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MARXISM AFTER MARX:

The state of Marxist theory today - Ill day to rescue the theory of proletarian he grip of armchair intellectuals. A WEEK OF on to Marxism, Racism, Ireland, British Pand the left, Law and order, Irish solidarity, lic plus support Films and more workshops

NEW CAVENDISH ST. LONDON

ROP

CE FOR THE EIGHTIES

PREPARING FOR POWER ALABOUR

Marxism after Marx A hundred years after his death, Marx's theory continues to provoke heated debate and argument.

state of Marxist theory today.

the cliches, dogmas and academic pretensions that have turned the theory of working class revolution into a harmless diversion for the middle classes.

SATURDAY

Workshop 1

SUNDAY

The rise of Hitler class unable to stop Hitler?

Workshop 2 Zionism: roots and prospects Workshop 1

MONDAY

Germany 1923 to a prolonged period of reaction.

Workshop 2 Lebanon after the carve up future trends. Workshop 1

TUESDAY

The Soviet Union under Andropov Workshop 2 Imperialism and Central America issues at stake. Workshop 1

WEDNESDAY

Workshop 2 The Greens and the anti-nukes how far they can go. Workshop 1

THURSDAY

Thatcherism and the Tories Workshop 2 The theory of value and its critics much criticism.

FRIDAY

introdi The first day of Preparing for Power is devoted to examining the We do so in the conviction that Marxism retains its force in charting the way towards the overthrow of capitalist power.

To develop Marxism we have first to rescue it from 10.00 - 12.30

OPENING SESSION: MARXISM SINCE 1945

From Althusser to Colletti, the celebrated Marxist theoreticians of the past 30 years are academics with no direct involvement in politics.

of armchair intellectuals has sought to reconcile the theory of proletarian revolution with pre-Marxist philosophies and contemporary trends from psychoanalysis to structuralism. They have made a bowdlerised Marxism an acceptable posture in diverse spheres of university life, while making Marxism itself seem obscure and irrelevant to the needs of the working class.

Frank Richards assesses the degeneration of Marxist theory and outlines an approach to retrieving its revolutionary content.

Fifty years after the Nazis came to power Sabena Norton asks why was the working Nurtured in the ghettoes of Europe, Zionism has emerged as the scourge of the Middle East. Judy Harrison explores Zionism.

Sabena Norton explains why the German Revolution failed and how it opened the doors The Beirut massacre has ushered in a new period of instability in the region. Inez Landa draws up a balance of forces and identifies Andropov has set out to solve the crisis of the Soviet economy. Frank Richards looks at the prospects for the Soviet Union in the 'eighties.

In virtually every country in the area anti-imperialist forces face the military might of Washington, Phil Murphy explores the The anatomy of Britain's economic crisis Phil Murphy provides a detailed breakdown of the structural crisis of British capitalism.

The European ecology and peace movements have achieved widespread popularity and influence. Sabena Norton explains why and Who are the Tories? Is there a special brand of Thatcherism? Rob Knight looks behind the myths and explains what makes the Tories tick.

Tony Allen reconstructs Marx's theory of value and shows why it has attracted so The theme of the last day of Preparing for Power is Looking Ahead.

Friday's workshops will be devoted to the different spheres of the class struggle at home and abroad. Speakers introducing the sessions will be advancing a strategy for combatting he drive towards war, for fighting racism and other forms of oppression in Britain and for building an effective workers' movement in industry. Details of the different sessions will be publicised during the course of the conference. Judy Harris Specialist courses

INTRODUCTION

TO MARXISM

Convenor: Frank Richards This course shows that Marxism is not an esoteric dogma but is accessible to anybody change the world. It is oriented toward those who are new to Marxism, but will be sufficiently challenging to shake up even the most complacent. A generation Workshop 3 US imperialism: upturn or decline?

The world's most powerful imperialist state faces a protracted crisis. Keith Tompson draws out the implications for the USA's rivals and its victims. Workshop 4 Nuclear arms: from Hiroshima to Greenham Common Millions stand in fear of nuclear weapons. Fran Eden assesses the anti-bomb movement and explains where it goes wrong.

Workshop 3 Japan: the quiet imperialist During the past decade Japan has been discreetly building up its empire. Alan Harding exposes the activities of Japanese imperialism.

Workshop 4 Reagan and the working class.

Why is the American working class so divided and ineffective? Mick Hume provides some of the answers. Workshop 3 The debt mountain and the Third World Inez Landa shows how the banking system works to enforce imperialist domination and argues why this system is bound to collapse. Workshop 4 The significance of the 1983 General Election Fran Eden analyses the results of the 1983 election and points to the future pattern of class relations in Britain.

