Autonomist Marxism?

[RASH chris]

Can somebody please shoot me a link or send me the name of a god theory piece(s) describing these theories? The general idea I've gotten is that its a non-leninist interprestation of Marxism rejecting the Party and the Union and encouraging workers to create their own organizations. (like anarchist collectives??) Is that much correct? And furthermore, I'm looking for pieces describing the structure of Autonomist Marxist organizations and post revolutionary organization of society.

And possibly something on the autonomist Marxist influece/involvement with the Red Brigades?

[wet blanket]

You might want to look into the works of Rudolf Rocker, specifically his work on anarchosyndicalism. Though I should tell you in advance that he was no Marxist, he rejected the marxist concept of the state(citing examples in which the state has been autonomous and even some cases when it has been at odds with the capitalist class), and thought that explaining types of society exclusively in terms of their economic systems is inadequate.

The history of the IWW might be of interest to you as well.

[RASH chris]

Originally posted by wet [email protected] 21 2005, 10:45 AM
You might want to look into the works of Rudolf Rocker, specifically his work on anarchosyndicalism. Though I should tell you in advance that he was no Marxist, he rejected the marxist concept of the state(citing examples in which the state has been autonomous and even some cases when it has been at odds with the capitalist class), and thought that explaining types of society exclusively in terms of their economic systems is inadequate.

The history of the IWW might be of interest to you as well.
Dude.


I didn't ask for info about anarcho-syndicalism. I've read Rudolf Rocker, that has little to nothing to do with Autonomist Marxism, according to my understanding actually, it's quite contrary to autonomist marxism, as syndicalism is centered around unions and autonomist marxism rejects unions.

The IWW has nothing to do with autonomist marxism, I have many wobbly friends, my house is filled with Industrial Worker newspapers.

[Nothing Human Is Alien]

In practice the IWW (should) have nothing to do with any political outlook.

I was a member for quite some time and in the constitution and in practice it is made clear that the IWW is made up of people with different political outlooks.

I haven't heard much on autonomist Marxism though, sorry.

[JazzRemington]

Autonomist Marxism is basicaly Marxism but with the idea that the working class can lead and create a worker's State through decentrailized, autonomist worker councils.

[Nothing Human Is Alien]

How is that different from council communism?

[wet blanket]

Originally posted by RASH chris+Nov 21 2005, 02:24 PM--> (RASH chris @ Nov 21 2005, 02:24 PM)
wet [email protected] 21 2005, 10:45 AM
You might want to look into the works of Rudolf Rocker, specifically his work on anarchosyndicalism. Though I should tell you in advance that he was no Marxist, he rejected the marxist concept of the state(citing examples in which the state has been autonomous and even some cases when it has been at odds with the capitalist class), and thought that explaining types of society exclusively in terms of their economic systems is inadequate.

The history of the IWW might be of interest to you as well.
Dude.


I didn't ask for info about anarcho-syndicalism. I've read Rudolf Rocker, that has little to nothing to do with Autonomist Marxism, according to my understanding actually, it's quite contrary to autonomist marxism, as syndicalism is centered around unions and autonomist marxism rejects unions.

The IWW has nothing to do with autonomist marxism, I have many wobbly friends, my house is filled with Industrial Worker newspapers. [/b]
Then perhaps you're looking for the likes of Antonio Negri? I don't think you're going to find any sort of manifesto for 'autonomist marxism' though.
You might also want to look into the situationist international as they are kind of in the same boat as the autonomist marxists, but really, anyone who accepts Marx's critique of capitalism and rejects Leninist organization could be considered an "autonomist marxist" though.

Just a side note: I wouldn't say that anarchosyndicalism and the IWW have nothing to do with autonomist marxism/council communism, they're really quite similar in that they both demand worker-autonomy. Only major difference would be that syndicalism is more industry-focused and emphasizes organized direct action of labour in the form of strikes or sabotage.


In practice the IWW (should) have nothing to do with any political outlook.

I was a member for quite some time and in the constitution and in practice it is made clear that the IWW is made up of people with different political outlooks.
You can't separate politics from industry. The a-political thing is mainly a "recruiting" tool(for lack of a better term). In 'practice' the IWW has violently resisted state repression on several occasions and the constitution calls for worker self-management, these are very political aims and practices. I also have several pamphlets and other literature published by the IWW which are blatantly socialist.

[SonofRage]

Let's get back on topic.

Read the first chapter of Harry Cleaver's Reading Capital Politically: http://www.eco.utexas.edu/faculty/Cleaver/rcp1.html

Also: http://www.answers.com/topic/autonomist-marxism?method=8
http://www.workersliberty.org/taxonomy/view/or/308

[Lamanov]

Council/left communism is what you are looking for.
Left/council communists of the 20th ct insisted on non-party and non-bourgeois methods of struggle characteristical only to the working class.

"Autonomist marxism" is just it's late 60's Italian copy.


Originally posted by JazzRemington+--> (JazzRemington)Autonomist Marxism is basicaly Marxism but with the idea that the working class can lead and create a worker's State through decentrailized, autonomist worker councils.[/b]


Originally posted by [email protected]
How is that different from council communism?

It's not. The only difference is that council communism originated with left-communists within the 2nd and 3rd International, and autonomist marxism emerged in Italy in the 60's.

From answers.com: "Autonomist theory, in contrast to other forms of Marxism, emphasises the ability of the working class to force changes to the organisation of the capitalist system independent of the state, trade unions or political parties. It is less concerned with party political organisation, and with theoretical or doctrinal consistency, than other types of Marxist thought; instead it focuses on spontaneous action and continual development of its theoretical tools."


wetblanket
...anyone who accepts Marx's critique of capitalism and rejects Leninist organization could be considered an "autonomist marxist" though.

Anyone who accepts Marx and rejects leninist theory and organization is a marxist, period. (Of course - without accepting 2nd Internationalist revisionism, also.)

[SonofRage]

there's also a pamphlet here I just remembered about:

http://www.prole.info/pamphlets/automarx.pdf

[Nothing Human Is Alien]

You can't separate politics from industry. The a-political thing is mainly a "recruiting" tool(for lack of a better term). In 'practice' the IWW has violently resisted state repression on several occasions and the constitution calls for worker self-management, these are very political aims and practices. I also have several pamphlets and other literature published by the IWW which are blatantly socialist.

If you really think it's just a lie used as a "recruiting tool", why would you promote the IWW?

Of course the IWW is political, but it is not specifically anarchist as many people have tried to claim -- that was my point.

[SonofRage]

The IWW stuff is offtopic here but, as an IWW member, I'll try and clear things up. When the IWW is referred to as being a union with no politics, what is really meant is that is does not get involved in electoral politics (i.e. it does not endorse candidates) and it means that, unlike some Anarcho-Syndicalist unions, you don't have to be an Anarchist to join the IWW (and the IWW, although it has many Anarchist members, is not anarchist).