Class in Turkey

CFP: conference in Istanbul

Changes in Class Structure and the New Tendencies: Non-traditional Class Movements and Experiences in Turkey and in the World
Symposium on Class Studies
Center for Class Studies in Turkey (TUSAM)
16-17 October 2004
Istanbul

Social structure and the composition of the working class are experiencing an intensive transformation and re-structuring process. Neo-liberal economic policies of the last three decades and especially the global political transformations of the last decade underlie some important tendencies of change in the social structure of the working class both in Turkey and in the world. This changes affected the role and the strength of the traditional working class organizations (namely labor unions). This dynamic process also gave way to the new class movements, organizational forms and resulted in different experiences in various part of the world from Latin America to the South Africa, from India to Turkey and Europe. Shift to neo- liberal policies, privatizations, informalization of the work force and high percentage of the unemployed workers within the composition of the working class are all underlying factors of the formation of non-traditional forms of class organizations, demands, tactics. Even some of the traditional labor unions are trying to modify their structure and organizational bases in order to cope with the new conditions.

Changes and the debates over these changes constitute the theme of the symposium of Turkish Center For Class Studies (TUSAM). Aiming to promote the interaction of views between different disciplines of social sciences and of experts and organic intellectuals of the working class, the Symposium covers a wide range of debates and cases from different sectors and countries.

The Symposium covers three main sessions and a forum session which basically concentrates on the working class experiences. The first part covers the theoretical debates on changes in the class structure in global and local (Turkey) level. Panels in the second session of the first day aim at exploring and analyzing the character and the extent of changes in the social structure of the working class. The succeeding session is dedicated to the debates over world experiences with a special focus on South Africa, India and Latin American non- traditional working class movements.

The language of the Symposium will be in Turkish and translation from/to English will be provided.

Sending Abstracts: Deadline for sending the abstracts not extending 250 words is 21st of September, Tuesday 18:00 gmt. Please send your abstract in MS Word Format to tusam@sav.org.tr. Please do not forget to indicate your full name, academic/professional position, institutional affiliation and contact addresses. After evaluation of abstracts by the scientific committee a reply of acceptance will be sent within seven workdays after receipt of the abstracts.

Travel and Accommodation: Unfortunately TUSAM will not be able to cover the international travel expenses. On the other hand, visa support (if required), airport transfer, and a limited number of free accommodation in Hotels or in Labor Union Guest Houses will be offered. Please apply and indicate your demands on free accommodation and other issues, as early as possible.

The Center for Class Studies in Turkey (TUSAM) is an non-profit scientific research institution based in Istanbul and founded in late 2003 as a part of the Foundation for Social Researches (SAV). For detailed information both about the Foundation SAV and the Center TUSAM please visit the web site www.sav.org.tr.

For further information, please contact Mr. Hakan Gunes at tusam@sav.org.tr or tusammail@yahoo.com.