(R)evolutionary Struggle
Steve Grumbine talks about his own shift in direction and that of the organization, Real Progressives, and the podcast - how new information, revelations, and depth of understanding are contributing.
** This week’s Macro ‘n Chill might shake us up. Some of us, at least. Come discuss the episode with the community. Tues, April 14, 8pm ET/5pm PT. Use this link to register: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/PIf2VnjBS-mwX-Bd4BwWYQ
In a solo episode, Steve sets out to describe and explain some of the shifts in direction for Real Progressives and the podcast, mirroring his own changing perspective. He reflects on a decade or more of championing Modern Monetary Theory, while grappling with a dawning realization. Despite MMT’s crystal clear insights into sovereign currency with the potential for popular federal programs and public investment, the political system itself is a scam.
He describes a journey of discovery (yeah, we know that sounds corny) peeling away the layers to explain the Gilens and Page study and global events. Gaza, US foreign policy, austerity, racism, empire, ramping up of brutal law enforcement within the US... each question leads to another. Weekly guests for Macro N Cheese help provide answers. Significantly, they contribute to the building of an analysis. Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.
Accepting that the US is not a functioning democracy but an oligarchy serving capital, Steve critiques electoralism as a false promise and diversion. He calls for building parallel institutions and class consciousness over ‘vote harder’ strategies. Real Progressives remains rooted in MMT while integrating revolutionary theory, resistance, and an unsentimental understanding of capitalism.
Steve Grumbine is founder and CEO of Real Progressives and host of Macro N Cheese podcast. Find his work at realprogressives.org and Steven D Grumbine on Substack, @sdgrumbine on X
Those of us who've been part of the RP team for awhile are pretty familiar with what's been a long arc of change for the org, but it's cool to hear it summarized by Steve. I hope people in our extended family can appreciate the struggle involved in incorporating new info into the backbone of an educational org like RP. ✊
Steve is 🔥 in this solo episode. We live under a capitalist dictatorship not a democracy or constitutional republic which we can't vote out. Thus understanding #MMT while critical is useless without #ClassConsciousness in knowing who the current institutions serve.