Anarchism describes a diverse range of political and philosophical beliefs, ranging from the individualism of anarcho-capitalism to the communitarianism of anarcho-syndicalism. However, they hold in common a belief in the primacy of freedom: the individual's ability to act according to their conscience, without coercion from or subjugation to an oppressive authority. Often, this authority is identified with the state, along with other hierarchical organisations, both secular and religious. Anarchism has long been derided and dismissed as fanciful and unworkable, even incoherent -- yet throughout history there have been serious attempts to build free societies, organised on the principles of horizontalism, participatory democracy, and mutual aid. Is a free future at all likely for humankind, or are Anarchists just 'demanding the impossible'?
Anarchism is currently possible.
Historical and contemporary attempts to create large-scale Anarchist societies have been largely successful.
Historical attempts at creating Anarchist societies were successful
Large-scale Anarchist societies existed in the 20th century in Spain, Manchuria, and the Ukraine. Although these eventually fell to the twin totalitarianisms of Fascism and Authoritarian Communism, they were successful and productive societies while they survived.
Rojava proves that Anarchist principles can be possible in a modern society.
The Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria is organised along libertarian-socialist and anarchist lines, and continues to expand despite immense external pressure from Syria, Turkey, Russia, and Islamic State.
The entire world is already in an anarchic state because of protests
Countries in the world are falling apart. Protests against human rights violations reflect the governments inability to care for its people. People are ready to overthrow the government and take care of themselves.
Either due to our evolutionary and cultural heritage, or the economic processes that underpin organised human society, attempts at Anarchism are doomed to failure.
History suggests that in practice all Anarchist societies will fail
History has seen a number of small-scale (along with some large-scale) experiments in anarcho-communism. However, these utopias inevitably disintegrate under internal and external pressures.
Anarchism isn't currently possible, but will be in the future.
The twenty-first century has already seen extraordinary technological and cultural changes. These changes will fundamentally alter the human experience. They will open the door to an Anarchist future.
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This page was last edited on Monday, 20 Apr 2020 at 15:43 UTC
