The genocide in Gaza has taken place in front of the eyes of the world with little consequence. Gilbert Achcar argues that the destruction of Gaza is a watershed moment in history, signalling the irretrievable collapse of the Western promise of the rule of law. He also discusses how the rise of the far right in Israel foreshadowed the ascendancy of the hard right in the West.
Gilbert Achcar, Gaza Catastrophe: The Genocide in World-Historical Perspective UC Press, 2025
Photo credit: Jaber Jehad Badwan
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7:38
Nietzsche, Hall, and “Theory”
In his latest book, Lawrence Grossberg describes ways of thinking that have laid the foundation for the development of contemporary Western theory. Two of the thinkers he writes about are Friedrich Nietzsche, who “rejected the enlightenments,” and Stuart Hall, a pioneer in the field of cultural studies. (Encore presentation.)
Lawrence Grossberg, On the Way to Theory Duke University Press, 2024
(Image on main page by Nick Youngson/Alpha Stock Images.)
The post Nietzsche, Hall, and “Theory” appeared first on KPFA.
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American Marx
While we’re told by politicians that the ideas of Karl Marx are foreign and have no place in this country, history proves otherwise. Andrew Hartman shows that Marx and Marxism have had an a significant influence on the United States, from Marx’s journalistic writings for the New York Daily Tribune, on the mass politics of the Socialist and Communist Parties and the Wobblies, on the most radical edge of the New Deal and the New Left, and finally with the return to Marx’s ideas since the Global Financial Crisis. (Encore presentation.)
Andrew Hartman, Karl Marx in America University of Chicago Press, 2025
The post American Marx appeared first on KPFA.
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6:20
Fund Drive Special: The Life and Politics of Jessica Mitford
Jessica Mitford was a muckracking journalist and memoirist, radical activist and wit. Born to an English aristocratic family, she became a Communist and eloped with Winston Churchill’s nephew to fight in the Spanish Civil war. Two of her sisters were infamous fascists and friends with Hitler. Jessica, known as Decca, moved to the United States, became a civil rights activist in Oakland, and helped transform American journalism from of the depths of the McCarthy era. Peter Sussman, editor of a collection of Mitford’s letters, and the late radical journalist Conn Hallinan discuss Jessica Mitford’s singular life and contributions.
The post Fund Drive Special: The Life and Politics of Jessica Mitford appeared first on KPFA.
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Fund Drive Special: Animal Minds and Life
Brandon Keim discusses his book “Meet the Neighbors: Animal Minds and Life in a More-than-Human World.”
The post Fund Drive Special: Animal Minds and Life appeared first on KPFA.
Acclaimed program of ideas, in-depth analysis, and commentary on a variety of matters—political, economic, social, and cultural—important to progressive and radical thinking and activism. Against the Grain is co-produced and co-hosted by Sasha Lilley and C. S. Soong.
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