Intro to Imperialism

STUDY BLOCK: POLITICAL ECONOMY

*Image features “Globe of the United States, 1990” by artist David Wojnarowicz*

Summary.

SESSION 1: In this session, we will examine the nature of imperialism (monopoly capitalism), as Lenin analyzed it. We will consider Lenin's argument in historical context, and also think about its implications for class struggle in the imperialist countries. Our core question for this session will be: what is the relevance of anti-imperialism to class struggle in North America?

SESSION 2: In this session, we will consider imperialism, from World War Two to the present. We will study the relevance of Lenin's analysis of imperialism since the end of WWII. What has remained constant? What has changed? We will end with a case study of U.S. aggression towards Huawei, and towards China more broadly, in order to think about anti-imperialism and class struggle today.