marxismNL

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Events

Basics of Marxism - Historical materialism with Henk Overbeek

16 June 2026, 14:00h

RUG- University of Groningen

Interdisciplinary Marxism Group, University of Groningen

Basics of Marxism: Historical materialism - with Henk Overbeek

14:00 - 17:00

University of Groningen, Harmony Building,  room 1312.0013

The workshop series Basics of Marxism aims to bring PhD students and researchers in Groningen together who use or aspire to use Marxist theories in their work. The goal is to make the Marxist toolbox accessible to a broader group. 

The first installment of this series is about historical materialism, the main Marxist method to describe the development of societies. The speaker for this event is Henk Overbeek, emeritus professor of international relations at VU Amsterdam and former senator for the Socialist Party. Having used the historical materialist method in his own work, as well as teaching a yearly seminar on the topic, he is well suited to open up this topic for our workshop. 

The aim is to have a ‘hands-on’ workshop, in which we not only learn about historical materialism, but will also be doing historical materialism. Besides Henk Overbeek’s introduction lecture, there will also be the opportunity to share and discuss your own ideas for using historical materialism in your own work. That way, the, perhaps to some still abstract method will immediately become more practical. 

The workshop is open to anyone who is interested in using historical materialism as a research approach. Participation is free, but registration is required. The sign-up sheet can be found through this link.

A few weeks before the workshop, we will distribute a few texts you can read in preparation. There will also be space to bring your research ideas to the workshop.

Organized by the Interdisciplinary Marxism Group.

Regular Activities

OPEN CALL - Capital Volume 1 Reading Group

Call to form a Capital Volume 1 Reading Group

The Black Dialectics - Reading group

International Institute of Social History - IISH
Cruquiusweg 31,
1019 AT Amsterdam
(room to be confirmed)

January-June 2026
Time: 15h-17h
Dates:
21 January 2026
11 February 2026
4 March 2026
30 March 2026
15 April 2026
6 May 2026
3 June 2026
24 June 2026

Supply Chain Criticism Seminar

Marxist Quantitative Social Research Discussion Group

Location tbc
starting March 2026

Marxist Philosophy Reading Group: Marx - Grundrisse

Amsterdam - University of Amsterdam / hybrid
Grundrisse from March, preparatory reading of Proudhon from January.
Fortnightly sessions, Tuesday 5-7 starting date 13th January

Capital Volume 2 reading group

Reading Group for Marx's Capital Volume 2

Stuart Hall Reading Group

First session Monday the 23rd of February 11:00-13:00 at the University of Groningen or online.

If you are interested please reach out to Eden: e.m.young@rug.nl

The next 4 sessions will take place every two weeks (Monday 11h-13h)

About

You’re a student in the Netherlands and you can’t find a course on Marxist theory, political economy or history of the labor movement in your program? Or are you a researcher who would like to break through the isolation and connect with others who work with Marxist approaches? Or an activist that would like to know what Marxists have to offer for your politics these days?

Join marxism-nl.org!

Amid global turmoil, the rise of far-right and fascist politics around the world, university budget cuts and political attacks on our institutions during the protests in solidarity with Palestine, we came together as a group of Marxist students, researchers, and teachers active in the Netherlands, to unite and defend our trenches.

We created a platform (marxism-nl.org) and a network (Marxist Research Group), to connect existing initiatives, share resources, and collaborate on new activities.

This website presents the network and the initiatives of the Marxist Research Group.

marxism-nl.org promotes both academic and non-academic events such as public lectures, societal and political debates, reading groups, book launches by members or affiliated groups. It is open to whoever is interested and aims at fostering strategic and practical collaborations within and outside academia.

Network and Resources

In the Netherlands:
International Institute for Research and Education
JacobinNL
SOC21
Marxism & Sciences
Perdu
Interdisciplinary Marxism Groningen (IMG)

International:
Spazio Marx
Contretemps. Revue de Critique Communiste
Capital & Class
Historical Materialism

Get in Touch!

If you are interested in Marxist research or teaching and active in the Netherlands get involved!

If you would like to become part of the network or organize something yourself don’t hesitate to get in touch directly under contact@marxism-nl.org

Financial Support

Help us strengthen our network. Your financial support allows us to organize and expand our activities. You can contribute via SOC21:

IBAN: NL94SNSB0787494712
Name: St Socialistisch Onderzoekscollectief
Description: Marxism-NL

These donations are tax-deductible. Visit SOC21 for further details.

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