What's Left?

Aimee and Benjamin look at the CFPB as an example of Elizabeth Warren's progressive bona fides. Turns out, it's a much better example of her failure to understand political economy.

Aimee and Benjamin examine the different factions of rightwing politics and social conservatism in politics today, their conflict with liberalism, and the ways they differ from old school fascism.

Aimee and Benjamin have a long discussion with the great Adolph Reed, Jr. They talk Greta Thunberg, AOC and race, the differences between Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, and why Rachel Dolezal had to sink for identity politics to stay afloat. NOTE: This is an abridged version of a 2hr 15min discussion. To listen to the full episode, become a patron at patreon.com/whatsleft

In response to The 1619 Project, Aimee and Benjamin examine the relationship between slavery, agriculture, industrialism, and capitalism. They talk about what The New York Times gets wrong about the political economy of the origins of American capitalism, and why there's much more to the story than just slavery.

In response to recent mass shootings, Aimee and Benjamin explore the spooky realm of magic words and those who give mystical agency to language. If you'd like to hear more exclusive episodes, become a patron at patreon.com/whatsleft

Tariffs by What's Left?

On this episode, Aimee and Benjamin offer some analysis of the second round of democratic debates. They talk the framing of Bernie and Warren as the two "progressive" candidates, the media's role in bolstering Warren's campaign, and why we need to be clearer about what exactly Warren supports. NOTE: Due to some unforeseen technical limitations, this episode may sound less mastered than usual.

Is socialism the realization of liberal ideals that capitalism makes impossible? Aimee and Benjamin explore the theoretical and political implications of this question, conceptions of freedom and the good life, and where we might draw the line between liberalism and socialism.

Aimee and Benjamin take a closer look at Trump's remarks about The Squad. They talk the discourse of representation, socialism with a diverse face, and why identity politics is always a ruling-class project.

Aimee and Benjamin look at the ongoing calls for impeachment from within the Democratic party, as well as the divisions within the party between Pelosi and its more progressive members. They talk the political strategy of calling for impeachment, the beef between AOC and Pelosi, and what influential figures on the left must do to achieve power.

Aimee and Benjamin examine left and right arguments put forth which, in various ways, suggest capitalist processes and their contradictions must be deepened or heightened to produce radical change. They talk accelerationist discourse, whether social democracy is a barrier to revolution, and electoral strategies in the age of Trump. | Further Reading | Ellen Meiksins Wood. "History or Technological Determinism?" (https://www.versobooks.com/blogs/2471-history-or-technological-determinism-by-ellen-meiksins-wood) / Benjamin Noys, Malign Velocities: Accelerationism and Capitalism

Aimee and Benjamin offer their thoughts on the first two 2020 Democratic primary debates. They talk post-debate polling, "staying on message," and the weird role of children in US politics.

Aimee and Benjamin examine the different approaches to health care supported by democratic candidates. They talk medicare for those who want it, so-called "multiple paths" to medicare for all, and the fuzzy language of noncommitment.

Aimee and Benjamin examine the political conditions that defined a generation of slackers, cynics, and neoliberal punks. They talk the influence of Clintonism in the 1990s, how "challenging the establishment" became a protest no one took seriously, and why so many "young democrats" running for president can't be anything other than managers of the liberal consensus.

Aimee and Benjamin examine the structural and political problems surrounding green energy. They talk the contradictions inherent to the global nature of climate change, accelerationism vs. primitivism, and whether the potential suffering of future generations should outweigh the needs of the present.