The Platypus Affiliated Society organizes reading groups, public fora, research and journalism focused on problems and tasks inherited from the “Old” (1920s-30s), “New” (1960s-70s) and post-political (1980s-90s) Left for the possibilities of emancipatory politics today.

Platypus at the University of Chicago

The Left is Dead! Long Live the Left! Come join our discussions on the history of the Left, current events and politics, and the possibilities of emanipatory politics today. Every week, we host:

Fridays
4:30-5:30PM
Coffee Break @ Pret a Manger
Let's talk Left-wing politics! We digest current events, Left-wing history, the Platypus Review, or any topic of interest.
Tuesdays
6:30-8:30PM
Reading Group @ Harper 151
Our annual reading group where we work through the crucial texts in the history of Marxism. Syllabus


Reading Group Schedule

Tuesdays 6:30PM @ Harper 151 Syllabus

All welcome, no prior knowledge required.

Mar 24 Failure of the Revolution Failure of the revolution
Mar 31 Failure of the Revolution Retreat after revolution
Apr 14 Failure of the Revolution Dialectic of reification
Apr 21 Failure of the Revolution Lessons of October
Apr 28 Failure of the Revolution Trotskyism
May 5 Failure of the Revolution The authoritarian state
May 12 Failure of the Revolution On the concept of history
May 19 Failure of the Revolution Theory and practice