|
Comment on this article |
View comments |
Email this Article
|
|
Anarchy A to Z, "R" as in Revolution |
|
by NEFAC Quebec (excerpt from Cause Commune)
(No verified email address) |
20 Jun 2008
|
|
|
|
Our political project, full equality and freedom for all in every sphere of life, is impossible to achieve in the social and political framework that we know.
First, certain people profit from institutionalized injustice and they will not freely give up their privileges. Then, the internal logic of systems of oppression and exploitation -capitalism, state, patriarchy- render any indepth reform impossible.
A capitalism which no longer exploits workers to accumulate capital, is no longueur capitalism. A State which no longer holds a monopoly on violence and that is no longer a separate authority to which society must submit, is no longer the State. A patriarchy which no longer prioritizes one gender over another and no longer exploits women, is no longer patriarchy. One can certainly make gains and snatch victories that make the world a little more bearable, but we can not eradicate injustice in depth without changing society. Full emancipation requires nothing less than a revolution.
It is generally understood that a revolution is a sudden and radical change in the social and political order. Historically, and even today, most revolutions were first political revolutions and were more or less limited to changes at the state level. As the change proposed by anarchists
goes much further, we speak of social revolution.
We do not believe in the "day after the Grand Soir" and we are aware that social change is a long process which is rooted in the day to day struggles, here and now. That said, this does not exhaust the question of the revolution wich is a possible outcome of social struggles. Revolution is when the balance of power switches to the camp of the people and allows the overthrow of the old structures of domination and their replacement by gerneralized self management.
There is a gap between the current situation and a revolutionary situation. A gap so great that many believe that a revolution is impossible. Obviously, it is not on the agenda in the immediate future and it does not seem ready to become so in the foreseeable future. That is not the issue.
The challenge is how to increase our relative strengths and to bridge the gap between the present and a revolutionary situation. For our part, we propose a strategy of radicalization of struggles and the creation of counter-powers. It is encouraging the development of consciousness and the autonomy of social movements. Building the power to possibly go on the offensive. Developing self-management and direct democracy in the struggles. Promoting social alternatives without creating illusions.
Revolution is a strategic option, it is our political horizon. It is neither an act of pure will, nor an incantory formula. It is a political perspective. Nobody controls the social climate. Often in the past, when the situation seemed hopelessly blocked, the times have accelerated and the revolution has arisen where nobody expected it. If it reoccurs, will we be ready?
http://nefac.net/en/node/2387 |
See also:
http://www.anarkismo.net/index.php
http://anarchism.ws/faq/
|
Please Don't Feed the Trolls
Wikipedia defines an Internet Troll as: "An Internet troll is either a person who sends messages on the Internet hoping to entice other users into angry or fruitless responses, or a message sent by such a person." Boston IMC strives to provide both a grassroots media resource as well as a forum for people to contribute to a meaningful discussion about local issues. Please, when posting comments, be respectful of others and ignore those trying to interrupt or discourage meaningful discourse. Thank you.
-- Boston Indymedia volunteers
Due to on going anti spam work quick comments are currently broken please use the full comment form. We do hope to have quick comments back on line soon.
|
Anarchism is bankrupt |
by Anarkiddie
(No verified email address) |
23 Jun 2008
|
The political confusion of the CNT leadership was
such that they attacked the idea of the workers seizing power as "evil" and leading to an "anarchist dictatorship.” |
See also:
http://www.ainfos.ca/04/oct/ainfos00105.html
|
|
Power With, Not Power Over |
by baker
(No verified email address) |
24 Jun 2008
|
Anarchism is bankrupt because it's not for the seizure of state power to control things from the top-down? There were a lot of mistakes in Spain, that's for sure. But it didn't help that while the prominent anarchist figures and the bulk of the anarchists were on the front lines fighting the facists, stalinists were selling them out behind their backs. The POUM did their part, sure. But before you get all down on the anarchists, just remember that there would have been no revolution without them... and without the Statist Communists selling them out, both in the military and by slandering them and calling for an end to revolutionary activities in rebel areas, then it would have continued.
But seriously, the authoritarian communists have had plenty of years of control in multiple locales to prove that their top down system works. While acknowledging all the material gains (educaiton, health care, etc.) of authoritarian "communist" socities, people can judge for themselves whether people have freedom and equality in these societies or whether a new authoritarian burecratic ruling class arose in the form of the one party state leading to not only a class society, but many, many abuses and tragedies.
Let's be real, we both want the same end goal, anarchists just think that we'll get there by building horizonatal power with other working class and oppressed people so we can liberate ourselves and all can control things directly-democratically. No expert elite should make decisions for or rule over anyone. Those who have ideas should make proposals, contribute your ideas, but let it be through persuasion and not command that your ideas get implemented. Here's NEFAC's position on revolutionary organization:
http://nefac.net/node/197
All power to the people*... not the party!
*This phrase, of course, was of the russian anarchists pre-1917, but was unfortunatlely co-opted by the bolsheviks ... with the meaning changed.. |
See also:
http://anarchism.ws/faq/
http://www.anarkismo.net/index.php
|
