A foundational analysis of early capitalism when it was a progressive force against feudalism.

Concepts such as “Labour Theory of Value” was introduced here.

Its study and methodology lead to the development of scientific socialism.

A seminal critique of fascism, and defence of socialist experiments.

Parenti outlines how fascism arises to protect capitalist interests in response to the threat represented by leftist movements.

In this short essay, Friedrich Engels articulates a defence of authority as a necessary element of any social coordination.

Through examples like railways, factories, or the process of revolution itself, he illustrates that centralized decision-making and hierarchy are practical realities that must be used to serve collective ends rather than exploitative ones.

Perhaps the most famous source for articulating what decolonization means.

Fanon analyzes the psychological trauma caused by colonialism. He asserts that collective struggle unites the oppressed in dismantling the system responsible for their oppression.

“Wretched of the Earth” remains the foundational text for understanding why revolution is a necessity for the colonized to reclaim their humanity - by overthrowing and dismantling colonial rule through force.

In this text, Bevins’ examines the “Cold War” era anticommunist campaigns waged by the U.S.A.

Drawing it’s namesake from Indonesia’s genocide of leftists, unionists, and activists of all stripes in 1965-1966, the book traces how similar campaigns were exported to Latin America and Asia in order to suppress socialist and anti-imperialist movements while installing puppets friendly to capitalist interests. 

Capitalism is a pervasive ideology. It infiltrates culture, education, and stifles our collective imagination by framing itself as the only viable system, while fostering anxiety and apathy.

Fisher explores how capitalism shapes itself to be inevitable, despite crises and the threat of ecological collapse.

He urges resistance to this trap, while encouraging us to imagine and analyze alternatives to challenge capitalism’s global hegemony.

Contrary to the bevy of capitalist critiques, massive multinational corporations like Walmart or Amazon serve as major examples for the feasibility of large-scale central economic planning.

Phillips and Rozworski highlight how these corporations use central planning, while suggesting how similar methods could be used to democratically serve the people’s needs - instead of endlessly pursuing profit at our expense.

Tracing his journey from crime to imprisonment to global revolutionary, this book not only traces the life of Malcolm X, from his evolution through the Nation of Islam and break with the group, but his journey to Mecca and relationship to his Muslim faith.

Through its conversational style, the autobiography offers a glimpse into the thoughts of one of the most important advocates for Black liberation in history.

Instead of repeating the history of the “great men” of America, Howard Zinn offers a fresh perspective of history through the eyes of the oppressed.

The struggles, victories and defeats, of workers, Indigenous peoples, enslaved Africans, women, and activists all take central focus here. Zinn offers critiques on capitalism, imperialism, and outlines how the ruling classes of North America have maintained power through conquest, poverty, labour suppression, and by co-opting dissent.

The Russian Revolution of 1917 served as a signal to anti-colonial and socialist movements across the world. From Latin America to Asia, Vijay Prashad puts forward the impact the Revolution had on the global south, the ideological tools of these movements, and how they challenged capitalist exploitation.

Prashad critiques their contradictions, studying their excesses and mistakes, while highlighting their victories.

It is an excellent introduction to anti-imperialist thought beyond the confines of Europe.

This text offers a critical analysis of liberalism - the dominant socio-economic ideology of our time.

Losurdo dismantles the myth that capitalism is a progressive force, by exposing how its most influential thinkers championed freedom on the one hand, while justifying slavery, colonialism, and genocide.

The book examines this contradiction closely, focusing on liberalism’s reliance on empowering white, male property owners, while subjugating women, Africans, Indigenous peoples, and the working class. To Losurdo, true emancipation occurs in struggle against liberal regimes - as was the case of many abolitionist, socialist, and anti-colonial movements who demanded emancipation in the face of liberalism’s hypocrisy.