We've seen a lot lately about the “violent radical leftist/anarchists” disrupting the national conventions. I will not condone the political left (or right) anymore than violence. I can understand why certain factions don't want to be associated with these individuals, but what bothers me more is the way this paints a bad picture of radicals and anarchists. Even those who may support the dissent will say, “well yeah, but we're not really anarchists...those are just government agents.” I am almost certain that the violent operators are government sponsored provocateurs, but I take offense at the idea that there is something wrong with being even a non-violent anarchist or radical (or that such individuals are inherently violent.)

Here are my thoughts on anarchy. This will surely offend many of you. Some will claim that I am a shill of the N.W.O, but as a control mechanism, they are my enemy just as much as any person or organization that wishes to impose its will on another. My only masters are my will and my freedom. Non serviam. I will serve none. If we all followed our own will, we may enjoy a perfect world – sure, some will say, what about the rapists and the murderers? ...well, I am driven to wonder what kind of world would drive one to that state. I know that my most violent and angry instincts come when confronted not with natural occurrences and interactions but when an external control machine tries to impose itself on me...I hope some of you will understand.



/begin "manifesto"


There are many who fear the prospect of anarchy, seeing in it a world of dog-eat-dog brutality, chaos, violence, riots and selfishness. Nothing could be further from the truth. Aside from the rare misguided and mistaken individual, those who feel the true calling of anarchy are blessed and/or cursed with this vocation because they see the potential – and the necessity – of rising above and moving beyond these basest of needs.

In the earliest years of humanity, we lived in a state of complete freedom. There were of course conflicts and difficulties, and while most could be resolved easily and peacefully, it became apparent that some organization amongst groups of individuals might provide beneficial to all involved. Thus were formed the first tribes, nations, and eventually governments. Nonetheless, there were many who still clung to their most primal instincts, both those that remain very beneficial and those that will forever be harmful (sex and violence, respectively.) These individuals, in their lust for power, adopted the manner and rhetoric of the enlightened organizers.

As a result of espousing successfully tried and tested ideas, these individuals became very popular and very powerful. At the same time, they had no interest in the common good, but enjoyed the rise of their influence. This persisted for generation after generation, until the whole world was controlled by those with a lust for power, posturing and pandering to those who strove for love and life and peace.

Humanity used the tools of government as a useful crutch for some time, but that time has long since passed. We have been debating for decades the importance of individuality and self responsibility. It is high time we take these ideals to their logical conclusion/evolution, and move forward into a world where every individual is responsible for their own lives and no one feels the need to impede on anyone else's experience of reality.

This is why both the right and the left are wrong, and why all governments are inherently “evil.” We are far past the point at which we should all be able to work together peacefully and cooperatively to achieve both individual and community goals. Those who insist on government may have good intentions (some, perhaps) but they are going about it the wrong way. Anyone who works for the government – from the president to the policeman to the clerk filing paperwork at the DMV – has sold out to a dying machine. Maybe we can save them, but first we need to save ourselves – each and every one of us. We need to build new and better machines, those that will make us free rather than confine others.

The concept of government, state and nation are becoming as obsolete as such archaic notions as organized religion, authoritative structures, the nuclear family and lifelong monogamous marriage. We are moving into a brave new world where anything can and will happen at any given moment and we cannot let ourselves be enslaved by the past.

/end "manifesto"

OK, so I expect to take alot of heat for this thread. Please try to avoid the reactionary and partisan bickering. I would appreciate honest and intelligent debate, because I know my ideas are far from perfect, though I feel I am on a path with potential.

I want to add that I am not advocating any kind of violent revolution. That is just a reversion to the old ways of domination/submission. Anarchy is a natural evolution of humanity. We each have a personal responsibility to abandon the old dichotomy and adopt a perspective based on communication and collaboration, rather than isolation and confrontation. When enough of us can do that, there will be no need for violence, because we will be in the majority and we will be living peacefully. This should happen without any government "intervention," because the very act of intervening is as antithetical to the process as is violent "destruction" of the government. We should not attack it, but rather ignore it out of existence.

The concept of Anarchists organizing is a self contradiction.

Therefore they are not Anarchists.

They are however liers, and therefore up to no good.


long live Hermann Hesse!

