Thursday, August 21, 2014

Prelude to the Anti-State: Anarchism before Anarchists


 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prelude to the Anti-State: Anarchism before Anarchists


Damian Seth Harris


Brown Mackie College


 



Prelude to the Anti-State: Anarchism before Anarchists


When most people see that infamous red “A” with a circle around it they often get that feeling that they are faced with a radical rebel who listens to punk rock music and has no respect for civilization. They view the label “Anarchist” as that belonging to adolescent trend, who intentionally disregards the laws and rules of society. In political conversations, this causes the ideals of anarchism to become somewhat of a red flag word, which immediately rejects the attention of the opponent in debate. I would like to take a moment to express to the readers how these stereotypes are far from true.

Anarchism is a political and social ideology with philosophical roots which stretch back to antiquity, and in its modern inception, stems back from the same primordial melting pot which spawned socialist and communist ideologies in the late 19th century and the early 20th century. Through the works of it predecessors, Anarchism would become a diverse political and social ideologies which in recent days have started reemerging as a very prominent force in events around the world.

Etymology


Like any idea given form, the origin of the name itself is the greatest starting point for understanding what it means. Anarchism has two main points of usage in order to be understood. The first is in the classical definition from which it originated and the second is how it came into a modern usage as an ideology.

Classical Linguistics


Anarchism is a compound of the prefix anarchy and the suffix ism. Anarchy comes from the ancient Greek word anarchos which means “without rulers”. A, or an, is the prefix which means “without” and Archos meaning “rulers”. By adding “ism” as the suffix we have the term presented as a belief or an ideology. The first known use of the term was in 1539. (Merriam-Webster, 2013)

Modern Usage

Immediately following the French revolution lawyer and politician Maximilian de Robespierre used the term “anarchist” to attack left wing revolutionaries whom he had made great use of during the revolution, but now wanted to be rid of them. Though writers such as William Godwin and Wilhelm Weitling wrote many philosophical doctrines which would be integral to anarchism, the first known writer to to proclaim himself an anarchist was Pierre-Joseph Proudhon. (Joll, 1964) This birthed the term as an established ideology and was synonymous with the term libertarianism until the 1950s when the term took on a different meaning in the United States. (Nettlau, 1996) (Ward, 2004)

Classical Influences

Just like the word itself, the beliefs which comprise anarchism are rooted in much older philosophical schools of thought. These schools hail from both eastern and early classical western schools.

Western Philosophy

In ancient Greek philosophy early ideals of anarchism can be seen in the schools of Stoicism and Cynicism. For the cynics the purpose of life is to live in virtue and in agreement with nature. Anarchists hold that this means that we are beholden to ourselves to do what is right as a natural conclusion. Stoicism contends that it destructive emotions are the result of errors in judgment and that in order to avoid such emotions we must approach them with logical determination. This is compatible with the anarchist view that rationality is the key to a just society and thus could potentially render authoritarianism as unnecessary. (Kropotkin, 1910)

Eastern Philosophy

The earliest anarchist themes can be found in the works of Taoist philosopher Laozi who said "The best people are like water, which benefits all things and does not compete with them. It stays in lowly places that others reject. This is why it is so similar to the Way." (Laozi, 6th Century B.C.E) This is train of thought was later expounded on by Taoist philosopher Zhuangzi who said “A petty thief is put in jail. A great brigand becomes the ruler of a nation.” (Rothbard, 2008)

Historical Precedents

Anarchism became properly known as an ideology in its own right when Proudhon wrote his well known work, “What is Property?” It was Proudhon who became known as the first self proclaimed anarchist. Prior to that publication, however, there were two significant events which would pave the way for a new social movement.

1793, William Godwin and Political Justice

William Godwin was a political philosopher, and writer from England and a exponent of Utilitarianism. His written work, Enquiry Concerning Political Justice and its Influence on Morals and Happiness, was written as a response to Thomas Paine’s The Rights of Man. It argued that mankind would inevitably progress and that established institutions such as property monopoly, marriage, and monarchy hindered mans ability to progress socially. This is a obvious precursor to the anarchist opposition to capitalism, ownership of persons, and authoritarianism. (McCann, 2001)

1827, Josiah Warren opens the Cincinnati Time Store

Josiah Warren was an American inventor, musician, author and later individualist anarchist. On May 18, 1827 he opened a store as a mutualist experiment called the Cincinnati Time Store. Based on his own idea of “Cost the limit of Price” he would contend that a commodity’s price should be based on the cost to produce or acquire it. This is a precursor to Anarcho-Communism and Syndicalism because it challenges the Capitalist notion that any person should have control over a resource. (Palmer, 2010)

Conclusion

As stated before these events would be the precursors to Proudhon’s works in 1840. Over the next 173 years we would see anarchism change and adapt in many ways. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries we would see philosophers such Bakunin and Kropotkin help build the foundations of revolution alongside more well known figures such as Karl Marx. Through study we can see that Anarchism has been alongside many of the great revolutions of the 20th centuries and how it has continued to influence counter culture and fringe politics. Even today we see the black flag waved high in the turmoil taking place in countries such as Turkey and Greece.


