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Light & Airwaves

Marxist Unity Group

The podcast of Marxist Unity Group (MUG), a caucus in the Democratic Socialists of America dedicated to winning the battle for democracy and socialism. Check out our Points of Unity at marxistunity.com

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  • 12 episodes
  • weekly
  • Avg 45 min
  • English

Episodes 12

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  • Yesterday · 18 min

    The Battle for Democracy Can Remake the Working Class

    In this audio article from MUG's journal, Light & Air, author Steven R. reads "The Battle for Democracy Can Remake the Working Class," published on July 24, 2026. All of our articles can be found at marxistunity.com.

  • October 7 · 52 min

    August Nimtz on Lenin's Political Strategy, Social Democracy, and Louisiana v. Callais⁠

    In this episode, we talk with August Nimtz, a professor and author of several books on Marxist history and theory, including Marx and Engels: Their Contribution to the Democratic Breakthrough and The Communist and the Revolutionary Liberal in the Second American Revolution: Comparing Karl Marx and Frederick Douglass in Real-Time. Topics include Lenin and the Bolsheviks' political strategy as presented in The Ballot, The Street—Or Both?⁠, the relevance of Social Democratic political strategy today, and the recent Supreme Court decision in Louisiana v. Callais. August previously spoke about Marx and Frederick Douglass during the American Civil War on the Democratic Constitution Podcast. ⁠Learn more about MUG⁠⁠⁠, including our magazine, ⁠⁠⁠Light and Air⁠⁠⁠. Check out how to ⁠⁠⁠become a member of DSA⁠⁠⁠.

  • September 30 · 30 min

    The Florence Program

    Welcome to another Light & Airwaves audio article. At MUG’s National Congress in late 2023, we voted to charter a program committee, whose mandate would be to investigate the history of the Marxist political program and to produce a program. The Florence Program was the result. Finalized at MUG's 2025 Congress, it remains a model for what we hope DSA will adopt. You can read the program here. ⁠Learn more about MUG⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, including our magazine, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Light and Air⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, by visiting marxistunity.com. Check out how to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠become a member of DSA⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ by visiting dsausa.org.

  • September 23 · 44 min

    Mike Macnair on Marxist Strategy and the Relevance of Second International History

    In this episode, we talk with Mike Macnair, a contributor to the Weekly Worker and author of Revolutionary Strategy. Mike's work has influenced MUG from the beginning. Topics include the impetus for his book, the need for the left to reevaluate the history of the Second International, the pitfalls of the first four Comintern congresses, and confusion around the term "bourgeois democracy" (it's a contradiction in terms). Articles referenced in the discussion include "Programme: Lessons of Erfurt," "Control the Bureaucrats," and "For a minimum programme!" Other relevant articles include "Republicanism Was Central to Karl Marx's Thought" and "'Transitional' to what?" ⁠Learn more about MUG⁠⁠⁠, including our magazine, ⁠⁠⁠Light and Air⁠⁠⁠, by visiting marxistunity.com. Check out how to ⁠⁠⁠become a member of DSA⁠⁠⁠ by visiting dsausa.org.

  • September 16 · 7 min

    Introducing MUG's Journal: Light & Air

    In this audio article, we read the first publication in Light & Air: a statement from the editorial board welcoming everyone to the official publication of Marxist Unity Group. It was originally published on February 23, 2025. We will periodically post other audio articles from Light & Air, sharing the excellent writing our members are producing in the service of fighting the Constitution and winning a democratic republic.

  • September 9 · 45 min

    Steven Raney on Democracy and How the Working Class Will Rule

    In this episode, we talk with Steven Raney, a MUG member and author of the recent Light and Air article, "The Battle for Democracy Can Remake the Working Class." Topics include remaking the working class as "history’s revolutionary protagonist," the “restorers” and “renewers” in the Democratic Party, why socialists must consider how the working class will rule, and why the answer to that question lies in a Third Reconstruction and a democratic constitution based on universal and equal suffrage. Steven mentions Mike Davis's Prisoners of the American Dream. In our second episode, Gerald Horne presented on Reconstruction as part of our reading group on W. E. B. Du Bois's Black Reconstruction. ⁠Learn more about MUG⁠⁠⁠, including our magazine, ⁠⁠⁠Light and Air⁠⁠⁠, by heading over to marxistunity.com. Our caucus application is open until September 18.

