SPS #55: The Platypus International Convention, and Anti-imperialism & the Left

On this episode of SPS, we first focus on our Annual International Convention (March 29–April 1), which will take place in Chicago, at the University of Chicago, Northwestern University, & the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Planning committee members, Ryan & Ethan introduce the convention theme, panels, and historical concerns across the upcoming events. Our second segment is a deep dive into the Platypus archives on the question of imperialism & anti-imperialism, prompted by the one-year anniversary of the Ukrainian War, and the twentieth anniversary of the Iraq War. Members, Sunit & Farsad, join Lisa and Rebekah to reflect on the Platypus panels on the Ukraine crisis a year ago, and on the recent developments of the anti-imperialist and anti-fascist Left. They go back to the founding moment of Platypus and the very first panel "Imperialism: what is it, why should we be against it?" (2007). Platypus International Convention 2023 program: https://platypus1917.org/platypus-international-convention/15th-annual-platypus-international-convention-history-and-class-consciousness/ Convention Segment Links: > Mike Macnair "The Philosophy Trap" (2013): https://weeklyworker.co.uk/worker/987/lukacs-the-philosophy-trap/ > CPGB/Platypus dialog in full (2013): https://chriscutrone.platypus1917.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/cpgbcontralukacs031513.pdf > Chris Cutrone "CPGB Contra Lukacs" (2014): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FyAx32lzC0U (in the PR: https://platypus1917.org/2014/02/01/why-still-read-lukacs-the-place-of-philosophical-questions-in-marxism/) Imperialism & Anti-imperialism Segment Links: > 2007: Panel: Imperialism: What is it, why should we be against it?https://platypus1917.org/2010/07/09/imperialism-what-is-it-why-should-we-be-against-it/ > 2022: Chris Cutrone "Ukraine: More of the same" https://platypus1917.org/2022/04/01/ukraine-more-of-the-same/ > 2022: Crisis in Ukraine and the Left Panel iterations: >>> Frankfurt: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIPr7AyMWak&list=PLNc4xGUuaRwmAmGIlzqMgDuAkQNP-T0sW&index=4 >>> online in German: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PiFxUcBxYqQ&list=PLNc4xGUuaRwmAmGIlzqMgDuAkQNP-T0sW&index=7 >>> online in English: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3js9LcbDTY0&list=PLNc4xGUuaRwmAmGIlzqMgDuAkQNP-T0sW&index=6 > 2007: Interview with Tariq Ali by Chris Cutrone https://archive.org/details/TariqAliInterviewedByChrisCutronePlatypusChicago > 2020: Panel “Imperialism and the Left” https://platypus1917.org/2020/07/01/imperialism-and-the-left/ and ​​https://platypus1917.org/2020/09/01/imperialism-and-the-left-2/ > debate between Tariq Ali and Christopher Hitchens: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5atWb_LD-2I > 2016: Panel "Was ist Imperialismus? Warum sollten wir dagegen sein?" https://platypus1917.org/2016/06/24/podiumsdiskussion-vom-16-06-2016-ist-imperialismus-warum-sollten-wir-dagegen-sein/