February 16, 2011

Varieties of Socialism, Varieties of Approaches

Dear Friends,

We are pleased to present the schedule for our upcoming 3rd Annual Conference in Critical Social Research: Varieties of Socialism, Varieties of Approaches.

While the Great Recession triggered a global contagion unmatched in severity since the 1930s, unlike the depression and post-War years the legitimacy of capitalism (and neoliberalism) has not been seriously called into question. Rather than fundamentally challenging the logic of capital, most “solutions” to the crisis have been premised on more regulation and oversight amidst the admission of moral hazard. Solutions and the meaning of change have been squarely encapsulated to accommodate the needs of capital and its state, rather than seek to transcend it. Indeed, for all the talk of ‘crisis’ there remains a profound pessimism among many seeking to realize a better world. Despite isolated acts of resistance, it is clear that the working class is today more fragmented and alienated than at any point since the Great Depression. Arguably, however, the need for a renewed socialist project is greater today than perhaps ever.

On our Annual Conference webpage you will find both a short and full-length conference programme to our Third Annual Conference in Critical Social Research. Please join us to discuss and debate radical alternatives for what should be a very stimulating day of presentations.

Please Note: The CSRC is committed to fostering equity for women and all marginalized groups as a way of expanding perspectives, ideas and practices of critical social research. The “Varieties of Socialism, Varieties of Approaches” call for papers was distributed online through various conference sharing websites and community networks. Unfortunately, the CSRC did not receive any submissions from women.

In addition to further attempts at distributing the CFP across activist/academic networks and extending the deadline for submissions, the CSRC sought to address these concerns by individually soliciting a good many feminist activists and academics, however was unable to secure any speakers. In an effort to recognize the gender imbalance of the conference, as well as maintain an atmosphere of openness and transparency, we are drawing attention to this issue in order to encourage critical female and female identified activists and academics to participate in a discussion regarding these concerns. Please join us on Saturday March 5th, 2011 for our lunch plenary, “Radical Feminism, Anti-Racism & Socialism” Opportunities and Challenges”, in order to share your thoughts and discuss further opportunities for involvement.

Very best wishes and looking forward to seeing all of you on March 5th!

CLICK HERE to view a printable, one-page PDF version of the schedule

CLICK HERE to view a printable, detailed PDF version of the schedule

Varieties of Socialism, Varieties of Approaches

Saturday March 5th, 2011

Carleton University (Dunton Tower 2017)

Registration: 8:30-9:00am

Panel 1: Theoretical Reassessments (9:00-10:30am)

Chair: Gulden Ozcan, Carleton University

Brandon Chavarie, Carleton University: “The Role of the State in the Transition to Socialism”

James Meades, Carleton University: “On Creating Unified Diversity: Exploring State and Non-state Strategies of Socialist Transformation”

Nicholas Budimir, Western Michigan University: “Stop Doing Something and Think about it: Toward a Zizekian Sociology of Politics”

Brandon Tozzo, Queen’s University: “The Need for a “Marxish” 21st Century”

Panel 2: Party Politics: Toward Socialism? (10:40-12:10pm)

Chair: Tim Fowler, Carleton University

Scott Forsyth, York University: “Communist Cultural Politics in Canada: From the Cold War to the New Left”

Hugo Chesshire, Brock University: “False Flag: Economic Nationalism on the Canadian Left”

Richard Fidler, Socialist Project: “Quebec Solidaire: A Quebecois Approach to Building a Broad Left Party”

Harry Nedelcu, Carleton University: “Left Politics and Party Systems after the Great Recession: A Contemporary Study of EU Member States”

Lunch Plenary (12:10-12:50pm): Radical Feminism, Anti-Racism & Socialism: Challenges and Opportunities

Moderated by Gulden Ozcan & Priscillia Lefebvre

Panel 3: New Social(ist) Movements (1:00-2:30pm)

Chair: Allda Kokallaj, Carleton University

Aziz Choudry, McGill University: “Theorize This! On knowledge production, learning and/in struggle”

Eric Larson, Brown University: “The “Oaxaca Effect”: Imagining Liberation in the Era of Neoliberalism”

Efe Can Gurcan, University of Montreal: “Building Counter-Hegemonic Power in Latin America: A Neo-Gramscian Perspective on Movements”

Marc James Leger, Independent Scholar: “The Political Implications of Contemporary Socially Engaged Art”

Panel 4: Varieties of Socialism (2:40-4:10pm)

Chair: Priscillia Lefebvre

Yaroslav Samarin, Saint-Petersburg State University: “Socialism after Socialism”

Nathan Nun, York University: “Practical, Sensual Socialism”

Richard Westra, Nagoya University: “A Progressive Socialist Green Society: There is no Alternative”

Jeff Noonan, University of Windsor: “Socialism as a Life-Coherent Society”

Critical Social Research Collaborative Third Annual Distinguished Keynote Panel (4:15-6:15pm)

Chair: Carlo Fanelli, Carleton University

Paresh Chattopadhyay, Université du Québec à Montréal : “Socialism & the Human Individual in Marx’s Work”

David McNally, York University: “Radical Democracy & Popular Power: Thinking About New Socialisms for the 21st Century

Reception: Georgetown Pub 7:30pm (1159 Bank Street)

The CSRC graciously acknowledges the following sponsors: Department of Sociology & Anthropology; School of Canadian Studies; Department of Geography & Environmental Studies; Department of Law; Faculty of Graduate & Post-Doctoral Affairs; Department of Political Science; Institute of Interdisciplinary Studies; Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 4600; Alternate Routes: A Journal of Critical Social Research; Institute of Political Economy; School for Social Work.

The CRITICAL SOCIAL RESEARCH COLLABORATIVE (CSRC) is an interdisciplinary research collective comprised of faculty, graduate students, trade union and community activists based at Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada. For information on past events, conferences and online presentations, please visit us online at www.CSRCproject.ca.