red Flag newspaper:
https://subscribe.redflag.org.au/
Hosted by Roz Ward. Produced by Liam Ward.
Music by Dan Kenny.
Tuesday May 25, 2021
Tuesday May 25, 2021
For more than 100 years, Palestinians have never given up the fight for their homeland and national independence. Their struggles have inspired international solidarity as a result of their courage and determination in the face of violent occupation and oppression. On this episode we are joined again by Vashti Fox, author of The Story of Palestine: Empire, Repression and Resistance, for a discussion of the history and important political lessons socialists can learn from the Palestinian struggle.
The Story of Palestine: Empire, Repression and Resistance by Vashti Fox (2020) available at https://shop.redflag.org.au/collections/palestine/products/the-story-of-palestine-empire-repression-and-resistance
For protests in Melbourne go to: https://www.facebook.com/FreePalestineMelbourne
Palestine Action Group Sydney: https://www.facebook.com/syd.bmbc
Support Red Flag Radio on Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/redflagradiopodcast
Subscribe to Red Flag newspaper:
https://subscribe.redflag.org.au/
Hosted by Roz Ward. Produced by Liam Ward.
Music by Dan Kenny.
Monday May 17, 2021
Monday May 17, 2021
Israel's latest offensive against the Palestinians began with evictions in the neighbourhood of Sheik Jarrah and continues with a massive aerial bombardment of Gaza. On this episode, author of The Story of Palestine: Empire, Repression and Resistance Vashti Fox discusses the background to the current wave of aggression and the historical and contemporary importance of Israel to global and regional capitalist powers.
Palestinians are fighting back and they need our solidarity by Vashti Fox https://redflag.org.au/article/palestinians-are-fighting-back-and-they-need-our-solidarity
Why the Australian state supports Israel so stridently by Vashti Fox https://marxistleftreview.org/articles/why-the-australian-state-supports-israel-so-stridently/
Nakba: understanding the Palestinian catastrophe by Kim Bullimore https://redflag.org.au/article/nakba-understanding-palestinian-catastrophe
The Story of Palestine: Empire, Repression and Resistance
by Vashti Fox (2020) available at https://shop.redflag.org.au/collections/palestine/products/the-story-of-palestine-empire-repression-and-resistance
For protests in Melbourne go to: https://www.facebook.com/FreePalestineMelbourne
Palestine Action Group Sydney: https://www.facebook.com/syd.bmbc
Saturday May 08, 2021
Saturday May 08, 2021
Wood for cremation fires is running out across India. While bodies continue to fill the streets the Modi regime has pushed a political agenda of self promotion and ignored a rapidly growing health catastrophe. On this episode we are joined by Sagar Sanyal to discuss how this crisis happened, what the Indian ruling class could have done to prevent it, and why capitalism is responsible for mass murder.
Reading:
Turning a profit from death: on Modi’s pandemic response in neoliberal India by Tithi Bhattacharya
https://redflag.org.au/article/turning-profit-death-modis-pandemic-response-neoliberal-india
India’s government has blood on its hands by Ravibhahini
https://redflag.org.au/article/indias-government-has-blood-its-hands
Support Red Flag Radio on Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/redflagradiopodcast
Subscribe to Red Flag newspaper:
https://subscribe.redflag.org.au/
Hosted by Roz Ward. Produced by Liam Ward.
Music by Dan Kenny.
Wednesday Apr 21, 2021
Wednesday Apr 21, 2021
Scott Morrison's response to multiple allegations of sexual assault within his party has been an abject failure and a demonstration of the ongoing commitment of the government to oppression and exploitation. In this episode we welcome back Red Flag newspaper editor Louise O'Shea to discuss what has happened since accusations against attorney-general Christian Porter were made public last month, including the The Good Society resources aimed at educating students about consent and respectful relationships.
Previous episode:
https://redflag.podbean.com/e/power-politics-and-sexual-assault-with-louise-oshea/
Support Red Flag Radio on Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/redflagradiopodcast
Subscribe to Red Flag newspaper:
https://subscribe.redflag.org.au/
Hosted by Roz Ward. Produced by Liam Ward.
Music by Dan Kenny.
Saturday Apr 17, 2021
Saturday Apr 17, 2021
We have a world to win, but are we too late to avoid the 'tipping points' that trigger irreversible environmental catastrophe? There are still reasons to hope that we can save the planet, but what are the politics that can win the world? In this discussion with socialist teacher and environmental activist Jamiel Deeb, we examine the failures of reformist environmentalism and the crimes of capitalism as well as the possibilities for socialism in a hothouse earth.
