Best Fightback La Riposte Podcasts (2026)

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Crisis in the labour movement 1:47:44

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19d ago1:47:44

1:47:44

The trade union movement faces a crisis. From mass layoffs to austerity measures and attacks in the right to strike the class struggle is back. This week, Joel is joined by Donovan Ritch to discuss the crisis facing the labour movement and what needs to be done about it. Related Article - Labour movement at a crossroads Register for the Montreal Ma…

1
How to Organize Revolution 37:08

26d ago37:08

37:08

2025 has been a year of revolutions and mass movements. From the "Gen Z revolutions" to the Italian general strikes for Gaza, to the "Block Everything" movement in France - the working class has shown it's capable of shaking society to the core. But in all these movements, despite tremendous bravery, nothing has fundamentally changed. The same oppr…

1
NDP leadership race begins with a whimper 1:08:33

1M ago1:08:33

1:08:33

This week, Joel and Marco discuss the New Democratic Party leadership race and the disastrous first debate. We discuss why the party is in such dire straits to begin with and why this is representative of broader problems on the left. We explain how the crisis of capitalism is forcing some of the candidates to criticize capitalism, talk about the w…

1
Hands off Venezuela! 43:49

1M ago43:49

43:49

Trump is ramping up US Imperialism's aggression towards Venezuela. He's gathered the largest military presence to the hemisphere in decades, using false pretenses to justify military intervention and extrajudicial killings.This week we're bringing you a presentation by Joel Bergman, who explains why this is happening, and how Marxists should respon…

1
Turmoil in Quebec 58:07

1M ago58:07

58:07

There is a massive crisis in Quebec, at all levels. The CAQ has collapsed in the polls as they use their last year in power to carry out the bidding of the bosses. Quebec solidaire, the only leftwing party in Quebec, which should be benefiting from this situation, is mired in a deep crisis with MNA Vincent Marissal quitting and airing the party's d…

1
The German Revolution Explained 47:21

2M ago47:21

47:21

Understanding the German revolution of 1918-1919 is key to understanding the fate of the Soviet Union, the rise of the Nazis, and the collapse of the world revolution.This week we're bringing you a presentation on the German Revolution, explaining how it happened, and why it failed to spread the victories of the October Revolution.This presentation…

1
Is Communism Moral? 50:09

2M ago50:09

50:09

Debates about morality have become more common as the crisis of capitalism deepens. From the scandals of billionaires, to the atrocities committed by various armies, to the idea of "ethical consumption," ordinary people are beginning to question the morality of the system we live under. This week we're bringing you a presentation by Joel Bergman on…

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Carney's Big Beautiful Budget: A Marxist Analysis 54:56

2M ago54:56

54:56

The Carney Liberals presented their much expected first budget on Tuesday.As expected, this budget contains a massive ramp up in military spending combined with a huge attack on federal government employees and gifts to corporate Canada.In many ways, this is Carney's version of Trump's "Big Beautiful Bill."Joel and Marco analyze the budget from a M…

1
Marx's Revolution in Philosophy 46:39

2M ago46:39

46:39

Marxism is not just about economics, nor is it the study of obscure tomes. It's a powerful philosophical tool that helps revolutionaries understand the world, in order to change it. This week we're bringing you a presentation on the development of Marx's philosophy - where it came from, how it advanced scientific thinking, and how we can use it tod…

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The Communist Position on the Immigration Debate 1:18:12

3M ago1:18:12

1:18:12

Support for immigration has plummeted in Canada. But what is the reason for this? This week, Joel Bergman and Marco LaGrotta discuss what is behind the sentiment opposing immigration and how communists should respond to this debate. Read the article: https://www.marxist.ca/article/the-falling-support-for-immigration-and-the-marxist-approach Subscri…

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A Communist Explanation of The New World Disorder 56:47

3M ago56:47

56:47

It seems like the world has gone mad. But beneath the superficial surface of things, there are deep processes going on which help explain the tumultuous events occurring on the world stage. This past weekend in Vancouver, Joel Bergman, of the Executive Committee of the Revolutionary Communist Party explained the reasons for the rise and decline of …

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Workers Rise for Palestine! | Revolutionary Communist Podcast 48:27

3M ago48:27

48:27

Mass demonstrations have exploded across Europe to block everything for Gaza. A general strike has been declared in Italy and students have begun a strike in Spain. War materials en route to Israel have already been stopped at multiple ports. This is the way forward: mass mobilization, strikes, blockades, and a coordinated workers’ boycott. We need…

