abbielives!
10th July 2008, 00:34
Organization the Way to Liberation
By Dogmeat
This is in response to an essay titled “ Liberation not Organization” The method I used was to highlight key arguments and respond to them. Their arguments are in quotes.
http://www.greenanarchy.org/index.php?action=viewwritingdetail&writingId=238&returnto=references
The essay begins by creating a distinction between liberation and organization:
“I am not fighting for a world which is run better (more efficiently and more fairly), I am fighting for a world which doesn't need running (one which is radically decentralized).”
It is a false distinction; a Federation can be a ‘radically decentralized’ organization (though historically this has not always been the case, the CNT, for example, was highly bureaucratic).
The Next key argument:
“Only by people controlling their own lives, and all decisions which pertain to them, will people ever be free.”
I would alter this statement to read “Only when people have power over all decisions pertaining to them, to the extent they are effected, will people ever be free”. One can never absolutely control all decisions pertaining to them; it is necessary to compromise with the people around us. Anyone who has ever lived in a house with other people can understand this.
I object to the use of the term “leftist-anarchists” throughout this text as it is not a term any anarchist identifies with, it is petty name calling like lifestylist, or workerist. These terms distract from meaningful debate.
Next:
“We waste too much time trying to form affinity and artificial unity with those with whom there is very little meaningful agreement.”
Here I agree that unity is not a serious goal among people who have very little in common ideologically. That does not mean however that we should not engage them in dialogue or make strategic alliances. Given that most people don’t share our anarchist ideal, we must reach out to them to actually bring about meaningful change. Time to get out of that ghetto.
Next:
“Decentralized autonomous groups, making all of their own decisions, are the key to effectiveness and to staying motivated.”
I agree but I suspect we mean different thing by “decentralized autonomous groups”. Furthermore these ‘groups’ are a form of organization. Affinity groups are a type of organization so you are not really opposed to organization.
Next:
“I am not a foot soldier for a vanguard”
You are not a foot soldier but you are part of a vanguard, whether you like it or not. Not in the Leninist sense of the term, but in the sense of being someone who acts first and inspires others to do the same. You are some one who will set the tone and direction of popular movements.
Next:
“…these junctures MUST be without coercion, manipulation, and domination.”
Look at how all activist groups function, every type of ‘group’ (organization) uses these methods propaganda is a form a manipulation, locking down or throwing a rock is using coercion and domination.
The kind of organization (or as you put it “ projects of resistance”) you want are “temporary and organic, and their continued connection cannot be at the expense of our autonomy.”
Which is why free association is a key part of anarchist theory.
Next:
“Our liberation should not be dependent on a political or economic structure - it should come from our own desires and willingness to fight for another world.”
Our liberation should come from a mass rejection of existing society; the purpose of these structures is to help facilitate this.
Next:
“A leftist-anarchist friend of mine wants to know how we hold people accountable when they continually "flake." To which I respond, learn the patterns of those you work and live with, and know what you can depend on, and what you cannot. If they are continually unreliable, then don't rely on them. It's simple. It all comes down to bringing about a deeper understanding of one another, not some adjudication process to enforce agreements…that is how the state works.”
Once again coercion is NOT universally unjustifiable.
Next:
“Even in regard to abusers, some would like established policies and rigid methods for dealing with people, but each scenario is different, and each victim and community demands a different outcome.”
Each scenario is different and we will deal with each, as it arises, that is no reason to not have established policies, here where it is needed most.
Next:
“Smaller groups are more able to make decisions which are relevant to the individuals involved, while large organizations require tremendous amounts of resources and bureaucracy just to perpetuate themselves. Constant decisions need to be made just to keep them "running," and this will inevitably lead to representation and hierarchy. The further we are from any decision-making process, the more alienated we are from the decisions it makes.”
If a decision is made that affects you, than it is relevant to you. Organizations do not exist to perpetuate them selves the exist to solve a particular problem, large organizations do require delegation of responsibility, but delegates can be held accountable. Since an anarchist organization to refers it’s decisions back down to its rank and file for a vote, you are not excluded from the decision-making process.
