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As far as anarcho-syndicalism and Noam Chomsky I think Murray Rothbard said it the best.

"Scratch a left-wing “anarchist” and you will find a coercive egalitarian despot who makes the true lover of freedom yearn even for Richard Nixon in contrast."

One just has to ask themselves, is anarchy about being free, or about being a utopia?

Sometimes, an enlightened egalitarian despot seems like the next best alternative. Anyone read Plato's Republic?

"philosophers must become kings…or those now called kings must…genuinely and adequately philosophize"

Ahhh, I can not convey how thrilled I am to see such a topic as this discussed on ATS.

I am excited by how many people on here speak of 'Anarchism' with such 'authority' while even those who profess to be agreeable to anarchism have very different, opposing interpretations of it.

I certainly consider myself an anarchist but I dont want to try to impress upon you that I know what anarchism is. I think so many things mentioned in this thread deserve a thread to themselves. I could, and have (infoshop) gone on and on about my ideals but I will try to keep it 'short' here, until more is warranted.

I have been living almost half my life now as what many may refer to as a 'lifestyle anarchist', trying to live and fight for the change I want to see as much as I can. I spent many years traveling the U.S. and Europe involved in many anarchist communities and the community at large both urban and rural. I have been to many, many protests and 'actions' of all scales and I have also lived for extended periods of time deep in the 'bush' at a 'survival' nearly Iron Age level and I have also just moved from homesteading in very rural kentucky completely off the grid without any electricity or running water. So before anyone pulls the 'all talk' or 'live it and then talk' BS they should think about their words before just shouting them out (wow, that goes for many other instances on this thread too huh).

Again, I must convey that I am not trying to put myself in a position to have any kind of authoritative word on anarchism. This thread exemplifies my point perfectly; if we here have so many different opinions on what anarchism is than how can it really be anything that is concrete or known? anyway thats a whole other Robert A.W. type approach.

The statements made about 'isms' in general are relevant but I believe anarchism may be an exception. Unlike the other forms of political 'isms', anarchism is not merely just another method of 'systematic organization' as other political isms are. Anarchisms encompasses so many other levels than just a methodology to organizing society.

Anarchism is not just the rejection of government, anarchism is the rejection of ALL authority. To be an anarchist is not just to reject anyones attempts to be an authority over you but, to be an anarchist is to you, yourself, reject being an authority unto ANYONE or as many people believe, ANYTHING else.

Because of this, anarchism dives deeply in to our social relationships. To approach your life anarchistically is to examine yourself and to see if and when you coercively or oppressively act towards others and to actively try to correct this.

There are two types of authority. The authority that says 'no' or 'you must' or 'you cant' and then there is the authority you express when you push someone out of the way of an oncoming car.

Continued.....

Anarchism is about consensus, making sure everyone and/or everything that is affected by a decision mutually agrees on the decision being made. Like I said before, anarchism rejects all forms of authority, oppression and repression. Anarchism is against anything that gets in the way of equality. My interpretation of anti-authoritarianism dictates that in order to be conducive to egalitarianism, our methods of producing and acquiring 'products' must be based on mutual aid, community and a gift economy.

Being without authoritarians means a whole life change. It means a whole lot more self responsibility. Trading economies still make it quite easy to not have to rely on yourself too much. A life without capitalism and authoritarians; one thats based on mutual aid, community, and gifting means that you either make it yourself, be a decent person so that people want to work with you or do without.

Some people will always want decisions to be made for them, it is quite a bit easier than the alternative.

The thing to remember is that we partake in anarchism all the time. Ever order a pizza with friends? Chances are you came to a consensus, no one dictated over anyone and chances are you didnt even 'vote'. We all know what its like being the one thats voted against.

Anarchism as a social/relationship approach works everyday, all the time but, the only way anarchism could ever work as a method of organizing our lives and communities is if we were broken down and organized much more locally and regionally. Anarchism on a national or global scale could never keep authoritarianism at bey.

That is of course speaking as if there is no mass social awakening, but I am no longer even attempting to grasp at straws for that. If we all eventually begin to reject authoritarianism where ever we see it, both in ourselves and elsewhere, than yes, anarchism will 'naturally' happen. You could argue that the rejection of authoritarianism is even our natural evolutionary path....Again, I am not grasping at straws for this....

The answer is to fight, and in fighting, build communities, create the change you want to see in your life. Dont wait around to change congress or for the revolution, make change now, where you can. Say things that you know you should and shouldnt, push the envelope. Build strange things, build ecosystems with permaculture, invite friends to stay and treat each other well, just as you would want to be treated, this is how it starts. Treat people (and other things) unusually well and you will be surprised how it comes back and just how affective it can be.

Anarchism is not about getting the overseers out of your private business or your private land or your private life.

Anarchism is about not being oppressive.

This is a great thread. I've just recently thought of myself as an anarchist. The stigma attached to that political stance in the mainstream media isn't too promising.

Unfortunately, it seems the notion of anarchy only is seriously considered by people who have a trusting world view. With all the scary and negative propaganda being perpetuated in the media, the majority will remain fearful and cynical, rejecting the idea of a possibly overly trusting form of society.

I must thank everyone who posted, gave me tons to think about.

Peace.

I think this world needs anarchy! It will wake everyone up and I feel people won't take their lives for granted!

It only takes one man to stand up to government in a particular way!





[edit on 3-2-2010 by Wolf ]