SP Newsletter No.268
The Melbourne Branch of the Socialist Party will be holding a day school on Saturday July 4. The school will be a good introduction to the basic ideas of Marxism and will be of interest to new members or to people who are keen to find out more about the politics of SP.

Many times since his death in 1883, Karl Marx’s ideas have been dismissed as irrelevant. But, many times since, interest in his ideas has resurfaced as each new generation which challenges the unequal, unjust and exploitative nature of capitalism looks for ideas and a method to change the world.

Marx’s ideas were added to by his closest collaborator Frederick Engels and subsequently added to and enriched by the writings and living experience of Lenin and Trotsky who led the 1917 October Russian Revolution.

For any person looking to change the world in a socialist direction the ideas of Marxism are a vital tool and weapon to assist the working class in its struggle to change society.

The details of the school are: 1pm – 5pm Saturday July 4 @ Trades Hall, 54 Victoria Street Carlton South. The agenda is below and prior reading is available on request.

1.00pm – 2.00pm

The method of Marxism: An introduction to dialectics and historical materialism

This session will look at the scientific method of how Marxists analyse the world. In order to implement progressive change, first we need understand exactly what is wrong with the capitalist system. Dialectics and historical materialism, along with an understanding of economics, are the bedrocks of Marxist ideas.

2.30pm – 3.30pm

What would socialism look like? What is democratic socialism and how would it work?

There are many myths about socialism. The ruling class claim that socialism has been tried and failed. We say that Stalinism was not genuine socialism. We are fighting for democratic socialism which includes public ownership and workers control and management. This session will explain what we are fighting for in more detail.

4.00pm – 5.00pm

Fighting for socialism: What type of organisation is required?

If you agree that there must be a better way of running society then the question that begs is how will we achieve this? Some argue that spontaneity will suffice, others think we will only need loose networks of people. Marxists argue that we need a clear program and a well organised party in order to challenge capitalism. This session will look at the role of a revolutionary party today.

For more information about any of the sessions or to book your place at the school, contact the SP National Office on 0396399111.

Upcoming SP meetings

The Melbourne Branch of the Socialist Party meets every Wednesday 7pm at Trades Hall on the corner of Lygon & Victoria Streets Carlton South. Upcoming meetings include:

1/7/09 – The politics of George Orwell
8/7/09 – Iran: The issues behind the mass protests
15/7/09 – The history and politics of the Greens
22/7/09 – Activist workshop: Public speaking skills
29/7/09 – The Paris Commune: Lessons for today
5/8/09 – CWI world school report back

For more information or for details of meetings in other parts of Australia contact our National Office on 03 9639 9111.

News links

Northern Ireland: Unite against racist attacks!
http://socialistworld.net/eng/2009/06/1902.html

Iran: Where now for the Iranian revolution?
http://socialistworld.net/eng/2009/06/2201.html

Britain: Lindsey refinery dispute
http://socialistworld.net/eng/2009/06/2401.html

Join the Socialist Party

If you agree with what you have read in our newsletter or on our website you should consider joining SP. The Socialist Party has branches in Melbourne, Sydney, Newcastle and Perth as well as members and supporters in all other states.

We are involved in trade union work and student work. We also run community, anti-war and environmental campaigns. But most of all we want to build a party that will fight to get rid of the capitalist system, the system that is at the root of all of these problems. We fight for socialism - a system that will bring an end to wars, poverty and environmental destruction. To join SP contact our National Office on 03 9639 9111 and we will send you a membership application form.

Subscribe to ‘The Socialist’ newspaper!

Support the Socialist Party by subscribing to our monthly newspaper ‘The Socialist’. Subscription rates are only $10 per year or $20 solidarity price. You will receive 11 copies per year delivered to your door every month. You will also receive our email newsletter every week and you will know that you are supporting an organisation that is at the fore of fighting against the capitalist system. To subscribe to ‘The Socialist’ contact our National Office on 03 9639 9111 and we will send you a subscription form.

Socialist Party contact details

Melbourne: Phone Anthony on 0396399111.
Sydney: Phone Gary on 0297287727.
Newcastle: Phone Samantha on 0249681545.
Perth: Phone John on 0894020728.
Rest of Australia: Phone our National Office on 0396399111.
Rest of the world: Phone our International Office on ++ 44 20 8988 8760.

The Socialist Party is the Australian section of the Committee for a Workers’ International (CWI). The CWI is organised in over 40 countries across the world.

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