Price £3.00 Issue 229 Mid 2009 On On Theory: reality the economic of crisis

Analysis: years 12 New of Labour

Bad time to be a cop

Also inside inside Also issue... this Greece and G20 as the summer of rage builds Editorial

Welcome to issue 229 of Black Flag, the fourth to be published by the ‘new’ editorial collective since the re-launch in October 2007. We are still on-track to maintaining our bi- annual publishing objective; it is, however, difficult at times as each publication deadline looms closer, to meet this commitment. We are a small collective, and would once again like to take this opportunity to invite readers to submit articles and indeed, fresh bodies to get involved. Remember, the future of Black Flag, as always, lies with the support of its readership and the anarchist movement in general. We would like to see Black Flag flourish and become a regular (ideally quarterly), broad-based, non-sectarian class- struggle anarchist publication with a national identity. In Black Flag 228, we reported that we had approached the various anarchist federations and groups with a proposal for increased co- operation. Response has generally been slow and spasmodic. However, it has been enthusiastically taken up by the Anarchist Federation, who Barriers: Some of the obstacles laid out which stop us from changing things can seem have submitted an AF perspective insurmountable. Picture: Anya Brennan. on the current economic crisis and a report on a new anarchist archive in Nottingham, written by an AF member involved with the project. Comrades involved with Voices of Resistance from Occupied London have written an article on the Greek rebellion, which gives us an overview of recent events as well as Discussions on the future putting it into a historical context. of anarchism in the UK As we go to press, the brutal and repressive arm of the State has once again reared its ugly head, this time on the streets of London, during the G20 demo. Police thugs left 100’s of people injured, and tragically, Ian Tomlinson, a worker returning home, dead. Recently we’ve seen an increase in occupations of workplaces and schools, a prison riot over conditions Go to and a general increase in worker conference09. militancy in the form of wildcat org.uk actions. We call for independent for more working class organisation and information. The space solidarity, unrelenting class will include struggle, and direct action against 20 rooms and the state, capital and all their a large hall associated trappings. As our front as well as a page suggests, we look forward to creche for both days. a “summer of rage.” Content Ethos Black Flag is for a social system based on mutual aid and voluntary co-operation – against state control and all forms of n Cover story: Why the Greek rioters are government and economic repression. To establish a share becoming a powerful social opposition to the in the general prosperity for all state’s class war machinery Page 8 – the breaking down of racial, religious, national and sex barriers – and to fight for n In focus: In the first of a three part series, Tom Gaynor the life of one world. looks at New Labour’s time in power Page 4 The Black Flag has been a worldwide symbol for anarchism since the 1880s. It is at base a n News: Laura Norder enters the Sparrow’s Nest, representative of the negation Nottingham’s archive of liberty Page 7 of all oppressive structures. About n Interview: Black Flag talks to Irish anarchist Andrew Contributors/excerpts: Flood about his recent journey into the weird and Tom Gaynor wonderful world of US activism Page 11 Laura Norder (AF) Dimitris D Antonis V n Investigation: Paul Stott on media attempts to link Iain McKay Islamist terror to 19th century anarchists Page 14 Paul Stott Rob Ray Anarchist Federation n Interview: Rob Ray talks to Andy Meinke about policing Ade Dimmick Errico Malatesta and protest activism Page 16 John Couzin Alan Woodward n Theory: The Anarchist Federation bring their Richard Alexander perspective to the economic crisis Page 18 Layout/design Rob Ray (Freedom Press) n Analysis: Iain McKay remarks on the mainstream’s Printing tendency to disregard the theory of anarchism in Clydeside Press, preference for its caricature Page 22 Scotland ( 0141-552 5519 n History: Continuing our look at anarchists past, Ade Contact/Subs Dimmick writes on Simone Weil Page 24 : [email protected] - Black Flag n Radical Reprint: Malatesta explains why anarchism BM Hurricane, London, is not a destructive creed but a creative one Page 25 WC1N 3XX, United Kingdom, n History: Glasgow’s Bloody Friday in 1919 Page 26 Bulk Orders from AK Press - AK Press (UK) n Interview: Mark Leir on his Bakunin book Page 28 PO Box 12766 Edinburgh EH8 n Review: Journalists and Socialism Page 31 ( 0131 555 5165 - AK Press (USA) n Review: The Anarchist FAQ Page 34 PO Box 40862 San Francisco CA ( 94140-0682 n Reviews column: Hob’s Choice Page 36 : [email protected]  In focus: New Labour The state of play

