Join the Chicago Chapter of the International Marxist-Humanist Organization for a new series of discussions on… 

What is Socialism? What is Needed to Bring it into Existence?

Although the idea of socialism long predates Karl Marx, he developed a distinctive concept of a post-capitalist society that takes on new meaning for today. We will explore his view of this alongside Rosa Luxemburg’s conception of what it takes for a new society to come into being.
Readings: Karl Marx, “Private Property and Communism” from Economic-Philosophic Manuscripts of 1844; Rosa Luxemburg, “Tactics of Revolution” (1906)

Leading off the discussion: Peter Hudis, author of Marx’s Concept of the Alternative to Capitalism.

 

This is the first session in a series of discussions on:

Envisioning Socialism:

Class, Race and Gender in the Struggle for New Human Relations

Is it possible to develop a socialist alternative that goes beyond both reformism and statist authoritarianism? In what ways do the social movements of the past 100 years provide insights for how to overcome capitalism? How do recent mass upsurges in Chile, Ecuador, Lebanon, France, and India illuminate the organizational forms best suited for creating a socialist alternative? We will explore these and related questions by studying select writings of Karl Marx, Rosa Luxemburg, Frantz Fanon, and Raya Dunayevskaya.

 

Future Sessions

Session 2—­March 18
Not by Class Alone: Women’s Liberation as the Measure of Social Emancipation

Session 3—April 1
Rethinking Socialism from an Anti-Racist and De-Colonial Lens

Session 4—April 22
Forms of Mass Self-Organization That Can Promote a Transition to Socialism: From the Paris Commune and the Russian Revolution to Today’s Movements 

Session 5—May 13
Socialism as “True Democracy”: Transcending the Capitalist Law of Value

 

All readings are available for free on pdf files here.

All meetings held every third Wednesday, at 6:30 pm (Beginning February 26, 2020)

Harold Washington Library, 400 S. State St., Chicago, Room 7 #N5 (Room across from 7^th floor elevators)

Sponsored by the Chicago Chapter of the International Marxist-Humanist Organization