Pragmatic, non-dogmatic left-wing books and podcasts

1. Eurocentrism and the Communist Movement by Robert Biel

Robert Biel examines how Eurocentrism has influenced Marxist theory and practice, arguing that traditional Marxism often centers European experiences and perspectives, neglecting the diverse economic and social realities of non-European societies. This Eurocentric bias can lead to a misunderstanding of revolutionary potential and effective struggles in the Global South.

2. The "Decolonized Buffalo" podcast

The "Decolonized Buffalo" podcast delves into decolonial theories, Indigenous perspectives, and current events. Hosted by Rick, a citizen of the Comanche Nation, the podcast features discussions on topics such as federal Indian law, the impact of colonialism, and the intersection of Marxism and decolonization. It is characterized by its critical, educational tone and its focus on Indigenous sovereignty and social justice​. Rick gets down to brass tacks and reminds us that settler colonialism is the primary contradiction on Turtle Island and that theory is meant to be used as a tool to achieve liberation, not the infallible, most correct, and only truth!

3. Blackshirts and Reds by Michael Parenti

The best explanation of fascism I've ever read!

Parenti examines the relationship between fascism and capitalism, arguing that fascism often serves as a tool for the capitalist class to maintain control during times of crisis. He suggests that the primary function of fascist movements, such as the Blackshirts in Italy, was to suppress working-class movements and protect capitalist interests. Parenti emphasizes that fascism and capitalism are deeply interconnected, with the former acting as a violent enforcer of the latter.

4. Rules for Radicals by Saul Alinsky

Alinksy’s primer outlines a set of rules and principles for activists to use in their efforts to effect social change. These include understanding and leveraging the dynamics of power, using creative tactics to attract attention and galvanize support, and maintaining flexibility to adapt to changing circumstances. Alinsky stresses the importance of staying pragmatic and results-oriented, using whatever means necessary to achieve the desired outcomes.

5. Sandy and Nora Talk Politics Podcsat

Hosted by Canadian activists Sandy Hudson and Nora Loreto, the tone of this podcast is often confrontational, irreverent, and earnest, as the hosts tackle complex and often controversial topics with a sense of urgency and commitment to social justice. Their discussions are deeply informed by their backgrounds as activists and their dedication to challenging systemc injutices.

6. Doppelganger by Naomi Klein

Naomi Klein's "Doppelganger" explores the unsettling experience of being frequently mistaken for Naomi Wolf, especially as Wolf began promoting conspiracy theories about COVID-19. Klein uses this confusion as a springboard to delve into broader societal issues, such as the spread of misinformation, the distortion of leftist language by the right, and the rise of "diagonalism"—an unlikely alliance between far-right and New Age movements. The book also reflects on personal and political identity, examining how these mirror-world dynamics reveal deeper truths about contemporary politics and society.

7. The Origins of Totalitarianism by Hannah Arendt

Hannah Arendt may have been a liberal (gasp!) but she was the smartest and most principled liberal to have ever lived. She borrowed form her experience as a Jewish woman escaping Nazi germany to analyze how totalitarianism was a new, emerging form of political organization that sought to control every aspect of one’s daily life using propaganda and terror to retain control. She would absolutely think that the internet, social media, tech giants, and surveillance have turned our current society into a totalitarian one!

Readers, I was once in a really theory-heavy Marxist “political party” that was basically an elaborate book club. I suggested that we read “Blackshirts and Reds” and was quickly put in my place!

Parenti was the incorrect subtype of Marxist-Leninist, you see, so we must not engage with his harmful ideas.

Forget the fact that that book contains the best explanation of fascism I’ve ever seen.

And here I am including viewpoints from people who decolonize theory and understand it as the tool (one of many) that it is, and heck, even a liberal!

Those who buy into campism and tribalism are the types of people who are easily manipulated by disinformation, ineffective/petty idealism, and navel-gazing on small details rather than taking aligned, effective and bottom-up action.

Read and listen to solid, intelligent, and well-informed thinkers such as the ones listed above. Read better books and listen to better podcasts than what I suggested! I don’t have the ultimate truth!

Value steady progress towards total liberation over aligning yourself with a very specific ideology and rejecting all others. Be open to the idea that a well-rounded person gets exposed to a wider variety of perspectives, giving them a larger toolbox from which to draw their strategy.

Trust your own intelligence and critical thinking skills. Have sovereignty over your own mind and don’t let anyone take that away from you. You are a smart person and you can see that there are a lot of problems in the world. Keep seeing things through your eyes, but keep sharpening your vision as well. If your viewpoint shifts, sharpens, and blends over the years, going back and forth between different related and interconnected ideas, that’s not something you should be afraid of and not a reason for you to be excommunicated. It’s called being a normal human being with a wide variety of life experiences.