What is anarchism?

What is anarchism?

Anarchism is a political theory which aims to create anarchy, "the absence of a master, of a sovereign." [P-J Proudhon, What is Property , p. 264] In other words, anarchism is a political theory which aims to create a society within which individuals freely co-operate together as equals. As such anarchism opposes all forms of hierarchical control - be that control by the state or a capitalist - as harmful to the individual and their individuality as well as unnecessary.

In the words of anarchist L. Susan Brown:

"While the popular understanding of anarchism is of a violent, anti-State movement, anarchism is a much more subtle and nuanced tradition then a simple opposition to government power. Anarchists oppose the idea that power and domination are necessary for society, and instead advocate more co-operative, anti-hierarchical forms of social, political and economic organisation." [The Politics of Individualism, p. 106]

hey. what exactly do u mean by " individuals freely co-operate together as equals'?

mr_ska wrote:

hey. what exactly do u mean by " individuals freely co-operate together as equals'?

People help each other out, much like what a (good) government would do, but there is no government over you to rule you. Therefore, you are free.

Does that make any sense?

mr_ska wrote:

hey. what exactly do u mean by " individuals freely co-operate together as equals'?

Indaviduals would operate in the absence of oppressive cohercive institutions on an equal basis.

Inkus2000 wrote:

mr_ska wrote:

hey. what exactly do u mean by " individuals freely co-operate together as equals'?

Indaviduals would operate in the absence of oppressive cohercive institutions on an equal basis.

I think he wanted it simplified.. lol

KenCat wrote:

Inkus2000 wrote:

mr_ska wrote:

hey. what exactly do u mean by " individuals freely co-operate together as equals'?

Indaviduals would operate in the absence of oppressive cohercive institutions on an equal basis.

I think he wanted it simplified.. lol

It difficult to explain our stance in fullness via soundbites - the right wing specialize in that department.

Yes, such as incorrect statements similar to "Anarchy is chaos". =/

sorry abt all the questions. im new to the anarchist concept. so how do u mean help others out? cant' we do that already? im just a curious lil bugger

mr_ska wrote:

sorry abt all the questions. im new to the anarchist concept. so how do u mean help others out? cant' we do that already? im just a curious lil bugger

No

Anarchism is opposed to all institutions of hierarchy and coercive oppression - we oppose both

A- the state
B- capitalism or to be more specific - private property

It is important that you distinguish between - property ie capital goods and possesions

A- Property = the means of production, factories ect
B- Possessions = the produce of production. tvs, cars ect

Anarchy does 'not' seek to do away with possessions -'only' property

The reason being is that property is a means of exploitation and a source of cohercive authority
Anarchists believe that 'the means of production should belong to whoever happens to workthem at any given time - therefore be public in nature.

so, exactly what would fall under property? r anarchists pro-union? the workers should own the factories n what not?

A common myth about Anarchy is that we only appose the state (or government).

We also appose hierarchy*, the exploitation of workers, wage slavery, racism, sexism, etc.

*Some may say that opposing hierarchy would lead to Chaos. However, this is not true. We still organize, but in horizontal organization, instead of hierarchal -- this way, all will be equal.

mr_ska wrote:

so, exactly what would fall under property? r anarchists pro-union? the workers should own the factories n what not?

Yes (at least everyone here would agree). Anarchism is a form of Socialism.

There are SOME idiots out there that believe in Anarchism 'cuz it's cool' and resemble more of a capitalistic society.

The Anarchism I, and many others, believe in is Socialist.

yea, i was checkin bc i agree w what i can understand of socialism. lol. so, im 17 n im turning 18 in a few months n i was wonderin if when i go to sign up for my party, if itll say socialism or something like other or what?

mr_ska wrote:

yea, i was checkin bc i agree w what i can understand of socialism. lol. so, im 17 n im turning 18 in a few months n i was wonderin if when i go to sign up for my party, if itll say socialism or something like other or what?

The parties that will have a chance at winning in November (in order):

1) Democratic Party
2) Republican Party
3) "Libertarian" Party
4) Green Party
4) Constitutional Party
.
.
.
.
.
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Socialist party. =P


I'm not disagreeing with your political views -- I love socialism and would love to vote for the democratic socialists (if they had little state control), but they're simply not going to win. The rightwing media (like FOX "NEWS") makes the socialist party out to be "Evil communists".

Were I to register, I'd register as an Independent. That way, I could vote for any party (usually, but I'd check your state laws).

i just wanna make the right decision, ya know? i need to learn politics as is. from the basics, maybe like a for dummies book or something. lol

mr_ska wrote:

i just wanna make the right decision, ya know? i need to learn politics as is. from the basics, maybe like a for dummies book or something. lol

"Social Anarchism For Dummies". lmao =p

I suggest reading, though... Orwell, Fromm, Marx - all socialist, but still.

Oh yeah, NOAM CHOMSKY (brilliant intellectual Social Anarchist / Libertarian Socialist).



p.s. I like your name. =p

yea, thanks.ive watched Noam Chomsky, he was bein interviewed by Zach de la Rocha, i understood some of what he said.

mr_ska wrote:

yea, thanks.ive watched Noam Chomsky, he was bein interviewed by Zach de la Rocha, i understood some of what he said.

Do you live in the US - Is english your first language ?

yea, i live in Fl. englishis my first lang but i speak little spanish n alot of german

mr_ska wrote:

yea, i live in Fl. englishis my first lang but i speak little spanish n alot of german

Sie sprechen viel Deutsch?

Sind Sie mit der rechten Flügels oder sozialistische

mr_ska wrote:

yea, i live in Fl. englishis my first lang but i speak little spanish n alot of german

Chomsky (in English, of course) can still be pretty complicated. =p

Inkus2000 wrote:

Sie sprechen viel Deutsch? Sind Sie mit der rechten Flügels oder sozialistische.

Show-off. =P

I know Spanish, Latin and a little bit of Italian and Chinese.

Ja, ich spreche Deutsch, aber mein grammatische ist sehr schlect. Meine Familie ist Rechtsaußen, denke ich, aber ich lehne mehr nach Sozialismus. i also speak some french, portuguese, n japanese.

mr_ska wrote:

Ja, ich spreche Deutsch, aber mein grammatische ist sehr schlect. Meine Familie ist Rechtsaußen, denke ich, aber ich lehne mehr nach Sozialismus. i also speak some french, portuguese, n japanese.

alright cool - I thought you might have been someone else I was just checking
So how do you like America - Sind Sie Deutsch ?

America is not all its cracked up to be. the economy has shot to crap in no time, but the 'leaders' in the country pretend like its gonna be fine, but everyone sees right through it. part of my family is German, buti am a cultural mutt.im every thing under the sun, i just claim being German and English