Marxism Conference 2025 opening night: Trump, war and the capitalist horror show

Capitalism in 2025 is a horror show, both at home and overseas. The rich are waging war on the rest of us, Donald Trump is back in the White House and the far-right are on the march. Building a fightback has never been more pressing. The Marxism Conference, organised by Socialist Alternative, provides an opportunity to do just that. With more than 1,600 tickets sold, it’s set to be the biggest ever, offering up three jam-packed days of discussion and debate at Melbourne University.

The opening night panel, “Trump, War and the Capitalist Horror show”, set a theme for the weekend. The urgent need for resistance to this monstrous triad was at the forefront of discussion. As panellist Eleanor Morley pointed out, in the United States more than one million people have already taken to the streets in what is hopefully the beginning of a fightback against Trump, his MAGA cronies and the techno-broligarchs.

Host Anneke Demanuele highlighted street movements in Greece, Serbia and Turkey, which have mobilised unprecedented numbers in the last year. Here in Australia, the Palestine solidarity movement has mobilised tens of thousands in protest against our government’s complicity in the Gaza genocide. It’s a positive sign for the prospects of the left that in this election, many Labor voters will break their habit in response to the government’s crimes, as noted by speaker Omar Hassan.

The panel reminded the audience of the many legends of the activist and socialist movement in Australia who will pack out the conference in the coming days. Veterans of every progressive movement of the last fifty years in Australia fill the programme. From the founder of the Aboriginal Tent Embassy Dr Gary Foley to Palestine Action Group spokesperson Josh Lees, all have important lessons to share. As well, the conference programme features an impressive line-up of revolutionaries from around the world, including Egyptian revolutionary journalist Hossam el-Hamalawy, Argentinian socialist leader Mariano Rosa, German anti-fascist organiser Willi Schulz and more.

The Marxism conference brings together hundreds of left-wing people from across the country because we want to understand the world in order to change it. It’s an opportunity to learn how the world works and how it can be radically changed for the better—there’s still time to join us this weekend.