Marxists argue that the capitalist state – parliament, police, the legal system, the education system and more – enforces the interests of the rich. This goes beyond corporate lobbying, political donations, racist policing or unequal laws – but is fundamental to the nature of the capitalist state.

How to understand the state is one of the core debates in the socialist movement, and shapes socialist strategy: Is it possible to reform the system through parliament? Should socialists boycott elections? What does it mean to ”smash" the state? This session will engage with all these important questions.