List of Actual Leftwing News Sources / Introductory Theory / History / Podcasts / Films

News Sources (none are perfect):

jacobinmag.com (occasionally indulges in China-bad-ism and is likewise dedicated exclusively to electoralism)

wsws.org (a Trotskyist source which sometimes has weird takes)

commondreams.org (lib but not worthless)

thegrayzone.com (excellent but very prickly anti-imperialist news)

counterpunch.org (excellent)

monthlyreview.org (great long reads)

currentaffairs.org (good leftist magazine although the editor has been dunked on many times for being anti-Marxist)

Theory:

Socialism: Utopian and Scientific. Written by Friedrich Engels, this short work is an excellent introduction to socialism — the revolutionary idea that those who do the work should call the shots — as well as dialectical materialism.

The Communist Manifesto. A short but difficult classic.

On Contradiction. Mao wrote a short, clear, and absolutely essential primer on dialectical materialism.

Marxism versus Liberalism: a discussion between HG Wells and Joseph Stalin. Wells comes off as remarkably annoying here, while Stalin in his own words seems far more brilliant than any of his detractors would ever admit.

History:

A People’s History of the United States. You cannot understand the United States without having read this book.

Caliban and the Witch. Vital for understanding the transition from feudalism to capitalism

The Origin of Capitalism: A Longer View. Another vital history of the transition, the author posits that capitalism was an unlikely historical accident rather than an inevitability.

The Wretched of the Earth. Also vital for understanding the worldwide anti-colonial struggle.

Podcasts:

Revolutionary Left Radio. If you want to understand Marxism but can’t stomach reading theory just yet, this is the place to go. Brett’s other podcasts, Guerrilla History and Red Menace, are also excellent.

Red Library / Why Theory / The Regrettable Century / Machinic Unconscious Happy Hour: all great podcasts exploring the psychoanalytic side of communism.

The Dollop. This is a humorous leftist history podcast.

Luna Oi! — not a podcaster, but a youtuber, and probably the best on that entire hellsite.

Films:

The Battle of Algiers. Basically an instructional guide for leftists interested in doing a lot of praxis.

Starship Troopers. Hilarious and extremely violent film about neoliberalism / fascism.

The Wind That Shakes The Barley. Great movie about revolution in Ireland by a leftist director who is seemingly incapable of making bad films.

Get Out, Us, Sorry To Bother You, and Parasite are all excellent leftist films.

Social Media:

Hexbear is the only social media you need. It’s like reddit but without all the libs and fash.