Kristen Ghodsee reads the third part of Alexandra Kollontai&apos;s 1916 essay, "Working Woman and Mother," and discusses reform vs. revolution.Upcoming events - Second World, Second Sex. Socialist Women’s Global Solidarity in the Cold WarVideosFrance 24 English, “Women Under Socialism: A Better Emancipation,” October 6, 2021Second Life Book Club, “Why Women Have Better Sex Under Socialism,” September 9, 2021 InterviewsJudit Bertan, “Kristen R. Ghodsee: "A las aplicaciones de citas no les interesa que tengas buen sexo" La Provincia, October 11, 2021Guiseppe Pavino, “"El socialisme d’estat va ser terrible en algunes coses, però beneficiós en d’altres,” La Directa, October 7, 2021Emma Pons Valls, “"Als països socialistes les relacions personals eren millors: era una manera de viure diferent" Public.es, October 4, 2021Sílvia Marimon Molas, “Kristen Ghodsee: "Las parejas que comparten la crianza de los hijos tienen mejores relaciones sexuales"“ Ara, October 2, 2021Xavi Ayén, ¿Tienen las mujeres mejor sexo bajo el socialismo?, La Vanguardia, September 30, 2021Sandra Vicente, Kristen Ghodsee: “El capitalismo no respeta a las madres, pero nos necesita, ¿quién va a comprar iPhone si dejamos de tener bebés?” El Salto, September 30, 2021Gislle Nath, “Interview: Kristen Ghodsee, ‘Vrouwen die seks niet moeten ruilen voor economische zekerheid zijn gelukkiger in bed’” De Standaard, September 18, 2021

A.K. 47 - Selections from the Works of Alexandra Kollontai

90 - A.K. 47 - Working Woman and Mother - Part 3

In this episode, Kristen Ghodsee interviews the French-Canadian feminist activist and fellow Kollontai aficionado, Rebecca Amsellem in Paris, France. Rebecca is the editor of a well-known feminist newsletter in France, Les Glorieuses,  and she has contributed an essay a forthcoming edited volume about the impact Alexandra Kollontai has had on her life and work. In this conversation, Ansellem discusses Kollontai&apos;s views on love and revolution as well as why Kollontai is not better known in France.The edited collection is called: Une bibliothèque féministe, out in October 2021Rebecca will be speaking at 18:30 at the librairie à République in Paris:  "Lancement et rencontre avec Agathe le Tailandier pour son livre " Ma bibliothèque féminite" + invitées surprises!"The Les Glorieuses newsletter is a great way to practice your French!

89 - A.K. 47 - Bonus Episode - Interview with Rebecca Amsellem in Paris, France

In this episode, Kristen Ghodsee reads Part Two of Alexandra Kollontai&apos;s 1916 essay, "Working Woman and Mother." This is an excellent essay to examine Kollontai&apos;s rhetorical strategies for reaching literate working class women. In this pamphlet, she starts by telling the stories of four pregnant women named Masha, and how their class positions determine society&apos;s different levels of concern for the "sacred" state of motherhood.As mentioned in the last episode, there are three in-person events coming up in Europe (Delta variant willing). Kristen Ghodsee will be speaking at the:Manifiesta in Oostende, Belgium on September 12, 2021Finestres Bookstore in Barcelona, Spain on September 29, 2021Gender and Materiality in Central and Eastern Europe in the XX Century in Paris, on October 1, 2021Also see the new TikTok channel: sexandsocialism101And Why Women Have Better Sex Under Socialism in Korean!

88 - A.K. 47 - Working Woman and Mother Part 2

In this episode, Kristen Ghodsee reads Part One of Alexandra Kollontai&apos;s 1916 essay, "Working Woman and Mother." This is an excellent essay to examine Kollontai&apos;s rhetorical strategies for reaching literate working class women. In this pamphlet, she starts by telling the stories of four pregnant women named Masha, and how their class positions determine society&apos;s different levels of concern for the "sacred" state of motherhood.Also mentioned in this essay are three in-person events coming up in Europe ( Delta variant willing). Kristen Ghodsee will be speaking at the:Manifiesta in Oostende, Belgium on September 12, 2021Finestres Bookstore in Barcelona, Spain on September 29, 2021Gender and Materiality in Central and Eastern Europe in the XX Century in Paris, on October 1, 2021Also see the new TikTok channel: sexandsocialism101Why Women Have Better Sex Under Socialism in Korean!

