Donald Trump's election as president sent shock waves around the world. In the US, his racist and sexist rhetoric has emboldened the far right. His administration is attacking the social gains that remain from the New Deal and Great Society and adopting even more policies to benefit the rich and big business.
At the same time, leftist organizations have been growing, millions of women have been mobilizing, Black Lives Matter is continuing its campaigns, and recently in West Virginia striking teachers won a significant victory.
The IIRE is holding an evening discussion on these political developments in the US and the left's response in organizing against Trump's agenda.
Peter Drucker will speak about the background to the rise of Trump, conflicts on the US right and issues facing the resistance. Peter is the author of 'Max Shachtman and His Left' (Humanities Press, 1994) and 'Warped: Gay Normality and Queer Anti-Capitalism' (Haymarket, 2015) and an advisory editor of the US socialist journal 'Against the Current'. He has published widely on socialist theory and history.
Paul Le Blanc will speak about the US Left today and recent social movements. Paul is Professor of History at La Roche College in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (USA) and the author of numerous books on the Russian revolution and the socialist movement, including 'Lenin and the Revolutionary Party' (1990), 'Left Americana. The Radical Heart of US history' (2017) and 'October Song. Bolshevik triumph, communist tragedy 1917 – 1924 (2017).'
IIRE
Friday March 30, 20.00-22.00
Facebook event