Leninism in the Age of Populism: Anti-Economism, Strategy & The Left with PK Gandakin

In this episode of VarnVlog, C. Derick Varn sits down with PK Gandakin, editor-in-chief of Geese Magazine and communist organizer, to discuss the state of the American left, the limits of modern economism, and the strategic relevance of Lenin today. Together, they unpack: The Mission of Geese Magazine: Why a non-sectarian, strategy-focused communist press is essential in today's political terrain. Rethinking Lenin & Gramsci: Moving beyond ultra-left dogmas to embrace dialectical flexibility, mass politics, and organic centralism. Electoral Strategy & The DSA: Navigating the rise of figures like AOC and Zoran Mamdani, the limits of "clean/dirty break" debates, and building a genuine left pole. Lessons from BLM & Mass Movements: Why past spontaneous struggles failed to build lasting cadres—and how communists can engage with mass agitation effectively. Links:  https://www.geesemag.com/articles/the-critique-of-economism-in-marxs-critique-of-hegels-philosophy-of-right https://www.geesemag.com/articles/leninism-in-the-age-of-populism https://www.geesemag.com/articles/reading-gramsci-on-economism-political-method-and-urbanism Send us Fan Mail Musis by Bitterlake, Used with Permission, all rights to Bitterlake Support the show Crew: Host: C. Derick Varn Intro and Outro Music by Bitter Lake. Intro Video Design: Jason Myles Art Design: Corn and C. Derick Varn Links and Social Media: twitter: @varnvlog blue sky: @varnvlog.bsky.social You can find the additional streams on Youtube Current Patreon at the Sponsor Tier: Jordan Sheldon, Mark J. Matthews, Lindsay Kimbrough, RedWolf, DRV, Kenneth McKee, JY Chan, Matthew Monahan, Parzival, Adriel Mixon, Buddy Roark, Daniel Petrovic,Julian, Drea, Free Beer, SNT-BRCH, Joshua Parsons