Marxism vs Elite Theory (Ft. Chris Cutrone)

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In this episode of 1Dime Radio, I am joined by Chris Cutrone, founder of the Platypus Affiliated Society, to debate the professional-managerial class, elite theory, and whether either offers a better explanation of today’s left than Marxism. Taking Cutrone’s essay “Was Lenin PMC?” as our starting point, we clash over the 20% versus 80% framework, liberal democracy, managerialism, the role of intellectuals in socialist politics, and what Marxism is actually for in the absence of a proletarian socialist movement.

In the Patreon-exclusive Backroom, we move from history into strategy: whether a viable class coalition must extend beyond the proletariat, why Marxism still matters, whether Cutrone is really as Marxist as he claims, and why most self-described Marxists have no real commitment to communism. We also turn to the Graham Platner fiasco, the culture of #MeToo, and some characteristically hot takes from Cutrone.

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Timestamps:

0:00 The Backroom Preview: Graham Platner and #MeToo

4:12 1Dime Radio Intro

5:10 Marxism vs. Elite Theory

13:42 The 20% vs. the 80%

18:15 Is the Left Actually Left?

22:50 Marxism and Liberal Democracy

30:01 What Elite Theory Explains

36:34 Theory, Strategy, and Practice

41:03 The Synthetic Left and Family Abolition

51:26 Marxism as the Critique of Socialism

59:20 Intellectuals, Class, and the PMC

66:15 Elite Overproduction and Academia

74:16 What Is Marxism For?

78:28 In What Sense Is Cutrone a Marxist?

1:25:48 Join Us in The Backroom

GUEST:

Chris Cutrone | Founder of the Platypus Affiliated Society

* Chris Cutrone’s website: [https://chriscutrone.platypus1917.org/](https://chriscutrone.platypus1917.org/)

* Platypus Affiliated Society: [https://platypus1917.org/](https://platypus1917.org/)

* “Was Lenin PMC?”: [https://www.sublationmag.com/post/was-lenin-pmc-how-elite-theory-doesn-t-fit-the-movement-for-socialism](https://www.sublationmag.com/post/was-lenin-pmc-how-elite-theory-doesn-t-fit-the-movement-for-socialism)

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