Members of Unity and Struggle are often asked what sets us apart from socialists and statist Marxists on the one hand, and Anarchists on the other. We have wrestled with many labels, debating whether to call ourselves “anti-state communists,” “libertarian Marxists,” simply, “communists,” or something else entirely. Ultimately, we have left this to individual members to decide. As a group, we draw heavily from Marxism, considering its philosophical and theoretical tradition to be our foundation. We seek to synthesize this with some of the strongest aspects of other traditions, including Anarchism and post-modernism. However, at times it is helpful to clearly and precisely articulate what it is about a Marxist foundation that is so compelling for us.
We are reposting this accessible but sharp interview with Peter Hudis on KPFA’s Against the Grain. Hudis recently released Marx’s Concept of the Alternative to Capitalism via Haymarket Books. Hudis relies on Marx’s early and philosophical works to flesh out the democratic and liberatory crux of Marx’s method. This is similar to work we have done in our series, “The Communist Theory of Marx.” While not every individual in Unity and Struggle will agree with 100% of what Hudis says, we locate ourselves within a tradition that he carves out in this interview. While, at times, these concepts are not easy to describe, and often cannot be boiled down to a few talking points, Unity and Struggle strives to make them accessible and compelling. As movements internationally begin to pick up, we will increasingly face questions surrounding the role of the state, the statist Parties, and what a transformation of social relations, or communization process, can look like. We are hoping to see more conversations about Marx’s conceptions of freedom and democracy, and in varied media. We encourage you to send comments, links, hashtags and other ways people are discussing Marxism, freedom and democracy. Enjoy the Hudis interview.
KPFA: Marx on Life after Capitalism w/Peter Hudis