Workshop 3 What's left of the Labour left Despite its current paralysis, the Labour left remains the dominant force in the British labour movement. We look at its strategy, its composton and its ruture Workshop 4 Post-war reformism and the European working class. Frank Richards explores the forces that have sustained and shaped reformism in the post-war years. Workshop 3 What about the working class?

Is the working class a fast declining stagnant force? Does mass unemployment and structural change mean the end of the proletariat as a revolutionary force? Workshop 4 The decline of the Communist Parties Eurocommunism is dead and most of the parties face a major crisis of identity. Frank Richards analyses the crisis of Western Stalinism. e afternoon: And

RACISM

Convenor: Fran Eden From Berlin to Brick Lane racist violence is on the increase. Yet in Britain many anti-racists are confused and pessimistic and the labour movement itself remains on the sidelines. In this course we examine the roots of racism, assess the record of anti-racist campaigns and chart out an effective response. Marx on the Irish Question The materialist conception of history Racism socialism. Racism The workplace and the labour movement. Marxist theory of ideology Racism theory of the state Racism Marx, a working class politician Racism How to unite and fight There will be six specialist courses, eac separate sessions - 2 till 4 and 4.30 till

IRELAND

Convenor: Phil Murphy This course aims to lift the veil that shrouds the Irish War. We will examine the main protagonists in the conflict and answer such questions as why Britain cannot withdraw its troops, why religious differences appear to have such force and why this bitter struggle has gone on for so long. 2.00- Revisionism and social democracy In the 20 years before the First World War Marxism was systematically revised by the reformist leaders of the labour movement.

Judy Harrison examines the debates in the Second International and their legacy today.

Marx's writings on Ireland illustrate the link between revolutionary theory and practice.

Helen Simons examines his approach to national oppression to clarify its relevance to building an anti-imperialist movement in Britain today.

Introduction to Marxism Racial oppression and capitalism Introduction to Marxism Capital: the basis of scientific Introduction to Marxism Immigrant car workers in France Introduction to Marxism The Paris commune & Marx's USA: black struggles in the 'eighties Introduction to Marxism T And now lei prepare for

MOVEMENT CONFERENCE FOR THE 'EIGHTIES

1 comprising five daily workshops.

BRITISH

WORKING CLASS

Convenor: Mike Freeman This timely course challenges all the old assumptions about the British working class, its institutions and its politics. The discussions will be particularly relevant to workers who are concerned with the decline of shop-floor organisation, new trends in industrial relations and the impact of unemployment. 1.00 as Stalin a Marxist? rom the mid-'twenties until his death in the ifties Joseph Stalin dictated the line for a neration of Marxists. Gareth Evans looks at talin's writings to reveal how many who today enounce him, remain under his influence.

there a British Marxism? arxism has always had weak roots in Britain.

raditions of working class self-education in arxist theory have been largely destroyed.

ike Freeman argues that although the heritage grim, future prospects are excellent.

reland hy Britain partitioned Ireland orkshop he politics of containment enise Taylor examines the extensive twork of state-sponsored youth employment schemes. eland range sectarianism anomaly or cessity? orkshop ance: May '68 ash in the pan or the first shot of the coming ropean revolution? As the far right riots in streets of Paris, James Wood remembers y '68. eland publicanism since Partition orkshop volution and counter-revolution in Spain e Spanish Civil War was the last gasp of the ropean revolution. Rob Knight looks at legacy for today. eland omen under imperialism orkshop e oppression of gays and the working class y are gays oppressed? Is gay oppression an e for the workers movement.

ne attempts to fight for gay rights in light of present "back to Victorian values' offensive.

eland e longest war orkshop land since martial law reth Evans discusses the persistence of and's crisis as the Pope heads home and rking class discontent simmers.

S power! 6.30. Thus it will be possible to attend any two of the six specialist courses throughout the week.

WOMEN

Convenor: Kate Marshall From Margaret Thatcher's 'retur to Victorian values' to pro-family "back to the home' campaigns, the rights of women are under attack. This course is designed for those who want to organise to hit back and to make the cause of women's liberation a central issue for working class politics. The high tide of Marxism Marxism and feminism Who is working class? Women Why are we oppressed? Women rights The emerging patterns of Women The Labour Party and women's equality Wage bargaining Women We assess oppression Women The women's liberation movement - an assessment

REGISTRATION

9am 16 July New Cavendish St London W1 These will be held every afternoon from Sunday till Thursday, in two

AFRICA

Convenor: Charles Longford The world crisis of capitalism is devastating Africa. While South Africa terrorises its neighbours, famine ravages the Today imperialist continent. valses unreaten to engull Africa. We look at the role of imperialism in Africa, paying particular attention to South Africa and its mission to make Africa safe for imperialism.

