Join Federation member Tom Smith in a public discussion about the significance of 2022’s parliament occupation. In the present moment, the Parliament protests serve as an indicator of the interregnum. This protest, characterized by its diverse ideological factions, serves as an expression of popular discontent, particularly concerning government mandates and perceived overreach. The COVID-19 pandemic…
The Wellington Socialist Society is pleased to once again welcome writer and historian Tony Simpson to Bedlam & Squalor for the highly relevant talk ‘Waitangi – Colonial Capital Comes to New Zealand’. When Tony first encountered the Treaty in the 1970’s he was puzzled by certain aspects of its text and context. Over the succeeding…
In celebration of International Women’s Day, Amelia Byrnes will survey the life and work of Hungarian-born photographer, Kati Horna, and explore photography as documentary, as art and as a political tool. Amelia will discuss documentary photography in reference to Horna’s work as a photojournalist, with particular focus on her work documenting the lives of women…
Canterbury Socialist Society are thrilled to welcome Paris Marx back to Christchurch. In one of our best and busiest events last year Paris, host of the popular podcast “Tech Won’t Save Us”, joined us to discuss power of Big Tech, the impact of automation on the job market, and the urgent need for democratic control…
“The reform of consciousness consists only in making the world aware of its own consciousness, in awakening it out of its dream about itself, in explaining to it the meaning of its own actions… Hence, our motto must be: reform of consciousness not through dogmas, but by analysing the mystical consciousness that is unintelligible to…
“Hitherto men have always formed wrong ideas about themselves, about what they are and what they ought to be. They have arranged their relations according to their ideas of God, of normal man, etc. The products of their brains have got out of their hands. They, the creators, have bowed down before their creations.” Karl…
For our last educational event of 2023, the Wellington Socialist Society are happy to host Danyl McLauchlan, one of Aotearoa’s most thought-provoking writers, for the talk ‘It’s Not You, It’s Me: Seeing the Real Problems in New Zealand Politics’. As Danyl explains: “There’s an Ursula le Guin quote that I often come up in online…
“Fascism attempts to organize the newly created proletarian masses without affecting the property structure which the masses strive to eliminate. Fascism sees its salvation in giving these masses not their right, but instead a chance to express themselves. The masses have a right to change property relations; Fascism seeks to give them an expression while…
“This war…WILL END CAPITALISM! Do you get that? After capitalism, what? SOCIALISM!” This quote from trade unionist Ted Howard, written in August 1914 reflects the hopes and beliefs of Canterbury socialists at the start of World War One. Based on research for the ‘Voices Against War’ website and her forthcoming book “‘I don’t believe in…
“The executive of the modern state is nothing but a committee for managing the common affairs of the whole bourgeoisie.” -Marx Eighty three of the top US corporations are linked through their interconnecting boards. Who are these people who are making important decisions about the world’s future? How do they make decisions? As we face…