Anarchist Communism - An Introduction -

A Short Introduction to Anarchist-Communism Makhno (Ukraine). Kropotkin is often seen as the most impor- tant theorist of anarchist communism, outlining his economic Anarchist communism is a form of anarchism that advocates ideas in books The Conquest of Bread and Fields, Factories the abolition of the State and capitalism in favour of a horizon- and Workshops. Kropotkin felt co-operation to be more bene- tal network of voluntary associations through which everyone ficial than competition, arguing in Mutual Aid: A Factor of will be free to satisfy his or her needs. Evolution that this was illustrated in nature. Anarchist com- Anarchist communism is also known as anarcho-commu- munist ideas were very influential in the introduction of anar- nism, communist anarchism, or, sometimes, libertarian com- chism to Japan through the efforts of Kôtoku Shûsui in the munism. However, while all anarchist communists are libertar- early 1900s who corresponded with Kropotkin and translated ian communists, some libertarian communists, such as coun- his works. Alexander Berkman and Emma Goldman (who cil communists, are not anarchists. What distinguishes anar- were both deported from the USA to Russia in 1919) became chist communism from other variants of libertarian commu- important proponents of ‘Communist anarchism’ and became nism is the formers opposition to all forms of political power, especially critical of Bolshevism after they discovered its dev- hierarchy and domination. astating reality first-hand in Russia, and after the Red Army’s Anarchist communism stresses egalitarianism and the aboli- crushing of the Kronstadt uprising. They in turn had been tion of social hierarchy and class distinctions that arise from unequal wealth distribution, the abolition of capitalism and influenced by German-born émigrée to the USA, Johann Most, money, and the collective production and distribution of who had earlier helped bring anarchist communist thought to wealth by means of voluntary associations. In anarchist com- Britain though his contact with Frank Kitz in London around munism, the state and property no longer exist. Each individ- 1880 (see Anarchist Communism in Britain for a full histor- ual and group is free to contribute to production and to satisfy ical account). their needs based on their own choice. Systems of production Many platformists refer to themselves as anarchist commu- and distribution are managed by their participants. nists, although other anarchist communists are uncomfortable The abolition of wage labour is central to anarchist commu- with some areas of the Organisational Platform document, nism. With distribution of wealth being based on self-deter- such as the issue of ‘collective responsibility’ as supported by mined needs, people will be free to engage in whatever activ- Mahkno but opposed by Malatesta. In general anarchist com- ities they find most fulfilling and will no longer have to engage munists of all kinds are critical of some aspects of anarcho- in work for which they have neither syndicalism which considers workplace self-management by the temperament nor workers as fundamental to the aims (as well as the means) of the aptitude. achieving social revolution and still maintains eco- Anarchist com- nomic relations based on reward of effort and munists exchange. argue that Modern day anarchist communists are repre- there is no sented in several organisations within the valid way of International of Anarchist Federations, measuring the including the Anarchist Federation (Britain). value of any Platformist anarchist communists include the one person’s eco- Workers Solidarity Movement (Ireland), the nomic contribu- North-Eastern Federation of Anarchist tions because all Communists (USA) and the Zabalaza wealth is a collective Anarchist Communist Front (South Africa). product of current and Many nascent Eastern European, preceding generations. Russian and Caucasian Anarchist communists anarchist groups argue that any economic identify with anar- system based on wage chist communism labour and private prop- and there is a erty will require a coer- strong anarchist cive state apparatus to communist current enforce property rights amongst contempo- and to maintain the unequal rary Latin American economic relationships that and Caribbean will inevitably arise. anarchist organi- Well known anarchist commu- sations. nists include Peter, or Piotr, Kropotkin (Russia), Errico Malatesta (Italy) and Nestor

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