The system has reached a breaking point. Elon Musk has just become the world’s first trillionaire, a reality that is impossible to grasp as millions of people are struggling simply to survive. This year, capitalism’s destructive, dead-end logic has been on full display—from Trump’s escalating assaults on Cuba and Venezuela to his losing war with Iran—all paid for by working-class families across the world already drowning in a worsening cost-of-living crisis. But this year we’ve also seen the general strike movement resurge for the first time in decades, communities stand up in defense of immigrant families all across the country in the face of ICE terror, and openly socialist candidates sweeping elections across New York City, the center of global capitalism. These are not anomalies, but the direct result of a system in crisis that is forcing a rising tide in consciousness within the belly of the beast, as people look for an alternative against the existential threat of capitalism.
That alternative is socialism, and people are ready for it. And we have at our disposal all the means for making it an immediate actuality. But how? How do we assess and learn from the movements of the past, in all its defeats and victories, to build the future right now? Just like the ruling class has its tools to maintain its power, we have our own to organize and fight back. Together in this course we will discuss how we arrived at this moment, where we are going, and the strategies necessary to take on the billionaire class to win a better world once and for all.
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Socialist Summer School at TPF: The People vs. Billionaires is a five-week hybrid course that brings together organizers, activists, and anyone committed to building a better future.
More than just a class, this program is a call to action – how do we understand our current context, define our future, and take steps to get there? Through bi-weekly class sessions, discussions, and collective study, participants will strengthen their ability to analyze history and current events, study the lessons of revolutionary working class movements, and clarify a collective vision for the future. Whether you are new to organizing, or already involved in an organization, this course is a space to meet new friends and organizers, study, discuss and chart a path forward.
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Everyone from all places, backgrounds, and identities is welcome to register–no prior organizing experience is required to join the course! If you haven’t taken a course with us before or are new to organizing, we invite you to sign up, and to share the course with your friends, family, co-workers and anyone you think might be interested.
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This is a 5 week course that runs from July 21 to August 20. Sessions are held twice a week, on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:30 – 8:30 PM ET, and some Saturdays from 1 PM – 3 PM ET. If you aren’t able to join each class live due to scheduling conflicts or time zone differences – no worries, the recordings from each session are uploaded to the course student portal, which all registrants will have indefinite access to, within 24 hours of class.
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Socialist Summer School at TPF: The People vs. Billionaires is a hybrid program, so you can participate from anywhere in the world.
If you are based in New York City, join us in-person at The People’s Forum (320 W 37th St.)
If you are joining virtually, a zoom link will be sent prior to each class
If you aren’t able to join classes live, all course materials (including class recordings, readings, and additional materials) will be uploaded to the student portal so you can follow the course at your own pace.
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To join the course, register below! The registration will remain open throughout the course, and we ask that if you join the course after it has started, please use the materials provided to catch up. If you are looking for deeper engagement with the course material, consider one of the options below:
If you are based in NYC, and will be joining class in-person, you can apply to join a work group, to discuss and review key concepts from the week and work together on a group research project. More information will be provided at the start of the course.
Stay tuned for more information on how to join a study hub near you! If not attending in-person at TPF, study hubs are public places where local course participants can gather, discuss, and form work groups. Study hub organizers will receive promotional materials, facilitation guides, and support from TPF.