Exploring the tensions between electoral politics and social movements
A Solidarity Halifax event
Thursday, August 8, 6PM
Halifax North Memorial Public Library – 2285 Gottingen
Street
In the lead up to the upcoming provincial election, Solidarity Halifax invites you to a panel discussion exploring how the left, and in particular the anti-capitalist left, should orient itself towards electoral politics in these times of crisis.
Speakers:
Roger Rashi, Québec solidaire
Jackie Barkley, Solidarity Halifax
Roger Rashi is a founding member of the political party Québec solidaire and sits on the steering committee of the riding of Mercier which first elected Amir Khadir to the Quebec National Assembly in December 2008 and reelected him with a bigger majority in 2012. The party, which was formed in 2006, currently holds two seats in the Quebec legislature.
Jackie Barkley is a long time activist and member of groups working against racism, poverty and capitalism over a 45 year period – while continuing to work in electoral politics as part of that struggle. She is a founding member of Solidarity Halifax.
The tensions:
While systemic change rarely comes from
elections, is there still a need for radicals to participate in
electoral politics? Can electoral politics be used to shift
public debate toward an anti-capitalist analysis? Are social
movements and revolutionary politics fundamentally at odds with
electoral politics? Or can political parties or left groups with
political wings still be used to grow social movements and our
ability to take collective action?