Much of this article was written during the 1970s. “Stagflation” – a combination of 15%, similar to its prewar level, by the year escalating credit crisis and recession, and before high unemployment, recession and high 2000. the government’s bailouts of the finance sector. inflation necessitated a broad rethink of the The main substance of the attack on the However, though the ideology of organisation of capitalism. The ruling class postwar settlement took place under the neoliberalism looks broadly debunked after had been unconcerned by a smaller share Reagan administration in the US and under just a year of severe turbulence, there is of the total wealth, compared to the cruder Thatcher here. In both cases, the triumph of no reason to believe that the attacks on the accumulation of the pre-war period, when a neoliberal program took place as a result working class1 described below will cease. post-war growth was high. With crisis, their of widespread discontent with stagflation, Certain aspects of Keynesian economics are class interests lay in annexing as much of wedded to a reactionary agenda with making a return. Yet the transfer of wealth the total wealth produced as possible. xenophobia and nationalism at its core. upwards, stagnation in pay, privatisations Neoliberalism is both the ideological Thatcher’s victory in 1979 was based in no and marketisations which have characterised doctrine which became compatible with the small part on courting the National Front’s the neoliberal epoch look set to continue, with material interests of the owning class in this support by flirting with racism. revised ideological justification. new environment, and the political project A rhetoric of individual freedom has If nothing else, this shows the class nature to deepen their power which it justified. long been a pillar of pro-market bourgeois of the entire program. When the ideology Prior to the crisis, a recognisable proto- ideology, and this was wedded to a vigorous doesn’t fit the need to protect class power it is neoliberal ideology had been a minority media campaign against the “loony left” ignored, or redefined. view in certain circles, espoused by the in Britain, the “liberals” in the US, and likes of Friedrich von Hayek, Ludvig von (according to Friedman), their “socialist” o understand the historical context Mises, Milton Friedman and, in his earlier counterparts in power meddling with the of the New Labour project, we have days, Karl Popper. market, all to blame for the economic crisis to go back sixty years, to the glory Following the juncture provided by the and its effects on living conditions.4 days of “Old Labour”; the end of the crisis of the 1970s, it became championed We shouldn’t pretend, as leftists often do, TSecond World War and the establishment of by think-tanks well funded by wealthy that Thatcher single-handedly declared war the postwar settlement. converts, such as the Institute of Economic on the postwar settlement and the working The postwar settlement was capital’s Affairs in London, academic institutions, class. Callaghan had laid the groundwork by attempt to secure itself against the chaos such as Friedman’s fiefdom in Chicago, and introducing monetarism and accepting the IMF’s neoliberal mantra of rolling back the CupiendamThatcher’s fu: heir:rae poti, Tony state and cutting spending. num terebusBlair continued esteremnius a thread But it was the Thatcher administration sena toof audestrumneo-liberalism diemo that which undertook the project of radically began with Callaghan deepening bourgeois class power in the UK. We know the story: privatisations of undervalued public services, regressive taxation, cuts in social provisions, imperialist warfare and a wholesale attack on the working class, social solidarity and that loony left idea that there is a thing called “society”. We know the results: massive unemployment, increased working hours, casualisation, the destruction of much skilled industry and the undermining of the ability of workers to make class demands. Inequality in Britain increased at a rate unequalled in any other industrialised country bar the US. 5 New Labour did not just inherit this historical moment, they took it up as the only way to run an economy, and spun it as the means through to provide a redefined unleashed by the Wall Street Crash of the Nobel Prize in Economics, controlled