1
We Are Poor Because They Are Rich 38:41

4M ago38:41

38:41

How is it that we can work our lives away, but barely achieve more than scraping by? How is it that there are trillions of dollars to fund war and genocide, but no money for livable wages and good education? How is it that billions on earth can struggle with hunger, whilst the rich and powerful take leisure trips to space?All these questions lead u…

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How to get rid of billionaires - Mangione, Mamdani or Marx? 47:56

4M ago47:56

47:56

The hatred felt towards billionaires is at a fever pitch around the globe. The idea that “billionaires should not exist” has increased in popularity, especially amongst the youth. But how to get rid of the billionaires? In recent months, figures like Luigi Mangione and Zohran Mamdani have garnered immense support for those hoping to rid the world o…

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Capitalism Needs War 36:32

4M ago36:32

36:32

War is spreading like a plague across the globe. From the brutal war in Ukraine to the genocide in Gaza, from the conflicts in Sudan to the rising tensions in the South China sea, the world seems to be barreling towards violence and destruction. Meanwhile, arms manufacturers laugh all the way to the bank as the western imperialists increase militar…

1
Marxism vs Individual Terrorism 46:18

4M ago46:18

46:18

The assassination of Charlie Kirk is another example of rising terrorist tendencies in the United States. Some on the Left are celebrating Kirk’s demise, but what is the position of communists? While we share the disgust felt towards this right-wing demagogue, we disagree with the idea that we can defeat the ruling class and their representatives t…

1
Why YOU Should Be A Communist 50:37

4M ago50:37

50:37

All around the world, young people see only a bleak future ahead of them. Generation Z has only known a world rotten with social inequality, racism, environmental crisis and war, and a political system at the service of billionaires. By the thousands, young people are looking for explanations—how can a supposedly civilized society accept so much mi…

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The myths of Canadian Confederation 1:04:29

4M ago1:04:29

1:04:29

When you grow up in Canada, you are taught fairy tales about how the country was formed. In this talk, Rob Lyon provides a Marxist analysis of the real process that led to the foundation of Canada. This included the bloody putting down of revolutions, the oppression of francophones and the genocide of indigenous people. The provinces were also larg…

1
Flight Attendants defeat back-to-work order! What next? 1:10:02

5M ago1:10:02

1:10:02

The Air Canada flight attendants defied a back-to-work order and defeated it. This is a watershed moment for the Canadian labour movement that sets the tone for future struggles. Violations of the right to strike can and will be defeated! However, the contract being proposed by the leadership maintains unpaid work and wages under the legal minimum.…

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A Communist analysis of the rise of China 51:46

5M ago51:46

51:46

The spectacular rise of China as an economic powerhouse is one of the defining features of our epoch. But what does this represent and what should the position of Communists be? While some on the left represent China as some sort of progressive counterweight to US imperialism, this is simply not true. Capitalism was restored in China long ago and n…

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Marxism vs. Postcolonialism 48:40

5M ago48:40

48:40

Communists stand for a united struggle of all workers, regardless of nationality, race, or culture, against the capitalist system. Yet, in academic circles today, this emphasis on our shared class interests and international solidarity is often met with the accusation of being “Eurocentric.” But is dialectical materialism really a simple product of…

1
Marxism and Art 49:40

5M ago49:40

49:40

It’s a common misconception that Marxists see art merely as a product of economic relations, lacking any independent meaning or value of its own.In reality, we recognize art as an integral part of what it means to be human. Art reflects humanity’s striving to forge meaning, to understand itself, and—no less importantly—to create beauty. As such, th…

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Marxism vs. Empiricism 55:48

6M ago55:48

55:48

The dominant philosophy of any society is that of its ruling class. For our ruling class, the capitalists, that is the philosophy of empiricism. The capitalist class, when it appeared in Britain, used empiricism as a weapon against the old feudal order. Today it is the working class that poses the greatest threat to their rule, and empiricism conti…

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Doing the Bosses' Bidding 51:45

6M ago51:45

51:45

Mark Carney is doing the bidding of his corporate masters. From unfettered profiteering off of natural resources to increased militarization and massive austerity measures, he is loyally carrying out what they have been demanding. And he is empowering the state with the tools necessary to clamp down on the coming resistance. The labour movement as …

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Middle East on the brink of war: a communist analysis 46:25

7M ago46:25

46:25

2 weeks ago Israel launched a wave of strikes on Iran targeting nuclear facilities, military sites, and key officials. Iran responded to Israel's unprovoked aggression and ever since, two of the strongest powers in the Middle East have been bombing each other. This event has the potential to radically destabilize the region and world politics, and …

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So-Called "Lesser-Evil" Exposed | Revolutionary Communist Podcast 1:22:00

