[Mike Foster]

Here's an introduction to Johnny Mercer's talk:Revolutionary ActivityAs socialists we do not believe that using the ballot to wrest state power from the capitalist class is by any means the sole revolutionary activity – although we do advocate use of the ballot box, it is widely held in the SPGB that most revolutionary action will be extra-parliamentary, in workplaces and communities. However, we rarely take the time to consider what these extra-parliamentary means might be. For example, do we support workers councils, class-wide unions like the IWW, or something else? Consideration of extra-parliamentary action raises again the question of reformism. It has long been argued that a socialist party must aim solely for socialism or risk being bogged down in reformism. But just because the SPGB needs to maintain purity in the political sphere does that mean that individual members ought not to engage in direct action outside of this sphere? Marx said “When communist workmen gather together, their immediate aim is instruction, propaganda, etc. But at the same time, they acquire a new need – the need for society – and what appears as a means had become an end … The brotherhood of man is not a hollow phrase, it is a reality, and the nobility of man shines forth upon us from their work-worn figures”. Can direct, collective action raise class-consciousness and give us a glimpse of unalienated social activity?

[Mike Foster]

Darren Poynton introduces his workshop session:The Argument Clinic: Logical Fallacies and Cognitive biases. How thinking about thinking can help give new perspective to old arguments.Man: Is this the right room for an argument?Other Man: I've told you once.Man: No you haven't!Other Man: Yes I have.M: When?O: Just now.M: No you didn't!O: Yes I did!M: You didn't!O: I did!M: You didn't!O: I'm telling you, I did!M: You did not!By ‘argument’ we do not mean the heated exchange of contraries a la Monty Python but instead a series of statements constructed in a particular way in order to gain support for a particular conclusion. In this crash course we will look at the basic structure of an argument, some of the common ways in which things go wrong and then we will consider some of the conclusions from behavioural science concerning the ‘predictably irrational’ mistakes we all make in our thinking and decision making. If you want to find out why ‘reductio ad hitlerum’ doesn’t always win the argument, or why the ‘confirmation bias’ is the mother of all misconceptions, a visit to the argument clinic may be just what you need.

[Mike Foster]

Glad to see the publication's sparked some interest! I'll be printing a few more copies than there will be attendees, so it will be available after summer school. The best way to avoid being "deprived" of it is to come along to summer school and pick up a hot-of-the-press copy there! It's intentionally not an official SPGB publication, though, which has allowed its contributors a wider remit than those writing for the Standard, for example.There hasn't been a publication of summer school talks in recent years because not enough of the talks have lent themselves to written essays. Some of the speakers have been able to give a great talk with only a few brief notes, while many talks use films and slides as much as text . All the talks have been recorded and are available to listen to on the website, and some have been written up as articles in the Standard.

[Mike Foster]

The exclusive publication for this year's summer school is taking shape. It's a collection of especially-commissioned and illustrated articles on the 'new perspectives on socialism' theme. Copies are free to all attendees.

[Mike Foster]

Here are details of Bill Martin's session 'Gaming the Revolution':The format of this event is a game to look at different possible scenarios and simulate a possible revolutionary situation. Players will compete for points (and prizes), as they try to get to Socialism. Participants will be split into teams representing branches with different priorities, and asked to make a series of decisions that could alter the fate of all humanity.

[Mike Foster]

Here are some details of Steve Clayton's talk:Imagine a Boot Stamping on a Human Face, or Givin' it Str8 on da St8: Socialism and the State in the 21st CenturyThis presentation will look at the 19th Century Marxist and Anarchist definitions of the State, and their relevance today, the rise and fall of state capitalism in the 20th Century, the changing role of the State, the Working Class and the Capitalist State, the State in the era of Neo-Liberalism, and the rise of the Super Surveillance State. What effect have these changes had on the likelihood of revolution?

[Mike Foster]

Good idea! I'll see what I can come up with. Either way, more details of the sessions will be publicised in the next few weeks.

[Mike Foster]

Summer school's sessions have now all been confirmed, and here they are… Friday evening: As A Marxist, Frankly, I’m Skeptical – a talk by Simon Wigley Saturday morning: The X Factor: Revolutionary Political Consciousness – a talk by Brian Gardner Saturday afternoon: The Argument Clinic: Logical Fallacies and Cognitive Biases. How thinking about thinking can help give new perspectives to old arguments – a workshop with Darren Poynton Saturday afternoon: Revolutionary Action – a talk by Johnny Mercer Saturday evening: Gaming the Revolution – a game run by Bill Martin Sunday morning: Imagine a Boot Stamping on a Human Face, or Givin’ it Str8 on da St8: Socialism and the State in the 21st Century – a talk by Steve ClaytonMore details about the sessions (and other things going on) will be announced soon. In the meantime, please feel free to start the discussion on any of the topics.

[Mike Foster]

Regarding the suggestions for a special conference on our future strategy, Summer School will cover some of this ground. There will be talks and discussions re-examining basic socialist principles, to suggest where we could place our emphasis in upcoming campaigns. At the moment, there isn't a specific session planned on our approach to elections, but I'm sure the subject will come up!More details can be found here:http://www.worldsocialism.org/spgb/event/summer-school-perspectives-socialism

[Mike Foster]

Thanks very much for editing and uploading these.

[Mike Foster]

Only a week to go! If you've already made a booking, you should have received further details already. Please let me know if you haven't. If you still want to make a booking, there's still just about time!

[Mike Foster]

Spaces for the SPGB summer school are filling up fast! If you want to come along and haven't yet made a booking, please do so in the next day or two to avoid disappointment. More details can be found here:http://www.worldsocialism.org/spgb/event/summer-school-2014-birmingham

[Mike Foster]

Attendees at the event will also be able to get another exclusive publication – a pamphlet titled 'Hatari! Africa, War and HIV' by Steve Clayton, on top of the (100 pages+) War Films book and the premiere of the new SPGB pamphlet on the First World War.

[Mike Foster]

A report from Oxford, including a few words from Claudia:http://www.cherwell.org/news/oxford/2014/05/25/european-election-results-for-oxford-announced

[Mike Foster]

I think that we should be grateful to the CCS for their efforts, which have surely contributed to our relatively favourable result in Oxford. On the issue of clause 7, the CCS is not a party, it's a discussion group, and therefore even less deserving of hostility.

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