by “progressive” program of “choice”, 1929, and the upsurge in working class a group of Swedish bankers unconnected “mobility” and “opportunity”. consciousness that accompanied the end to the Nobel institute. Concurrently, the We should recognise New Labour has of the Second World War. bourgeoisie became increasingly organised, been marked by an almost religious belief in As an international phenomenon, it saw finding a banner under which to march in the efficiency of the market and the private a dampening of the most rapacious aspects agitation for neoliberal “reforms”. sector, and the need to subjugate working of “laissez-faire” capitalism – manifested Neoliberalism gained a playground in conditions and social provision to the need in Keynesian fiscal and monetary policies Chile, where Pinochet’s dictatorship drafted to provide a “good business atmosphere.” which sought to regulate business cycles, in a team of Friedman educated “Chicago We will here discuss the forms this attack keep employment high, and ensure boys” to deliver an “economic miracle” on workers and the gains of the postwar economic growth. Class conflict was based on “deregulation”, which saw the settlement has taken under New Labour. contained via the toleration of collective working class hammered by the dictatorship It should go without saying that this is bargaining and the increased integration and eventually economic crisis.2 not in defence of “social democracy”, or of supposedly working-class organs – the As David Harvey has argued well, the Keynesianism. Capitalism in all forms is unions – into the governance of labour. In redistribution of wealth to the bourgeoisie exploitation, and social democracy is often Britain, the settlement took the form of the is core to the entire project.3 Following the its last-ditch defence tactic. welfare state. neoliberal reforms of the late seventies, Nonetheless it would be naïve to think This state of affairs was thrown into the share of the national income of the that the neoliberal project is not of tactical turmoil by the economic crisis of the top 1% of the US population had swelled to importance. In focus: New Labour 5 for New Labour In focus: In a three-part series, Tom Gaynor examines the deeply cynical roots of Labour’s “prudent“ politics Living and Working Conditions has increased fourfold since the election of the developed world to be a child, blamed on New Labour, and increased by 20% in 2007 growing inequality and what they call “dog- 9 Under New Labour, inequality has reached alone. Even as the recent global crisis of eat-dog” culture. This social alienation is unprecedented levels. Under the Tories capital has been driving down the living accompanied by media demonisation of the government ceased publishing standards of workers, the richest bourgeois poor youths and punitive treatment from the information about inequality, in an attempt have become even richer, with the total criminal justice system – the same system to obscure the reality of the situation. New wealth of the members of the Sunday Times which fails to protect them from domestic Labour’s socially-conscious neoliberalism Rich List increasing in 2008 by £53 billion abuse.10 represented a more sophisticated version to £413 billion. The accession of Gordon Brown has seen of the same project, with promises of As a substitute for its prior vapid attacks on the poorest workers intensify. “inclusion” in a supposedly booming commitment to socialism, New Labour Corporation tax was cut below the levels of economy, and the insistence that more and instead made grand promises to abolish the other Western nations. The only country in better training was the best way to help most extreme forms of poverty. Absolute the EU to tax the rich less is Luxembourg. people make their way ahead. poverty has decreased, as a result of Tax Meanwhile, the very poorest workers were As a result, such information may not be Credits and the like. But all this achieved again attacked by the abolition of the 10% obscured, but it is not a political reality, has been to push more people into the ranks income tax rate, making 20% the new and fighting inequality, along with anything of the working poor, a trend which has seen starting rate. nominally socially democratic, has been This shoring up of ruling class economic jettisoned from Labour’s program. Such an