References


Merriam-Webster (2013) definition of Anarchism extracted from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anarchy

Joll, James (1964) The Anarchists, Harvard University Press pp 27-37

Nettlau, Max (1996) A Short History of Anarchism, Freedom Press p. 162

Russell, Dean (1955) Who is a libertarian? Foundation For Economic Education :Ideeas on Liberty”

Ward, Collin (2004) Anarchism: A Very Short Introduction, Oxford University Press p.62

Kropotkin, Peter (1910) “Anarchism” Encyclopedia Britannica

Rothbard, Murray (2008) “Concepts of the role of intellectuals in social change toward Laissez Faire

McCann, Andrew (2001) Enquiry Concerning Political Justice and its Influence on Modern Morals and Manners." The Literary Encyclopedia

Palmer, Brian (2010) What do Anarchist Want From us? Slate.com

Tuesday, August 12, 2014

Glossary of Anarchism




Glossary of Anarchism

A

Acracy

The negation of rule or "government by none". While "anarchy" refers to the absence of a hierarchical society-organizing power principle, "acracy" refers to the absence of coercion; the condition of acracy is one of voluntary order. Derived from the Greek α- [no] and κρατία [system of government].


A form of organic organization according to which different parts of an organization are temporarily assembled to meet the requirements of that particular point in time.


A small non-hierarchical collective of activists who collaborate on direct action via consensus decision-making.


Coined by Ernst Jünger, this refers to the ruler (i.e. individual) in a state of anarchy analogous to the monarch in a state of monarchy, a conception influence by Max Stirner's notion of the sovereign individual.


Derived from the Ancient Greek ἀν (without) + ἄρχειν (to rule) "without archons," "without rulers".


A form of anarchism which does not declare affiliation with any specify subtype of anarchism (as may be suffixed to anarcho- or anarcha-), instead positioning itself as pluralistic, tolerant of all anarchist schools of thought.

Ancap

Contraction of anarcho-capitalism and/or anarcho-capitalist used in informal discourse, particularly in blogs or other internet forums.


Social disorder and civil war in an absence of government, used to separate anarchy as in social order and absence of government.

Ansoc

Contraction of anarcho-socialism and/or anarcho-socialist used in informal discourse, particularly in blogs or other internet forums.


A library which is not organised hierarchically and that has no catalogue. The concept is influenced by the ideas of the Situationists.


A set of radical left-wing political movements in Western Europe which emerged in the late 20th century.


A Greek word meaning "ruler"; the absence of archons and archy (rule) defines a state of anarchy. Derived from the Ancient Greek άρχων, pl. άρχοντες.

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B


The "two red years" of political agitation, strikes and land occupation by Italian workers in 1919 and 1920.


A political philosophy primarily of African-Americans, opposed to the what it sees as the oppression of people of colour by the white ruling class through the power of the state.


An affinity group, or cluster of affinity groups that assembles during protests, demonstrations, or other forms of direct action. Black blocs are noted for the distinctive all-black clothing worn by members to conceal their identity and for their intentional defiance of state property law.


A distinctively French form of working class organization of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, bourses du travail promoted mutual aid, education, and self-organization amongst their members.

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C


A participatory decision making process for collectives that seeks the resolution or mitigation of minority objections (according to the principle of inclusivity) as well as the agreement of the majority of participants.


A maxim coined by individualist anarchist Josiah Warren (1798–1874) to express a normative conception of the labor theory of value—that is, that the price of a good or service should never exceed its cost.[14]


Abbreviation of "counter-establishment economics", a concept in agorist theory of the use and advocacy of black and grey markets and the underground economy to erode the moral authority of and the perceived necessity for the state.

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D


The concept of revolution through the creation of "counter-institutions" in place of and in opposition to state power. Used in anarcho-communist discourse, it distinct from the earlier use of the phrase by non-anarchist communists such as Vladimir Lenin.


Physically searching through the discarded belongings in a dumpster or other trash receptacle, with the intention of salvaging useful material such as food or information.

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E


A theory in the philosophy of science advanced by Paul Feyerabend which holds that there are no useful and exception-free rules governing the progress of science, and that the pragmatic approach is a Dadaistic "anything goes" attitude of methodological pluralism.

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F


The practice of retrieving edible food that would otherwise go to waste and distributing it to those in need.


A decentralized network in which skills, information and knowledge are shared with neither the social hierarchy nor the institutional environment of formal schooling.


An anti-consumerist lifestyle according to which participants attempt to restrict their consumption of natural resources and participation in the conventional economy to using salvaged and discarded goods.


A monetary system in the Freiwirtschaft theory, according to which units of currency retain their value or lose it at a certain rate, making inflation and profiting from interest impossible. Freigeld is a German phrase with the literal meaning "free money".

