Spunk Library - Anarchy, anarchist, and alternative materials Arguments For And Against by Albert Meltzer Table of Contents Introduction Inalienable Tenets of Anarchism The Class Struggle Organisation and Anarchism The Role of an Anarchist in an Authoritarian Society Bringing About the New Society The Marxist Criticism of Anarchism The Social-Democratic Critique of Anarchism The Liberal-Democratic Objection to Anarchism The Fascist Objection to Anarchism The Average Person's Objection to Anarchism Introduction The Historical Background to Anarchism It is not without interest that what might be called the anarchist approach goes back into antiquity; nor that there is an anarchism of sorts in the peasant movements that struggled against State oppression over the centuries. In particular, we may cite three philosophical precursors of Anarchism, Godwin, Proudhon, and perhaps Hegel. Godwin is the father of the Stateless Society movement, which diverged into three lines. The third school of descent from Godwin is simple liberalism, or conservative individualism. The Class Struggle
The True Nature and Goals of Anarchism It's one of the most prevalent and enduring myths regarding Anarchism. It's reinforced daily with news reports of countries that have "descended into anarchy" or political pundits railing against things that we can't do because it would (gasp!) lead to anarchy. The idea that Anarchy and chaos are synonymous has been firmly entrenched within the lexicon of modern imagery. Yet, it couldn't be much further from the true nature of Anarchism. Anarchists don't oppose society, order, or laws in general. In order to understand the distinction it is essential to avoid confusing governance with the Government. On the other hand, governance is simply the rules by which a group structures the society in which they live. Such self-governance ensures that the members of that society have a vested interest in it's welfare and success. Furthermore, most Anarchists are opposed to unnecessary violence and destruction and many even are pacifists.
Sept 22-25: Pittsburgh G20 Resistance Strategy Update! - Infosho The following was consensed to by the general assembly of the Pittsburgh G20 Resistance Project. This strategy update includes more detailed info on plans for the Sept. 22-25 period and some general guidance for the type of events we're encouraging. Sept 22-25: Pittsburgh G20 Resistance Strategy Update The Pittsburgh G20 Resistance Project (PG20RP) exists as a space to aid coordination and actualize resistance to the G20 summit happening this September 24-25 in Pittsburgh, PA. The group has coalesced around a shared desire to deepen ongoing social resistance locally, to demonstrate and build new and existing alternatives to the worldview represented by the G20 and the direct policies it promotes, and to disrupt the summit and undermine its attempts to gain legitimacy. On Tuesday, September 22, the PG20RP and allies will host an Anti-G20 Community Gathering in the East End of Pittsburgh and are encouraging other groups to hold similar gatherings in neighborhoods throughout the city.
Everything You Ever Wanted To Know This classic statement of anarchism was written by a diverse group of anarchists in Cardiff around 1980 and it is an interesting historical record of the optimism of mainstream anarchist thought at that time. There is probably more rubbish talked about anarchism than any other political idea. Actually, it has nothing to do with a belief in chaos, death and destruction. Anarchists do not normally carry bombs, nor do they ascribe any virtue to beating up old ladies. It is no accident that the sinister image of the mad anarchist is so accepted. The alleged necessity of authority is so firmly planted in the average mind that anarchy, which means simply 'no government' is almost unthinkable to most people. Yet there are a limitless range of possible societies without the State. Various sorts of anarchists have differing ideas on exactly how society ought to be organised. Very few people seem to understand anarchism, even though it is a very simple, straightforward idea. Large Scale Campaigns
Police shave the heads of young men with long hair and tight trousers in Hamas-ruled Gaza crackdown Police said: 'We want you to respect our tradition', claim teenagersThe men say they were warned by police that Gaza 'is Islamic'Latest in Hamas's attempts to impose strict practices on the population By Helen Lawson and Associated Press Published: 15:28 GMT, 8 April 2013 | Updated: 15:56 GMT, 8 April 2013 Police in Hamas-ruled Gaza have started grabbing young men with long or gel-styled spiky hair off the streets, bundling them into jeeps and shaving their heads, two of those targeted have said. It is the latest sign that the Islamic militants are imposing their strict practices on the population, reported the Associated Press. Hamas has been slowly forcing its fundamentalist interpretation of the religion on already conservative Gaza since it overran the territory in 2007. Ayman al-Sayed, 19, right, says he had long hair before encountering Hamas police, while his friend Mohammed Hanouna, 18, left, said he was also targeted 'I am scared. 'They said, "we want you to respect our tradition."
Anarchist Federation - Organising for Resistance | AF | AFED | I Anarchist Theory FAQ What is anarchism? What beliefs do anarchists share? Anarchism is defined by The American Heritage College Dictionary as "The theory or doctrine that all forms of government are unnecessary, oppressive, and undesirable and should be abolished." As might be expected, different groups of anarchists are constantly trying to define anarchists with different views out of existence, just as many Christians say that their sect is the only "true" Christianity and many socialists say that their socialism is the only "true" socialism. Why should one consider anarchism in the first place? Unlike many observers of history, anarchists see a common thread behind most of mankind's problems: the state. If the state is the proximate cause of so much needless misery and cruelty, would it not be desirable to investigate the alternatives? Don't anarchists favor chaos? By definition, anarchists oppose merely government, not order or society. What major subdivisions may be made among anarchists?
Black Sabbath