power at the expense of those at the bottom attitude has been described as a “cultural” of the pile was spun as the progressive model of poverty – that poverty is only politics of aspiration. meaningful when it is absolute, and that Britain has the longest working hours in poverty is a lack of aspiration and proactive Europe, and the lowest amount of annual involvement in the jobs market. leave. Those working for more than 45 This worldview is summed up well by Jim hours a week now comprise a fifth of the Murphy, former Minister in the Department workforce. It is factory workers who are of Work and Pensions who said in 2007 that most likely to be in this category, with the “progressive” task of government was to management working similar hours to their emancipate “the almost limitless aspirations EU counterparts. of the many and lifting the near-fatalistic Similarly, unlike most industrialised intergenerational poverty of aspiration of countries, the UK has no eight hour day. the few”, adding, “we must not falter at the New Labour’s Working Time Regulations thought of further transformation to public of 1998 brought in some form of limit with services.”6 48 hours a week being the legal maximum. In 1994, the Institute for Public Policy This, however, can be signed away, and this Research established a “Commission on forfeit is often written into contracts. Social Justice” to redefine what is meant The legislation has had the effect of by inequality, and which was used by New pushing much private-sector employment Labour as a rationale for turning its back on towards this limit, resulting in the broad increase in working hours in years since. its prior ideology and concentrating instead Attack continues: Gordon Brown on “inclusion”, “mobility”, and the abolition Its effects on working conditions have led to of the most extreme and emotive forms of rising stress with its corresponding effects poverty. However, ten years later, the IPPR relative poverty (what really matters when on mental and physical health, and on our reported that economic and political life have assessing wealth in an economic system) personal relationships in our “free” time. become completely polarised “according to grow. Unlike the model in the US, where class and wealth” in Britain.7 New Labour has pushed those in absolute workers are unambiguously worse off than Rising inequality has certainly been deprivation into low-paid work, largely their parents’ generation, the stagnation of a fact in Britain since the 1970s. As was dependent on the service industry, which pay is not as glaring and well understood the intention, the attack on the postwar drops those concerned straight back into here. Many studies argue that real wages settlement in Britain saw a redistribution absolute poverty when it dries up. New have increased. of wealth upwards into the pockets of the Labour’s introduction of a minimum wage But by far the greatest growth has been ruling class. Britain is now one of the most (60 years behind the U.S.) has done much seen in the pay of the very top earners. When unequal countries in the Western world. In to legitimise poverty pay in precarious work looking at figures for “average” real wages the 1970s, the incomes of the richest 10% and the service industries. we should bear in mind the distortion that were three times higher than the poorest Child poverty was another emotive issue increased inequality brings about – the real 10%, but by the end of the 1990s this had which New Labour used as a figurehead for wages of the bottom 10% of the population, increased to the extent that the incomes its socially caring neoliberalism. Though the for instance, have had no growth for the of the top 10% represented half of the total number of children in poverty has dropped previous twenty years, whilst the top 10% wealth in the UK. from the 3.4 million of the late nineties, have seen real wage increases of 50%, In 2007, inequality was found to be it rose again between 2005 and 2007 and wedded to a rampant bonuses culture. at an all time high, whilst the richest in stands now at 2.9 million, 400,000 above society have not grown in number, they the target for 2004. have simply become richer.8 The wealth of According to UNICEF, Britain ranks the richest thousand individuals in Britain alongside only the US as the worst place in 44  In focus: New Labour

