Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Marxism And The Left-Right Division In South Korea, Hyun Ok Park

Class, Race and Corporate Power

This paper delves into the dynamics of Korean Marxism and its political implications across three pivotal historical periods: the university student movement from the 1980s to the early 1990s, the era from the 1990s to the 2000s, and finally, the contemporary landscape characterized by the emergence of mass protests, the ascent of the far-right, and the spread of populism. It aims to provide insights into revitalizing Marxism in South Korea.

This paper is based on the authors talk presented in the panel, “Peril and Possibilities: Academic Marxism, Class Struggle, and the Growth of the Right Worldwide,” at the Socialist …

The Right-Wing Attacks On The Academic Left In India, Raju J. Das

Class, Race and Corporate Power

While right-wing attacks on the ideas of democracy and socialism in academia are a worldwide trend, in the remainder of the paper, I will focus on India, considered to be the largest democracy in the world. India has become a hotbed of right-wing politics, led by an authoritarian Hindu-nationalist government of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). There are various reasons why this has happened which this paper will not discuss (Das, 2020a; Jaffrelot, 2021; Vanaik, 2017). Suffice to say that the BJP is the political wing of the fascistic paramilitary organization called RSS (or, National Volunteer Corps) which, in part …

Academic Marxism In The Crosshairs: What Is At Stake In The U.S.?, Robert E. Latham

Class, Race and Corporate Power

This essay considers the nature of attacks on academic Marxism in North America, still the center of capitalist power worldwide. Its main aim is to reflect on what is at stake in the surge of anti-Marxism associated with the right, specifically relating to the academy. While the far left poses little threat to the core of liberal capitalist power in the state and economy (and if anything is helping “do work” for the centre against the far right), the far right has made Marxism, especially academic Marxism, a core target and framing for its battle against liberal power and the …

Preface, Raju J. Das, Robert E. Latham

Class, Race and Corporate Power

The three articles were originally presented as papers on a panel organized by Robert Latham, at the Socialist Studies Conference at York University in 2023. While more or less focused on Marxism in academia, the articles deal with different regional contexts: Hyun Ok Park deals with South Korea, Robert Latham with the US, and Raju Das with India.

Building Global Labor Solidarity: Where We Are Today (Early 2024), Kim Scipes

Class, Race and Corporate Power

Labor activists have long-been encouraging workers to build international labor solidarity to empower each other and to improve all workers’ lives and well-being going back to before the First International. This tradition, while dismembered by the Cold War between the US and the UK on one hand and the Soviet Union on the other, has been resuscitated since the 1970s, with efforts by activists, scholars, and some workers to build cross-national border solidarity across the globe for workers, an effort that is growing.

This paper details these efforts, dividing the work between 1978-2011 and 2011 to today, listing some of …

Of Race, Racism And Racially Motivated Offences: A Review Of The Hate Crime And Public Order (Scotland) Act 2021, Olufemi O. Ilesanmi, Danielle Mckandie

Class, Race and Corporate Power

A relationship of social and legal significance seems to exist between the prohibition of expressions or manifestations of racism and the society’s preservation of racial diversity. To discourage racial prejudice and thereby protect each race, the state must manage its diversity well by legislating against racist hate offences. In Scotland, for example, the government boldly accepted that hate crimes, including racially motivated offences, are a serious problem requiring closer attention. Through its Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act 2021, the state resolves to tackle related criminality.

Focusing on the Act, this review examines whether or how race within the …

Capitalism, Global Militarism, And Canada’S Investment In The Caribbean, Tamanisha J. John

Class, Race and Corporate Power

At the end of the 1990s, there existed a belief that a growing Canadian military involvement in the Caribbean region was unlikely if it was not associated with Canada’s interest in Latin America (Klepak 1996). This view had such a large impact that today there is a dearth of information on Canada’s military involvement in the Caribbean region. Lacking systematic investigation, two myths have perpetuated: first that Canada has no stake or interest in Caribbean security, insofar as those interests cannot be tied to Canada’s interests in Latin America; and second, that all expressions of Canada’s involvement in Caribbean security …

Lepaio Condemns Afl-Cio Leadership’S Bullying Affiliates On International Affairs, The Editors

Class, Race and Corporate Power

A statement from the Labor Education Project on AFL-CIO International Operations (LEPAIO) reprinted with permission.

The LEPAIO condemns the AFL-CIO’s leadership for bullying affiliates on international issues, and especially regarding the current Israel and Gaza war. LEPAIO, an organization of labor unionists and supporters, has long challenged the AFL-CIO’s international leadership “labor imperialism” in its international operations.