  • September 2 · 46 min

    America at 250: The Ongoing Struggle for Democracy and Equal Rights with Aziz Rana

    Trump and the Republicans are wrapping themselves in the flag and claiming they are upholding the principles of universal and equal rights found in the Declaration of Independence. The Democrats are also wrapping themselves in the flag and claiming only they can defend us against Trump and restore the rights we have lost. If socialists do not intervene in conversations around democracy, rights, and the Constitution, the bourgeoisie will control the narrative.In the spirit of political interventions, MUG hosted a talk with author and educator Aziz Rana. The conversation covered what socialists should keep in mind when considering the Declaration of Independence and the founding of the United States; how social movements in the United States and abroad have related to the Declaration, especially the idea of universal and equal rights; and where DSA’s call for a democratic constitution stands within the long history of American socialism. ⁠Learn more about MUG⁠⁠⁠, including our magazine, ⁠⁠⁠Light and Air⁠⁠⁠. Check out how to ⁠⁠⁠become a member of DSA⁠⁠⁠.

  • August 26 · 32 min

    Siobhan McDonough on the Supreme Court, the Bill of Rights, and Creating Majorities

    In this episode, we talk with Siobhan McDonough, a MUG member and author of "Political Freedom: Its Allies & Its Enemies" and "Against the Cult of the Robe" in Light and Air. Topics include the ongoing attacks on our civil and political rights, misconceptions surrounding the Bill of Rights, the Supreme Court, and why principled politics creates rather than reflects majorities. ⁠Learn more about MUG⁠⁠⁠, including our magazine, ⁠⁠⁠Light and Air⁠⁠⁠. Check out how to ⁠⁠⁠become a member of DSA⁠⁠⁠.

  • August 19 · 2 hr 6 min

    Which Way to a Partyist Labor Strategy in DSA?

    This is a recording of a June debate about labor strategy in DSA. It was recorded in June, hosted by MUG, and moderated by Sid C. W. of MUG and DSA's National Political Committee. The debate included participants from four caucuses/formations in DSA who supported the "For a Partyist Labor Strategy" amendment at the 2025 DSA National Convention. They are Emma B. (Reform & Revolution), Lavender C. (MUG), Alex M. (Libertarian Socialist Caucus), and Martina M. (Springs of Revolution). You can find a video of the debate on MUG's YouTube channel.

  • August 12 · 50 min

    Cliff Connolly on Visions of Democracy and DSA's Workers Deserve More Program

    We talk with Cliff Connolly, a member of MUG and DSA's National Political Committee (NPC), and the author of "MUG's Vision of Democracy" in Light and Air. Discussion topics include Cliff's journeys across five different DSA chapters, the Workers Deserve More Program, and MUG's orientation toward a min-max program, tribunes of the people, vanguard parties, and true democracy. Enjoy! Learn more about MUG⁠, including our magazine, ⁠Light and Air⁠. Check out how to ⁠become a member of DSA⁠.

  • August 5 · 51 min

    Dr. Gerald Horne on W. E. B. Du Bois and the Significance of Black Reconstruction

    W.E.B. Du Bois's Black Reconstruction in America is a groundbreaking Marxist history of the rise and fall of Reconstruction in the United States—the world-historic revolution of democracy in the South led by formerly enslaved Black people, and the racist counter-revolution of the white planter class that swept away this new society and delivered Jim Crow. Dr. Gerald Horne provides an introduction to the book, including a biography of Du Bois and an assessment of the work's strengths and limitations. Dr. Horne wrote about Du Bois for The Nation. Marxist Unity Group is hosting a reading group of Black Reconstruction through October 11. It's open to the public. Please register at https://tinyurl.com/y45fuze9 ⁠Learn more about MUG⁠⁠⁠, including our magazine, ⁠⁠⁠Light and Air⁠⁠⁠. Check out how to ⁠⁠⁠become a member of DSA⁠⁠⁠.

  • July 29 · 41 min

    Jenna Grove on MUG's Origins, Abolitionism, and Fighting the Constitution

    Welcome to the show! In our first episode, we talk with Jenna Grove, a MUG member and author of "Fight the Constitution! Demand a New Republic!" and "The Abolitionist Dirty Break." Topics include the origins of Marxist Unity Group, the relevance of Antebellum abolitionist political strategy, why we need a new Constitution, and grassroots organizing in Florida. Jenna is one of the original MUG members, and her perspective on the caucus's founding and the need it fills on the American Left makes for a great introduction. Enjoy! Oliver Larkin gets a shoutout. His NEC discussion with Aziz Rana and Richie Floyd can be found here. ⁠Marxist Unity Slate's 2021 convention proposals can be found here. Learn more about MUG⁠⁠, including our magazine, ⁠⁠Light and Air⁠⁠. Check out how to ⁠⁠become a member of DSA⁠⁠.

Showing 1–12 of 12 episodes