Fig 1: Except for those at Fig 1 the top and bottom of the income distribution, household with below- average incomes have enjoyed bigger proportional increases over the last decade than those with above- average incomes.

Fig 2: Three-quarters of the total increase in incomes over the last decade has gone to those with above-average incomes and a third has gone to the richest tenth.

Though executives are managing to living and working standards of our class. increase their pay despite the credit crisis, Marketisation and privatisation drive down its recent effects have stagnated the wages wages and working conditions of staff, its of workers. Real-terms pay cuts in the inefficiency affects our standards of life, its public sector have been a deliberate attempt antisocial priorities undermine our social to bring this about. But the figures often and intellectual wellbeing. obscure the reality. Pay and working conditions are worse The same statistics can be used to reach in the private sector, hence the use of different conclusions, when presented privatisation to attack conditions. NHS staff differently. The graphs on this page show in Surrey demonstrated their awareness of that proportional increases in income for this when they voted with a majority of 84% the poorest can easily obscure the overall against the privatisation of their workplace picture of increasing inequality. in a union ballot. They were ignored, and When we look at the wages as a share 700 NHS workers were transferred to of GDP, a more telling way of assessing Central Surrey Health, a flagship private real wages and which is usually left out of social enterprise. assessments, a different picture emerges. New Labour privatisations are strikingly Wage share by GDP has declined throughout based on a purely ideological belief in the last decade – a picture which holds for market efficiency which has little basis in the working class throughout the West.11 Fig 2 reality. That productivity increases have also Massive, inefficient, public subsidised not been met by corresponding increases Private Finance Initiatives have been a in remuneration shows clearly the logic and swift recovery. central feature of Labour government, and of neoliberalism – and increased rate of Wishful thinking, in other words. their failure to deliver their stated aims exploitation and the transfer of more of the Moreover, purchasing power gets us less far shows their real function – the deepening of total wealth produced to the ruling class. than it would in the 1970s and 80s because class power by transforming more and more The overall hammering of the quality of the fact that many “luxuries” are in fact sectors of society into fronts for private of life of workers is reflected in the UN’s essential for much work and to enter the accumulation. human development rankings for 2007/08, job market – mobile phones, computers and This use of privatisation can be seen well in which Britain, at 16th, lags far behind internet connections for instance. in the “deregulation” of the postal sector. the less neoliberalised societies of France, Privatisations under New Labour Introducing competition into postal services Spain, Sweden and Norway.12 The expansion of private inroads into has brought about no benefits whatsoever Additionally, real wage figures often don’t public services made by Thatcher has to customers, but has been a boon to big take into account one the most important been central to New Labour’s new, “non- business. measures – the affordability of homes. ideological” approach to governance. A few The mantra of “modernisation” and has Young workers a generation ago were much words in advance. Unlike Trotskyists and been used to attack workers in the sector, more able to buy houses. other leftists, we should not make this a with recent disputes over pay, pensions, This is inconceivable now. Home moral issue. closures and redundancies symptomatic ownership is out of the hands of many, and The libertarian socialist position should of the use of privatisation and competition when possible is tied to startling levels of not be to fight privatisations because to drive down working conditions as personal debt. ownership by the state means common established organisations engage in the The illusion of great prosperity across the ownership. The state and the community race with new competitors to the bottom, board has been premised on unprecedented are not the same thing, far from it. Unlike and “restructure” themselves to become levels of debt-fuelled consumption, leading Trotskyists, we do not see formal ownership more market efficient. to a situation where UK debt stands at as determining whether something is well over 100% of GDP, compounded by capitalistic or not. By Tom borrowing to fund the bailouts of private Our reasons for fighting privatisations Gaynor interests which presume a short recession should be that they are direct attacks on the n Notes

1. ‘Working class’ is understood not in sociological 4. The contradictions of this analysis will be and Place. hjrf.org.uk/bookshop/eBooks/2019- terms but as a material relation – the working class addressed in part 2 poverty-wealth-place.pdf have nothing to live on but their ability to work for a 5. Card, D. Blundell, R. Freeman R.B. (eds.) Seeking 9. BBC News, 28/04/2008. news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/ wage. The ruling class includes private capitalists and a Premier Economy: The Economic Effects of British uk/6603893.stm those with meaningful control over capital. Economic Reforms 1980-2000. Page 275 10. wsws.org/articles/2008/jun2008/chil-j18.shtml 2. Iain McKay, An Anarchist FAQ: section C.11: 6. Gerry Mooney: ‘Reframing the Poverty Debate’ 11. loli.dk/~/media/loli/PDF/Lige%20lon/loengabench Doesn’t Neo-Liberalism in Chile Show That the Free the New Labour Way. Variant no 29 marking2008%20pdf.ashx Market Benefits Everyone? 7. wsws.org/articles/2004/aug2004/pove-a19.shtml 12. United Nations Human Development Statistics: 3. Harvey, D. A Brief History of Neoliberalism 8. Joseph Rowntree Foundation, Poverty, Wealth hdr.undp.org/en/statistics/ Overview: The Greek Rebellion 7