Young Engels Is Still Engels: A Response To Terrell Carver, Nana Liu, Yumeng Xia

Class, Race and Corporate Power

Terrel Carver assumes that existing biographies of Engels unfairly seek to explain his ideas in relation to Marx and seek to reconstruct the life journey, especially the ideological journey, of young Engels. He proposes two arguments: first, Engels' ideological growth had no direct purpose or direction and was full of uncertainties; but also, second, that the young Engels' theoretical achievements have been unduly underestimated as they were much more profound than Marx's, such that Marx was the main beneficiary of their initial meeting. One problem with Carver’s argument is that his new insights are often not that new at all. …

Academia, Marxism, And Sociology: A Warning From "The History Man", Tom Brass

Class, Race and Corporate Power

An essay by Tom Brass which examines how popular culture formed the negative image of sociology as taught at the 1960s new universities by portraying it as following Marxist fashion and thereby failing to anticipate the shift to the anti-Marxism of the cultural turn. It concludes by considering why and how such academic fashion is constructed and reproduced, and examines implications for the kinds of hegemonic trends encountered in social science publications.

The Working Class And Ecological Crisis - An Interview With Victor Wallis, Victor Wallis

Class, Race and Corporate Power

Raju Das and Robert Latham interview Victor Wallis about his work and the environmental crisis of capitalism.

Yes, Imperialism Is Still Relevant, And The Struggles Against It Will Continue - An Interview With Intan Suwandi, Intan Suwandi

Class, Race and Corporate Power

Raju Das and Robert Latham interview Intan Suwandi about her work and how it relates to the struggle against capitalism.

Labour Power Matters And Capitalist Racism - An Interview With Ken C. Kawashima, Ken C. Kawashima

Class, Race and Corporate Power

Raju Das and Robert Latham interview Ken C. Kawashima about his work and lessons for workers involved in the struggle today.

The Profits Of (The Critique Of) Patriarchy: On Toxic Masculinity, Feminism, & Corporate Capitalism In The Barbie Movie, Bryant W. Sculos

Class, Race and Corporate Power

This article explicates the political, social, economic, and cultural contribution of Barbie (2023). Through a critical and normative analysis of four different prominent reviews of the film, this essay explores the quality of discourse surrounding Barbie, with particular emphasis on its feminist critique of toxic masculinity and lack of a coherent criticism of capitalism.

The Liberal Ideology Of Oppenheimer, Ronald W. Cox

Class, Race and Corporate Power

The Oppenheimer film centers its narrative too closely to the great man myth of history. As a result, powerful themes such as the politics, economics and morality of the U.S. decision to use two atomic bombs in World War II are diluted by a rigid focus on a singular personality.

What Does Working Class Voter Really Mean?, Ronald W. Cox

Class, Race and Corporate Power

Understanding how class interests are articulated in U.S. elections has a problematic history in the social sciences as a result of a poor conceptualization of class. Recent scholarly articles by political scientists contribute to this problem by promoting a narrative that the two U.S. political parties are undergoing "realignment" of class interests. This article challenges that narrative by critiquing the way that class is defined and measured, arguing that Weber should be replaced by Marx.

Cambridge Analytica: Military Psy-Ops Privatized, Adam D. Hernandez

Class, Race and Corporate Power

This article argues that Cambridge Analytica was developed and operated with the primary objective of pushing far-right nationalist leaders who promoted neoliberal policies in favor of economic elites. Its origins, primary means of funding, and even its techniques were the results of its status as a subsidiary of SCL Group, a firm well entrenched within the military industrial complex and right-wing politics. Furthermore, an examination of many of its most prominent operations shows a long trail of support for right-wing ideologies. The case study of Cambridge Analytica contrasts the narrative that privately-contracted disinformation companies are fringe, mercenary entities. Rather, the …

Explaining The Proliferation Of U.S. Billionaires During The Neoliberal Period, Rob Piper

Class, Race and Corporate Power

This article explains the proliferation of U.S. billionaire wealth during the neoliberal period (1980 to the present). Using the work of scholars, investigative journalists, and government researchers, it examines descriptive evidence from the past forty years of the economic, social, and political trends associated with the capital accumulation that led to so much wealth being concentrated with so few individuals. It further creates a theoretical framework of institutional factors (or “drivers”) that help to understand how these trends link together to provide a comprehensive explanation for the increase of billionaires in comparison with other economic gauges like GDP, income distribution, …

Critical Political Science Cancels Its Participation In The 2023 Apsa Conference, The Editors

Class, Race and Corporate Power

Press release from the Caucus for a Critical Political Science (CCPS) announcing the decision of the CCPS Coordinating Council regarding the 2023 APSA Conference and the UNITE HERE LOCAL 11 struggle. Republished by the editors of Class, Race and Corporate Power in solidarity with CCPS and UNITE HERE 11.

Sociology: A Guide To Action Or To Analysis In The Global Climate Change Crisis? A Call For Action By The Social Sciences And The Humanities, Kim Scipes

Class, Race and Corporate Power

The debate over the purpose of sociological research has historically been one between Marx and Weber: is sociology’s role to analyze society (ala Weber) or to change it (Marx)?

