Guide & Disclaimer
This education list is intended as a recommended reading guide and resource for members and branch education officers, and a general resource for non-members.
Links to works have been provided where possible. Summaries are still being added.
Lists are typically sorted primarily by length, and categories are sorted alphabetically.
The CYM also organises internal education events alongside public and semi-public events.
Disclaimer: The inclusion of authors or organisations does not imply any organisational connection or endorsement on the part of the CYM.
Beginners: For those wanting to familiarise themselves with concepts, generally short
Ireland
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- British Imperialism in Ireland, Elinor Burns – A concise, Marxist history of the impact of English/ British colonialism and imperialism in Ireland from the 1640s to 1930s.
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- Connolly/Walker Controversy, James Connolly – The famous debate which outlines the difference between the socialist-republican position and Walkerite “Labour Unionism”.
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- Socialism and Nationalism, James Connolly – The classic introduction to socialist-republicanism that outlines the interconnectedness and necessity of socialism and national liberation in Ireland.
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- Wolfe Tone’s Ideals of Democracy, Constance Markievicz – A short summary of the revolutionary republican ideals of Wolfe Tone as an internationalist and anti-imperialist.
- Wolfe Tone’s Ideals of Democracy, Constance Markievicz – A short summary of the revolutionary republican ideals of Wolfe Tone as an internationalist and anti-imperialist.
Women
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- Women of ‘98, Constance Markievicz – Article outlining the role of women during the 1798 Rebellion.
- Women of ‘98, Constance Markievicz – Article outlining the role of women during the 1798 Rebellion.
Marxist Theory & Economics
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- Basic Principles of Marxism-Leninism: A Primer, Jose Maria Sison – A comprehensive introduction to Marxism-Leninism, covering the development and theory of dialectical materialism, historical materialism and Marxist-Leninist political economy.
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- Marx’s Economic Doctrine, Vladimir Lenin – Condensed but detailed summary of core concepts in Marxist economics; commodities, value, surplus value, and accumulation.
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- Marxism vs Liberalism, Joseph Stalin – H. G. Well’s interview with Stalin which outlines the difference between the liberal worldview and a socialist one.
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- The Socialist Revolution & The Rights of Nations to Self-Determination, Vladimir Lenin – Lenin summarises the communist approach to national self-determination and the responsibilities of communists in oppressed and oppressor nations.
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- Theses on Bourgeois Democracy & Proletarian Dictatorship, Vladimir Lenin – Lenin outlining how there is no genuine freedom under capitalism, and how capitalist “democracies” are a form of dictatorship.
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- Where Do Correct Ideas Come From?, Mao Zedong – Short piece from Mao Zedong which summarises the dialectical-materialist theory of knowledge that recognises the primary role of practice and experience in developing understanding.
- Where Do Correct Ideas Come From?, Mao Zedong – Short piece from Mao Zedong which summarises the dialectical-materialist theory of knowledge that recognises the primary role of practice and experience in developing understanding.
Imperialism & Anti-Imperialism
Revolutionary Attitude
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- Combat Liberalism, Mao Zedong – Short piece that explores how individualist attitudes manifest and how they are detrimental in revolutionary organisations.
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- On Communist Ethics, Nadezhda Krupskaya
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- Unity of the Working Class Against Fascism, Georgy Dimitrov – Speech from Dimitrov on the nature of fascism and the qualities that communist cadres should possess.
- Unity of the Working Class Against Fascism, Georgy Dimitrov – Speech from Dimitrov on the nature of fascism and the qualities that communist cadres should possess.
Queer Liberation
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- Invisible Comrades: Gays and Lesbians in the Irish Struggle, Brendi McClenaghan
Ecology
Useful Resources:
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- Marxist Paul: 101 Series
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- Trademark: Political Economy Podcasts
Intermediate: For those who want to have a deeper exploration of issues
Ireland
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- Ireland, Colonialism and Unfinished Revolution, Robbie McVeigh and Bill Rolston
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- Labour in Irish History, James Connolly – James Connolly’s attempt to explore Irish history through a historical materialist lens. Whilst not without its historiographical flaws it remains one of the most significant contributions to Irish Marxism.
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- Liam Mellows: Selected Writings
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- Sins of the Father, Conor McCabe
- Sins of the Father, Conor McCabe
Women
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- Marx On Gender and the Family: A Summary, Heather Brown
Marxist Theory & Economics
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- State and Revolution, Vladimir Lenin – The classic Leninist analysis of the role of the State and need for a dictatorship of the proletariat.
Imperialism & Anti-Imperialism
Revolutionary Attitude
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- Activist Study/Araling Aktabista – Part of the Filipino revolutionary curriculum that compiles easy-to-understand lessons on revolutionary attitude, revolutionary analysis, the mass line and democratic centralism.
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- Socialism and Man in Cuba, Che Guevara
- Socialism and Man in Cuba, Che Guevara
Queer Liberation
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- Towards a Scientific Analysis of the Gay Question, Los Angeles Research Group – A rebuttal of the arguments made that gay liberation was at odds with workers liberation whilst exploring the material causes for queerphobia.
- Towards a Scientific Analysis of the Gay Question, Los Angeles Research Group – A rebuttal of the arguments made that gay liberation was at odds with workers liberation whilst exploring the material causes for queerphobia.
Ecology
Advanced: Longer Reads
Ireland
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- Arming the Protestants, Michael Farrell – A detailed history of how the Orange State cemented its existence through force in the form of paramilitaries and the Ulster Special Constabulary.
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- Ireland Her Own, T. A. Jackson – A broad but detailed outline of a Marxist history of Ireland, covering from ancient Gaelic Ireland through to the 20th century.
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- The Orange State, Michael Farrell – A detailed exploration of the period of Unionist rule in the six counties from 1921-1972, looking at how the Orange state developed and functioned.
- The Orange State, Michael Farrell – A detailed exploration of the period of Unionist rule in the six counties from 1921-1972, looking at how the Orange state developed and functioned.
Marxist Theory & Economics
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- Soviet Textbook on Political Economy – Easy-to-read (but long) textbook covering Marxist political economy. Best consulted for its first section on pre-capitalist and capitalist political economy, as the section for political economy under socialism was (and is) subject to extensive debate.
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- Reading Notes on the Soviet Text Political Economy, Mao Zedong – Mao’s notes critiquing the section on socialist political economy, contrasting Chinese and Soviet experiences of socialist transition. Included to show differing opinions on the subject.
- Reading Notes on the Soviet Text Political Economy, Mao Zedong – Mao’s notes critiquing the section on socialist political economy, contrasting Chinese and Soviet experiences of socialist transition. Included to show differing opinions on the subject.
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Imperialism & Anti-Imperialism
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- Imperialism in the 21st Century, John Smith
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- Neo-Colonialism: The Last Stage of Imperialism, Kwame Nkrumah
Interesting & Useful Reads
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- Che Guevara: The Economics of Revolution, Helen Yaffe
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- Lost Revolution, Brian Hanley
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- Progress in Irish, Máiréad Ní Ghráda
Interesting Watches
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- Das Anderen Leben – A series of interviews with former East German citizens from all walks of life reflecting on what life was actually like on the other side of the “Iron Curtain”.
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- How Yukong Moved the Mountains – 11 part documentary filmed in China in 1972 during the latter phase of the Cultural Revolution.
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- No Go! – 1973 docudrama set around the No Go zones of Derry before the 1974 OIRA-INLA split.
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- Prolekult – YouTube channel creating documentaries on the modern world with Marxist analysis.
Useful Links
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- Marxists.org