[mobglob-discuss] Ideas to change the world: INTRODUCTION TO MARXISM

[Bradley Hughes]

Ideas to change the world: INTRODUCTION TO MARXISM

A day of revolutionary ideas presented by the International Socialists.

Saturday, February 8th

Emily Carr Institute of Art & Design
Rm. 269A, North Building, 1399 Johnston St., Granville Island

9am - 9.30am Registration

9.30am - 11.00am Capitalist crisis and war -Bradley Hughes

11.15am - 1pm Oppression and exploitation - Michelle Robidoux

1pm - 2pm Lunch Break

2pm - 3.45pm How do ideas change? - Jesse MacLaren

3.45pm - 5.30pm The revolutionary party, movement and class - Michelle Robidoux

5.30pm - 7pm Dinner Break

7pm - 8.30pm Russia 1917: From war to revolution -Sarah White
(note this session will be at the Backstage Lounge of the Arts Club 
Theatre, 1585 Johnston St., Granville Island.)

    2003 has begun under the shadow of imminent war against Iraq. But the 
resistance to war and capitalism is growing globally. We have to fuse that 
with the growing discontent at home.
    These are the most exciting times for socialists since the early 1970s 
when revolution seemed on the agenda. We have to throw ourselves into 
building the new movement and resistance on every front to the neo-liberal 
New World Order.
    Within the movement there is a need for revolutionary ideas and 
strategies. What is the connection between capitalism and war? Where does 
the power to win real change come from? How do we build a world free of 
racism, sexism and anti-gay bigotry? Are the media all-powerful? Can 
capitalism be reformed or must it be overthrown? What role can 
revolutionary socialists play in building a broad movement to transform the 
world? And what can we learn from revolutions in the past?
    These are fundamental questions posed every day in the movement for a 
better world. Marxism offers an understanding of these and many other 
questions. But Marxist ideas are often misunderstood or misrepresented.
    This day school aims to provide a forum to discuss Marxism as more than 
just theory  but crucially, as a guide to action.

Suggested readings:

The Communist Manifesto by Karl Marx & Frederick Engels 
(http://www.marxists.org/archive/marx/works/1848/communist-manifesto/index.htm)

The grand strategy of the American empire by Alex Callinicos, in ISJ 97

Anti-capitalism, reformism and socialism by John Rees, in ISJ 90
(http://pubs.socialistreviewindex.org.uk/isj90/contents.htm)

  Introduction to Marx's theory of alienation by Judy Cox, in ISJ 79 
(http://pubs.socialistreviewindex.org.uk/isj79/contents.htm)

  Marxism at the Millenium by Tony Cliff
(www.marxists.org/archive/cliff/ works/2000/millennium/index.htm)

Marxist theory of oppression by Abbie Bakan  (see resources section at 
www.socialist.ca )

To Register:
Please email the following to bhughes at sfu.ca or phone (604) 765-2580
Name
Address

Phone
E-mail

Check here if you need accommodation for Saturday night

The registration is fee is $10, sliding scale.