In and Against the State: lessons from our recent past
The aim of a reading group is to take discussions around politics, economics and society out of the academic ivory tower and into everyday spaces. Reading groups should encourage engagement with left-wing theory and literature in an accessible, inclusive, and participatory way. They are excellent for untangling complicated but crucial ideas in a comfortable and friendly setting. They create lively discussions around theories that would normally seem dry at the outset. Discussing a book together often leads to a better understanding of the text than reading it alone. Reading groups are particularly good for building networks of like-minded people, often leading to collaborations on different issues between participants. This is a short guide to how to organise your own reading group, and how you can link up with other Left Book Clubs around the UK.