Gabriel Rockhill: Western Marxism, Imperialism, Slavoj Zizek, Stalin, USSR, China, Deng Xiaoping

This video features a discussion with philosopher and professor Gabriel Rockhill regarding the book Marxism: How It Was Born, How It Died, How It Can Be Reborn by the late Italian historian Domenico Losordo.

Key Themes Discussed:

• Critique of Western Marxism: Rockhill explains Losordo's central argument that "Western Marxism" has often functioned as an ideological category tied to the imperial core, characterized by a fundamental opposition to "actually existing socialism" (0:02:15 - 0:04:30).
• Imperialism as a Core Pillar: The conversation emphasizes that understanding socialism requires centering the struggle against imperialism and colonialism, which Losordo views as the primary structure of the modern world (0:05:04 - 0:08:00).
• Defense of Socialist Projects: Rockhilland Losordo argue against the "Manichean binary" often promoted by Western intellectuals, instead advocating for a materialist analysis that recognizes the complex challenges faced by the Soviet Union, China, and other socialist projects (0:20:00 - 0:24:00).
• Reform and Opening in China: The speakers discuss the Chinese economic reforms under Deng Xiaoping, framing them as a strategic, dialectical process of developing productive forces while maintaining state control to navigate a hostile imperialist world (0:29:49 - 0:35:10).
• Critique of the "Theory Industry": Rockhill provides a sharp critique of certain prominent Western left intellectuals, such as Slavoj Žižek, whom he characterizes as opportunists aligned with the "imperial superstructure" rather than serious advocates for socialist progress.
  

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