5 definitions by Damien E
A non-hierarchical society in which private property and the division of classes is abolished and the world is comprised of autonomous collectives containing no authority.
Anarchism differs from other ideologies on the left such as socialism, specifically in terms of how the social transformation from capitalism - which in Marxism theory is the last stage of class society - to a communistic society will actually occur.
Proponents of the anarchist doctrine look to the immediate abolition of the state as essential towards the transformation from class society to anarchist society, in which only then can true human liberation and democracy flourish. This often comes in the form of abstention from mainstream political engagement altogether. This usually leads to the rejection of electoralism or parliamentarianism as a means of achieving change. Most anarchists seek to create an immediate version of what human society is supposed to look like in the future. This often comes in the form of non-hierarchical organizations, communes, affinity groups, and so on. Socialists on the other hand see the existence of a revolutionary workers party as indispensible towards building a new society. Socialists also favor parliamentarianism as a tool towards heightening the consciousness of the worker.
There are different versions to the anarchist doctrine such as anarcho-syndicalism, anarcho-libertarianism, anarcho-communism, etc.
Anarchism as an ideology is said to have gone back to as far as the early 18th century with thinkers such as William Godwin. Other following theorists such as Pierre-Joseph Proudhon, Mikhail Bakunin, Emma Goldman and most recently Murray Bookchin have all added a substantial amount of knowledge to the anarchist tradition.
There are hardly any mass anarchist organizations in the US currently, although there has been a recent revival in anarchist ideas, predominantly among student activists. Groups such as Students For A Democratic Society, and the recent creation of the NYMAA (New York Metro Anarchist Alliance) are all signs of a new wave of anarchist activity to come.
Anarchism in times of dormancy, can become confined to its lifestyle variations. Vegans, vegetarians, consumer boycotters, and individuals comprising the animal liberation and anti-globalization movements tend to look to anarchist ideas as a way to shape society.
Throughout history, the anarchist doctrine has always been a idea espoused by people who were generally outside of the realms of mass industrial production such as doctors, lawyers, craftsmen, artisans, etc. These days, anarchism has seen its revival in the punk rock movement, which contains mostly white middle class surburban teens and young adults. It has never really deterred from that particular socio-economic level, at least not in the advanced capitalist countries.
Anarchism differs from other ideologies on the left such as socialism, specifically in terms of how the social transformation from capitalism - which in Marxism theory is the last stage of class society - to a communistic society will actually occur.
Proponents of the anarchist doctrine look to the immediate abolition of the state as essential towards the transformation from class society to anarchist society, in which only then can true human liberation and democracy flourish. This often comes in the form of abstention from mainstream political engagement altogether. This usually leads to the rejection of electoralism or parliamentarianism as a means of achieving change. Most anarchists seek to create an immediate version of what human society is supposed to look like in the future. This often comes in the form of non-hierarchical organizations, communes, affinity groups, and so on. Socialists on the other hand see the existence of a revolutionary workers party as indispensible towards building a new society. Socialists also favor parliamentarianism as a tool towards heightening the consciousness of the worker.
There are different versions to the anarchist doctrine such as anarcho-syndicalism, anarcho-libertarianism, anarcho-communism, etc.
Anarchism as an ideology is said to have gone back to as far as the early 18th century with thinkers such as William Godwin. Other following theorists such as Pierre-Joseph Proudhon, Mikhail Bakunin, Emma Goldman and most recently Murray Bookchin have all added a substantial amount of knowledge to the anarchist tradition.
There are hardly any mass anarchist organizations in the US currently, although there has been a recent revival in anarchist ideas, predominantly among student activists. Groups such as Students For A Democratic Society, and the recent creation of the NYMAA (New York Metro Anarchist Alliance) are all signs of a new wave of anarchist activity to come.
Anarchism in times of dormancy, can become confined to its lifestyle variations. Vegans, vegetarians, consumer boycotters, and individuals comprising the animal liberation and anti-globalization movements tend to look to anarchist ideas as a way to shape society.
Throughout history, the anarchist doctrine has always been a idea espoused by people who were generally outside of the realms of mass industrial production such as doctors, lawyers, craftsmen, artisans, etc. These days, anarchism has seen its revival in the punk rock movement, which contains mostly white middle class surburban teens and young adults. It has never really deterred from that particular socio-economic level, at least not in the advanced capitalist countries.
by Damien E November 4, 2007
A syndicalist is someone who advocates for the emancipation of the working class only through economic means, and abstains from political struggle. Syndicalists are usually active in trade or labor unions. They typically denounce the role of a organized political working class party as authoritarian. Syndicalist theory in many ways can be seen as similar to anarchism, and different terms of classification such as "anarcho-syndicalism" or "anarcho-communism" can be used to describe this particular ideology.
The IWW has a strong syndicalist tradition in that they dont advocate political struggle, and see the trade union as the only essential route towards working class emancipation.
by Damien E November 3, 2007
Pierre Joseph Proudhon was a late 19th century anarchist philosopher who advocated the abolition of property and the establishment of a "mutualist" society. Some of his most prominent works are "What is Property?" and "The Philosophy of Poverty".
Anarchist: In France, the followers of Proudhon organized some of the most succesfull working class movements ever.
Marxist: No they didnt. Followers of Proudhon abstained from political struggles.
Marxist: No they didnt. Followers of Proudhon abstained from political struggles.
by Damien E November 3, 2007
(n)1. A individual who identifies theirself with and or supports the republican party.
(n)2. A individual who harbors conservative views or opinions on economic, political, and social issues.
(n)3. A term often used to classify someone whos overtly discriminatory towards a person(s) on the basis of race, gender, sexual orientation, creed, etc.
(n)2. A individual who harbors conservative views or opinions on economic, political, and social issues.
(n)3. A term often used to classify someone whos overtly discriminatory towards a person(s) on the basis of race, gender, sexual orientation, creed, etc.
by Damien E November 3, 2007
(n) 1. A section of the population in capitalist society that is deprived of a role in production.
(n) 2. The most impoverished section in capitalist society comprising mostly of vagrants, vagabonds, criminals, welfare recipients, drug addicts, etc.
(n) 3. A non-revolutionary current in capitalist society, in Marxist terms.
(n) 2. The most impoverished section in capitalist society comprising mostly of vagrants, vagabonds, criminals, welfare recipients, drug addicts, etc.
(n) 3. A non-revolutionary current in capitalist society, in Marxist terms.
A socialist revolution could never come from the lumpenproletariat due to the fact that they have no stake in production.
by Damien E November 3, 2007