87 - A.K. 47 - Working Woman and Mother - Part 1

In response to a listener request from the Chicago Teachers&apos; Union, Kristen Ghodsee reads Louise Bryant&apos;s chapter on Alexandra Kollontai from Bryant&apos;s 1923 book: Mirrors of Moscow. Bryant was a feminist and a journalist who traveled to Russia in 1917 to report on the revolution with her husband, John Reed. This chapter is based on Bryant&apos;s personal conversations with Kollontai, and although her biography of Kollontai contains some errors, it is an interesting first hand account from another American woman who met Kollontai in Russia in the years following the October Revolution. Also mentioned in this episode are: Kristen Ghodsee on the podcast with Le Monde Diplomatique (English): Podcast with George Miller: The forgotten chapter of the women’s movement, July 14, 2021The Review of Taking Stock of Shock in The American ConservativePortuguese translation: Por que as mulheres tem melhor sexo sob o socialismo e outros argumentos a favor da independência econômica

86 - A.K. 47 - Bonus Episode - Louise Bryant on Alexandra Kollontai, 1923

Kristen Ghodsee and her daughter discuss the relationship of Alexandra Kollontai with her lifelong Bulgarian friend, Zoya Shadurskaya.  The two women met when they were six years old and remained friends for their entire lives, often living together and raising Kollontai&apos;s son, Misha. Shadurskaya never married, and Kollontai claimed that after her son, Zoya was the most "dear person to her in the world." In this episode, Ghodsee and her daughter discuss the politics of historiography and the prevalence of queer families in the revolutionary circles of Tsarist Russia. 

85 - A.K. 47 - Bonus Episode - Was Kollontai Bi?

Kristen Ghodsee reads and discusses Alexandra Kollontai’s 1914 essay, “War and Our Immediate Tasks,” which reflects her early commitment to pacifism during World War I.  Mentioned in this episode is Leo Tolstoy’s important book, The Kingdom of God Is Within You, the foundational document of Christian anarchism and a key theoretical elucidation of pacifism which had a profound impact on Mohandas Gandhi (and through Gandhi on Martin Luther King, Jr.)Also mentioned in this episode are several podcasts, articles, and a new book by Kristen Ghodsee:Podcast: National Public Radio, Throughline, “Capitalism: What Is It?” June 24, 2021Podcast: Revolutionary Left Radio, Interview with Kristen Ghodsee, “The Life and Legacy of Alexandra Kollontai” June 18, 2021Article: “When the women’s movement went global,” Le Monde Diplomatique English, July 1, 2021Article: “Les « grands-mères rouges » du mouvement international des femmes,” Le Monde Diplomatique, June 30, 2021Article: “Politicized Representations of Love and Sex: Reading the GDR’s Das Magazin,” with Angelina Eimannsberger, Groniek, No. 226, 2021.New Book: Taking Stock of Shock: Social Consequences of the 1989 Revolutions (with    Mitchell Orenstein), Oxford University Press, 2021New Translation: Por que as mulheres tem melhor sexo sob o socialismo e outros argumentos a favor da independência econômica, Autonomia LiterariaVideo: Book Launch, Taking Stock of Shock: Social Consequences of the 1989 Revolutions, Foreign Policy Research InstituteVideo: Book Launch for Maria Todorova’s The Lost World of Socialists at Europe’s Margins: Imagining Utopia

