Police & Thieves (Once Again) (Patreon)

In this patrons episode I look at the latest controversies regarding police violence in the USA.  As part of this I examine why policing emerges as a unique function under capitalism, why the bourgeoisie require the "bodies of armed men", as Lenin called them and why "defunding" or abolishing the police under capitalism is utterly utopian.  The final part of the episode looks at how policing would be replaced by new methods under the dictatorship of the proletariat.

Episode artwork is a Soviet era militia poster

Episode outro is 'Police On My Back' by The Clash (lyrics by Eddie Grant)