7M ago1:22:00

1:22:00

Many people on the left, fearful of a Poilievre victory—voted for Carney as the "lesser-evil". But just a month and a half later, Carney is now carrying out one of the most reactionary policies both domestically and internationally. Having rode an anti-Trump wave to power, Carney is now capitulating to Trump on issue after issue. This week, Joel is…

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Where is Canada Going? | RCP Political Perspectives 48:27

7M ago48:27

48:27

The privileged position Canada once enjoyed on the world stage is under threat, and this will have profound implications for politics, the economy, and the class struggle. In this speech from the 2025 Congress of the Revolutionary Communist Party, comrade Joel outlines our political and economic perspectives for the coming year. Everything that gav…

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Capitalism is killing Canada Post 1:28:37

7M ago1:28:37

1:28:37

Canada Post is in crisis. The post office has seen its market share fall and is running significant deficits. In response, management is attempting to crush the union and "amazonify" working conditions. This week, Joel is joined by Donovan Ritch to discuss the crisis in Canada Post and what the communist solution is to defend good jobs, benefits an…

1
Will Alberta Separate? 56:44

8M ago56:44

56:44

The re-election of the Liberals has led to a resurgence of the separatist movement in Alberta. Some polls place support for independence as high as 37 per cent and it looks like a referendum will take place next year. This week, Joel is joined by Rob Lyon to discuss why this is happening and the Communist approach to this question.If you agree with…

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The Rise and Fall of the Militant Tendency 58:48

8M ago58:48

58:48

By the late 1980s the Militant tendency, the organization which Ted Grant led before founding our international, became the most successful Trotskyist tendency in Britain since the founding of Trotsky’s Left Opposition. At its height Militant was a household name. Everybody knew about the Militant Tendency, not just in Britain but internationally. …

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Canadian Federal Election: A Marxist Analysis 1:02:47

8M ago1:02:47

1:02:47

This week, Marco and Joel help to unpack the results of the federal election. In particular, they help look beneath the appearances of things to get to the heart of what has just happened and draw the lessons for the left and the labour movement.Read Joel's article: https://www.marxist.ca/article/the-ruling-class-get-their-manIf you agree with our …

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‘Intifada, revolution!’ or ‘Vote Palestine’? 56:32

9M ago56:32

56:32

Description: This week, Joel and Marco discuss the Palestine solidarity movement and what tactics will help bring the movement forward. In particular they discuss issues with the Vote Palestine campaign and counterpose this to the revolutionary methods of class struggle.Read our analysis and position:https://www.marxist.ca/article/can-we-actually-v…

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The Great French Revolution: A Marxist Analysis 41:21

9M ago41:21

41:21

The French Revolution is one of the greatest events in history. It set the world on fire and ushered in a completely new epoch. In this episode, Jeremy Swinarton of the Central Committee of the Revolutionary Communist Party discusses the epic drama of the revolution. He illuminates a wealth of lessons on the dynamics of the class struggle, lessons …

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Federal election, Vote Palestine and combating the crisis 1:13:00

9M ago1:13:00

1:13:00

This week, Joel is joined by Holly Quilty of the Communist Revolution editorial board to discuss the communist approach to the federal election, our opinion of the Vote Palestine campaign and the communist approach to combating the unfolding crisis. The Communist Program to combat the crisis: https://www.marxist.ca/article/the-communist-program-to-…

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Why Is the Left So Lame? 59:57

10M ago59:57

59:57

The left is in crisis. Having adapted themselves to the capitalist establishment, both the New Democratic Party and Quebec solidaire fail to inspire. The NDP is headed for its worst electoral defeat in a generation and QS is 5th place in the polls and their leader, Gabriel Nadeau Dubois has now resigned.This week, Joel Bergman is joined by Julien A…

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The Materialist Conception of History 36:09

10M ago36:09

36:09

Can history be understood scientifically? Modern science shows us that all realms of nature are dictated by objective laws—from quantum physics to molecular biology. But most mainstream historians refuse to admit that the same is true about human society. As Marx famously said: “Men make their own history, but they do not make it as they please.” H…

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Mark Carney: A safe pair of hands for the ruling class 50:18

10M ago50:18

50:18

Canada now has a former banker, never elected to any political post in his life, in the most important seat of the country. He has miraculously resuscitated the Liberals, capitalizing on the fears raised by Trump’s threats. But while Carney may fight against Trump, the question remains: In whose interests? In this week's episode of the Revolutionar…

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The Trade War is Not OUR War: The Communist Position 43:30

10M ago43:30

43:30

The trade war has begun. Or has it? The trade war with the US threatens to rapidly shift the situation in Canada and its consequences will destroy the living standards of average workers on both sides of the border. "Team Canada" would have us believe that the only way out of the crisis is by rallying behind Canadian businesses and Canadian capital…