March Dec

March Feb

Jan

Gloves off: Photographs over the December-March period. Clockwise, from top right, The burning of the Athens Christmas tree, a protestor is injured at a demonstration, the aftermath of a grenade attack on a migrant hangout, broken windows in an upmarket area of Athens, and a debate at the university of Thessaloniki, where students harangued their vice-chancellor having occupied part of the campus in solidarity with Konstantina Kuneva (see below). Pictures: occupiedlondon.org/blog The junta war, it never ended ecember was only the the current vice-minister for public order beginning’, echoed a slogan (police), Christos Markoyiannakis, had across the streets of Greece been appointed attorney general by the Overview: The at the time and yet beginnings junta regime. The regime’s continuation ‘Doccasionally also signify ends: The 2008 can be traced at a symbolic level as well: rebellion marked the political end of post- Two policies the junta emphasised the recent Greek dictatorial Greece. most were army conscription and bi-annual While the country’s most recent school parades – both are very much alive dictatorship (the seven-year long “Colonels’ to date. Junta”, “I Hounta ton Sintagmatarhon”) The breaking away from the dictatorship Rebellion and officially ended in 1974 the Greek political was only partial, as several of the junta’s elites never entirely abandoned the state torturers and high-rank officials were apparatus of the dictatorship. walking free on the streets. What is more, its background To the contrary: the majority of the the state did not prosecute the dictators junta’s police and army officers, judges, themselves for their crimes: For example it academics and local politicians held their was a group of lawyers that initially sued for positions until retirement while several the bloody oppression of November’s 17th current MPs had open relationships with 1973 rebellion and only thanks to them the dictatorship’s regime. For example, did some of the dictators finally end up in 44  Overview: The Greek Rebellion

