Anarchist organisations in the UK...

[Cult of Reason]

I am increasingly thinking of myself as an Anarchist, and I am thinking that I would want to possibly join one or more organisations. I have been doing just a litte reading about them. Unfortunatey, Class War's site seems to be down at the moment, so I know nothing about them. My current impression as to SolFed andthe IWW is that it would not be appropriate, especially for the latter, as I have yet to do any serious wage labour (lucky me). Am I making a mistake by thinking in that way?

So that leaves the Anarchist Federation. I have read their "Aims and Principles" document and I agree with it (more strongly in some cases than others).

So, how much knowledge of Anarchism does the AF expect one to know? So far I have just read the stuff on Wikipedia, some of the Anarchist FAQ at Infoshop, and Bakunin's "What is Authority?". Is that sufficient?

Their site also says that membership "requires a certain level of commitment". What is that?

I live near Southampton, and the only Anarchist organisation I know of near there is in Surrey. Are there any closer than that?

Should I join an organisation now or after learning more? If now, then which one(s)? Any other advice is welcome.

[Donnie]

Originally posted by [email protected] 12 2006, 05:36 PM
I am increasingly thinking of myself as an Anarchist, and I am thinking that I would want to possibly join one or more organisations. I have been doing just a litte reading about them. Unfortunatey, Class War's site seems to be down at the moment, so I know nothing about them. My current impression as to SolFed andthe IWW is that it would not be appropriate, especially for the latter, as I have yet to do any serious wage labour (lucky me). Am I making a mistake by thinking in that way?

So that leaves the Anarchist Federation. I have read their "Aims and Principles" document and I agree with it (more strongly in some cases than others).

So, how much knowledge of Anarchism does the AF expect one to know? So far I have just read the stuff on Wikipedia, some of the Anarchist FAQ at Infoshop, and Bakunin's "What is Authority?". Is that sufficient?

Their site also says that membership "requires a certain level of commitment". What is that?

I live near Southampton, and the only Anarchist organisation I know of near there is in Surrey. Are there any closer than that?

Should I join an organisation now or after learning more? If now, then which one(s)? Any other advice is welcome.
Greetings, I'm a member of the Anarchist Federation. If you think you believe that you can be active within the federation and accept the aims and principles of the federation then by all means apply for membership.

As For Class War Federation the only thing I know about there politics is that there an organisation dedicated to creating a class struggle working class movement. They haven’t been clear on there politics in the past (well from what I’ve read about them), but now it seems they have cleared on what their politics are. Read this if you want to find out about the Class War Federations politics "Class War: Unfinished Buisness" (http://www.londonclasswar.org/unfinishedbusiness.htm).

As for the Solidarity Federation, their anarcho-syndicalists. I'm not a member of SolFed but I go to the local public meetings of SolFed in my local city and I hope to help them out on some of their upcoming events like the anniversary of the Spanish civil war and other events like 'May Day' etc.

I'm not sure on IWW as far as I know their not necessary anarchist according to a mate of mine who's in the Solidarity Federation, all he said was that they were Revolutionary Syndicalist and that’s it....however, syndicalist theory is non the less, libertarian.

As I said before if you agree with the AF's aims and principles and think you could be involved then apply and the federation will get back to you.

As for Knowledge...as long as you know the basics of anarchist communist theory then if you join the AF you begin to gain more knowledge of anarchist communist theory.

I suggest you reading some of these books and leaflets in your own time:

Peter Kropotkin: The Conquest of Bread (http://dwardmac.pitzer.edu/Anarchist_Archives/kropotkin/conquest/toc.html)

Peter Kropotkin: Fields, Factories and Workshops (http://dwardmac.pitzer.edu/Anarchist_Archives/kropotkin/fields.html)

Peter Kropotkin: Mutual Aid A Factor of Evolution (http://dwardmac.pitzer.edu/Anarchist_Archives/kropotkin/mutaidcontents.html)
(A bit of a big read but I found it immensely intresting)

Also try and find this book. "ABC of Anarchism" by Alexander Berkman

[Forward Union]

If your a Libertarian-Communist, who agrees with the aims of the Federation, then what's holding you back?

By 'commitment' well, that just means we don't want people to join and then just disappear so to speak. It's nice to hear members get involved in AF debates/discussion, and help organise or just get involved in things locally.

Anyway, let me, Donnie, TAT, or Matty_UK know if you have any questions.

