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Aaron J. Leonard returns to the show to discuss his newest book "Meltdown Expected: Crisis, Disorder, and Upheaval at the End of the 1970s". The final years of the 1970's were a moment of crisis and transition for the United States, both at home and abroad. Today, in 2024, we are also in a moment of crisis and transition - though without the benefit of hindsight we struggle to see where this transition might lead; moreover, we still have the ability to learn from the past and influence this transition through political struggle. Aaron not only writes about this period as a historian, but also lived through this period as a Marxist and an organizer and has personal as well as professional reflections on it. Together, Aaron and Breht talk about the end of the 70's, the imperial crisis in the middle east (specifically regarding Iran) which still shapes regional politics to this day, The opening up of China and its consequences, Jimmy Carter and the rise of neoliberalism, de-industrialization inside the US, the shifts in and around the FBI, the changes in music and culture, and much more. 
Check out all of Aaron's previous interviews on Rev Left HERE
Get 15% off any book in the Left Wing Books Library HERE
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Support Rev Left and get access to over 300 bonus episodes in our back catalogue, as well as new bonus episodes each month. 
 

In our final installment of our Modern China series, we conclude with this important, and inevitably controversial discussion of the Deng Reforms and the Reform Period!  Very important that no matter your ideological tendencies, you come into this episode with an open mind, because there will be a lot of useful information for you regardless of how you analyze the Deng Reforms overall - this is meant primarily as a resource to allow you to deepen your personal understanding and analysis of this critical juncture in Chinese and world history.  We definitely want to also thank Ken for spending over 6 hours with us on this mini-series, and we hope that you all get some use from it!
Check out episodes 1 - 3 HERE
Ken Hammond is Professor of East Asian and Global History at New Mexico State University. He has been engaged in radical politics since his involvement in the anti-war movement at Kent State in 1968-70.  Ken is also the author of the book China’s Revolution & the Quest for a Socialist Future.

Breht opens up about his lifelong struggle with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder in the hopes that it might help others. He discusses developing contamination OCD as a child after a traumatic event, reflects on how his OCD has morphed over the years and taken on different forms, and offers words of encouragement, loving compassion, and hope for those dealing with this condition. 
OCD Interviews to watch:
Interview with Kate Interview with Steve the Clown OCD books to read:
The Mindfulness Workbook for OCD: A Guide for Overcoming Obsessions and Compulsions Using Mindfulness and Cognitive Behvaioral Therapy Rewire Your OCD Brain: Neuroscience-Based Skills to Break Free from Obsessive Thougths and Fears Other OCD Resources:
OCD Recovery Youtube Channel OCD and Anxiety Youtube Channel (liscensed therapist) Reid Wilson, PHD (OCD specialist) International OCD Foundation Giving Up The Internal Battle (Fear of Fear in OCD)  
Outro Song: "Yellow Datsun" by Neva Dinova

Students and organizers Cheli and Phia join Alyson and Breht to discuss their different experiences on the front lines of student encampments at Cal State LA and the University of Oregon. Together, they discuss the reasons for their protests, share the differing reactions from university administrations and faculty, and give listeners an inside look at the negotiations, stratagies, and current developments of the encampments - all while highlighting the reason they are doing this in the first place: to help work toward a free and liberated Palestine!
Help baby Fai'a in Gaza get surgery for a genetic disorder HERE 
We Are Not Numbers
Follow Students for Justice in Palestine at CSU Los Angeles HERE
Outro Song:
 "The Sound of War (Remix) by Eddy Mack, Norhan, and Abu Batata
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Support Rev Left and get access to over 300 bonus episodes in our back catalogue, as well as new bonus episodes each month. 

Philosopher Scott Sehon joins Breht to discuss his new book "Socialism: A Logical Introduction". Together they analyze arguments in favor of capitalism, argue against them, and defend socialism as a superior form of socio-economic organization in the process. They discuss different definitions of socialism, social democracy vs. democratic socialism, have a friendly back and forth about the Soviet Union, the role of morality and values in political debate, wealth inequality and its deleterious impact on society, the contradiction within capitalism between free markets and monopoly formation, democracy v. markets, and much more. 
 
Get 15% off any book in the Left Wing Books Library HERE
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Support Rev Left and get access to over 300 bonus episodes in our back catalogue, as well as new bonus episodes each month. 

In this episode of Guerrilla History, we get into part 3 of our 4 part miniseries on modern Chinese history featuring Ken Hammond (and guest host Breht O'Shea of Revolutionary Left Radio) with an amazing discussion of The Great Leap Forward and The Cultural Revolution! 

If you haven't already listened to part 1 of the series, on the Taiping and Boxer Rebellions, or part 2 on The Chinese Revolution & Civil War, be sure to go back and check those out because we pick up right where we left off last time.  With these final two episodes in the series, we enter the period where various ideological traditions diverge in their analysis of the events, but regardless of what ideological background you come from, we encourage you to listen to these and engage with the information, as we believe the information will help you deepen your own analysis regardless of your ideological position.  
Ken Hammond is Professor of East Asian and Global History at New Mexico State University. He has been engaged in radical politics since his involvement in the anti-war movement at Kent State in 1968-70.  Ken is also the author of the book China’s Revolution & the Quest for a Socialist Future.
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