A series of discussions presented by Workers' Liberty
Is democracy dead? 7.30pm Monday 11 Feb & 25 Feb. Other dates TBA.
The radical resistance to the power of global capital, support for
refugee rights, the struggle to save jobs from corporate collapse,
campaigns to protect the environment from unbridled greed, organising
for trade union and civil rights - are parallel struggles to which
Marxists can offer an integrating perspective - class solidarity for
worker-community control and public ownership. True democracy, not the
sham parliamentary system we have - is a central principle for this
perspective. This is why Workers' Liberty is holding an educational
discussion series on democracy.
Here are the details for the second and third sessions:
The Green Iguana Caf� (upstairs)
6 King Street (Sydney Uni end) NEWTOWN
7.30pm Monday 11 Feb
Reviving democracy in the labour movement
This first step to working class self-assertion and political
representation is not on Simon Crean�s new Labor agenda. Workers�
democracy vs political careerism. Preparing the labour movement to
defend democratic rights by making it much more democratic.
7.30pm Monday 25 Feb
The repression of democracy in the name of democracy.
The "war on terrorism" is being carried out in the name of "defending
democracy". Civil liberties and democratic rights do not apply for
anyone who is alleged to be a "terrorist" (including refugees) with new
repressive laws in Australia.. Future targets - anti-capitalist
activists and the labour movement.
We have already discussed the Paris Commune of 1871. Other topics with
dates and reading to be set - Spanish Civil War, Paris 1968, cordonis in
Chile under Allende, Wonthaggi, Victoria 1934, the NSW BLF in the 1970s
and others. Problems with attempts to extend democracy within
capitalism, such as co-operatives, works� councils, worker
participation. Contradictions between capitalism and democracy. How the
old USSR, Cuba and other statised economies are not based workers'
democracy. Why the public sector is undemocratic and bureaucratic. How
the pursuit of working class democracy gives a new meaning to the
struggle for human liberation.
Hope to see you there.
.
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