Call for sessions Marx 2013: Class / Crisis / Critique / Capitalism Conference at Södertörn University (Stockholm), Sweden, 19-20 October 2013 Over the last thirty years, radical social science has often been based in perspectives (e.g. Foucault-inspired, postcolonial, queer, gender, and cultural studies) other than the previously dominant research tradition founded on the theories of Karl Marx and Marxism. These perspectives were often developed in response to Marxism, and they offered important contributions to a more radical critique of contemporary society. Rather than focusing on these developments, this conference intends to emphasize the contemporary significance of Marx. The aim is to present and discuss recent analyses of class, crisis, and capitalism, in order to develop the theoretical level of system critique. The conference aims to become a meeting-place for all those who are inspired by Marx or work with his theories in their research. We also welcome contributions that communicate with other theoretical traditions, as well as other political practices, than those traditionally associated with Marx and Marxism. Four themes of the conference Thematically, the conference will be organized around some fundamental concepts in the theoretical traditions emanating from Marx: class, critique, crisis, and capitalism. Class is about understanding social differences and stratification, the organization of work, and the processes that shape collective action. The goal of critique is to identify the basic social structures and the blind spots of bourgeois science. Crisis is about the current situation and the challenges it poses to various social groups. Capital refers to the economic structure, its inherent dynamic and social effects. The structure of the conference The conference is based around sessions for the presentation of scientific papers. However, we anticipate great variation in the program: from traditional lectures by internationally renowned theorists to smaller activist-oriented workshops. All items of the program should be associated with one of the four themes mentioned above, and aspire to develop this tradition. This is the unifying feature of the conference. The organizing committee The organizing committee will make the practical arrangements, invite international key-note speakers and organize the overall structure of the conference. Abstracts submitted must first be accepted. The organizing committee will accept proposed sessions of high quality that are in line with the aim of the conference, insofar as there are available rooms to accommodate the sessions. Our ambition is that there should be no conference fee for the participants. As the main organizers, we will pay for the overall costs, but those who arrange sessions must be prepared to cover the costs for their own participation, including travel expenses for any international guests invited to their sessions. Call for sessions Those interested in arranging a session during the conference are invited to send us an abstract of maximum 300 words and a title for the session, no later than 3 December 2012. This abstract should clearly state which theoretical and scientific issues you would invite people to discuss within the framework of the session. Also, we would appreciate if you stated under which of the four main themes of the conference your session would fit in. We also need to know how long the session will be, and roughly how many papers that will be presented during the session. Finally, you should indicate what language your session will be held in (Swedish/Scandinavian, or English). Once the session has been accepted, we would like you to advertise this yourselves in your own networks, in Sweden as well as internationally. We welcome scholars from all relevant disciplines to present their proposals for these sessions. Proposals for key-note speakers The organizing committee would appreciate any suggestions regarding internationally renowned scholars and theorists to be invited to the conference. Time and location 19-20 October 2013, at Södertörn University, Stockholm, Sweden. Contact person Jonas Söderqvist, Centre for Marxist Social Studies (CMS), e-mail: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>, phone: +46 0762-580 112 Conference homepage www.marx2013.org<http://www.marx2013.org/> Organizers The journal Fronesis<http://fronesis.nu/english/> Centre for Marxist Social Studies (CMS<http://www.cmsmarx.org/>) Arioso<http://webappl.web.sh.se/p3/ext/content.nsf/aget?openagent&key=arbetarrorelsen_i_ostersjoomradet_1303799857228> (The Workers’ Movements in the Baltic Region) research project, Södertörn University The journal Tiden<http://tidenmagasin.se/in-english/> The journal Tidsignal<http://www.tidsignal.se/> Please, forward this letter to others who you believe would be interested in this conference. ___________ Rickard Andersson Ph D Candidate Department of Political Science Lund university Eden, Paradisgatan 5H, Lund 3rd floor Room 347 Box 52, 22100 Lund