Introduction to Marxism dayschool, London

Everything you always wanted to know about revolutionary socialism
(but were afraid to ask)

An introduction to Marxist ideas, organised by the Alliance for
Workers' Liberty

12-7pm, Saturday 19 April 2008, University of East London Docklands
campus (Cyprus DLR)

Sweatshop labour, soaring inequality, privatisation, war, racism,
destruction of the environment, women's oppression... why is the world
like it is? And how can we change it?

Workers' Liberty is a Marxist, revolutionary socialist organisation.
We believe that the problem is capitalism, and all societies based on
class exploitation; and that workers' struggle and working-class
revolution can create a new society, one without exploitation or
oppression, in which human beings are able to develop their
individuality freely.

This year is the 40th anniversary of 1968, when French workers and
students rose up against the rule of capital, in the vanguard of a
worldwide upsurge against capitalism and Stalinism. This event will
feature a French socialist youth activist discussing the lessons of
1968 and their relevance to the struggles being waged by workers and
young people in France and around the world today.

Debate, discussion and difficult questions encouraged.

Sessions will include:

* Young workers in struggle: why anti-capitalists should look to the
labour movement, and how we can help revive it
* Socialism, democracy, revolution and violence
* "Radical chains": how does class struggle relate to the fight
against women's, black, LGBT and other forms of oppression?
* Marx's ecology: rediscovering a forgotten tradition
* What do "imperialism" and "anti-imperialism" mean?
* Marxists, nations and national self-determination: the case studies
of Israel-Palestine and apartheid South Africa
* How (and how not) to fight the BNP
* What's wrong with "fair trade" and "trade justice"?
* Venezuela, Bolivia, Cuba: models of 21st century socialism?
* Why is the left so divided? Do we need a united socialist party? How
do we get one?

Followed by a fundraising social with Marxist hip-hop artist the Ruby
Kid @ the Ivy House, 8-10 Southampton Row, Holborn (a few minutes from
Holborn tube).

Ticket prices £5 waged, £3 unwaged - with a £1 discount if you pay in
advance. Whenever you pay, please preregister if you can by emailing
skillz_999@hotmail.com or ringing 020 7207 0706. (We can find you
somewhere free to stay as many nights as you need.)