The CRITICAL UNIVERSITY presents
The past and present of the Paris Commune
Chaired by Simon Hannah
Hosted by AntiCapitalist Resistance
12:00 - 1:30 - The Paris Commune's past
Sandra Bloodworth and Paul Mason will be speaking on the events of the Paris Commune, from the crisis brought about by war to the revolutionary seizure of power by the working people of Paris and the radical policies they implemented in the 72 days of freedom.
2:00 - 3:30 - The Paris Commune's present
Our second session will be led by Penelope Duggan and Gilbert Achar looking at the form of the commune today; the idea of radical democracy, of seizing spaces from capital and what the commune might teach us about revolutionary strategy.
Speakers
Sandra Bloodworth is a labour historian and a member of Socialist Alternative in Australia. She is the author of "The Paris Commune: Glorious harbinger of a new society".
Paul Mason is a journalist and author who has written a number of books including Post-Capitalism and Clear Bright Future: A Radical Defence of the Human Being. He has produced a two part documentary on the Paris Commune.
Penelope Duggan is a leading member of the Fourth International. She has written the introduction to The Paris Commune: An ode to emancipation (Resistance Books)
Gilbert Achar is Professor at SOAS, University of London. He is the author of "La Commune de Paris – 1871" in Revolutions (Haymarket).