Long live Groucho Marx! A true Anarchist!

"I would not join any club that would have someone like me for a member."
-- Groucho Marx


[edit on 6-9-2008 by Cyberbian]

There will be a lot of people who could be more happy/productive in anarchy conditions. A shame they will be rounded up as slaves or serfes by those who are more happy/productive in feodal conditions.
Laws are there for a reason, we are not smarter then previous generations. Look at all the bloodshed throughout the history - you want to repeat it? After all, we started in anarchy.
Left movement use anarchists as spearhead and once left is in power - they get rid of those anarchists as quick as they can.

Have you ever noticed that all these anarchists are roughly 17-22 years old and dress like they're from Seattle?

Eventually, anarchists have to grow up, get jobs, and raise families and join the PTA.

They either do that or they wind up living in a cardboard box on Julia Street in New Orleans.

[edit on 2008/9/6 by GradyPhilpott]

I've always thought anarchists were wanna be fascists. They want to do things their way only regardless of whether if infringes on other people or not.

About the violence, are you talking about the rioting or the alleged kidnapping? I think the latter is getting debunked. For instance a semi automatic found at the scene was one of the cops.

Originally posted by GradyPhilpott
Have you ever noticed that all these anarchists are roughly 17-22 years old and dress like they're from Seattle?

Was that a cut on the Youth or on Seattle lol...

Eventually, anarchists have to grow up, get jobs, and raise families and join the PTA.

And eventually you will have to accept the fact that your old and biased. By your choice

I think you guys are confusing young rebellion and the punk scene with the actual anarchistic philosophy. Just cuz they wear an anarchy patch on their backpacks does not an anarchist make.

And it is not against the anarchistic philosophy for anarchists to group together

Originally posted by Rockpuck

Anarchy is a far "right" ideology, not a far "left" ideology. The fact that some anarchist believe themselves Liberal just shows how stupid some of the kids in the movement really are.

On the whole liberal versus conservative scale?

People usually lump Libertarianism and Socialism as a 'leftist' movement as well. I think that whole scale has become meaningless...if it ever meant anything.

I am pretty sure the further a political philosophy deviates from mainstream capitialism the more "leftist" it becomes in peoples eyes. Hence why most consider anarchy as a leftist ideology.

Kind of frustrating how most people have no clue what anarchy means. Monarchy=rule by one over many. Oligarchy=the few rule the many. Anarchy is not without laws, it is without a ruling class. The people are all self ruled but that doesnt mean they cant come together and designate a group with authority to mediate and enforce social contracts.

I have a really good idea.
How about you do whatever you want to do and I do whatever I want to do.
And we leave each other alone and not tell each other what to do?
And if one of us harms in some way the other then the one who harms the other agrees to take personal responsibility for his/her actions and own up to the consequences.
However until then if we both just keep to ourselves and don't bother anyone then the other has no right morally or in any other way to tell the other what to do and/or how to do things unless they can prove it is directly affecting them in some negative way.
And I don't mean making up things to say someone else is affecting you just in order to try and control them and make them do what you want them to do.
Does this seem reasonable?

Originally posted by Freeborn

Unfortunately, the problem with Anarchy is mankinds inherent desire to exploit each other and seek dominance over those either physically or intelectually inferior or different.

I attribute that desire, or at least, the way that desire is actually manifested, largely as a byproduct of commercialism.

I believe anarchy on a whole would thrive because of the inherent things in people. I actually believe most people are inherently good, naturally. I think the bad is squeezed out of us.

If you wanna be anti-authoritarian (like an anarchist) but still live in a stable, prosperous and orderly society, go Libertarian.

Libertarians share values with Anarchists...except that we dont believe in creating chaos.

Originally posted by Skyfloating
If you wanna be anti-authoritarian (like an anarchist) but still live in a stable, prosperous and orderly society, go Libertarian.

Libertarians share values with Anarchists...except that we dont believe in creating chaos.

I am an anarchist, registered as a Libertarian

Not sure what you mean by 'chaos'. Usually thats a word attributed to anarchy by people who don't understand the philosophy. Not implying anything, just wondering. You make chaos sound sinister with your wording is all. The word 'natural' would be more fitting. A natural chaos. Some say chaos is a higher order