Saturday 12th May
Community Central Halls
304 Maryhill Road
1pm to 2.15pm
Why this economic turndown?
What has caused the current slump? Was it just bankers behaving badly? Or was there something more fundamental behind it? We say there was. Capitalism is a crisis-prone system in which slumps regularly occur from time to time, as a result of the pursuit of profits by all capitalist firms leading to more being produced that they can sell at a profit. It is this that provokes a financial crisis, not the other way round. What happened in 2007 and 2008 was no different. The way out is not banking regulation and reform, but socialism and the end of capitalism.
Speaker: Adam Buick
South London branch
2.15pm to 3.30pm
Can We Avoid a Third World War?
During the twentieth century millions of workers were slaughtered in two world wars. The carnage continued, of course, both between and after these wars, albeit at a slower pace. Throughout the first decade of the twenty-first century there was no shortage of relatively minor wars in which wage slaves were sacrificed to further the interests of their respective masters’ countries. So, it looks like "business as usual" for capitalism: this century does not seem to be any better than the last one. In fact, it could be much worse. On the face of it, there is no reason to suppose that there will not be a Third World War. But, does history need to be repeated?
Speaker: John Cumming
Glasgow branch
3.45pm to 5pm
Is Global Warming Inevitable?
The scientific case for global warming appears to have finally been accepted throughout the political and corporate worlds. The oil sector - advised by the tobacco industry - has fought a successful rear-guard action for the last 20 years by undermining the science, but the game is up. The insurance sector for one, are in no doubt. But despite the consensus, progress in reducing CO2 emissions is painfully slow. The market provides no assistance in this, so we are left with the politicians - each representing a complex coalition of capitalist interests. Meanwhile the point of “no return” where scientists say they really don't know what could happen is getting closer. The predicted increase in frequency of extreme weather events appears to be happening (though its too early to say for sure). It gets worse: now scientists are identifying that major geo-physical changes (volcanic activity, earthquakes etc) could be caused by global warming. Its no longer just some Pacific Islanders that will be affected by the rising tide. CO2 comes from industrial (and agricultural) production and distribution. Is it reasonable to expect that economies - addicted as they are to "growth" - can reduce emissions? Can capitalism save the day? - or has it given up the fight already, and is now merely trying to minimise the impact? How would a society based on production for use be any different? How quickly could socialism make a difference?
Speaker: Brian Gardner
Glasgow branch
Free tea/coffee and biscuits.
Community Central Halls
304 Maryhill Road
1pm to 2.15pm
Why this economic turndown?
What has caused the current slump? Was it just bankers behaving badly? Or was there something more fundamental behind it? We say there was. Capitalism is a crisis-prone system in which slumps regularly occur from time to time, as a result of the pursuit of profits by all capitalist firms leading to more being produced that they can sell at a profit. It is this that provokes a financial crisis, not the other way round. What happened in 2007 and 2008 was no different. The way out is not banking regulation and reform, but socialism and the end of capitalism.
Speaker: Adam Buick
South London branch
2.15pm to 3.30pm
Can We Avoid a Third World War?
During the twentieth century millions of workers were slaughtered in two world wars. The carnage continued, of course, both between and after these wars, albeit at a slower pace. Throughout the first decade of the twenty-first century there was no shortage of relatively minor wars in which wage slaves were sacrificed to further the interests of their respective masters’ countries. So, it looks like "business as usual" for capitalism: this century does not seem to be any better than the last one. In fact, it could be much worse. On the face of it, there is no reason to suppose that there will not be a Third World War. But, does history need to be repeated?
Speaker: John Cumming
Glasgow branch
3.45pm to 5pm
Is Global Warming Inevitable?
The scientific case for global warming appears to have finally been accepted throughout the political and corporate worlds. The oil sector - advised by the tobacco industry - has fought a successful rear-guard action for the last 20 years by undermining the science, but the game is up. The insurance sector for one, are in no doubt. But despite the consensus, progress in reducing CO2 emissions is painfully slow. The market provides no assistance in this, so we are left with the politicians - each representing a complex coalition of capitalist interests. Meanwhile the point of “no return” where scientists say they really don't know what could happen is getting closer. The predicted increase in frequency of extreme weather events appears to be happening (though its too early to say for sure). It gets worse: now scientists are identifying that major geo-physical changes (volcanic activity, earthquakes etc) could be caused by global warming. Its no longer just some Pacific Islanders that will be affected by the rising tide. CO2 comes from industrial (and agricultural) production and distribution. Is it reasonable to expect that economies - addicted as they are to "growth" - can reduce emissions? Can capitalism save the day? - or has it given up the fight already, and is now merely trying to minimise the impact? How would a society based on production for use be any different? How quickly could socialism make a difference?
Speaker: Brian Gardner
Glasgow branch
Free tea/coffee and biscuits.
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