The weapons of Knowledge: teaching and learning socialism in the Bella Vista Popular Library

DALLE, PABLO; RODOLFO ELBERT; PABLO DALLE

Wisconsin, Madison

Conferencia; Conference on Envisioning Real Utopias; 2008

University of Wisconsin

This study analyzes the institutional design, stated goals and grassroots activities of a Popular Library located in a working class neighborhood in the city of Cordoba (Argentina). The library’s project is based on a socialist critique to contemporary capitalist society and aims to transform it through popular education (i.e. the construction of a counter-hegemonic knowledge based on a critical pedagogical praxis and grassroots democratic activities). The present study aims to understand the role of the popular library in a socialist-oriented social transformation, identifying the type of strategy it is carrying out, the normative values involved in the project, their practices, decision making process and main activities, etc. Data comes from interviews with different participants of the library (the director, teachers and neighbors) and observation of the activities.