84 - A.K. 47 - The War and Our Immediate Tasks

In answer to a listener&apos;s question, Kristen Ghodsee discusses the meetings and interactions of the Russian-American anarchist with Alexandra Kollontai in 1920, quoting directly from Goldman&apos;s own works. Cited here are Goldman&apos;s Living My Life and My Further Disillusionment with Russia. Quotes from Emma Goldman:“I had known for some time of the presence in New York of Mme Alexandra Kolontay and Leon Trotsky. From the former I had received several letters and a copy of her book on woman’s share in the world’s work. She had asked me to meet her, but I had been unable to spare the time. Later on I had invited her to dinner, but she was prevented by illness from coming.”  - Emma Goldman, Living My Life"The expedition was to proceed to Petrograd the next day, but Louise begged me to remain for the funeral. Sunday, October 23rd, several friends rode with her to the Trade Union House where Reed’s body lay in state. I accompanied Louise when the procession started for the Red Square. There were speeches — much cold stereotyped declamation about the value of Jack Reed to the Revolutionand to the Communist Party. It all sounded mechanical, far removed from the spirit of the dead man in the fresh grave. One speaker only dwelt on the real Jack Reed — Alexandra Kollontay. She had caught the artist’s soul, infinitely greater in its depth and beauty than any dogma. She used the occasion to admonish her comrades.“We call ourselves Communists,” she said, “but are we really that? Do we not rather draw the life essence from those who come to us, and when they are no longer of use, we let them fall by the wayside, neglected and forgotten? Our Communism and our comradeship are dead letters if we do not give out of ourselves to those who need us. Let us beware of such Communism. It slays the best in our ranks. Jack Reed was among the best.” The sincere words of Kollontay displeased the high Party members. Bukharin knitted his brows, Reinstein fidgeted about, others grumbled. But I was glad of what Kollontay had said. Not only because what she said expresssed Jack Reed better than anything else said that day, but also because it brought her nearer to me. In America we had repeatedly tried to meet but never succeeded When I reached Moscow, in March, 1920, Kollontay was ill. I saw her only for a little while before I returned to Petrograd. We spoke of the things that were troubling me. During the conversation Kollontay remarked: “Yes, we have many dull sides in Russia.” “Dull,” I queried; “nothing more?” I was unpleasantly affected by what seemed to me a rather superficial view. But I reassured myself that Kollontay’s inadequate English caused her to characterize as “dull” what to me was a complete collapse of all idealism. Among other things Kollontay had then said was that I could find a great field for work among the women as very little had been attempted up to that time to enlighten and broaden them. We parted in a friendly manner, but I did not sense in her the same feeling of warmth and depth that I had found in Angelica Balabanova. Now at the open grave of Reed her words brought her closer to me. She, too, felt deeply, I thought."- Emma Goldman, My Disillusionment with Russia 

83 - A.K. 47 - Bonus Episode - Emma Goldman and Alexandra Kollontai

Kristen Ghodsee discusses a recent edited collection of essays about the life and work of Alexandra Kollontai, published by Sternberg Press, which includes an English translation of a Swedish play by Agneta Pleijel. The play was first performed in 1977 and this version is based on a revised version that was performed in Stockholm in 1979.The Red Love Reader emerged from a CuratorLab project from 2017-2018Listen to an e-flux podcast about the launch of the Red Love collection.Buy the book from Sternberg Press. Open Access to the book from Konstfack University.

82 - A.K. 47 - Bonus Episode - Review of Kollontai: A Play by Agneta Pleijel

Kristen Ghodsee reads and discusses the second part of Isabel de Palencia&apos;s 1947 translation of Alexandra Kollontai&apos;s essay, "A Letter to a Young Comrade."  This essay was reprinted in a report written by the House Un-American Activities Committee in 1959: "The Communist Conspiracy: Strategy and Tactics of World Communism."This essay is essentially a shorter version of "Make Way for Winged Eros" and was taken to be representative of Kollontai&apos;s work by the Americans who included it in this collection.  

81 - A.K. 47 - A Letter to a Young Comrade - Part 3

Kristen Ghodsee reads and discusses the first part of Isabel de Palencia&apos;s 1947 translation of Alexandra Kollontai&apos;s essay, "A Letter to a Young Comrade."  This essay was reprinted in a report written by the House Un-American Activities Committee in 1959: "The Communist Conspiracy: Strategy and Tactics of World Communism."This essay is essentially a shorter version of "Make Way for Winged Eros" and was taken to be representative of Kollontai&apos;s work by the Americans who included it in this collection.  

80 - A.K. 47 - A Letter to a Young Comrade - Part 2

Kristen Ghodsee reads and discusses the introduction to Alexandra Kollontai included in a report written by the House Un-American Activities Committee in 1959. This report, "The Communist Conspiracy: Strategy and Tactics of World Communism," includes two English selections of Kollontai&apos;s work: the foreword to Red Love and Isabel de Palencia&apos;s 1947 translation of Kollontai&apos;s essay, "A Letter to a Young Comrade."Mentioned in this episode is Elaine Tyler May&apos;s excellent book, Homeward Bound: American Families in the Cold War.Also, review the podcast and send in for your free A.K 47 stickers: Alexandra.kollontai.podcast@gmail.com

