The Poverty of Theory: Western Marxism vs. Anti-Imperialism. Critical Dissection w/ Gabriel Rockhill

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In this episode of “On the Barricades,” host Boyan Stanislavski is joined by philosopher Gabriel Rockhill, editor of Domenico Losurdo’s posthumous book "Western Marxism: How It Was Born, How It Died, How It Can Be Reborn." Published by Monthly Review Press, this landmark work critically examines #WesternMarxism, highlighting both its historical trajectory and present-day relevance. Alongside Rockhill is Arto Artinian, a Bulgarian-American philosopher and longtime friend of the show. Together, they dissect how Losurdo’s insights shed light on the ideological blind spots and contradictions prevalent on the Western Left, especially around the critical issue of imperialism.

This discussion, recorded on November 2, explores how Western Marxist thought aligns with or diverges from the materialist roots of #Marxism, making it a timely and essential examination for today’s leftist discourse.

0:00 - 6:30 Introduction to Western Marxism
Gabriel Rockhill contextualizes the relevance of Losurdo’s critique, especially in today’s #leftist climate, framing it as a necessary examination of the intellectual roots and imperial alignments in Western Marxist thought.


7:36 - 13:43 #Imperialism Misunderstood by the Western Left
Discussion centers on the conceptual confusion surrounding imperialism within Western leftist circles, emphasizing the system’s socio-economic and cultural dimensions, often ignored or misunderstood by prominent Marxist voices.

17:58 - 24:08 Critique of the Western Left’s Theoretical Framework
Rockhill elaborates on how key figures in Western Marxism, from #Horkheimer to #Badiou, are entrenched in an “imperial superstructure,” leading to a lack of genuine critical engagement with the realities of imperialism and class struggle.

36:11 - 39:08 Dialectics of #Liberal #Democracy and #Authoritarianism
A nuanced discussion on liberal democracy’s role within imperialism, illustrating how even self-proclaimed democracies can foster authoritarian control, especially in the global political landscape.

1:16:43 - 1:19:07 Cultural #Fascism and Media Control
Rockhill examines the extensive media apparatus of the U.S., underscoring how cultural fascism is embedded within capitalist democracies, wielding #control over public narratives to reinforce imperialist interests.

1:28:23 - 1:31:25 Closing Thoughts and the Role of Critical Theory Workshop ‪@criticaltheoryworkshop5299‬
The conversation concludes with Rockhill discussing the goals of the #CriticalTheoryWorkshop, aiming to challenge Western #academic #hegemony and foster a global perspective that genuinely critiques and resists imperialist ideology.