International Seminar on The Future of Marxism, Democracy & Socialism 2024

About the Conference

The Future of Marxism, Democracy & Socialism remains a topic of vibrant debate and critical reflection, especially in the context of a rapidly changing global landscape. The international seminar intends to gather scholars, activists, and political theorists around the world to discuss the trajectory of these issues, their current relevance, and their potential role in shaping future societies.

Marxism in the Contemporary World

Marxism, historically rooted in the critique of capitalism and the advocacy for a classless society, faces both challenges and opportunities in the 21st century. The seminar intends to discuss the enduring relevance of Marxist analysis in understanding the dynamics of global capitalism, especially in the wake of increasing economic inequality, environmental degradation, gender discrimination, racial, caste, religious and regional inequities and the resurgence of authoritarianism. Moreover, the different forms and approaches of people’s movements against these structural inter-group inequalities and against neo-colonial dominations need further exploration. In this context, the need for Marxism to evolve and enrich its theoretical practice in order to address new forms of labor, the technological mode of production, and the complexities and inequalities of glocal supply chains are to be thought of.

Marxism, historically rooted in critiquing capitalism and advocating for a classless society, confronts both opportunities and challenges in the 21st century. Our discussions will delve into the enduring relevance of Marxist theory in analyzing the complexities of global capitalism, including the rise of economic inequality, environmental crises, and systemic discrimination. We will explore how Marxism can adapt to address new labor dynamics, technological advancements, and the inequalities inherent in global supply chains. Additionally, the seminar will consider the role of people’s movements in challenging structural inequalities and neo-colonialism.

Democracy: Crisis and Renewal

The future of democracy is a central theme of the seminar, with discussions focusing on the tension between democratic ideals and the realities of socio-political practice in various parts of the world. The rise of populist movements, the erosion of democratic norms, and the influence of corporate power on politics are areas of key threats to worry about in democratic governance. Moreover, it is of utmost concern how religious ideologies intervene in democratic practices and help the reification and preservation of status-quo of power relations, rather than leading to a progressive, equitable and just society. The pre-modern social structures continue to have a hold on the modern political structures, thereby not allowing the wholistic flourishing of the political modernity in order for the effective realization of social democracy.

Socialism: The Future Ways

Socialism, as an alternative to both capitalism and traditional state-centric models, is to be examined in terms of its potential to address contemporary social, cultural and economic issues. The seminar intends to explore various models of socialism, including democratic socialism, eco-socialism, and cooperative economics, as viable pathways for achieving social justice, environmental sustainability and economic equality. The focus should be the importance of democratic control over the means of production and distribution and above all the existence of public sphere and free communication.

Keynote Address : Marx as of Now

JODI DEAN

PROFESSOR OF POLITICS
Hobart and William Smith Colleges,
Geneva, New York. 14456

SCHOLARLY INTEREST

Contemporary political theory, modern political theory, communism, theories of digital media, poststructuralism, psychoanalysis, feminist theory, political theory and climate change.

PUBLICATIONS

Crowds and Party (Verso 2016)
The Communist Horizon (Verso 2012)
Blog Theory (Polity 2010)
Democracy and Other Neoliberal Fantasies (Duke University Press 2009)
Zizek's Politics (Routledge 2006)
Publicity's Secret: How Technoculture Capitalizes on Democracy (Cornell UP 2002)
Aliens in America: Conspiracy Cultures from Outerspace to Cyberspace (Cornell UP 1998)
Solidarity of Strangers (University of California Press 1996)
Cultural Studies and Political Theory (Cornell UP, 2000) (editor)

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

Co-editor of Digital Barricades (book series with Pluto Press)
Co-director of the Radical Critical Theory Circle (international theory association)
Former co-editor of Theory and Event

Memberships

American Political Science Association
Association for the Study of Law, Culture, and the Humanities
Law and Society Association

Service Projects

Geneva Women's Assembly

Registration Fee

Faculty: Rs. 1000/-
Students and Research Scholars: Rs. 250/-

(Note: Students and research scholars with accepted abstracts are exempt from the registration fee.)
The registration fee covers tea/coffee, snacks during the morning and afternoon sessions, and working lunches for all three days.

Accommodation

Accommodation will be provided at no cost for invited scholars. Participants requiring accommodation should request it from the organizing committee. Any associated costs will be the responsibility of the individual participants. We look forward to your participation and contributions to this critical dialogue on the future of Marxism, democracy, and socialism.

Sub-Themes

Future of Marxism and Democracy

AI and Its Impact on Socio-Cultural and Political-Economic Landscapes

Marxism and the Questions of Nationalities and Ethnicities

Forms of Socialism and Its Future Possibilities

Marxism and Social Movements in Indian context

Marx, Ambedkar and the Intersection of Caste and Class

Ecology and Capital Accumulation

Marxism and Ethics

Marxism and Culture Studies

Gender and Equality

Revivalism as a global and racial politics and fascism

Solidarity and Comradeship against Oppression

Labour, Labourer(s) and Subjectivity

Marxism and Religion.