"Previous announcements"

Glasgow Wednesday 18th February Community Central Halls, 8.00p.m.(Prompt) 304 Maryhill Road, Glasgow Trade Unions and the Labour Party The trade unions were instrumental in forming the Labour Party, but their baby has turned into a Frankensteinian monster that is much more likely to favour the interests of the owning class than that of the working class. Peter Hendrie opens this discussion on the lessons to be learned from the futility of reform programmes to solve problems and raises several questions about the possible split from the Labour Party by the trade union movement.
Wednesday 21 January, 8pm
WORK AND LABOUR IN CAPITALISM AND SOCIALISM
Immense changes are being made worldwide in how people work. Is technology reducing the need for physical labour? Are the numbers of workers increasing globally? Are they working longer hours? Brian Gardner starts of a discussion on how recent changes technically and globally have affected the labour process. How efficiently does capitalism use labour? How much work inside capitalism will be of any use to a socialist society?

Community Central Halls, 304 Maryhill Road

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    The American Political System

Is the American model more democratic than the British one?

How could socialists operate at elections in the US?

Is the fixed period election more democratic?

Does the dominance of huge electoral donations for campaigns, nullify any prospects of socialism?

Does the dominance of US capitalism hinder the spread of socialist ideas world-wide?


8pm
Wednesday 20 November 2002

    The Human Nature Question

Is there such a thing as human nature?
Is socialism “doing what comes naturally”?

Is human nature unchanging?

Does socialism run counter to deep human behavioural traits?

If it is human to co-operate, how come we have had slavery, feudalism and capitalism?

8pm
Wednesday 17 December 2002
    Crime and Punishment

What is the cause of crime and can capitalism eradicate it?

Is crime increasing or decreasing?

Would there be crime inside a socialist society?

Would there be law inside socialism?

Would it be necessary to have courts and prisons?


8pm Wednesday January 15th 2003
    Socialism and Science
In what sense, if any, could socialism be described as scientific? Is there evidence for a growing unscientific backlash? What is the role of science in modern society? What part would science play in a socialist society?
8pm

8pm Wednesday 19 February 2003
    Recent Developments in the Anti-Globalisation Movement

Is this movement just another reform organisation? What successes, if any, can come from their actions? Can socialists learn from their tactics? Is there any evidence that a genuine socialist consciousness is growing inside this organisation? What should the correct socialist response be to workers involved in this movement?

glasmeet

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8pm

Wednesday 19 February 2003

Recent Developments in the Anti-Globalisation Movement

Is this movement just another reform organisation?

What successes, if any, can come from their actions?

Can socialists learn from their tactics?

Is there any evidence that a genuine socialist consciousness is growing inside this organisation?

What should the correct socialist response be to workers involved in this movement?

8pm

Wednesday 19 March 2003

Our Declaration of Principles Re-examined

Is the Socialist Party being sectarian in declaring itself ?hostile to all other parties??

If the Principles were drawn up today how different would they be?

Is the use of the term ?race? in Clause 4, tenable today in view of different scientific attitudes?


The emphasis in all the meetings is very much on informality and a lively discussion can be expected.


The meetings will take place in Maryhill Community Central Halls, Maryhill Road,Glasgow

We hope the programme will be of interest to you and you will be able to attend. Admission is free and all are welcome. The Socialist Party Glasgow Branch 8.00PM PROMPT

The Socialist Party View


2002/3
Following on from the success of our "Socialism 2000"Glasgow Branch Discussion Group Meetings, we are delighted to bring you details of our meetings which took place from January 2001


The emphasis was very much on informality and lively, but good natured,discussions ensued, with non-members and members alike, making excellent contributions.


All meetings took place in Maryhill Community Central Halls, Maryhill Road,Glasgow We hope the programme will be of interest to you and you will be able to attend some of the future meetings.


Check out ANNOUNCEMENTS for those. Admission is free and all are welcome. 8.00PM PROMPT


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GLASGOW DISCUSSION GROUP
 

  
HUMAN NATURE--A SOCIALIST VIEW
WEDNESDAY 17TH JANUARY at 8.00 pm


The Discussion Was Started by Dick Donnely
 

                 
GLASGOW DISCUSSION GROUP
GLOBALISATION
The     SOCIALIST           VIEW
WEDNESDAY 21st  FEBRUARY            The Discussion Was Started by Brian Gardner


                       
 GLASGOW DISCUSSION GROUP


  
THE NHS IN CRISIS


 
THE SOCIALIST VIEW   WEDNESDAY 21st  MARCH The Discussion was Started                                                      by Derrick Trainer


 
GLASGOW DISCUSSION GROUP


    
WORK AND LEISURE INSIDE SOCIALISM


THE SOCIALIST VIEW


WEDNESDAY 18th APRIL Who will do the dirty work?.. What about the lazy man?.. Can work be enjoyable?..


                                                                              
The Discussion Was Started by Dick Donnelly


      
GLASGOW DISCUSSION GROUP


THE SO-CALLED ARMED STRUGGLE
The Socialist Party View
WEDNESDAY 16th MAY


Will a socialist revolution be a violent revolution?


Can socialism be won peacefully? What is the socialist attitude to violence? Is it a moral argument? How does it differ from anarchists,pacifists,etc.? How would socialism deal with violent opposition? Is socialism a left wing movement? Should socialists support the armed struggle? Do Marx's ideas provide a basis for it? Are there exceptional cases,e.g.the PLO,the IRA,the ANC?