prison. Several parliamentary democracy financial scandals became a near-daily Organising the other side officials wanted some kind of resolution routine for almost a decade. In 2004 the and therefore supported these prosecuting current (Nea Dimokratia, conservative) Lining itself up against the state, the social efforts. government returned to power. The same antagonist movement in the country slowly Yet the post-dictatorial regime at large policies were to be continued, if only in a started to emerge as early as 1974. identified the anti-junta struggle as a more blatant manner and with the greed of a Ongoing acts of resistance to the various potential threat to the new regime itself. party that had been deprived of blanc access reactionary policies included wildcat strikes Faced with the radicalised parts the society to public money for eleven years. at workplaces; a mass grassroots student (which had the confidence of having The picture was gross: movement; massive demonstrations and overthrown an entire dictatorship) the 1) The Greek state was faithfully applying strikes; occupations of universities and post-dictatorial authorities were quick to EU and domestic neoliberal recipes to schools; a strong anti-fascist movement organise the new regime’s defence. The riot- shrink the public sector and businesses’ and the appearance of the first few squats police force, for example, was founded only contributions, at the expense of the and social centres in Athens. The post- months after the end of the dictatorship. majority of taxpayers. The introduction of dictatorial anarchist movement was born In 1981, socialists (PASOK) won the the euro and the massive price increases amidst these movements. Today, the Greek national elections under the banner of social that followed comprised the landmark of anarchist movement is definitely one of the “change” (“allagi”) which, unsurprisingly, these policies. largest in Europe in the number of people, never came – especially in terms of state 2) The defence budget of the country was publications, demonstrations, direct action repression. (and remains) in the top-25 in the world. campaigns, social centres and squats that By 1989, when the socialist government 3) A small economy like Greece organised it involves. fell, drawn into an ocean of financial and the 2004 Olympic Games, which (officially) During the 1990s this ever-increasing political scandals, police had assassinated cost 7.2 billion euro, causing enormous strength of the social antagonist movement at least four activists on the streets of public debt. caused a backlash from the state. The Athens during riots under both socialist 4) High and mid-rank officials (government, 1990s started and ended with two massive and conservative governments (Koumis and politicians, judiciary, financial clerks, the secondary students’ movements against Kanellopoulou in 1980; Kaltezas in 1985; clergy etc.) became increasingly involved in neo-liberal education bills that different Mauroeidis in 1986). scandals regarding public money. governments were trying to introduce. The 1990s found Greece anew with a Since the end of the 1990s the state’s need In the middle of the decade, on November conservative government (“Nea Dimokratia”, to somehow manage the amassing national 17th 1995, some of the most intense street- New Democracy) applying some of the most debt became urgent – and the only funding fighting since the end of the dictatorship reactionary policies since the time of the source not coherent and organised enough saw hundreds of anarchists occupy Athens’ Technical University in solidarity with the prison inmates’ rebellion of the time. The night ended with what can be perceived as a turning point of the Greek anarchist movement: more than 500 anarchists were arrested following a police raid of the Athens Polytechnic. This, supplemented by a similar event in 1998, caused a significant stagnation of the Greek anarchist movement. Greek anarchism nevertheless revived itself only a few years later, aided significantly by the emergence of the movement against the globalisation of sovereignty. This revival saw a rapid increase both in the number of activists and the political impact of anarchism in the country, now larger than ever before. Even with all its renewed energy and strength, the anarchist movement in the country alone wouldn’t have been able to create the string of events that unfolded from December 6th onward and culminated in last year’s riots following the killing of Inconclusive: Students on the streets in the run up to the collapse of Greece’s military Andreas Grigoropoulos. junta in November 1973. Elements of the old regime continue to hold positions of power The rebellion only became possible when the movement finally met with the thousands junta. to defend itself was the general public. who, for all these years, had every reason The collapse of the socialist block, the Thus Greek society got taxed higher in the world to take to the streets and yet sudden transformation of Greece into a while the average income continually wouldn’t dare do so. Alexis’ assassination migratory destination and the so-called dropped. In the past few years, Greece has made painstakingly clear the brutal face of Macedonian question preoccupied a large become a country with Northern European authority that people had been sensing for part of the Greek population, which failed to prices, Greek (low) salaries, increasing so many years. effectively react to the conservative agenda. unemployment rates and ever-fewer social December 6th 2008 was not, then, a day The collapse of the socialist block also provisions. Meanwhile, there was a single on which Greece changed. It was the day caused consecutive splits in the country’s provision the Greek state was to plentifully on which a number of previously mounting communist parties and some wider provide: oppression. tensions simultaneously exploded. The turbulence within the Greek Left. PASOK A rapid increase of police personnel (as of political tension of post-dictatorial struggles, once again seized power in 1993, only to Feb. 2008: one police officer per 214 citizens, economic tension in the era of the Euro and continue on a similar neo-liberal wave: the highest rate in Europe); the creation of social tension in a country where newly A combination of a third-way Tony Blair- new policing units (border guards, special arrived migrant populations would join like approach and the conception of a so- guards etc.); the increase of prisoners (e.g. previously present ones in an increasingly called modernisation of Greece were to aim in Jan. 1999: 7,280 vs Nov. 2007: 11,120) defensive position against exploitation and directly at the social freedoms won by the and the introduction of police-controlled repression. anti-dictatorial movement. CCTV on the streets painted a new, bleak Last but not least, the bullets of killer cop Indeed, this modernisation agenda paved picture. Korkoneas were shot at the very heart of the way for some massive infrastructure A society that was gradually becoming Exarcheia - the central Athens district that projects, especially under the pretext of poorer and ever more exploited was has comprised an epicentre, in symbolic the nazi-reminiscent fiesta of the Olympic simultaneously faced with increasingly and real terms, of the majority of the post- Games. Contractors were well fed; stinky aggressive state and justice oppression. dictatorial social struggles in the country. Overview: The Greek Rebellion 9