The issue of climate change and environmental destruction is one that has been relegated to the margins of Sociology, being seen as an “environmental” issue. The changes we’ve seen so far, however, show how this has had and is having a major impact on human beings and, at least in the United States, is having a major impact on the culture of the country, both in general and specifically on different …

"White Malice: The Cia And The Covert Recolonization Of Africa" By Susan Williams, (Public Affairs Press, 2021). A Review Essay, Kim Scipes

Class, Race and Corporate Power

Africa has long been looked at by outsiders as a continent that is hopelessly mired in corruption and incapable of social and economic development. This especially pertains to sub-Saharan Africa, overwhelmingly populated by black people, thus fitting the trope of white supremists that black people cannot successfully govern themselves.

This book by Susan Williams annihilates the lie. Williams details the impact of stealing millions of people for enslavement, the subsequent colonization of the continent by Western European powers and then, after the decolonization of a number of these countries, the recolonization of the continent by the United States operating explicitly …

Banshees Of Late Capitalism: War, Ecology, & Alienation, Bryant W. Sculos

Class, Race and Corporate Power

This review essay explores the concepts of war, ecology/human-nonhuman relations, and alienation through a critical analysis of McDonagh's The Banshees of Inisherin (2022).

The Institutional Drivers Contributing To Billionaire Wealth At The Sector Level, Rob Piper

Class, Race and Corporate Power

Over the last 50 years (the period of neoliberalism) the national wealth of the United States reached unprecedented levels. Despite this dramatic increase in national wealth, an increasing amount of American wealth has found its way into the hands of a smaller percentage of the population. Indicative of this inequality, the number of individuals that have achieved a net worth of $1 billion (billionaires) has increased at a higher rate than any other time in American history. Descriptive evidence and analysis of macroeconomics from scholarly literature and journalism attributes this dramatic increase in billionaire wealth to certain comprehensive and interrelated …

Class (Aaa) Conflict: 100 Years Of Exploitation, G. Nelson Bass Iii, Ronald W. Cox

Class, Race and Corporate Power

Major League Baseball continues to operate with an antitrust exemption courtesy of a 1922 U.S. Supreme Court ruling. That exemption is especially relevant for how MLB officials establish the conditions and terms that govern the relationship between major league teams and their minor league affiliates. Recently, the formation of advocacy groups such as Minor League Advocates has led to several lawsuits against MLB’s violations of state labor laws through the terms of their minor league player contracts, which pay players well below state minimum wage levels. These lawsuits are posing challenges to the legal validity of the antitrust exemption. This …

Theory And Class Struggle: Three Interviews, Raju J. Das, Robert E. Latham

Class, Race and Corporate Power

Raju Das and Robert Latham interview Lilia Monzo, Tom Brass, and Alfred Saad-Filho in the initial piece for the new "Theory and Class Struggle" section of Class, Race and Corporate Power.

Theory And Class Struggle: An Introduction To The Section, Raju J. Das, Robert E. Latham

Class, Race and Corporate Power

An introduction to our new section "Theory and Class Struggle" by the Section Editors - Raju Das and Robert E. Latham.

The Comedy Of Cancel Culture In A Post-Carlin United States: On The Politics Of Cultural Interpretation, Bryant W. Sculos

Class, Race and Corporate Power

Taking the form of a critical review of the HBO documentary George Carlin's American Dream, this essay explores the character of George Carlin's political and cultural criticism, its implications for contemporary debates about so-called "cancel culture," and the broader political significance of cultural interpretation.

Class, Sectoral, Or Self-Interest? The Collective Action Of Large Manufacturing Firms In Response To Protest, Tarun Banerjee

Class, Race and Corporate Power

When social movements protest large corporations, are they taking on just the targeted firm or is their target part of an organized sector or the larger corporate class? Put differently, are large corporations purely atomistic entities or are they collective actors, organized at the level of their sector or the capitalist class? Extant research finds class-wide networks often unify the political behavior of connected firms, including in their responses to protests. Yet, other studies find the declining significance of these networks, suggesting the corporate class is now fractured. Given the mixed findings, a key aspect of the debate has remained …

Politics Of Love, And Love Of Politics: Towards A Marxist Theory Of Love, Raju Das

Class, Race and Corporate Power

Romantic love, like many other kinds of love, appears to be just a relationship between two individuals, but upon closer analysis it is more than that. Love is a deeply social process. It is also more than a spontaneous neuro-biological impulse. Love involves conscious activity, both subjective and material. Love is a social process both at the level of human society and at the level of class society, including capitalism. Private property relations and related logics of accumulation in all forms of class society shape relations of love. Love in capitalism reproduces love with capitalism. Because love is social, it …

The Iranian Crisis Of The 1970s-1980s And The Formation Of The Transnational Investment Bloc, Mazaher Koruzhde

Class, Race and Corporate Power

The events surrounding the Iranian Revolution in the 1970s and 198s significantly contributed to the formation and consolidation of a U.S-Saudi transnational investment bloc.