Marx’s “Critique of the Gotha Program” -- Ep. 10

Brendan and Andrew discuss Karl Marx’s Critique of the Gotha Program (https://www.marxists.org/archive/marx/works/1875/gotha/), written in 1875 to oppose the merger of two German socialist parties—one of which was supposedly Marxist—and the program of the new united party. The discussion focuses largely on the Critique’s commentary on the nature of a communist society, the transformation from one mode of production to another (and the corresponding political transition period), and the challenges of achieving real equality and freedom within a newly created communist society. Brendan and Andrew also explore the significance of Marx’s critique for revolutionary organization–– especially his opposition to the merger, even though the newly united party had 25,000 members, because he regarded its Gotha Program as a theoretical regression. In their discussion, the co-hosts refer to two talks by Andrew, “The Transformation of Capitalism into Communism in the ‘Critique of the Gotha Program’” (https://www.marxisthumanistinitiative.org/alternatives-to-capital/what-must-be-changed-in-order-to-transcend-capitalism.html) and “The Incoherence of ‘Transitional Society’ as a Marxian Concept” (https://www.marxisthumanistinitiative.org/alternatives-to-capital/video-the-incoherence-of-transitional-society.html). Plus: current-events segment on the Senate impeachment trial of Donald Trump; and the “strange bedfellows” celebration, by the campaign and supporters of Bernie Sanders, of Joe Rogan's endorsement of their candidate. * ~ * ~ * ~ * Radio Free Humanity is a podcast covering news, politics and philosophy from a Marxist-Humanist perspective. It is co-hosted by Brendan Cooney and Andrew Kliman. We intend to release new episodes every two weeks. Radio Free Humanity is sponsored by Marxist-Humanist Initiative (MHI), but the views expressed by the co-hosts and guests of Radio Free Humanity are their own. They do not necessarily reflect the views and positions of MHI. We welcome and encourage listeners’ comments, posted on this episode’s page of the MHI website. Please visit MHI’s website for information on philosophy & organization, Marxist-Humanist archives, and its online publication, “With Sober Senses”: https://www.marxisthumanistinitiative.org/