[Discussion] Changes in Class Structure and the New Tendencies:Non-traditional Class Movements and Experiences in

[sule tarakcioglu]

Symposium on Class Studies

C e n t e r f o r C l a s s S t u d i e s
in T u r k e y ( T U S A M )

=93Changes in Class Structure and the New Tendencies:
Non-traditional Class Movements and Experiences in
Turkey and in the World=94
16-17 October 2004
I s t a n b u l

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.

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
http://www.sav.org.tr.

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