Are tankie politics racist?

Tanks in Budapest, 1956 (image: Fortepan)

Welcome to 2021! For our first episode this year, Ani discusses tankie* politics and alternatives with returning guest Gayaal Iddamalgoda (a socialist, trade unionist, and migrant rights advocate). We touch on the history of the mass Sri Lankan Trotskyist movement, the left in the Philippines, and the Syrian Revolution among other topics – arguing that tankie politics erase the rich legacy of struggle in the majority world.

*Supporting ‘actually existing socialist’ states such as China and ‘anti-imperialist’ states such as Iran.

Edited by Lidia Grigorut.

Transcript here.

Suggested texts:

Music:

  • Where’s My Jetpack, by Hotel Free Babylon
  • Noir Jazz Playlist, music by Ken MacLeod/playlist by MrSnooze

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