Strikes - studying Rosa Luxemburg

Rosa Luxemburg was a Polish revolutionary socialist, Marxist and anti-war activist. She was a central figure of European revolutionary socialist movements in the early 20th century. She made significant original contributions to socialist theory and knowledge, including being the first theorist to identify ideas that developed into concepts such as imperialism, globalisation and the military industrial complex.

Her writing was persuasive, accessible, principled, and often barbed, reflecting the passion she equally brought to her frontline presence of political activism.

This seven week course will examine Rosa Luxemburg’s contribution to socialist politics regarding economics, identity, militarism, strikes and revolution, as well as exploring the context of her life. Each week we will look at a selection of her writing, and reflect on how best we can utilise her ideas for today's struggles. All are welcome, regardless of previous knowledge of her work or wider socialist theory. -

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Can a movement manage a mass strike? Is it possible for the party to pilot the proletariat? Can radicals run a revolution?

For this fortnight’s session, we’ll be delving into the concept of Strikes: how they arise, how they are effective, and how (or if) they can be designed. Using Rosa’s experience in Russian, German, and Polish revolutionary periods, we’ll discuss how the left should best approach revolutionary action and agitation.

With the sun’s refusal to put in a full shift this bank holiday weekend, why not join it in solidarity and spend a rainy afternoon reading the below recommended pieces:

- The Mass Strike, The Political Party and the Trade Unions (1906)

The full version (71 pages) is available at https://www.marxists.org/archive/luxemburg/1906/mass-strike/, with a 13 page edited excerpt available on the Google Drive below.

-Theory & Practice (1910)

The full version (42 pages) is available at https://www.marxists.org/archive/luxemburg/1910/theory-practice/ch01.htm, with a 18 page edited excerpt available on the Google Drive below:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1ioLDV3sEmrwPa-yZG34_PSU2wVStLM94?usp=sharing

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Each event will be accessible to anyone, regardless if they've come to an earlier session. They'll take place In PRSC at 6:30pm on Tuesdays: April 2nd, 16th & 30th.

We encourage booking a ticket on Headfirst - for a recommended donation of £3 to cover the cost of the room, but free tickets are also available.