4.30 - 6.30 In the five years following the 1917 Russian Revolution Marxism reached its highest point to date. Frank Richards traces the emergence of the Communist International under Lenin and Trotsky and assesses its relevance for today.

Were Marx and Engels male chauvinist pigs?

Did they get their facts wrong? Kate Marshall agrees with the critics at least on one point Marxism cannot be reconciled with feminism.

British working class British working class What is the labour bureaucracy?

The trade unions and women's British working class employment and unemployment British working class The Soviet Union - a new form of British working class Union organisation and politics Polytechnic Central London Workshops same time as the specialist courses.

Evening The theory of capitalist collapse Today's Marxists reject Marx's theory of capitalist crisis as inadequate and outdated.

Yet, as Phil Murphy argues, it is the theory of crisis that gives Marxism its revolutionary significance Beyond capitalism: Marx's theory of liberation What exactly are we fighting for? Inez Landa examines Marx's notion of the transition from capitalism to a higher form of society.

Africa Working class in South Africa Workshop The USSR and the national question National divisions continue to plague the USSR. Andy Clarkson looks at the reasons behind the persistence of chauvinism in the Soviet Union. Africa Crisis in South Africa Workshop Is the USSR capitalist? Tony Allen looks at the history of the theory of state capitalism and shows where this popular analysis goes wrong.

Africa Showdown in Namibia Workshop Are the NICs a threat to imperialism?

The newly industrialised countries are often portrayed as a threat to the imperialist order.

Tony Allen analyses the consequences of the new international division of labour.

Africa Zimbabwe: compromise and oppression Workshop Policing the working class Joan Phillips traces the history of the British police and examines the emergence of riotpolicing, community policing and the illusions of accountability. Africa How the Western powers line up Workshop Housing and the working class Whilst the Tories press on with the right to buy council houses the number of homeless grows.

Mike Wall looks at the politics of housing in Britain today.

NAME ...

ADDRESS

TEL

ACCOMMODATION REQUIRED?•

CRECHE REQUIRED?

Enquiries: 01-274 3951 Every morning - and alongside the specialist courses in the afternoon - we will be running workshops on a wide range of themes. These will include sessions on the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, the working class in the West, revolutions betrayed and issues in British politics. You can chose one of four workshops in the mornings and every afternoon one additional session will be running at the Every evening will be packed with more discussion and debate for those who want it and films, music and entertainment for those who want to take a break.

There will be food, drink and late night discos.

BENEFIT

The The Round up Powerful film of revolution betrayed by the Hungarian director Miklos Jancso Battle of Algiers Pontecorro's brilliant portrayel of the Algerian national liberation struggle The Longest War World premiere of the Irish Freedom Movement video on British strategy in Ireland The Travelling Players Theodor Angelopoulo's Kuhle Wampa(1931) Written by Brecht and directed by Dudow the film portrays the tensions the Great Depression; followed by a discussion. I would like to attend Preparing for Power and enclose £10 (£6 UB40).

I would like to attend the following specialist courses: Cheques payable to RCP Association. Send to BM RCP London WCIN 3XX.

7.30 Workers Against Racism Republic Plus support

DEBATE

The police and Law and Order

FILM INTERNATIONAL

DEBATE

War and peace, militarism and anti-militarism

FILM INTERNATIONAL

DEBATE

The Labour Party Speakers from the Labour Party, Socialist Organiser, Workers Power and the

RCP

VIDEO INTERNATIONAL

DEBATE

Ireland and Irish solidarity Speakers from the Labour Party and the Irish Freedom Movement stunning panorama of political upheaval and civil war in Greece

FILM INTERNATIONAL

DEBATE

WOMEN

Feminists, Marxist feminists and Marxists Tacca by verman workers auring

FILM INTERNATIONAL

Please bring a sleeping bag.

Ages of children?

A unique opportunity to find out everything yo Marxism and working class politics. Learn theo politics, meet activists, share experiences

PREPARI

have fun.

POV

a fu revolution from SPECIALIST COURSES: Introducti working class, Women, Africa. DEBATES: The R War and peace, Feminism. BENEFIT: The Repul

16-22 JULY, POLYTECHNIC OF CENTRAL LONDON,

A LABOUR MOVEMENT CONFEREN