79 - A.K. 47 - A Letter to a Young Comrade - Part 1

Kristen Ghodsee reads part two of Alexandra Kollontai's 1920 essay on the history of International Women's Day. Ghodsee also announces some upcoming lectures and events:7 March 2021 (15:00 GMT-5) A special event for the Democratic Socialists of America International Committee (co-sponsored by the socialist feminist working group and Lux Magazine): Love and Sex Behind the Iron Curtain: 20th Century State Socialism in Eastern Europe8 March 2021 (18:00 GMT-5) Jacobin Talks: The Socialist History of International Women's Day9 March 2021 (19:00 GMT-5) A keynote lecture for IWD at the University of Kansas: Women's History Month Lecture: Dr. Kristen R. Ghodsee on International Women's Day11 March 2021 (10:30 GMT-5) Guest Lecture: "State socialist women's organizations and their role during the U.N. Decade for Women (1975-1985)" Center for History, Sciences Po, Paris16 March 2021 (11:00 GMT-5) Discussion: "Socialism in the Age of AOC and Bernie Sanders: A Conversation with Bhaskar Sunkara and Kristen Ghodsee" New York Writer's Institute17 March 2021 (12:00 GMT-5) Love and Sex Behind the Iron Curtain: What Can We Learn from the Experiences of 20th Century State Socialism in Eastern Europe?

78- A.K. 47 - International Women's Day - Part 2

Kristen Ghodsee reads part one of Alexandra Kollontai's 1920 essay on the history of International Women's Day. Ghodsee also announces some upcoming lectures and events.5 March 2021 (09:30 GMT-5) Conference Presentation: "Infrastructures of Solidarity: East-South Alliances During the United Nations Decade for Women, 1975-1985," Bartlett School of Architecture at University College London 7 March 2021 (15:00 GMT-5) A special event for the Democratic Socialists of America International Committee (co-sponsored by the socialist feminist working group and Lux Magazine): Love and Sex Behind the Iron Curtain: 20th Century State Socialism in Eastern Europe 9 March 2021 (19:00 GMT-5) A keynote lecture for IWD at the University of Kansas: Women's History Month Lecture: Dr. Kristen R. Ghodsee on International Women's Day 11 March 2021 (10:30 GMT-5) Guest Lecture: "State socialist women's organizations and their role during the U.N. Decade for Women (1975-1985)" Center for History, Sciences Po, Paris 16 March 2021 (11:00 GMT-5) Discussion: "Socialism in the Age of AOC and Bernie Sanders: A Conversation with Bhaskar Sunkara and Kristen Ghodsee" New York Writer's Institute Goodreads is also doing a giveaway of the paperback version of Why Women Have Better Sex Under Socialism: And Other Arguments for Economic Independence to mark International Women's Day. If you are interested in winning a free copy you can do that here before March 8th.

77 - A.K. 47 - International Women's Day - Part 1

Kristen Ghodsee discusses the political economy of Valentine's Day and reads an excerpt from Alexandra Kollontai's 1911 book review of The Sexual Crisis by Grete Meisel-Hess.  In this section of "Love and the New Morality," Kollontai critiques the institution of bourgeois monogamous marriage as it existed in 1911. Ghodsee  also mentions several recent video appearances on Youtube:Youtube: Economic Update with Richard Wolff - Why Women Have Better Sex in SocialismYoutube: Capitalism Hits Home Podcast - Kristen Ghodsee on the Decommodification of Sex - Part 1Youtube: Capitalism Hits Home Podcast - Kristen Ghodsee on the Decommodification of Sex - Part 2See all upcoming events for women's history month and IWD

76 - A.K. 47 - Love and the New Morality (Excerpt) and Valentine's Day Rant

Kristen R. Ghodsee reads and discusses 47 selections from the works of Alexandra Kollontai (1872-1952), a socialist women's activist who had radical ideas about the intersections of socialism and women's emancipation. Born into aristocratic privilege, the Russian Kollontai was initially a member of the Mensheviks before she joined Lenin and the Bolsheviks and became an important revolutionary figure during the 1917 Russian Revolution. Kollontai was a socialist theorist of women’s emancipation and a strident proponent of sexual relations freed from all economic considerations. After the October Revolution, Kollontai became the Commissar of Social Welfare and helped to found the Zhenotdel (the women's section of the Party). She oversaw a wide variety of legal reforms and public policies to help liberate working women and to create the basis of a new socialist sexual morality. But Russians were not ready for her vision of emancipation, and she was sent away to Norway to serve as the first Russian female ambassador (and only the third female ambassador in the world).In this podcast, Kristen R. Ghodsee – a professor of Russian and East European Studies at the University of Pennsylvania and the author of Why Women Have Better Sex Under Socialism: And Other Arguments for Economic Independence (Bold Type Books 2018) – selects excerpts from the essays, speeches, and fiction of Alexandra Kollontai and puts them in context. Each episode provides an introduction to the abridged reading with some relevant background on Kollontai and the historical moment in which she was writing.

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A.K. 47 - Selections from the Works of Alexandra Kollontai

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