The Marxist turn

The New Left in the 1970s

On May 19, 2011, Platypus invited Carl Davidson, formerly of the Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) and the Guardian Weekly, Tom Riley of the International Bolshevik Tendency, and Mel Rothenberg, formerly of the Sojourner Truth Organization, to reflect on “The Marxist turn: The New Left in the 1970s.” Audio Recording Your browser does not support the audio element Transcript in Platypus Review #40 Panelists Carl Davidson (former Students for a Democratic Society) [Read More]

Trotsky's Marxism

'The point, however, is to change it'

At the 2011 Left Forum, held at Pace University in NYC between March 18-21 , Platypus hosted a conversation on “Trotsky’s Marxism.” Panelists Ian Morrison (Platypus), Susan Williams (Freedom Socialist Party), and Jason Wright (International Bolshevik Tendency) were asked to address, “What was Trotsky’s contribution to revolutionary Marxism? At one level, the answer is clear. Above even his significance as organizer of the October insurrection and leader of the Red Army during the Russian Civil War, what makes Trotsky a major figure in the history of Marxism is his status as the leader of the Left Opposition and, later, his founding of the Fourth International. [Read More]

The Legacy of Trotskyism

One of the plenary sessions held at the third annual Platypus Affiliated Society international convention, hosted by the School of the Art Institute of Chicago from April 29–May 1st, 2011, set about exploring the legacy of Trotsky’s Marxism. Audio Recording Your browser does not support the audio element Transcript in Platypus Review #38 Panelists Mike Macnair, Communist Party of Great Britain (Oxford Univ. St. Hugh College) Bryan Palmer, Trent University [Read More]

Trotsky's Marxism

A panel discussion organized by the Platypus Affiliated Society held on March 19, 2011, at Left Forum, Pace University. Audio Recording Your browser does not support the audio element A transcript of Jason Wright’s remarks appears in Platypus Review #35 A transcript of Ian Morrison’s remarks appears in Platypus Review #37 Panelists Ian Morrison—Platypus Affiliated Society; University of Chicago Jason Wright—International Bolshevik Tendency (IBT) Spencer A. Leonard—Platypus Affiliated Society; University of Chicago [Read More]