Light & Airwaves

Marxist Unity Group
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The podcast of Marxist Unity Group (MUG), a caucus in the Democratic Socialists of America dedicated to winning the battle for democracy and socialism. Check out our Points of Unity at marxistunity.com

  1. 30m ago

    Ian Forgie on How the Constitution Dooms Us All

    The midterms have passed! But there's no democracy in sight. In this episode, we talk with Ian Forgie, a MUG member and author of the article "⁠Fighting for True Democracy: A Socialist Primer on the Constitution’s Structural Provisions," which will be included in MUG's forthcoming Pink Book. We discuss the dead ends of fighting for radical change within the existing political playing field; the Insular Cases and the U.S. as an imperial and colonial power; Jacobin magazine’s 4th of July discussion; and the meaning of Reconstruction. As always, you can learn more about MUG at marxistunity.com

  2. Oct 28

    Brandy R. on Russian Social Democracy and All-Sided Political Agitation

    In this episode, we talk with MUG member Brandy R. about Russian Social Democracy. We cover the development of Marxism in Russia, the place of factions within the larger Russian Social Democratic Labour Party (RSDLP), the differences between the Bolshevik and Menshevik factions, and the RSDLP's most famous literary organ, Iskra. The conversation draws from Lenin's What Is To Be Done? (especially Chapter 3), the RSDLP's 1903 program, Neil Harding's Lenin's Political Thought, Harding and Neil Taylor's Marxism in Russia, and Richard Mullin's Lenin and the Iskra Faction of the RSDLP. ⁠⁠Learn more about MUG⁠⁠⁠⁠, including our magazine, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Light and Air⁠⁠⁠⁠, by heading over to marxistunity.com.

  3. Oct 21

    Marlowe Boettcher on Mark Fisher and Capitalist Realism

    In this episode, we talk with Marlowe Boettcher, a MUG member and co-host of the podcast Lost Futures: A Mark Fisher Podcast. Topics include the life and times of Mark Fisher, the ongoing appeal of Fisher, and the continued relevance of his work. We also ponder a recurring question: What does it mean to fight the undemocratic Constitution and finish Reconstruction? ⁠Learn more about MUG⁠⁠⁠, including our magazine, ⁠⁠⁠Light and Air⁠⁠⁠. Check out how to ⁠⁠⁠become a member of DSA⁠⁠⁠.

    Marlowe Boettcher on Mark Fisher and Capitalist Realism

  4. Oct 14

    The Battle for Democracy Can Remake the Working Class

    In this audio article from MUG's journal, Light & Air, author Steven R. reads "The Battle for Democracy Can Remake the Working Class," published on July 24, 2026. All of our articles can be found at marxistunity.com.

  5. Oct 7

    August Nimtz on Lenin's Political Strategy, Social Democracy, and Louisiana v. Callais⁠

    In this episode, we talk with August Nimtz, a professor and author of several books on Marxist history and theory, including  Marx and Engels: Their Contribution to the Democratic Breakthrough and The Communist and the Revolutionary Liberal in the Second American Revolution: Comparing Karl Marx and Frederick Douglass in Real-Time. Topics include Lenin and the Bolsheviks' political strategy as presented in The Ballot, The Street—Or Both?⁠, the relevance of Social Democratic political strategy today, and the recent Supreme Court decision in Louisiana v. Callais. August previously spoke about Marx and Frederick Douglass during the American Civil War on the Democratic Constitution Podcast. ⁠Learn more about MUG⁠⁠⁠, including our magazine, ⁠⁠⁠Light and Air⁠⁠⁠. Check out how to ⁠⁠⁠become a member of DSA⁠⁠⁠.

    August Nimtz on Lenin's Political Strategy, Social Democracy, and Louisiana v. Callais⁠

  6. Sep 30

    The Florence Program

    Welcome to another Light & Airwaves audio article. At MUG’s National Congress in late 2023, we voted to charter a program committee, whose mandate would be to investigate the history of the Marxist political program and to produce a program. The Florence Program was the result. Finalized at MUG's 2025 Congress, it remains a model for what we hope DSA will adopt. You can read the program here. ⁠Learn more about MUG⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, including our magazine, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Light and Air⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, by visiting marxistunity.com. Check out how to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠become a member of DSA⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ by visiting dsausa.org.

  7. Sep 23

    Mike Macnair on Marxist Strategy and the Relevance of Second International History

    In this episode, we talk with Mike Macnair, a contributor to the Weekly Worker and author of Revolutionary Strategy. Mike's work has influenced MUG from the beginning. Topics include the impetus for his book, the need for the left to reevaluate the history of the Second International, the pitfalls of the first four Comintern congresses, and confusion around the term "bourgeois democracy" (it's a contradiction in terms). Articles referenced in the discussion include "Programme: Lessons of Erfurt," "Control the Bureaucrats," and "For a minimum programme!" Other relevant articles include "Republicanism Was Central to Karl Marx's Thought" and "'Transitional' to what?" ⁠Learn more about MUG⁠⁠⁠, including our magazine, ⁠⁠⁠Light and Air⁠⁠⁠, by visiting marxistunity.com. Check out how to ⁠⁠⁠become a member of DSA⁠⁠⁠ by visiting dsausa.org.

    Mike Macnair on Marxist Strategy and the Relevance of Second International History

  8. Sep 16

    Introducing MUG's Journal: Light & Air

    In this audio article, we read the first publication in Light & Air: a statement from the editorial board welcoming everyone to the official publication of Marxist Unity Group. It was originally published on February 23, 2025. We will periodically post other audio articles from Light & Air, sharing the excellent writing our members are producing in the service of fighting the Constitution and winning a democratic republic.

    Introducing MUG's Journal: Light & Air
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About

The podcast of Marxist Unity Group (MUG), a caucus in the Democratic Socialists of America dedicated to winning the battle for democracy and socialism. Check out our Points of Unity at marxistunity.com

Information

  • Creator
    Marxist Unity Group
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    15
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Marxist Unity Group
  • Show Website
    Light & Airwaves

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