ISO Pittsburgh: July 2014

Monday, July 14, 2014

THE MEANING OF MARXISM - a four session study group

MARXISM involves an approach to reality that was developed to help the working-class majority bring about a fundamental change from CAPITALISM (an economic dictatorship operating to maximize the profits of the wealthy) to SOCIALISM (an economic democracy in which “the free development of each is the condition for the free development of all”).

It is grounded in a sophisticated philosophical orientation, the social sciences, and an understanding of history. It developed in close interplay with workers’ struggles and the labor movements of the 19th and 20th centuries. If understood and utilized with intelligence and passion, it can be a powerful tool for understanding and changing the world.

We will be exploring the basics of Marxism by utilizing a fine introductory text by Paul D’Amato – The Meaning of Marxism.

July 31
Philosophy, History, Economics, pp 7-68

August 7
Workers, Revolution, Organization, pp 69-138

August 14
Imperialism, War, Oppression, Ecology pp 139-189

August 21
Arguments Against & For Socialism pp 190-221

The book is available for $14

All classes start at 7pm and run for one hour

at the Thomas Merton Center

5129 Penn Avenue

WE INVITE YOU TO JOIN US IN THIS EXPLORATION!

Who We Are

We are the Pittsburgh branch of the International Socialist Organization. Our members are involved in helping to build a number of struggles: the movement to stop American wars abroad, fights against racism and anti-immigrant scapegoating, the struggle for women's rights like the right to choose abortion, opposing anti-gay bigotry, pushing for environmental justice, and standing up for workers' rights. We are committed to building a left alternative to a world of war, racism and poverty.

Read our "Where We Stand" pamphlet for more information.

Why Socialism?

The misery that millions of people around the world face is rooted in the society we live in--capitalism, where the few who rule profit from the labor of the vast majority of the population.

In the U.S., a tiny proportion of the population enjoys fantastic wealth, while millions of people live in desperate poverty, and many more live paycheck to paycheck. Yet we have the resources to feed, clothe and educate everyone on the planet.

A world free of exploitation--socialism--is not only possible but worth fighting for. The ISO stands in the tradition of revolutionary socialists Karl Marx, V.I. Lenin and Leon Trotsky in the belief that workers themselves--the vast majority of the population--are the only force that can lead the fight to win a socialist society. Socialism can't be brought about from above, but has to be won by workers themselves.