Further reading:
'Net zero by 2050' means disaster' by Jack Crawford in Red Flag
'Without a revolution, we'll have climate catastrophe' by James Plested in Red Flag
Marxism and the natural world by Michael Kandelaars in Marxist Left Review
Support Red Flag Radio on Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/redflagradiopodcast
Subscribe to Red Flag newspaper:
https://subscribe.redflag.org.au/
Hosted by Roz Ward. Produced by Liam Ward.
Music by Dan Kenny.
Friday Apr 02, 2021
Friday Apr 02, 2021
Special recording of the opening night of Marxism 2021 in Melbourne featuring Aran Mylvaganam, Liz Walsh, and Omar Hassan.
Marxism Conference - www.marxismconference.org
Instagram @marxism_conference
Facebook /MarxismConference
Support Red Flag Radio on Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/redflagradiopodcast
Subscribe to Red Flag newspaper:
https://subscribe.redflag.org.au/
Hosted by Roz Ward. Produced by Liam Ward.
Music by Dan Kenny.
Tuesday Mar 16, 2021
Tuesday Mar 16, 2021
Rebellion and resistance continues in Myanmar after the Tatmadaw (Myanmar’s military) arrested State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and seized government on 1 February. Young workers and students have been at the centre of an uprising that has included mass strikes, street protests, and creative acts of civil disobedience. On this episode Burmese-Australian youth activist Ye Yint Aung and socialist Robert Narai share their perspectives and stories on the eruption of popular anger and the challenges ahead.
Further readings:
Myanmar coup: ‘The people are more united, armed with past lessons’ by Ye Yint Aung
https://amp.theage.com.au/national/myanmar-coup-the-people-are-more-united-armed-with-past-lessons-20210302-p57747.html
Myanmar’s spring revolution by Robert Narai:
https://redflag.org.au/article/myanmars-spring-revolution
Myanmar Workers and Unions on the Front Lines in Fight Against Coup by Kevin Lin:
https://labornotes.org/2021/02/myanmar-workers-and-unions-front-lines-fight-against-coup
If the Military Leaders Win, There Will Be No Unions': Myanmar Garment Workers on the Strikes Against the Coup, interview with Ma Moe Sandar Myint, Ma Ei Ei Phyu, Ma Tin Tin Wai
https://labornotes.org/2021/03/if-military-leaders-win-there-will-be-no-unions-myanmar-garment-workers-strikes-against-coup
Join us for a special panel at Marxism 2021
Follow Victorian Myanmar Youth on Facebook and Instagram for events and updates: facebook.com/vicmmyouth
Support Red Flag Radio on Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/redflagradiopodcast
Subscribe to Red Flag newspaper:
https://subscribe.redflag.org.au/
Hosted by Roz Ward. Produced by Liam Ward.
Music by Dan Kenny.
Monday Mar 08, 2021
Monday Mar 08, 2021
Allegations of a rape that took place in parliament house made by former Liberal party staffer Brittany Higgens have opened up a broader discussion on the vile sexist behaviour of federal politicians and why such a culture thrives at the highest levels of Australian politics. On this episode Red Flag newspaper contributing editor Louise O'Shea argues that these examples of sexual assault, and the inadequate responses they generate, can only be understood as part of a system of class domination, power, and gendered oppression.
Read: Right-wing culture warriors and rape
From the archive: Celebrating International Working Women’s Day with Liz Walsh and Louisa Bassini
Support Red Flag Radio on Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/redflagradiopodcast
Subscribe to Red Flag newspaper:
https://subscribe.redflag.org.au/
Hosted by Roz Ward. Produced by Liam Ward.
Music by Dan Kenny.
Wednesday Feb 17, 2021
Wednesday Feb 17, 2021
In the second of our two part special, we explore the history and practice of anarchism with socialist activists Emma and Khyl. What was the debate between Marx and Bakunin really about? How did anarchists respond to the Russian revolution? What can we learn about anarchism from the period of the Spanish Civil War? How is the history of anarchism reflected in the current priorities of anarchist activists? Why does any of this matter?
Longer read - Marxism and anarchism
Support Red Flag Radio on Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/redflagradiopodcast
Subscribe to Red Flag newspaper:
https://subscribe.redflag.org.au/
Hosted by Roz Ward. Produced by Liam Ward.
Music by Dan Kenny.
