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"The revolutionary organization must be dissolved at the moment of revolution -- otherwise, it becomes another vanguard, another authority. For years, I wondered how this could be accomplished -- after all, "revolution" isn't just one moment, it's an ongoing process of decentralization and empowerment, one therefore always impeded by the existence of "revolutionary" elites . . . and, for that matter, how does one dissolve the power of a group that has already exercised an influence on human affairs? Even if the organization is broken up, its legacy will continue to influence the present: for example, the Situationists, who have been contemplated as "authorities on revolution" for decades since their self-annulment. Power, once established, is hard to undo. The solution finally struck me: the way to dissolve the authority of the revolutionary organization is simply to communalize its powers by extending them to everyone. The greatest resource a non-hierarchical, largely mythical organization like CrimethInc. has is its reputation: if this can be put at the disposal of all, then the authority CrimethInc. has can be effectively undermined. The moment of revolution is the dissolution of the revolutionary organization -- that is, the appropriation of its resources by everybody." - unknown (...but then isn't that the point?) |
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Anarchism is a political philosophy that is shrouded in misconception. This is largely due to the fact that anarchism is a truly diverse way of thinking, one which cannot be characterized by simple slogans or party lines. In fact, if you ask 10 anarchists for their description of anarchism, you are likely to get 10 different answers. Anarchism is more than just a political philosophy; it is a way of life that encompasses political, pragmatic and personal aspects. The basic tenet of anarchism is that hierarchical authority -- be it state, church, patriarchy or economic elite -- is not only unnecessary, but is inherently detrimental to the maximization of human potential. Anarchists generally believe that human beings are capable of managing their own affairs on the basis of creativity, cooperation, and mutual respect. It is believed that power is inherently corrupting, and that authorities are inevitably more concerned with self-perpetuation and increasing their own power than they are with doing what is best for their constituents. Anarchists generally maintain that ethics are a personal matter, and should be based upon concern for others and the wellbeing of society, rather than upon laws imposed by a legal or religious authority (including revered laws such as the U.S. Constitution). Most anarchist philosophies hold that individuals are responsible for their own behavior. Paternalistic authorities foster a dehumanized mindset in which people expect elites to make decisions for them and meet their needs, rather than thinking and acting for themselves. When an authority arrogates to itself the right to overrule the most fundamental personal moral decisions, such as what is worth killing or dying for (as in military conscription or abortion), human freedom is immeasurably diminished. Anarchists acknowledge the connection between various forms of oppression -- including sexism, racism, heterosexism, classism, and national chauvinism -- and recognize the futility of focusing opposition on one form of injustice while others continue to exist. Anarchists believe that the means one uses to transform the world must be in accord with the ends that one hopes to achieve. While anarchists disagree about strategies and tactics, including the need for formal organizations and the use of violent action to overthrow existing violent institutions, most agree that the focus must not be on merely destroying the current order, but on fashioning new, more humane and more rational alternatives to take its place.* For more information, please visit our Anarchist FAQ pages.**
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Anarchist Action Network - The impetus for this site was a story in the New York Times, which equated neo-Nazis with anarchists as "hate groups". We first called this site the Anarchist Anti-Defamation League to counter to defamation of anarchy and anarchists in the media. Many journalists have little or no historical background about anarchy or anarchists. To help this situation, we created A Quick Guide to Anarchy for Journalists. The demonization of anarchy and anarchists continues.
Anarchist FAQs - This web-site is the creation of many anarchists across the globe and is a classic example of the power of freedom, equality and mutual aid.
Anarchist Library - A source for anarchist essays and articles.
Anarchist Resources Online - This page is dedicated to all the anarchist resources you are looking for (and when I say "anarchist" I do not mean the oxymoronic "anarcho" capitalist, but anti-authoritarian anarchism) this page is new, but more should be added soon.
Creating Livable Alternatives to Wage Slavery (CLAWS) - CLAWS is a nonprofit support group, as well as a resource clearinghouse providing access to books and other educational materials. Our main purpose is to encourage people to re-think the old ways of viewing work, jobs, and leisure in our lives.
We are working together to generate viable alternatives to wage slavery. If you absolutely adore your job and don't know what a wage slave is, congratulations--you're a rare bird, and this organization probably isn't for you. We seek to transform the way people think about jobs, work, and money in our everyday lives.
We envision a new way of viewing "work". For some of us, it connotes struggle, drudgery, obligation. For others, it simply connotes use of energy toward a goal, whether financially remunerated or not. Workers of the world, unite and stop working!
Fighting for Our Lives (PDF)
Infiltration - Infiltration offers a mix of the practice and theory of urban exploration in areas not designed for public usage.
Institute for Anarchist Studies
New Jersey Anarchist Workers - This site contains pro-worker, anti-boss texts, and easy to read leaflets on issues such as unions and anarchism.
Spiritual Anarchy - There are many different definitions of anarchy even among anarchists. The links on this page go to a myriad of anarchist pages. Some I agree with, some I don't. I include them all because that is a part of my belief in Spiritual Anarchy. Find your own beliefs and if they differ from mine, that's OK as long as they do not affect me adversely.
Spunk Library - The Spunk Library collects and distributes literature in electronic format, with an emphasis on anarchism and related issues. For a more complete description of what Spunk is about you can view the Spunk Manifesto.
You May Be An Anarchist And Not Even Know It
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Anarchy: A Journal of Desire Armed
Not Bored! - Not Bored! is an anarchist, situationist-inspired, low-budget, irregularly published, photocopied journal. No copyrights, rights reserved, advertising or subscriptions.
Practical Anarchy - Practical Anarchy has been an occasional zine focusing on practical aspects of anarchism which has been published for more than 10 years. The magazine is broadening its focus and moving to more frequent publication in 2002. Our immediate goal is to publish quarterly, starting with the Summer 2002 issue. As soon as possible we will move to a bimonthly schedule.
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Earth Liberation Front (ELF) - The Earth Liberation Front is an international underground movement consisting of autonomous groups of people who carry out direct action according to the E.L.F. guidelines. Since 1997, E.L.F. cells have carried out dozens of actions resulting in over $30 million in damages.
Earth Liberation Prisoners - Earth Liberation Prisoners exists to provide information on people imprisoned for actions in defense of the earth and it's inhabitants. In this we include people fighting on anti nuclear and peace issues, indigenous struggles, animal liberationists and a whole host more. It is our opinion that we will never have a free and ecological society till we dismantle the power structures and hierarchies that maintain a society based on greed and exploitation. If you click here you will find a copy of our prisoner listings 'Spirit of Freedom'. This should have up to date information on people imprisoned, the addresses where you can write to them, and any contact for a support group if they have one.
Eco-Action.org - One thing that sets many anarchists apart from other revolutionaries is the belief that the revolution is not a grand apocalyptic moment that we must wait for. The revolution exists in every moment of our lives. When I get up in the morning and spend my day deliberately doing things that please me, when I strive to live instead of merely existing, that is the revolution happening. - Monkey
GreenAnarchy.org - As long as civilization exists, we are all endangered species!
The Green Journal - The Green Journal supports no gods, no masters, no civilization, and no domestication.
The Last Wizards - When visiting The Last Wizards you will find essays and discussions on the tools, techniques and forces that shift and alter our world. The Last Wizards are concerned with philosophy, environmental and social justice politics, postmodernism, mass media, scholarly occult theory, culture, war, globalization, converging technologies and the singularity.