Mihailo Markovic, one of the leading Marxist thinkers from Yugoslavia, will speak to NIU students Thursday and Friday about the present day meaning of Marxist theory, said Kevin Anderson, NIU sociology associate professor.

Markovic is a human rights activist, social theorist and philosopher who is internationally known for his written work and original contributions, Anderson said.

“Too often Americans tend to draw rigid identities between Marxism and the Russian communism,” Anderson said. He said, “Markovic’s lecture will show a different view of Marxism.”

Anderson said Markovic presents Marxist theory from a humanistic standpoint. “He will present a view that is at variance with the official state of ideology of the Soviet Union and the East Europe regime,” he said.

Markovic is editor of the internationally known journal, Praxis International, which is the only independent journal in Europe critical of communist theory, Anderson said. He is also involved in several activist groups including the Serbian Academy of Sciences in Yugoslavia and the Committee for the Defense of Free Expression. Markovic has written several books, including six in English, concerning alternative forms of socialism.

During his first presentation, Markovic will discuss the alternative forms of socialism such as the possibility of creating a socialistic system which stresses self-government, democracy and individual freedom, Anderson said.

e will also speak on various opposition movements in Eastern Europe over the past 20 years, including the Solidarity movement in Poland.

is second lecture will focus on the various theories of social change. He will address issues including civil rights movements and the ecology and nuclear weapons, Anderson said.

Markovic will speak at 7:30 p.m. in the Heritage Room in the Holmes Student Center on Thursday, and at noon on Friday in Zulauf Hall room 112.