Anarchism has a bad reputation. You have probably been trained to equate anarchy with chaos, violence, disorder, and destruction. Nearly without exception, anarchism as a concept is given neither attention nor credibility. It is generally thrown aside in the same breath in which it is raised. Because of this void in our collective education it is imperative that the question "Why anarchism?" must begin by answering another question: "What is anarchism?". There are dozens of books on the subject, some of which will be discussed here, but here's my basic introduction.
In a world of more than 6.5 billion humans, a minute fraction of those people determine how people will live, how they will work, what days they will celebrate, when they will go to war and against whom, what they will believe, and how they will think. A mere handful of people, relatively speaking, determine the paths all of us will take. The rest follow. They obey, though they don't even realize they are obeying. When expedient, people are given the illusion of freedom and control. (Two political parties provide the illusion of choice and change, for example.) When offered the "choice" of an orange and an apple, the person who insists on blueberry scones is an anarchist. So is the person who instead starts growing her own garden.
An anarchist is someone who, rather than simply go along with the crowd, the media, or the propaganda, (or the false 'rebellion' of the counter-culture), continually questions, evaluates, and thinks for him- or herself. But do not mistake anarchism for pointless rebellion. To be an anarchist does not mean simply taking the opposite view to everything you are told. It does mean questioning every assumption, insisting on original thought and intelligence, and arriving at the best conclusion possible, whether that is in accord with or opposed to the mainstream, based on one's own intellect and knowledge.
Precisely because they are independent-minded, anarchists will not all think alike. They will all think for themselves. This blog is about my thoughts, my rejection of the status quo, and my reasons for the conclusions I come to.
Why anarchism? Because it's a horrific thought that one may have a mind, be capable of thought, and yet live as an organic robot, a mental collage of one's surroundings, contributing nothing to this world. Be an anarchist! THINK!
given that explanation, i think a lot of people might look at themselves as anarchists in some way. Has this been your experience, or do most people identify themselves as part of the general masses?
ReplyDeleteI think you nailed it when you said that there is a misconception concerning anarchism. I also think there is probably a wide range of worldviews associated with the anarchist position, which may contribute to the misconception in the first place. I guess the important question then is how would the population of anarchists actually define anarchism? Oh, I'm stoked that I got to be the first comment on your blog so thanks!
ReplyDeleteI guess I was not the first to post on your blog so I'm glad I was one of the first! As far as your own definition of anarchism, how does toleration and diversity of opinion figure into the equation? Does an equation of any sort actually contradict the anarchist position? This is not a challenge or a rebuke … simply a request for more information.
ReplyDeleteI think it's fair to say that anarchists do share a small core of common thoughts. Perhaps these are best summarized by the saying "live and let live." My personal 'mantra,' if you will, is "individual autonomy; voluntary association; mutual respect." From there, I think nearly ever question about my take on anarchism can be derived. Thanks for your blog. Solidarity and peace.
ReplyDeleteWell, I'm just resurrecting this one from the grave aren't I.
ReplyDeleteThis is some really fantastic writing. I'm wondering if you-any of you, actually, would like to be publishers/editors on my (Veganarchist) blog. Just a thought, y'know. Hit me up if you're interested
Wow, my old, abandoned blog! Much thanks for reminding me of this, Andrew. What's the link to your blog? I'll contact you. I still thoroughly believe in what I wrote here, but my efforts have recently been focused on the "vegan" end of my philosophy.
ReplyDelete