Revolution, Self-rule, and Anarcho-Communism

  1. Democrat
    Democrat
    What are all your views on revolution, how to achieve revolution, what exactly self-rule would look like, and why you personally are an anarcho-communist.


    I myself became an Anarcho-Communist only after seeing how it works. I was witnessing a documentary on the Spanish Civil War. Anarchism, in the social ways of Syndicalism, Communism, and Socialism, almost always work. I myself chose Communism because it has yet to be truly proven as well [although hopefully longer lasting {lasting hopefully forever}], but the theories backing it are both logical, and practical. My ideal Anarcho-Communist society is one where work is chosen, hours too. The ideal of work will become as noble as reading a book, and becoming learned. Work and culture will go hand in hand, and develop a community with their own efforts, and their own fruits, free from any czars, tyrants, or "presidents of the people." I would also know that should any foolish nation try to invade, they would be beaten back mercilessly by the communities. I would probably first try to get a propaganda line going, telling truth, pleading with people to not do what all the reactionaries say, or believe all they say, or teach all they teach. I would also act large, like a huge force out of nowhere. Once I became a large influence, I would act small, so as to not topple myself, or overpower the general ideology. I would get all the communities on my side as best I could. No soldier could ever fire on his mother, brother, uncle, sister, or his friend's mothers, brothers, uncles, or sisters. They would probably join should their communities join in the rebellion. Violence isn't always the answer, but sometimes, a seemingly violent {as in the meaning of quick, successful, totally encompassing, not necessarily bloody} revolution works just as well [in my opinion].
  2. Zanthorus
    Zanthorus
    I became an anarcho-communist because of the damage I saw caused by capitalism and authoritarianism. When I heard about "libertarian socialism" I devoured every talk and essay by Chomsky I could get, then I started reading out into Kropotkin, Bakunin, Proudhon and Bookchin as well as Marx.

    I don't have any real preference for what an ancom society "should" look like. I agree with the Marxists that those are the kind of things that need to be decided as we go and to do otherwise is pretty anti-democratic. As long as we abolish the state and the class system along with various forms of cultural oppression it's all good

    I have pretty much the same thoughts on revolution. Take it as it comes. Although we could definitely learn something from reading the history of the Makhnovists and the KACF.
  3. Democrat
    Democrat
    I hope you don't mind me asking, but, do you know any good online source for AC writings? Also-sorry for making an Anarcho-Communist group before you, don't wish to offend you Comrade Zanthorus.

    personally, I really can't wait for the day, [and indeed I will strive for it, for myself, and my posterity] when air is pure, fresh, and you have no need to worry if it will cost you. I can't wait to be able to find beauty in my work, happiness in my life, and fulfilment in community. When the day comes that you trust your neighbor not to be a thief, opressor, or a tyrant, and you both grow in a land free as our bodies were created, that, that very day, the sweetest of days, that, my dear Comrades, is what I fight for.
  4. Zanthorus
    Zanthorus
    I hope you don't mind me asking, but, do you know any good online source for AC writings?
    Anarchy archives:

    http://dwardmac.pitzer.edu/Anarchist_Archives/

    Libcom library:

    http://libcom.org/library

    There's also some stuff on marxists.org:

    http://www.marxists.org/archive/index.htm#anarchism

    Also-sorry for making an Anarcho-Communist group before you, don't wish to offend you Comrade Zanthorus.
    Don't wory about it, I wasn't actually going to bother making it anyway.
  5. Democrat
    Democrat
    Thank you very much Comrade. I shall get to reading those works shortly.
  6. DJ-Anarcho-Redist
    DJ-Anarcho-Redist
    Red and Black Salutations Comrades:

    Here is a downloadable pdf of the conquest of bread.



    http://books.google.com/books?id=TB2...page&q&f=false
  7. DJ-Anarcho-Redist
    DJ-Anarcho-Redist
    Prison memoirs of an anarchist By Alexander Berkman

    http://books.google.com/books?id=FC4...page&q&f=false

    Anarchism on trial: speeches of Alexander Berkman and Emma Goldman before ... By Alexander Berkman, Emma Goldman, United States. District Court (

    http://books.google.com/books?id=f65...page&q&f=false
  8. DJ-Anarcho-Redist
    DJ-Anarcho-Redist
    I view and anarcho communist society as one where for only about 4 hrs of work a day. You would then be entitled to the basics of life: work, education, housing, food, healthcare.