Wednesday Feb 10, 2021
Wednesday Feb 10, 2021
In the first of a two part special, we discuss some of the key theoretical differences between Anarchism and Marxism with socialist activists Emma and Khyl. What does it mean to be against all forms of authority? Why does understanding the role and nature of the state matter? How does anarchism view the revolutionary potential of the working class? What is the role of democracy and the party in revolutionary socialist organising compared to anarchism? In part two we will taker look at the history of anarchism in practice.
Deep reading - Marx and the state
Further listening - A history of Anarchism: A marxist critique
Support Red Flag Radio on Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/redflagradiopodcast
Subscribe to Red Flag newspaper:
https://subscribe.redflag.org.au/
Hosted by Roz Ward. Produced by Liam Ward.
Music by Dan Kenny.
Tuesday Feb 02, 2021
Tuesday Feb 02, 2021
Our final summer episode featuring highlights from the audio archives of the annual Marxism Conference in Melbourne. Roz's choice is presented by Dougal McNeill, Senior Lecturer in the English Programme at Victoria University of Wellington and President of the local branch of the Tertiary Education Union. In the introduction, Dougal explores the politics and work of the anti-war poets of World War One.
Read more on The Poetry of Revolution by Diane Fieldes
Marxism 2021 tickets and program information:
Support Red Flag Radio on Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/redflagradiopodcast
Subscribe to Red Flag newspaper:
https://subscribe.redflag.org.au/
Hosted by Roz Ward. Produced by Liam Ward.
Music by Dan Kenny.
Monday Jan 25, 2021
Monday Jan 25, 2021
A special listener request from the Marxism Conference archives. The Russian Revolution is one of the most hotly contested events in human history. In this episode Omar Hassan presents a revolutionary socialist perspective on these world changing events.
Russia 1917: When the People Rose by Sandra Bloodworth
Marxism 2021 tickets and program information:
Support Red Flag Radio on Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/redflagradiopodcast
Subscribe to Red Flag newspaper:
https://subscribe.redflag.org.au/
Hosted by Roz Ward. Produced by Liam Ward.
Music by Dan Kenny.
Monday Jan 18, 2021
Monday Jan 18, 2021
In 2010, Malalai Joya was named as one of Time magazine's 100 most influential people in the world. Malalai first made worldwide news when she publicly denounced the Taliban and corrupt warlords in Afghanistan who she claimed took power with American backing. In 2005, she was elected to the Afghan parliament, but two years later was banished for her fierce criticisms of corrupt elements in the Afghan government and the US occupation. Malalai was forced to live semi-underground and continues to tour the world speaking against the Taliban, corruption and misogyny in Afghanistan. Often referred to as "the bravest woman in Afghanistan" she is a writer, feminist and anti-war activist. This episode features highlights from her presentation at Marxism 2012.
Marxism 2021 tickets and program information:
Support Red Flag Radio on Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/redflagradiopodcast
Subscribe to Red Flag newspaper:
https://subscribe.redflag.org.au/
Hosted by Roz Ward. Produced by Liam Ward.
Music by Dan Kenny.
Monday Jan 11, 2021
Monday Jan 11, 2021
Another summer special edition featuring highlights from the Marxism conference archives. On this episode we hear from two Palestinian activists. Huwaida Arraf, special guest at Marxism 2018, is a Palestinian American activist and lawyer who co-founded the International Solidarity Movement (ISM). We also hear from Remi Kanazi, a poet, writer, and organiser based in New York City. He is the author of Before the Next Bomb Drops: Rising Up from Brooklyn to Palestine and Poetic Injustice: Writings on Resistance and Palestine.
Marxism 2021 tickets and program information:
Support Red Flag Radio on Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/redflagradiopodcast
Subscribe to Red Flag newspaper:
https://subscribe.redflag.org.au/
Hosted by Roz Ward. Produced by Liam Ward.
Music by Dan Kenny.
Saturday Jan 02, 2021
Saturday Jan 02, 2021
A summer special edition featuring highlights from the Marxism conference archives. On this episode we hear from Billy X Jennings a Black Panther Party veteran member, activist, educator and archivist speaking at Marxism 2013. Billy X Jennings acted as the personal aid to BPP leaders Huey Newton and David Hilliard.
We also hear from Eamonn McCann, a journalist, socialist activist and former People Before Profit MLA member from Derry, Ireland. Eamonn is recorded as part of a panel at Marxism 2015 on the subject ‘why you should be a socialist’.
Marxism 2021 tickets and program information:
Support Red Flag Radio on Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/redflagradiopodcast
Subscribe to Red Flag newspaper:
https://subscribe.redflag.org.au/
Hosted by Roz Ward. Produced by Liam Ward.
Music by Dan Kenny.