Rethinking the Manifesto

In China Mieville’s book A Spectre Haunting, he notes that the communist manifesto has an almost religious function. Mieville says it’s a type of catechesis and confession that the world does not have to be as it is. The Manifesto calls people to a type of “committed fidelity” to a world where a small group of people do not disadvantage the many for the sake of profits.In that spirit of committed fidelity not only to the Christian faith but also a communist faith, we thought we’d make some space to chat about one of the classics, the communist manifesto. We’ve done explainer episodes on the manifesto before, but we’re not doing a 101 today; we’re going to think through the question that Mieville asks: what does it mean to be a person in 2023 and be committed to the vision of the world, for better and worse, presented in the manifesto? Thanks to our monthly supporters Korbin Painter Mark De La Paz Lea Mae Rice 10 ChrisJ Gill Erik Mohr Joe Kruse illi Robert Shine Kurt XxXJudasdidnothingwrongXxX Maxwell Lorena Rivera Soren Harward Christian Noakes David Wadstrup Óscar John Salcedo Harrison g Randall Katie Marascio Elias Jacob D Francisco Herrera John Michael Dimitras Jacob S Leigh Elliot Tyler Adair Catherine Harrison Zachary Elicker Kasey Erin Archambeault Mikegrapes Kate Alexander Calderon Alejandro Kritzlof Caleb Strom Shandra Benito Andrew McIntosh Peter Shaw Kerrick Fanning Josh Johnson Jonathan Taylor Jennifer Kunze Damon Pitiroi Trevon Tellor Yroffeiriad Matt Sandra Zadkovic Stephanie Heifner Patrick Sweeney Felicia Aaron Morrison lexiiii Leslie Rodriguez Sarah Clark Timothy Trout darcie wilder Name Colm Moran Stewart Thomas Lonnie Smith Brendan Fong Kylie Riley Darren Young Josh Kerley koalatee Tim Luschen Elizabeth Davis Lee Ketch Austin Cyphersmith Ashton Sims Fin Carter Ryan Euverman Tristan Turner Edwin Emily JCF Linzi Stahlecker Matthew Alhonte John Samson Fellows alex zarecki rob Kathryn Bain Stephen Machuga zane Caitlin Spanjer Collin Majors Victor Williams Daniel Saunders David Huseth Andrew Brian Nowak erol delos santos Aaron Forbis-Stokes Josh Strassman Cal Kielhold Luke Stocking Sara Brian S. Ryan Brady drew k Matthew Darmour-Paul saheemax Adam Burke Peter Pinkney Zambedos Andrew Guthrie Adrian Kevin Hernandez Wilden Dannenberg Evan Ernst jessica frances Tucker Clyle Christopher RayAlexander Peter Adourian Dan Meyer Aaron Guro Benjamin Pletcher John Mattessich Caleb Cropper-Russel Tristan Greeno Steve Schiroo Robert Clelland Anastasia Schaadhardt Scott Pfeiffer