    We would not have mass production rather craftsmen groupings that would be open to the public then you could learn to make or have access to the means of production for whatever you want produce. People would have an arete all around education due to this.

    You would truly get what you work for in an anarcho communist society.

    I would see it as small communes and localities, but all linked together in an international family on a global level based in: freedom, equality and brotherhood. We would balance production with human need. Also everyone would participate in community and help to keep records, so when we reviewed globally are works and needs we would come to a more prefect balance with each other and nature.

    The world would become like one organism if you thinks about it. We would constantly be improving our life making room to focus on higher needs and aspects of being, so human understanding of not only the universe, but the self and each other would be elevated.
  9. WeAreReborn
    WeAreReborn
    In terms of revolution, I follow a Kropotkin view feeling that violence is undesirable but necessary in most cases. Revolution would have to happen by informing the people by propaganda then taking action when the time is right. I think it would happen with a domino like effect, especially if you are victorious or brutalized.

    When you say self rule I assume you mean how people would handle themselves without authority figures, and I think it would be similar to every day life. People would go work for a few hours or however long they see fit then indulge in some hobby be it music, art, reading etc. and have a family life. Life as we know it wouldn't be dramatically different, you would just have much more rights and you would obtain everything you need without mass amounts of exploitation in the process.

    I became an Anarcho-Communist through the reading of Kropotkin, I think it started though by me always leaning left and towards human rights and away from authority. One day I was on wikipedia looking up some forms of government and I found Anarcho-Communism, I looked for some further readings and read the Conquest of Bread and I was pretty much instantly converted.
  10. Magón
    Magón
    I've recently gotten into learning more about Nestor Makhno and Anarchist Ukraine. They're a pretty good historical reference for Anarcho-Communism.
  11. WeAreReborn
    WeAreReborn
    I've recently gotten into learning more about Nestor Makhno and Anarchist Ukraine. They're a pretty good historical reference for Anarcho-Communism.
    Any suggest books about the Ukraine?
  12. Magón
    Magón
    Any suggest books about the Ukraine?
    Link 1

    Link 2

    And there's some others, I just can't remember them off hand. But check out AK Press, it's where I got two others on Makhno/Anarchist Ukraine.
  13. Savage
    I've only just been getting into Anarcho-Communism, other than in the Free Territory and in the Spanish Civil War what are some other practical applications of it?
  14. WeAreReborn
    WeAreReborn
    I've only just been getting into Anarcho-Communism, other than in the Free Territory and in the Spanish Civil War what are some other practical applications of it?
    Spanish civil war was Anarcho-Syndicalism so you can cross that off your list. But there isn't real examples currently but we should change that!
  15. revolution inaction
    revolution inaction
    Spanish civil war was Anarcho-Syndicalism so you can cross that off your list. But there isn't real examples currently but we should change that!
    Many of those anarcho syndicalists were communists.
  16. Savage
    Yeah from what ive read there were different (but similar) models applied in different areas of the Spain during the civil war, they all seemed to be highy successfull though
  17. The Man
    The Man
    I think revolution should be through education, and not arms.
  18. AnarchoCommunistEyepatch
    AnarchoCommunistEyepatch
    I think the revolution will come about first by establishing an atmosphere of revolution, the workers need to see revolution every day in the news and on the streets and then the chances that they will learn why there are people in revolt and begin to revolt themselves become greater. I think the revolution should be as peaceful as possible, relying on seizing control of production and civil disobedience to make the ruling hierarchy irrelevant, however in my experience the ruling hierarchy will violently assault anything remotely revolutionary so the people need to be armed and ready to defend themselves lest it become a slaughter.