454 episodes

News and views about the world for those who want to change it.

The Socialist Program with Brian Becker The Socialist Program

    • News
    • 4.7 • 443 Ratings

News and views about the world for those who want to change it.

    Lenin and the Path to Revolution [Part 3]

    Lenin and the Path to Revolution [Part 3]

    The Socialist Program presents a new special 3-part, more than 5-hour-long podcast series on the legacy of Russian Marxist V.I. Lenin, based on a class series by Brian Becker at The People’s Forum in November and December 2023, enhanced with historical audio recordings and more. This series provides a specific approach to studying Lenin's writings for a new generation of socialist organizers. It discusses the war in Gaza and the struggle of the Palestinian people for national liberation, and outlines Lenin's organizational and tactical outlook in the era of modern imperialism.

    This is Part 3 of Lenin and the Path to Revolution

    Below are details of historical audio clips included in this episode that may not be otherwise identified by listening:

    5:56 - Eyewitness to the Russian Revolution, from documentary ‘Images of a Revolution,’ 1987

    7:35 - Eyewitness to the Russian Revolution, from documentary ‘Images of a Revolution,’ 1987

    10:08 - Member of the public asks president Obama a question during a town hall meeting, 2009

    12:02 - Then-House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi at a town hall responding to a question from a member of the public asking if the Democratic Party could move left on economics, 2017

    54:39 - Former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Winston Churchill speaking in 1954

    58:49 - Andy Stapp of the American Servicemen's Union, speaking at the Black Panther Anti-Fascism Conference, 1969

    ///

    Help make this show possible by joining our Patreon community at patreon.com/thesocialistprogram

    • 1 hr 42 min
    Lenin and the Path to Revolution [Part 2]

    Lenin and the Path to Revolution [Part 2]

    The Socialist Program presents a new special 3-part, more than 5-hour-long podcast series on the legacy of Russian Marxist V.I. Lenin, based on a class series by Brian Becker at The People’s Forum in November and December 2023, enhanced with historical audio recordings and more. This series provides a specific approach to studying Lenin's writings for a new generation of socialist organizers. It discusses the war in Gaza and the struggle of the Palestinian people for national liberation, and outlines Lenin's organizational and tactical outlook in the era of modern imperialism.

    This is Part 2 of Lenin and the Path to Revolution

    Below are details of historical audio clips included in this episode that may not be otherwise identified by listening:

    12:28 - Eugene Puryear speaking at the National March On Washington for Palestine, November 4th 2023

    30:04 - Brian Becker speaking at anti-war rally in Washington, D.C., January 18, 2003

    56:37 - ‘John Brown’s Body’ - popular song in the U.S. Civil War

    1:36:28 - Joe Biden (then a senator) speaking in Congress, 1986

    ///

    Help make this show possible by joining our patreon community at patreon.com/thesocialistprogram

    • 1 hr 43 min
    Lenin and the Path to Revolution [Part 1]

    Lenin and the Path to Revolution [Part 1]

    The Socialist Program presents a new special 3-part, more than 5-hour-long podcast series on the legacy of Russian Marxist V.I. Lenin, based on a class series by Brian Becker at The People’s Forum in November and December 2023, enhanced with historical audio recordings and more. This series provides a specific approach to studying Lenin's writings for a new generation of socialist organizers. It discusses the war in Gaza and the struggle of the Palestinian people for national liberation, and outlines Lenin's organizational and tactical outlook in the era of modern imperialism.

    This is Part 1 of Lenin and the Path to Revolution

    Below are details of historical audio clips included in this episode that may not be otherwise identified by listening:

    5:50 - Tchaikovsky - Symphony No. 6 in B minor, Op. 74, written in 1893 (a favorite of Lenin)

    8:53 - Excerpt of Lenin’s speech “What is Soviet Power?” recorded March 1919

    14:28 - Recording of Tsar Nicolas II addressing soldiers in 1910

    37:45 - Journalist John Pilger speaking with a U.S. soldier in Vietnam, 1970

    52:02 - Eyewitness account of the February Revolution from the Kennan Institute Russian History Audio Archive

    1:21:14 - Marching Song of the First Arkansas Regiment (U.S. Civil War)

    1:28:36, 1:28:56 - News report on House Un-American Activities Committee investigation in Hollywood, 1947

