Monday, October 03, 2011

Taking Ourselves Seriously: Developing Strategy for Social Transformation


A talk led by longtime anarchist organizer and author Chris Dixon!

A short talk will be followed by discussion. Come one, come all!

Sponsored by the Institute for Anarchist Studies - http://www.anarchist-studies.org/

The question of strategy - how we might win in the near and long term as we struggle against domination, exploitation, and oppression - is pressing. As anti-authoritarians, however, we frequently face barriers to thinking and acting strategically. These include fixating on principles over plans, fetishizing specific tactics, and organizing in crisis modes. Drawing on interviews with organizers across North America, this presentation will discuss these barriers, and potential ways we can move past them toward developing effective approaches for the long haul of social transformation. Together, we will explore how to build movements in the world as it is - engaging with where and how people are struggling - while cultivating strategies toward the world that we want. Emphasizing history and research, this presentation will especially highlight strategic approaches based on fighting for non-reformist reforms and building dual power.

Bio:
Chris Dixon, originally from Alaska, is a longtime anarchist organizer,
writer, and educator who recently received his PhD from the University of California at Santa Cruz. He lives in Sudbury, Ontario, where he is involved with anti-war and Indigenous solidarity organizing. Dixon serves on the board of the Institute for Anarchist Studies and the advisory board for the journal Upping the Anti. He is currently completing a book, tentatively titled Against and Beyond, based on interviews with anti-authoritarian organizers across the U.S. and Canada involved in broader-based movements.

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