In honour of the anniversary of the Russian Revolution, Marxist Voice is proud to present a special episode. This Q&A with Rob Sewell, author of In Defence of Lenin, was recorded last night in front of an audience of communists in London eager to hear about the life and ideas of Lenin.

The crisis of world capitalism clearly raises the need to train the next generation of Leninists. As we celebrate the Russian Revolution this year, it is clear that our task is to study the lessons of history so we can struggle for revolution today.

In Defence of Lenin by Alan Woods and Rob Sewell can be purchased at Wellred Britain.

In the latest In Defence of Marxism magazine, Trotsky's theory of the Permanent Revolution is explained. This theory has gone down in history, as Stalin used it to try and divide Lenin and Trotsky. By the time these debates arose, the question had already been solved by history, in Trotsky's favour.

Trotsky's theory was first written in his book Results and Prospects and was based on the experience of the 1905 revolution in Russia. The new magazine begins with this revolution and the formation of Trotsky's theory.

Here, Joe Attard, author of the article, discusses the article in question.

You can buy the magazine here: https://wellredbooks.co.uk/product/idom-51/

The Spanish Civil War was one of the greatest revolutionary struggles of the 20th century—and one of its greatest betrayals.

At the RCP Summer Camp, Joe Russell explained how the working class of Spain rose against fascism and capitalism, only to be betrayed by the Stalinists, the reformists, and the centrist leadership of the POUM.

Joe outlines the main lesson of 1936–39: without a revolutionary party rooted in the working class and Marxist theory, even the most heroic struggles can be defeated.

From the Stalinist counterrevolution to the betrayal of the Popular Front, this talk highlights the burning need for a genuine communist leadership.

For revolutionaries today, the Spanish Civil War shows the dangers of reformism, centrism, and class collaboration, and the necessity of building a revolutionary organisation. This talk is essential for anyone interested in anti-fascism, communism, and the history of the class struggle.

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The struggle against South African apartheid is a source of inspiration across the world. However, the understanding of how it was overthrown is limited, especially in the West.

With the struggle to free Palestine, this topic holds a particular importance, as many on the left explain their support for the Boycott, Divest, Sanction movement on the lessons of South Africa.

But what does this period really tell us about how our struggle today can be successful?

In this talk from Revolution Festival 2024, Fiona Lali explains the view of communists on this vital struggle.

The genocide of Palestinians over the last 2 years has become a lightening rod for all the accumulated anger in society. People have been exposed to the bombing of hospitals, videos of mothers pulling their babies from the rubble and the vile response from governments internationally - that Israel 'has the right to defend itself'.

Since October 7th 2023, millions across the world have come out to defend Palestine with demonstrations and encampments. It is clear that more is needed. The general strike in Italy has shown the way forward.

Speaking at a meeting of the RCP in Central London, Fiona Lali lays out how the Palestine movement can be successful and the job of communists in achieving this.

Is artificial intelligence truly conscious—or is it just hype? At Revolution Festival 2024, Daniel Morley applies the Marxist method to cut through the illusions surrounding AI. While tech billionaires claim AI is a revolution on par with human thought, Marxism shows that consciousness is not simply data processing but a product of labour, society, and material conditions. By examining the difference between artificial intelligence and human consciousness, the talk explores what makes humans unique and why bourgeois science misunderstands the nature of the mind.

This talk is essential listening for anyone following debates on AI, automation, and the future of work under capitalism. From the standpoint of Marxist philosophy, Daniel explains why only communism can unlock the real potential of technology—freeing it from profit and placing it at the service of humanity.

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Marxism is not just a political programme—it is a scientific world outlook. At the RCP Summer Camp, Khaled Malachi explains the role of Marxist philosophy and why dialectical materialism is the most advanced method for understanding reality. From physics to biology, science confirms the revolutionary insights of Marxist dialectics. While bourgeois philosophers remain trapped in idealism and formal logic, Marxists uncover the processes of contradiction, transformation, and revolutionary change at the heart of nature and society.

This talk draws on the classic works Anti Duhring and Reason in Revolt, showing how Engels and Ted Grant applied Marxist philosophy to the latest developments in science. For those seeking to understand the unity of Marxist theory, modern physics, and revolutionary politics, Khaled’s talk demonstrates why dialectics is indispensable for communists fighting to overthrow capitalism today. It is a powerful introduction to the Marxist method, science, and the fight for socialism in the modern world.

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The rise and fall of the Fourth International is one of the most important lessons for communists today. At the World Congress of the Revolutionary Communist International, Rob Sewell explains how the degeneration of the leadership of the Fourth International left the working class without a revolutionary party. Ted Grant’s sharp criticisms of the opportunism and sectarianism of the leadership are more relevant than ever for revolutionaries seeking to rebuild genuine Marxism.

By revisiting the successes, failures, and betrayals of the Fourth, we gain the necessary clarity to understand why a mass revolutionary communist international is essential in the fight against capitalism today. For listeners interested in the history of communism, Trotskyism, and revolutionary strategy, this talk offers key lessons on how Marxists must organise, study the ideas, and assess perspectives, and why the method of Marx, Engels, Lenin, Trotsky, and Ted Grant remains the indispensable guide for overthrowing capitalism in the 21st century.

🔗 ⁠⁠Head to our website for more analysis on the topic⁠⁠

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