The Internationale (Rave Mix)

Over the past few years, socialism has recovered remarkably from the death blow inflicted on it by the collapse of the Berlin Wall and the triumph of market capitalist democracy as a global universal ideology. This can be seen at the WTO protests, Seattle, and now the May 1 McDonalds-thrashings taking place across the world today.

Culturally, Marxism has made a comeback among young rebels, ditching the brown suits of the Soviet era and donning blue hair dye and a punk lifestyle. Even Fidel Castro himself, perhaps wary of being seen as a relic of the past, has courted the Nu Marxist punk movement. However, what must be said for punk rock (and post-punk turntablist electronica and whatever) is that it does not have broad appeal.

A few years ago, some DJs at a popular UK nightclub (the Ministry of Sound, I think) did a rave mix of God Save The Queen.

I was thinking that someone should do a pumping, anthemic rave version of The Internationale, the international socialist anthem. It could be played from sound systems at anti-capitalist protests, keeping with the dreadlocked rave party mood, whilst preserving the traditions of the radical proletariat for new generations. Yoof radio stations could play it, rousing their listeners to go to rallies against Nike and McDonalds. And if you're not a radical leftist, it could still be a marketable radical-kitsch objet, sort of like Che beer.