Midwestern Marx - Eddie Liger-Smith

I sat down with Eddie Liger-Smith, co-chair of Midwestern Marx, to discuss the state of the American Left, the role of Marxism in the U.S., and global shifts in power. Our conversation covers a range of topics, including the decline of labor unions, the rise of MAGA populism, and China’s economic success.

Topics Covered:

• Introduction to Eddie & Midwestern Marx (00:00:00)
  Eddie talks about how Midwestern Marx started as a think tank focusing on political analysis and socialist theory. He shares his personal background, including how his father’s union was dismantled in Wisconsin during Scott Walker’s tenure.

• How Unions Were Dismantled in Wisconsin (00:01:00)
  Eddie explains how private and public sector workers were pitted against each other, and how Fox News helped push anti-union narratives. He critiques how corporate interests have systematically eroded labor rights.

• Why Anti-Union Arguments Don’t Hold Up (00:02:30)
  We discuss how blaming teachers and unionized workers for economic struggles is a distraction from the real issue: corporate exploitation of labor.

• How Bernie Sanders Radicalized Eddie (00:03:40)
  Eddie describes how Bernie’s 2016 campaign helped him recognize economic injustice and led him toward Marxist analysis.

• Why the American Left is Weak (00:06:30)
  We discuss why leftist movements in the U.S. struggle, including internal divisions, an obsession with identity politics, and a lack of focus on class struggle.

• MAGA Populism & Why Working-Class Americans Support Trump (00:10:00)
  Trump has successfully positioned himself as an anti-establishment figure, while the Left has failed to connect with working-class frustrations. Eddie explains how the Right has co-opted economic anxiety and redirected it toward culture wars.

• Marxism vs. Identity Politics (00:15:50)
  Eddie critiques how mainstream media and even some leftist groups have abandoned class struggle in favor of identity politics, which has made socialism less appealing to working-class people.

• The Rise of China & What the U.S. Gets Wrong (00:22:30)
  Eddie breaks down China’s economic strategy, how Deng Xiaoping restructured the economy while maintaining state control, and why China has outpaced the U.S. in infrastructure and poverty reduction.

• Why the USSR Collapsed & What We Can Learn (00:30:20)
  We discuss the successes and failures of the Soviet Union, including industrialization under Stalin, life expectancy gains, and why the economic transition after its collapse led to mass poverty.

• How the U.S. Hollowed Out the Midwest (00:40:10)
  Deindustrialization in the Midwest has devastated communities. We discuss how globalization, corporate offshoring, and neoliberal policies gutted the manufacturing base.

• Why the American Left Needs to Be More Aggressive (00:50:30)
  We critique the Left’s tendency toward political correctness and self-policing instead of focusing on mass mobilization and economic issues. Eddie argues that working-class men are being pushed toward the Right because the Left fails to present itself as strong, pragmatic, and action-oriented.

• The Midwest’s Unique Political Identity (01:05:00)
  We discuss Midwestern culture, values, and why the region is often overlooked in national politics despite being a key battleground. Eddie shares his personal connection to the Midwest and why he’s committed to staying there.

This conversation covers a lot of ground—whether you’re curious about socialism in America, the failures of neoliberalism, or the geopolitical shifts happening today, this is worth a listen.