Socialism 20xx - What's it like?

[Questionable]

Have any users here gone to the Socialism Conferences?

I'm curious about going myself since I live somewhat close to Chicago, but I'm kind of worried. Most of the organizations I see advertising it are Trotskyist. If I reveal myself as a Marxist-Leninist, will I be unwelcome? Is the event fairly non-sectarian, or should I keep my opinions on Stalin and the USSR to myself? Will it even come up?

Thanks for any helpful answers.

[Os Cangaceiros]

I assume (or would hope & pray, actually) that the topic of Stalin and the former Soviet Union wouldn't be a highly discussed matter there.

[Questionable]

I assume (or would hope & pray, actually) that the topic of Stalin and the former Soviet Union wouldn't be a highly discussed matter there.

Yeah well I'm obviously not going to force anybody to talk about it, and I would rather focus on current events, but I guess I'm used to the highly sectarian environment of internet leftism and I wondered if it would be an issue.

[slum]

i'm probably going this year and i'm not a trot; they assured me it's open to 'anyone interested in socialism' although they seemed to mean that as 'liberals and social democrats' more than other socialist tendencies.

there's a list of the talks somewhere and i know there's a few on the ussr and probably stalin, definitely lenin.

given the people at the branch near me i'd say there is a definite 'ML=stalinist=lovecraftian evil' party line but they're willing to engage in debate over it. there are plenty of current event type talks and other stuff if you're willing to put up with the odd comment that will rub you the wrong way re: stalin.

the list: https://www.socialismconference.org/sessions/

eta:
only thing i see on stalin there is the introductory talk 'did lenin lead to stalin?' which i'd assume you'd avoid anyway. there are quite a few talks on leninism tho.

[Le Socialiste]

The conference is open to anyone, especially other socialist tendencies. The point of the Socialism conferences is to try and build, link up, and strengthen the revolutionary left - in the U.S. and around the world. I encourage you to check out the link Slum provided (thanks btw, I'm glad someone put it up).

[Jimmie Higgins]

Have any users here gone to the Socialism Conferences?

I'm curious about going myself since I live somewhat close to Chicago, but I'm kind of worried. Most of the organizations I see advertising it are Trotskyist. If I reveal myself as a Marxist-Leninist, will I be unwelcome? Is the event fairly non-sectarian, or should I keep my opinions on Stalin and the USSR to myself? Will it even come up?

Thanks for any helpful answers.

You can see video and download MP3s from the last few conferences here:

http://wearemany.org/

I think these talks would give people a taste of the range of topics and speakers. Once of the nice things about a larger conference IMO is some of the left-field topics that wouldn't really make sense for a local branch to do: like "the political economy of Doritoes" or David McNally's talk last year about Zombies and Capitalism or China Mieville's talk on pop-culture "guilty-pleasures". I've never been to LaborNotes, but I've been to some anarchist conferences and that sort of ability to cover some maybe less-essential topics is always a good thing in my view.

There will be a range of socialist and left speakers as well as sessions where a specific argument based in ISO's politics or traddition will be made. So historical topics on the USSR, for example, will probably take a "state-capitalist" view for granted. Also there will be talks specifically about debates or theories in our political traddition. But as far as participants, all are welcome and there have usually been anarchists, lefists, and people other Trotskyist viewpoints who bring their perspectives into discussion. No one's going to bite your head off if you're a M-L, they may want to debate you about it, but you'll only get an icy reaction from people if you disagree and are an asshole about it :) (for example I'd discourage people from coming in to make some canned speech in every session... it's never really leads to any discussion and comes off as just sort of obnoxious and makes the radical left look strange and stodgy IMO.)

[The Idler]

Is it a recruit-a-thon?

[Jimmie Higgins]

Is it a recruit-a-thon?No telephones are involved if that's what you mean. Do we hope to win people to marxist views generally and our views specifrically, and try and recruit potential organizers? - sure. But generally anyone who would be recruited is someone whose already been to local branches and has contact with members before the conferenece.

Do you mean will every session just be hyping a specific organization? No. Check out the MP3s to get a sense of what the sessions are like. There will most likely be one or two specific sessions (usually more informal Q&A sessions) for people who are already thinking about joining that have obvious titles like "Why you should get involved with the ISO" or "Ask about the ISO". Frankly a conference like this would be too much work if the only point to it was recruiting people like some kind of Florida home time-share presentation.

[Hermes]

Sorry for the stupid question, if I'm able to go this'll actually be the first conference I've attended.

I know that you need to register for the conference itself, but are you required to stay at the convention center's hotel in order to attend as well?

[Le Socialiste]

Sorry for the stupid question, if I'm able to go this'll actually be the first conference I've attended.

I know that you need to register for the conference itself, but are you required to stay at the convention center's hotel in order to attend as well?

No, but unless you've secured some other form of housing it is recommended. Up to you though.