    1:29:44, 1:30:15 - Anderson Cooper and Bernie Sanders at the Democratic Party presidential debate in Las Vegas, 2015

    ///

    Help make this show possible by joining our Patreon community at patreon.com/thesocialistprogram

    • 1 hr 41 min
    Danger of a Regional War, China Nuclear Proposal & U.S. Class Analysis [Preview]

    Danger of a Regional War, China Nuclear Proposal & U.S. Class Analysis [Preview]

    In this patrons-only Q&A seminar, Brian & Nicole discuss the danger of a regional war in the Middle East, U.S. crackdown on supporters of Palestine, China's proposal to the US to commit to no nuclear first strikes, a class analysis of modern U.S. society, and more.

    Links referenced during the seminar:

    Video show with Mohammad Marandi: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdCyssFsWsc

    Podcast: https://www.patreon.com/posts/iran-doesnt-want-102492180

    Petition to reinstate Professor Jodi Dean: https://www.change.org/p/revoke-professor-jodi-dean-s-suspension-from-teaching-at-hobart-and-william-smith-colleges

    Jodi's article: https://www.versobooks.com/blogs/news/palestine-speaks-for-everyone

    • 9 min
    Iran Doesn’t Want Larger War with Israel But is Ready For It w/ Prof. Mohammad Marandi

    Iran Doesn’t Want Larger War with Israel But is Ready For It w/ Prof. Mohammad Marandi

    What is Iran’s military and political strategy now that it has struck back against Israel’s illegal bombing of its embassy, and with another cycle of escalation looming? Israel’s strikes killed over a dozen people, including two Iranian generals, while Iran’s response produced no casualties. Why is Israel escalating? What does global public opinion look like towards the U.S. Empire on one side and the “Axis of Resistance” on the other? What consequences could the U.S. face in the region if Israel strikes again?

    Brian Becker is joined by Prof. Mohammad Marandi, an expert on American studies and postcolonial literature who teaches at the University of Tehran.

    Please make an urgently-needed contribution to The Socialist Program by joining our Patreon community at https://www.patreon.com/TheSocialistProgram. We rely on the generous support of our listeners to keep bringing you consistent, high-quality shows. All Patreon donors of $5 a month or more are invited to join the monthly Q&A seminar with Brian.

    • 1 hr 1 min
    Biden’s Dilemma: Israel Now Faces Defeat Despite Its Military Rampage

    Biden’s Dilemma: Israel Now Faces Defeat Despite Its Military Rampage

    U.S. officials are saying a negotiated ceasefire is near in Gaza, but Israel just killed Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh’s three sons in an airstrike, after bombing Iran’s embassy in flagrant violation of international law last week. 

    Brian Becker is joined by Mohammed Nabulsi, organizer with the Palestinian Youth Movement and an attorney based out of Houston.

    Please make an urgently-needed contribution to The Socialist Program by joining our Patreon community at https://www.patreon.com/TheSocialistProgram. We rely on the generous support of our listeners to keep bringing you consistent, high-quality shows. All Patreon donors of $5 a month or more are invited to join the monthly Q&A seminar with Brian.

    • 1 hr 1 min

Customer Reviews

4.7 out of 5
443 Ratings

443 Ratings

Katie, RN ,

Incredible info

Excellent show with Eugene Puryear. When I’m uncomfortable with such truth, I know I’m evolving and seeing things more clearly.

Tater totted ,

Unmatched in news

The only news worth listening to for me.

Francis_R_99 ,

Well informed and critical

As a leftist, The Socialist Program is a great alternative news source for me to keep up with major global events every week. Brian Becker and his guests have critical, insightful, and dialectical opinions that combat US imperial hegemony. Please support this podcast so they can continue to be a resource for those looking to remove themselves from right wing corporate media.

Top Podcasts In News

Serial
Serial Productions & The New York Times
The Daily
The New York Times
Up First
NPR
The Tucker Carlson Podcast
Tucker Carlson Network
The Ben Shapiro Show
The Daily Wire
Pod Save America
Crooked Media

You Might Also Like

Guerrilla History
Guerrilla History
Rania Khalek Dispatches
Rania Khalek
Geopolitical Economy Report
Ben Norton
Revolutionary Left Radio
Revolutionary Left Radio
Empire Files
Empire Files
Red Menace
Red Menace