Briefing from ROAPE Volume 22 Number 66
Counter-trend

The following comment is from the inaugural issue of the CBR [Centre for Basic Research] Bulletin (September 1995), Box 9863, Kampala, Uganda. CBR@Mukla.gn.apc.org. In the days when we were moving from Group for the Study of Labour to Centre for Basic Research, there was a time for discussion and debate. Books and articles that could contribute to a theoretical debate used to be devoured. Then came structural adjustment programmes (SAP). CBR was gradually catapulted into the world of market-responsive production. We began doing research at the sight of a stipend, and attend conferences at the drop of a ticket. Debate and discussion declined, and more or less came to a halt. Everything became stipend-governed. The only seminars held at CBR were seminars to discuss proposals so that one could begin to receive a stipend, or seminars to discuss finished papers so one could get on to a new stipend.