Writing an article on anarchism

[RainingSkies]

Yesterday a fellow anarchist friend of mine decided that he and I would write an article on Anarchism :star: for our school bulletin (since the bulletin is in great demand for more new articles)

So I just want your opinions or suggestions on what topics of Anarchism should we include (the article's probably going to be a whole or half-page). We would also try to make it easier for students who aren't into politics.

Thanx comrades~

[Organic Revolution]

The basic anarchist tenets, in simple language.

[Bilan]

Anarchism, it's basic principles.
Debunk some myths about it (e.g. It is not bombs, it is not chaos, etc).
Anarchism is practice (or workers self management - the strike-bike could be used as an example).

[Marsella]

Make it interesting.

Sure you should explain the basic principles but its worthless if you don't capture the reader's attention.

Perhaps you could explain the basic principles of anarchism and demonstrate those principles through specific historical events.

[RainingSkies]

Thanx guys, I really appreciate it! I'll begin writing the first draft of the article tonight. If anyone has any more suggestions, please post 'em right here -- thanx.

[blackstone]

Whatever you do make it relevant to your readers. You know your school better than us and you know the students and the community better. What are some of the problems there? What are some of the problems that students in your community face or teenagers in general? How will anarchism help change things.

Been harassed by cops?

Working minimum wage at Burger King?

What will be different in an anarchist society.

[Chicano Shamrock]

I would suggest coming at it from a more casual angle. Maybe that it is not a perfect type of society but it can be progress towards living better and evolving as humans. Talk about the differences between Anarchism and Communism. Talk about how it is not about absolute freedom where someone can go around raping people without consequence. That the freedom anarchists strive for is freedom until the point that it infringes on someone else's freedom.

[Kropotkin Has a Posse]

Talk about how social hierarchy and economic inequality affect everyone and to solve the problems of one it is necessary to solve the problems of the other.

[apathy maybe]

I would suggest a quick browse through the threads Making Sense of Anarchism (http://www.revleft.com/index.php?showtopic=6421) and What makes an anarchist…anarchist? (http://www.revleft.com/index.php?showtopic=28053).


I would start off with a quick look at the various definitions sometimes given to anarchism and anarchy. Then I would explain what you mean by the term. (E.g. a super-set of ideologies sharing the common opposition to all forms of social hierarchy. In other words, anarchism is opposed to capitalism, the state, and all systems where one person can force another to do what to do.)

I would explain the major aspects of present society that anarchism opposes (the exploitation of work, the oppression of students and so on), and how things might be different in an anarchist society.

This last thing might be the hardest bit to write. After all, there is no fixed blueprint for an anarchist society. We will make it up as we go along.

[Bilan]

After all, there is no fixed blueprint for an anarchist society. We will make it up as we go along.

This is true, and should be said, but it must be articulated in a way that will empower the reader. We can't say "We'll make it up as we go along", as that's dis-empowering, vague, and could potentially be counter productive.

[Mujer Libre]

To make the article more practically relevant you could discuss things like anarchism and queer, feminism, environmentalism, post-colonialism as well as the obvious anti-capitalist stuff.

Tying in some historical/current examples of anarchist thought in action would be great too.

I also really like the idea of debunking myths about anarchism. It's a sad necessity that we have to do that all the time, but it will make people respond to your article more positively if they're unfamiliar with the ideas.

[RainingSkies]

Thanx for the incoming suggestions! Yesterday I asked my Sociology teacher about her opinions on anarchism and she told me "Even though Anarchism is good, it doesn't mean it will always work". Heh, luckily I discussed more about the goodness of anarchism to her =D

[Schrödinger's Cat]

Perhaps you can post the article here beforehand? That could keep others out.

[Spasiba]

Use real world examples, and try to make them understand that anarchy, at least as you and I speak of, is not this horrible, chaotic world without order. Maybe even say "anarchy is order" and explain how the symbol formed from that.

[RainingSkies]

Originally posted by [email protected] 29, 2007 03:21 am
Perhaps you can post the article here beforehand? That could keep others out.
Well I would if only my friend had finished it :unsure: I'm handing the writing job to my friend for the time being since I'm currently busy with my end-of-year examinations at school (wish me luck). I'll post it once we've get it done together.

[Ramachandra]

Good luck!
Keep on writing even more dozens of articles on the subject. :D
Anarchism may look revolutionery in an indepth view.But we have gotta suggest that it is only a petti bourgeise romantic concept.No practical value.
You rebel against the state.smash it into pieces.Then there will be no state.ok fine.No one to govern or say to do this or that.If we come to the modern reality imagine you overthrew the state of UK.Then?Will the US and other imperialist fuckers will cheer and will mind their own business?
To establish the power of people there should be somekind of a mechanism pal.Especially in this era of imperialism.That mechanism is centralized democracy.The dictatorship of the working class.To protect the revolution you need a peoples army.The economy won't work automatically.someone have to guide it.And the power of that guiding should be taken by the proletariate.Smashing down everything won,t do anything.Smashing should be followed by a process of development.That is the reality.Just stop dreaming on a anarchist utopian paradise.Write something on socialism or the struggle against imperialism.Then your school pals will think something something more productive :)

[blackstone]

Originally posted by ramindu [email protected] 29, 2007 08:04 am
Good luck!
Keep on writing even more dozens of articles on the subject. :D
Anarchism may look revolutionery in an indepth view.But we have gotta suggest that it is only a petti bourgeise romantic concept.No practical value.
You rebel against the state.smash it into pieces.Then there will be no state.ok fine.No one to govern or say to do this or that.If we come to the modern reality imagine you overthrew the state of UK.Then?Will the US and other imperialist fuckers will cheer and will mind their own business?
To establish the power of people there should be somekind of a mechanism pal.Especially in this era of imperialism.That mechanism is centralized democracy.The dictatorship of the working class.To protect the revolution you need a peoples army.The economy won't work automatically.someone have to guide it.And the power of that guiding should be taken by the proletariate.Smashing down everything won,t do anything.Smashing should be followed by a process of development.That is the reality.Just stop dreaming on a anarchist utopian paradise.Write something on socialism or the struggle against imperialism.Then your school pals will think something something more productive :)
You have a grotesque understanding on what anarchism is. This is why I'm glad he is doing a research paper on it, something that you should do as well. A lot of your rhetoric is just myths on what anarchism is. To better debate faults of anarchism, it is best to at least have a rudimentary grasp on the ideology and strategies first.

Cheers

[AmbitiousHedonism]

If I were in your position I'd write about anarchist ideas of social relationships rather than trying to relate it to politics. I know I'm generalizing, HS kids that don't know or care much about anarchism aren't going to be interested in historical notes or obscure theoretical arguments.

Nonetheless, anarchism is relevant to all HS kids -- every day they're forced to exist in a prison-like environment, forced to learn things they may or may not have any interest in, forced to obey parents, teachers, bosses and other ridiculous authorities. They're handed idiotic TV culture, scrutinized, measured and analyzed by marketers and ad execs, treated like criminals, etc.

I would describe an anarchist analysis of the capitalist existent, its violent organization, and describe some simple anarchist values & relationship possibilities as they relate to the real lives of young people... self-(or self-guided)-education, sexual exploration & repression, friendship & consent as optimal ways of relating, the emptiness of the workplace & careerism, the idiocy of politics.