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G


Second-hand stores where all goods are free. An example of a gift economy.


Nonviolent direct action whereby disused plots are converted to gardens without seeking the permission of the putative property owners.

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H


A laboratory for experimentations with freedom of information and communication, associated with the struggle for freedom of movement.[24]

Haymarket Martyrs

The seven anarchists tried and executed for the murder of a Chicago policeman during the Haymarket affair.

Horizontalidad (also Horizontalism)

A form of non-hierarchical social organization which utilises direct democracy and consensus decision-making.

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I


A doctrine which rejects all moral obligations and governmental law in favour of the satisfaction of one's own desires. Pioneered by the Bonnot Gang in France and heavily influenced by the individualist anarchist philosophy of Max Stirner.


A philosophy which demands the embracing of immediate social interactions with people as a means of countering the antisocial consequences of consumerist capitalism.


A space (often a social center) that serves as a node for anarchists involved with radical movements and countercultures for trading publications (typically books, zines, stickers and posters), meeting and networking with similar individuals and groups.The primary directive of an infoshop is the dissemination of information.


A vanguardist organisation of revolutionaries first proposed by Mikhail Bakunin.

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J


Exploitation of differences in national laws and regulations to maximise liberty.

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K


Dutch anarchists influenced by Peter Kropotkin who sought to promote awareness of alternatives to authoritarian and capitalist solutions to social problems in 1960s Amsterdam.

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L


A slogan expressing the desire of freedom from landowners originally used by the revolutionary leaders of the Mexican Revolution.


A doctrine asserting that each individual has the right to assert their fullest liberty to act so long as it does not extend them greater liberty than any other individual. Named by Herbert Spencer.


A pejorative term for a set of French laws passed during 1893–1894 restricting the freedom of the anarchist press in the aftermath of an outbreak of propaganda of the deed.

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M


A series of political and economic concepts developed by Ukrainian anarchist revolutionary Nestor Makhno (1888–1934) and his followers, and implemented in the Free Territory. Central concepts include anarchist communism, workers' self-management and—developed during Makhno's exile in Paris, Franceplatformism.


American schools formed in the early 20th century based on the ideas of educator and anarchist Francesc Ferrer i Guàrdia and modelled after his Escuela Moderna.


The voluntary reciprocal exchange of resources and services for mutual benefit. Related: gift economy, voluntarism.

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N


Low-intensity social conflict employing a network structure for organisational control and communication.

Non-aggression Principle (NAP, also Non-aggression Axiom)

A prohibition against the initiation of force, or the threat of force, against persons or property (usually referred to as aggression or coercion). Generally used to derive the ethics of right-libertarianism and anarcho-capitalism.

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P


A term used by anarcho-capitalists to refer to a private organization which fulfills some or all of the roles associated with police or military in a statist society.

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S


The production of literature banned by the former communist governments of eastern Europe; the term is a play on the term for the Soviet state press, and translates to "self-publishing." Throughout the greater part of the twentieth century, the best literature, philosophy, and history in the Soviet Union and its satellite states was copied by photo-reproduction and distributed through underground channels—just as it is here in the United States today.


The creation of permanent dwellings on the ocean, analogous to homesteading on land. A seastead is a structure meant for permanent occupation on the ocean.


A set of customs shared by an affinity group which engages in illegal activities, the practice of which minimizes the risk of such activities.

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T


Acronym coined by libertarian science fiction writer Robert A. Heinlein in The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress for "There Ain't No Such Thing As A Free Lunch". Used to express scepticism towards socialist economics.


The name given to a series of violent confrontations between the Spanish army and the anarchist-backed working classes in Catalunyan cities from July 25-August 2, 1909.


A show trial in 1894 in Paris, France, aimed at legitimizing the lois scélérates passed in 1893–1894 against the French anarchist movement and at restricting press freedom by proving the existence of an effective association between anarchists.

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V


The political philosophy of veganism (more specifically animal liberation) and anarchism, creating a combined praxis as a means for social revolution.


The use of or reliance on voluntary action to maintain an institution, carry out a policy, or achieve an end.


A political philosophy which advocates property rights and voluntary association as the foundation of society, and generally opposes coercion and aggression.

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W


A term which asserts a similarity between slavery—the ownership and control of one person by another—and wage labour.


A form of workplace decision-making in which the workers rather than professional managers decide on issues related to the operation of the business.

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Z


Compound of zen and "archy". The social order which arises from meditation. As a doctrine, zenarchism is the belief that "universal enlightenment" is a prerequisite to the abolition of the state.


A low-circulation, non-commercial periodical of original or appropriated texts and images. Usually reproduced via photocopier on a variety of colored paper stock.


A repository of zines and other associated artifacts, such as small press books. Zine libraries are typically run on a minimal budget, and have a close association with infoshops and other forms of DIY culture and independent media.