The discussion was started by Derrick Trainer


GLASGOW DISCUSSION GROUP


APATHY AND THE WORKING CLASS


The Socialist Party View
WEDNESDAY 20th JUNE 2001
Discussion started


by Victor Vanni


Are the working class becoming increasingly apathetic? If so what are the causes?Is it because they are more contented? Or does it reflect an increasing scepticism about conventional politics, and politicians?are the 'single issue' movements doing any better? Is the class struggle really finished? Is socialism still a class based movement? What are the implications for socialism? Are the prospects for socialism better or worse? How should socialists respond to these developments?


The Socialist Party View


18thJuly2001
Anti-Americanism or anti-capitalism?


Discussion started by Dick Donnelly


How did the USA become the worlds dominant economy,and its only superpower? Has America's influence been malign or benign?

Will the 21st century be another American century?What does the example of America tell us about imperialism?

Is there such a thing as 'American capital'?

Is the USA 'more capitalist' than other countries?

What is the socialist position on anti- Americanism?

How far is America really the 'land of the free'?

Should socialism develop more rapidly in America than elsewhere?
This was another "cracking" meeting,with excellent contributions from the body of the meeting and visitors from West Lothian, Ardrossan, and far flung East Kilbride.
(M)
The Socialist Party View


15th August2001


Race, Asylum and the Far Right.


Is inter-racial tension inevitable? What is happening in Bradford? What is the socialist view of race? Discussion was led by Derick Trainer,the subject matter was on the re-emergence of the far right,we could scarcely have envisaged when we decided on this subject some subsequent violent,local events,in Sighthill Glasgow,targetted at fellow workers,granted refugee or asylum-seeker status,who had been dispersed to one of the peripheral housing estates, would have made it as topical.
We are delighted to bring you details of our meeting for

The Socialist Party View


Wednesday 18th September 2001


Education and the working class.


What is the purpose of education in a modern society?What happened to the"healthy body in a healthy mind" concept? Are we to be educated only to work? Where would education in a socialist society differ from today?

,
We are delighted to bring you details of our meeting for


Wednesday 17th October 2001


17th October: Law and Disorder


Discussion was led by Derrick Trainer


21st November:The Value of Science


Discussion was led by William Ross


19th December:The Internet and Capitalism


Discussion was to be led by Matt Culbert our visiting "Nerd" but he didnt arrive.


23rd January 2002:Anti-Property Ideas Inside Capitalism


Discussion was led by Brian Gardner
Discussion Group Programme

February – July 2002
Following the success of our recent discussion group meetings, we are delighted to bring you details (see below) of our meetings for February to July 2002. The emphasis is very much on informality and a lively discussion can be expected.
All meetings take place in Maryhill Community Central Halls, 304 Maryhill Road, Glasgow.
We hope this programme will be of interest to you and that you will be able to attend. Admission is free and all are welcome.

“The philosophers have only interpreted the world, the point however, is to change it.”

Karl Marx


Enquiries to R.Donnelly, 112 Napiershall Street, Glasgow G20 8H Or Email Phone 0141 579 4109
8pm
Wednesday 20 February 2002

What is Class?
Does the term class mean anything today? Is it an economic or social concept? Is there a middle class? Is there any evidence of a class struggle? If socialism benefits all of society why do we appeal only to the working class? Could class divisions arise inside a socialist society?

8pm Wednesday 20 March 2002

Are the Working Class Exploited?

Is the term “exploitation” outdated?
In what sense is a bank clerk exploited? Is a highly paid worker like a star footballer exploited? Do clerks, salesmen and shop assistants produce surplus value? Are fewer and fewer workers producing surplus value?
8pm Wednesday 17 April 2002 Do all modern wars have an economic basis? Are some wars fought for ideological reasons? Should we fight wars to protect democracy? Was the Falklands war fought for economic reasons? Were the wars in The Gulf and Afghanistan economic? Would socialists fight for socialism?

8pm Wednesday 15 May 2002 Why Oppose Religious Beliefs? Surely some personal religious or spiritual beliefs are permissible in the Socialist Party? Were early Christians advocating communism? Do not some religious groups advocate equality? What about the revolutionary priests in South America? Will there be no religious beliefs inside socialist society?

8pm Wednesday 19 June 2002 The Nature of the Socialist Revolution Can we really say with certainty how the revolution will come about? Why is it necessary to capture the state machine? What are the requirements for this gigantic change? What role, if any, would trade unions play? Would a formal taking hold of parliaments and councils take place? Would there be some economic organisation before the workers took power?

8pm Wednesday 17 July 2002 Why We Oppose All Other Political Parties Is the Socialist Party being sectarian in its opposition to all other parties? What harm is there in the Party joining anti-war or anti-racialism demonstrations? Would a minority of Socialist delegates vote with other parties in parliaments? Are there any issues on which we could combine with other parties?
The emphasis in all the meetings is very much on informality and a lively discussion can be expected.


The meetings will take place in Maryhill Community Central Halls, Maryhill Road,Glasgow

We hope the programme will be of interest to you and you will be able to attend. Admission is free and all are welcome. The Socialist Party Glasgow Branch 8.00PM PROMPT

The Socialist Party View


2001/2
ANNOUNCEMENTS Link