By Dogmeat
This is in response to an essay titled “ Liberation not Organization” The method I used was to highlight key arguments and respond to them. Their arguments are in quotes.
http://www.greenanarchy.org/index.php?action=viewwritingdetail&writingId=238&returnto=references
The essay begins by creating a distinction between liberation and organization:
“I am not fighting for a world which is run better (more efficiently and more fairly), I am fighting for a world which doesn't need running (one which is radically decentralized).”
It is a false distinction; a Federation can be a ‘radically decentralized’ organization (though historically this has not always been the case, the CNT, for example, was highly bureaucratic).
The Next key argument:
“Only by people controlling their own lives, and all decisions which pertain to them, will people ever be free.”
I would alter this statement to read “Only when people have power over all decisions pertaining to them, to the extent they are effected, will people ever be free”. One can never absolutely control all decisions pertaining to them; it is necessary to compromise with the people around us. Anyone who has ever lived in a house with other people can understand this.
I object to the use of the term “leftist-anarchists” throughout this text as it is not a term any anarchist identifies with, it is petty name calling like lifestylist, or workerist. These terms distract from meaningful debate.
Next:
“We waste too much time trying to form affinity and artificial unity with those with whom there is very little meaningful agreement.”
Here I agree that unity is not a serious goal among people who have very little in common ideologically. That does not mean however that we should not engage them in dialogue or make strategic alliances. Given that most people don’t share our anarchist ideal, we must reach out to them to actually bring about meaningful change. Time to get out of that ghetto.
Next:
“Decentralized autonomous groups, making all of their own decisions, are the key to effectiveness and to staying motivated.”
I agree but I suspect we mean different thing by “decentralized autonomous groups”. Furthermore these ‘groups’ are a form of organization. Affinity groups are a type of organization so you are not really opposed to organization.
Next:
“I am not a foot soldier for a vanguard”
You are not a foot soldier but you are part of a vanguard, whether you like it or not. Not in the Leninist sense of the term, but in the sense of being someone who acts first and inspires others to do the same. You are some one who will set the tone and direction of popular movements.
Next:
“…these junctures MUST be without coercion, manipulation, and domination.”
Look at how all activist groups function, every type of ‘group’ (organization) uses these methods propaganda is a form a manipulation, locking down or throwing a rock is using coercion and domination.
The kind of organization (or as you put it “ projects of resistance”) you want are “temporary and organic, and their continued connection cannot be at the expense of our autonomy.”
Which is why free association is a key part of anarchist theory.
Next:
“Our liberation should not be dependent on a political or economic structure - it should come from our own desires and willingness to fight for another world.”
Our liberation should come from a mass rejection of existing society; the purpose of these structures is to help facilitate this.
Next:
“A leftist-anarchist friend of mine wants to know how we hold people accountable when they continually "flake." To which I respond, learn the patterns of those you work and live with, and know what you can depend on, and what you cannot. If they are continually unreliable, then don't rely on them. It's simple. It all comes down to bringing about a deeper understanding of one another, not some adjudication process to enforce agreements…that is how the state works.”
Once again coercion is NOT universally unjustifiable.
Next:
“Even in regard to abusers, some would like established policies and rigid methods for dealing with people, but each scenario is different, and each victim and community demands a different outcome.”
Each scenario is different and we will deal with each, as it arises, that is no reason to not have established policies, here where it is needed most.
Next:
“Smaller groups are more able to make decisions which are relevant to the individuals involved, while large organizations require tremendous amounts of resources and bureaucracy just to perpetuate themselves. Constant decisions need to be made just to keep them "running," and this will inevitably lead to representation and hierarchy. The further we are from any decision-making process, the more alienated we are from the decisions it makes.”
If a decision is made that affects you, than it is relevant to you. Organizations do not exist to perpetuate them selves the exist to solve a particular problem, large organizations do require delegation of responsibility, but delegates can be held accountable. Since an anarchist organization to refers it’s decisions back down to its rank and file for a vote, you are not excluded from the decision-making process.