[Cult of Reason]

Greetings, I'm a member of the Anarchist Federation. If you think you believe that you can be active within the federation and accept the aims and principles of the federation then by all means apply for membership.

I will do so, then.


As for the Solidarity Federation, their anarcho-syndicalists. I'm not a member of SolFed but I go to the local public meetings of SolFed in my local city and I hope to help them out on some of their upcoming events like the anniversary of the Spanish civil war and other events like 'May Day' etc.

Oh, are they planning anything special for the 70th anniversary? Also, would they be having the anniversary on the 17th or 19th of July?

That reminds me: in readin about the SCW, I often come across "CNT-FAI". Is the relationship that implies a true one, today and in the SCW? Is there anyting similar to that relationship between SolFed and AF, SolFed-AF? Indeed, is there IWA-IAF, AIT-IFA?


I suggest you reading some of these books and leaflets in your own time:

Peter Kropotkin: The Conquest of Bread

Peter Kropotkin: Fields, Factories and Workshops

Peter Kropotkin: Mutual Aid A Factor of Evolution
(A bit of a big read but I found it immensely intresting)

Also try and find this book. "ABC of Anarchism" by Alexander Berkman

Thankyou, I will.


If your a Libertarian-Communist, who agrees with the aims of the Federation, then what's holding you back?

Well, mostly the fact that it would seem I am so far away from other Anarchists. Isolation, but I suppose that is one of the things AF is supposed to deal with?


Anyway, let me, Donnie, TAT, or Matty_UK know if you have any questions.

Thankyou.

I have just this last few minutes e-mailed AF my name, address and my wish to join.

[Forward Union]

Originally posted by [email protected] 13 2006, 12:20 AM
Well, mostly the fact that it would seem I am so far away from other Anarchists. Isolation, but I suppose that is one of the things AF is supposed to deal with?

Well, that's not really a huge problem. Im the only member of the Anarchist Federation where I live, but I still get involved with other Anarchist Groups like the RAGE collective and Class war.

I'd be surprised if there was nothing at all going on near you, I know Southampton has stuff happening. But if that were the case, no worry, there's no reason why you cant put up posters, stickers, get people interested and form your own branch of the AF, from there you can organise demos etc. There also probably some sort of anti-war or eco-grass roots movement locally. Or simply community issues that you can put some kind of anarchist literature into.

all these kinds of things are possible.


I have just this last few minutes e-mailed AF my name, address and my wish to join.

Awesome, hopefully you'll be able to link up with local anarchists and not have to put too much effort into forming a group yourself.

Any questions problems or whatever, share! ;)


...Or post them on the Afed Forums (http://www.libcom.org/forums/viewforum.php?f=62) which are part of the Libcom forums (http://www.libcom.org/forums/)

[The Feral Underclass]

Where are you from Haraldur?

[bezdomni]

Originally posted by [email protected] 12 2006, 05:36 PM
My current impression as to SolFed andthe IWW is that it would not be appropriate, especially for the latter, as I have yet to do any serious wage labour (lucky me). Am I making a mistake by thinking in that way?

Yes.

If you read the IWW's website on membership, they clearly state that you don't have to currently be working in order to be a member. They take unemployed, retired, students, youth and pretty much any dedicated radical that they can get their hands on. Of course, the majority of their membership consists of unionized laborers, they will probably be glad to take you in.


No unemployed or retired worker, no working-class student, apprentice, home- maker, prisoner or unwaged volunteer on a project initiated by the IWW or any subordinate body thereof shall be excluded from membership on the grounds that s/he is not currently receiving wages.
-IWW Constitution (Article II, Section 1).

IWW Membership FAQ (http://www.iww.org/join/questions.shtml)

[Haraldur (school)]

Where are you from Haraldur?

Netley Abbey, a village near Southampton, is where I live. However, if that is not what you were asking, and you were wondering about the name, then I am half-Icelandic, half-English.


If you read the IWW's website on membership, they clearly state that you don't have to currently be working in order to be a member. They take unemployed, retired, students, youth and pretty much any dedicated radical that they can get their hands on. Of course, the majority of their membership consists of unionized laborers, they will probably be glad to take you in.


OK. However, I think one organisation just for now, but I will consider it in future. I will probably have to read more about, and critiques of, sindicalism and anarcho-syndicalism first, though.

[Cult of Reason]

Just in case there was any doubt, the above poster is actually me.