revolution100

Russian Revolutionary Centenary: Reflections on the 21st Century

Important historical anniversaries are good reasons to consciously reconsider history and observe the lessons from historical experience. The Russian Revolution was a series of major historical events in Russia in the year 1917 that not only marked the history of this country, but had also a decisive influence throughout modern world history. It is often described as one of the greatest historical events of humankind.

For some, the Russian Revolution of 1917 was a crucial milestone in the long and arduous course of humanity’s seek to achieve the ideals of freedom from humankind’s oppression and exploitation. Others see it as a disastrous development that had a negative impact in the world.

On the centenary of the revolution, it is time to boldly evaluate its achievements, its contradictions, its difficulties, its errors, and its transformative influence not only in former USSR but also to the whole world. It’s time again to reflect on the possibilities to create a word where humans are not exploited, a society of equality and freedom.

This year is also the sesquicentennial of the publication of Marx’s Capital/ Volume 1 (1867). Given the influence of Marx’s work in the Russian Revolution, this conference wants to elaborate on Marx’s scientific human theory and the need to revitalize a revolutionary theory for a revolutionary praxis

Themes:

  • The revolutionary moment
  • The revolutionary subject
  • Contradictions of early socialism
  • War and revolution
  • The aesthetics of the Russian Revolution and communism
  • Propaganda and media’s influences
  • Revolutionary education
  • The struggle to equality in early socialism
  • Marxist theory and revolution
  • The political economy of revolution
  • Revolution and counter-revolutions
  • Literature and revolution
  • Does the class struggle end in socialism?
  • Gender/race/religion and revolution
  • Dialectics and revolution
  • Impact of the Russian revolution in other countries.
  • Impact of the Russian Revolution in scientific fields.
  • Fascism and communism
  • Wars and nationalism/revolution and internationalism.
  • The possibility of revolution
  • Anarchism and revolution
  • Greece and revolution
  • Revolutionary struggles today

*The themes are not exhausted here; proposals that situate the Russian Revolution within a living history, reflecting on their significance to revolutionary theory and practice, will be considered.

Featured speakers:

Tariq Ali, Samir Amin, Francesca Coin, Mike Cole, Ana Dinerstein, Stratos Georgoulas, David Graeber, Andrej Grubacic, Dave Hill, John Holloway, Boris Kagarlitsky, Jerry Kachur, Ravi Kumar, Dimitri Lascaris, Vicki Macris, Peter McLaren, John Milios, Mike Neary, Maria Nikolakaki, Denis O’ Hearn, Leo Panitch, Dimitris Patelis, John Rees, Ingo Schmidt, Helena Sheehan, Kenneth Surin, Teivo Teivainen.

*The list is not exhausted

Book presentations

-Lenin, by Tariq Ali
-The Levelers, by John Rees
-The Syriza wave, by Helena Sheehan.
-Critical Race Theory and Education: a Marxist Response/ New Developments in Critical Race Theory and Education: Revisiting Racialized Capitalism and Socialism in Austerity

Organizing Committee:

Maria Nikolakaki, Andrej Grubacic, Dave Hill, Dimitri Lascaris, Ravi Kumar, Ana Dinerstein, Stratos Georgoulas, Mike Cole, Salim Nabi, Alex Politaki (media consultant).

Scientific Committee:

Maria Nikolakaki, Andrej Grubacic, Dave Hill, Dimitri Lascaris, Ravi Kumar, Ana Dinerstein, Stratos Georgoulas, Mike Cole, John Rees.

*Languages of the Conference: Greek and English

Conference

26. Oktober 2017
29. Oktober 2017, Ganztägig
University of Peloponnese
, Corinth, Griechenland
Veranstalter: 
Department of Social and Education Policy, University of Peloponnese