Show Notes
Torkil Lauesen joins us to discuss the political economy of imperialism and trade, Arghiri Emmanuel’s theory of unequal exchange, political action in the imperial core, his years in prison, and the current geopolitical moment of hegemonic transition. Works mentioned: Unequal Exchange: Past, Present, and Future; Unequal Exchange. Torkil Lauesen is a communist writer. In 1969 he joined a Maoist cadre organization based in Copenhagen, Denmark. It specialized in undercover material support work for liberation movements in The Third World. Besides this it provided political schooling and study groups analysing the world system for developing their strategy and praxis. This work continued for nearly 20 years until their cover was blown in 1989. He turned the years in prison into a long field study, writing a master thesis in political science about the prison system. After being released, he continued anti-imperialist activism and took up writing for publishing in an effort to pass on their experience. He is a member of anti-imperialist net and a board member of the Arghiri Emmanuel Association. We’re committed to independence and will never run ads or take money from institutions. That means Turbulence is entirely listener-funded. For $5 a month, paid subscribers gain access to weekly news analysis bonus episodes, where we respond to events as they unfold, follow up on previous discussions, and draw connections across the conflicts shaping our world. Most importantly, paid subscriptions make it possible for us to keep doing this work independently, week after week. Subscribe today at turbulencepod.substack.com Follow along on Twitter/X and Instagram @turbulence_pod Theme: Eye for an Eye, Haram (2017) Art: Vivek Venkatraman
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit turbulencepod.substack.com/subscribe
More from Turbulence
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit turbulencepod.substack.com
We continue our discussion with Mamyrah Dougé-Prosper on the history of popular resistance in Haiti, the contradictions of the Aristide era, the PetroCaribe protests of 2018, and the current struggle for sovereignty from below. Mamyrah Dougé-Prosper is an Assistant Professor of Global and International Studies at the University of California, Irvine. She is also the director of the Center for Racial Justice at UCI. Dougé-Prosper’s work generally focuses on Black social movements. More specifically, her research centers around protest movements in 21st century Haiti. Dougé-Prosper has published in political magazines such as Black Agenda Report, LeftEast, Phenomenal World, Jacobin and NACLA as well as academic journals such as Women’s Studies Quarterly, International Studies Review, Kalfou, Small Axe, PoLAR and the Journal of Haitian Studies. She is completing her first manuscript titled Nation Against State: Development Contested in Occupied Haiti. Dougé-Prosper is currently a board member of Grassroots International. Between 2018 and 2024, she served as the coordinator of the Pan-African Solidarity Network with Community Movement Builders. To support Palestinians in Gaza, consider donating through The Sameer Project. For $5 a month, paid subscribers gain access to weekly news analysis bonus episodes, where we respond to events as they unfold, follow up on previous discussions, and draw connections across the conflicts shaping our world. Most importantly, paid subscriptions make it possible for us to keep doing this work independently, week after week. Subscribe today at turbulencepod.substack.com Follow along on Twitter/X and Instagram @turbulence_pod Theme: Eye for an Eye, Haram (2017) Art: Vivek Venkatraman Researcher: KC Mix: Jasper Saba
Mamyrah Dougé-Prosper joins us to discuss the history of foreign intervention in Haiti, the political and economic origins of the country’s so-called gangs, and the centuries-long struggle between the Haitian state and popular sovereignty. Mamyrah Dougé-Prosper is an Assistant Professor of Global and International Studies at the University of California, Irvine. She is also the director of the Center for Racial Justice at UCI. Dougé-Prosper’s work generally focuses on Black social movements. More specifically, her research centers around protest movements in 21st century Haiti. Dougé-Prosper has published in political magazines such as Black Agenda Report, LeftEast, Phenomenal World, Jacobin and NACLA as well as academic journals such as Women’s Studies Quarterly, International Studies Review, Kalfou, Small Axe, PoLAR and the Journal of Haitian Studies. She is completing her first manuscript titled Nation Against State: Development Contested in Occupied Haiti. Dougé-Prosper is currently a board member of Grassroots International. Between 2018 and 2024, she served as the coordinator of the Pan-African Solidarity Network with Community Movement Builders. To support Palestinians in Gaza, consider donating through The Sameer Project. Episode Guide: * MINUSTAH — United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (2004–2017). Brazil-led UN peacekeeping mission established following the removal of Jean-Bertrand Aristide. * MINUJUSTH — United Nations Mission for Justice Support in Haiti (2017–2019). Successor to MINUSTAH, focused on policing and judicial institutions. * BINUH — United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (2019–present). UN political mission supporting governance, security, and human rights. * MSS — Multinational Security Support Mission (2024–2026). Kenya-led multinational security force authorized by the UN Security Council. * GSF — Gang Suppression Force (2026–present). Multinational force authorized to combat armed groups in Haiti. * FRAPH — Front for the Advancement and Progress of Haiti. Paramilitary organization implicated in repression following the 1991 coup against Aristide. * PHTK — Parti Haïtien Tèt Kale. Political party associated with former presidents Michel Martelly and Jovenel Moïse. * G9 — G9 an Fanmi e Alye (G9 Family and Allies). Armed-group coalition associated with Jimmy Chérizier (“Barbecue”). * ALBA — Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America. Regional cooperation initiative established by Venezuela and Cuba. * IMF — International Monetary Fund. International financial institution involved in Haiti’s economic restructuring. * OAS — Organization of American States. Regional intergovernmental organization. * HOPE — Haitian Hemispheric Opportunity through Partnership Encouragement Act. U.S. trade-preference legislation for Haitian apparel. * HELP — Haiti Economic Lift Program Act. U.S. legislation expanding trade preferences for Haitian textiles and apparel. We’re committed to independence and will never run ads or take money from institutions. That means Turbulence is entirely listener-funded. For $5 a month, paid subscribers gain access to weekly news analysis bonus episodes, where we respond to events as they unfold, follow up on previous discussions, and draw connections across the conflicts shaping our world. Most importantly, paid subscriptions make it possible for us to keep doing this work independently, week after week. Subscribe today at turbulencepod.substack.com Follow along on Twitter/X and Instagram @turbulence_pod Theme: Eye for an Eye, Haram (2017) Art: Vivek Venkatraman Researcher: KC Mix: Jasper Saba
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit turbulencepod.substack.com
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit turbulencepod.substack.com