1
Bolshevism vs. Stalinism 1:01:18

10M ago1:01:18

1:01:18

Capitalism’s defenders love to attack communism by pointing to the atrocities perpetrated by the Stalinist regime in the USSR. Bolshevism—the ideas and methods of Lenin—can only ever result in a totalitarian dictatorship, we’re told. As for capitalism, there is no alternative. In reality, a river of blood separates Bolshevism and Stalinism. This pr…

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How Marx Became a Marxist 43:38

10M ago43:38

43:38

Together with Friedrich Engels, Karl Marx forever transformed the landscapes of philosophy, political economy, and history. As the founder of scientific socialism, he laid the theoretical foundation on which the oppressed and exploited could free themselves from the shackles of class society once and for all. Marx’s method is, to this day, essentia…

1
Trump and the Crisis of American Imperialism 52:07

11M ago52:07

52:07

Trump is once again at the head of the world’s strongest imperialist power. One month after his innauguration, he has already provoked a trade war with Canada and Mexico, and threatened to invade Panama and Greenland. His presidency has ushered in a new period of uncertainty and chaos into politics all over the world. As revolutionary communists, w…

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The Communist Position on the Trade War 48:39

11M ago48:39

48:39

The U.S.-Canada trade war has become the central question in Canadian politics. As Trump pivots U.S. foreign policy to attempt to assert the dominance of U.S. capital on the continent, politicians and business leaders are panicking, trying to avoid disaster. In response, there has been a developing mood of Canadian nationalism with widespread suppo…

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Palestine Ceasefire: What Next? 53:23

11M ago53:23

53:23

On January 19, a ceasefire took effect, ending Israel’s onslaught in Gaza. This has not meant the end of the Palestinians’ suffering; many are not able to return to their homes in North Gaza and the IDF has unleashed a new wave of attacks in the West Bank. Then, on February 4, Donald Trump proposed that the US should take over Gaza and force the wh…

1
Operation Solidarity 49:09

12M ago49:09

49:09

British Columbia in 1983 was brought to the verge of a general strike. The workers were fighting back against the draconian attacks of premier Bill Bennett who was doing the dirty work for the capitalists. The conditions that led to Operation Solidarity bear a striking resemblance to the ones we face today with economic crisis, inflation and a capi…

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Trump vs. Canada 1:03:17

12M ago1:03:17

1:03:17

Donald Trump is back in power and this time around he is threatening 25 per cent tariffs against Canadian goods. He has even gone so far as to threaten to annex Canada, turning it into a 51st state. Joel Bergman and Rob Lyon from the Revolutionary Communist party met for an episode of the Revolutionary Communist Podcast where they break down what t…

1
Free Will and Determinism 57:26

12M ago57:26

57:26

If you want to transform the world, first we must understand what role individuals can play in the development of history. That is why the question of freewill and determinism is of fundamental importance to revolutionaries today.The following presentation, by Revolutionary Communist Party activist Holly Quilty, explores this age old philosophical …

1
Government crisis as Trump threat looms 48:22

1y ago48:22

48:22

With the threat of Donald Trump hanging over them, the Trudeau government is in shambles, unable to meet the crisis of Canadian capitalism. In this episode, Joel Bergman and Marco LaGrotta discuss what this means, what we can expect in 2025, and how communists should respond. Join Us: ⁠marxist.ca/join⁠ Donate: https://www.marxist.ca/article/winter-…

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Why communists oppose NATO 37:55

1y ago37:55

37:55

Tomorrow, on November 22nd, the NATO Parliamentary summit opens in Montreal. We have been inundated with speeches from politicians and articles in the bourgeois press of how NATO is a force for peace in the world, a pillar of democracy against the tyranny of Russia and China. But how does this compare to NATO’s real history, and to the role that it…

1
Perspectives for the Canadian Class Struggle 57:58

1y ago57:58

57:58

In recent years, Canada has appeared to be an island of stability against the sea of wars, crises and class battles taking place all over the world. Canadian capitalism, however, is quickly approaching a reckoning. Debt is reaching astronomical heights, productivity is declining, and the Canadian ruling class is looking for ways to unload the burde…

1
Imperialist Crisis in the Middle East 55:01

1y ago55:01

55:01

Netanyahu's latest escalation of violence in Lebanon risks dragging the Middle East into an all-out war. In Palestine the number of dead and displaced continues to rise with no end in sight.This is the nature of capitalist imperialism in the 21st century: horror without end. That’s why we say – down with the warmongers! If we are to achieve peace, …