The Human Sciences Encounters in Phnom Penh

Upcoming conference: «The Black Book of Communism» By Stéphane COURTOIS

31st october 2016 at 6pm

Language :Français

Biodata :

Pr. S.Courtois is an Historian and Research Director at the National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS) specialized in the subject of communism. He is also the Director of the university journal “Communism” and a lead author of “The Black Book of Communism”, published by Harvard University Press and translated in 26 languages.

Abstract :

In November 1917, a revolutionary group takes over the power in Russia. A global communist system in which Russia is both the heart and its driving force is thereafter created rapidly. The phenomenon grows worldwide. In the west: from the whole of Europe all the way to Canada, to the United States and to all Latin America. In the east: towards China, reaching Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia and Japan.

The homogeneity of the system rested on a commune ideology founded by Lenine then followed by Staline – creating the Marxist-Leninism: an organizational model, the party of the professional revolutionaries and the party of totalitarian state. Political strategy and tactic were implemented by all the communist parties simultaneously. Its triple unity gave power to the system in the course of three quarter of a century. However, its totalitarian nature will not withstand the rise of democratic aspirations and economic prosperity in the 1970s-1980s.

Location : RUFA, Meeting room (see the map below)