In this sense Alexis’ death was not unique. When Korkoneas pulled the trigger, he was adding himself to the long list of state-employed assassins in post- dictatorial Greece. Their victims have included demonstrators, teachers, students, migrants, those in struggle – all people the police had decided, for whatever reason, should no longer exist. Alexis’ death was not unique and yet it came to encompass all the previous deaths into one. For once, for so many, revenge felt just: a cold-blooded assassination; the victim, his age, the place, the time and the way of his execution made revenge feel necessary. One of the elements which made December’s revolt unique was its geographical spread – far surpassing Exarcheia, Athens and Greece. Demonstrations and/or riots were reported in almost every single Greek city on the night of Alexis’ assassination while more than 200 solidarity actions took place across the world. Back in Athens, the revolt travelled from Exarcheia out to the suburbs; municipal buildings and town halls across the city were occupied; tens of local police Rioting: But anarchists were aware that the heat of direct conflict could not last stations were attacked. As the mainstream media fearfully reported, Exarcheia has which the continuation of the rebellion was spilled out to the rest of Athens and Carrying On: The aftermath necessary. Greece”. of the rebellion Buildings were occupied across the The days and weeks that followed the country (including the headquarters of ISAP assassination were truly and entirely outside Having found themselves in the core of the in Athens); the office of her subcontracting what Greek society had experienced in the revolt in the days after Alexis’ assassination, company was smashed up. post-dictatorial decades and so they came anarchists were quick to realise that the Solidarity assemblies and actions took to mark this era’s very end. Two certainties rebellion in the form of such intense street- place on nearly every major city – most broke suddenly and violently: the decline of fighting could only last for so long: People recently, a three-week long occupation mass social action and the up to that point were getting tired while the state was of the administration building of the seemingly unavoidable rise of neoliberalism fighting back with its tools of propaganda Aristotle University of Thessaloniki not and atomised greed. and repression. only expressed its solidarity to Konstantina Suddenly, the old social and political In realising this and in looking for new but also demanded the university ends divides of the dictatorship re-emerged forms to continue the struggle, anarchists the practice of subcontracting labour as a amidst the smoke, in Athens and all of were thankfully not alone. Now joined by whole. the country’s major cities. Society was many of the thousands who met on the It is hardly surprising to see that the polarised and the old lines were redrawn streets of the Greek cities those days, they Greek authorities have tried to repress – this time by a barricade, a university gate, shared the refusal to go back to the old December’s movement and actions that a line of students holding hand-by-hand... status quo – and the desire to “leave no sprang out of it. The old social divide appeared anew: Behind attack unanswered any more”, as the slogan More than three hundred people were the barricade or in front of it, defending the would go. arrested during December’s events - university or attacking it, for the rebellion And so, a number of grassroots including approximately fifty migrants who or against it. neighbourhoods assemblies sprang up and, “in the spirit of December”, actions are now were denied interpreters and lawyers in decided not upon what is illegal or legal, but court and convicted, now either awaiting what feels just. deportation or having already been deported. One of the most prominent examples Another thirty arrestees were ordered into so far would be the one of the old parking pre-trial detention (which can last for up to place lying on a block in Exarcheia, only 18 months) and to date, at least fifteen are a few meters from the point of Alexis’ still awaiting trial in prison. assassination. In the last few months the In what seems to be the next planned act abandoned parking place has been reclaimed of state repression, newly-instated Attorney by locals and, in a guerilla-gardening first, General of the Supreme Court, Y. Sanidas, it has been transformed into a much-used has ordered an investigation into some of public park. the oldest and most established anarchist The most important example of political occupations across the country – most mobilising in the post-rebellion era, however, likely a prelude to coming eviction attempts. would be the case of Konstantina Kuneva. The howling threats against the anarchists Konstantina was a migrant, single mother, by Markoyiannakis, the vice-minister for cleaner and militant grassroots organiser public order and junta-appointed attorney at the Athens-Piraeus Railway (ISAP), general, come to aurally symbolise where employed via a subcontracting company. the two regimes meet. On December 26th 2008 Konstantina was The urgent question for anarchists in attacked with sulphuric acid by employer- the country is once again how to organise hired thugs, as an act of revenge for her against and beyond the confines of authority militant organising activity. The attack has – and this time, in their attempt to answer Attacked: Konstantina Kuneva, a migrant left her near-blind and with severe speaking this question they are thankfully not alone. worker and grassroots syndicalist, who was and digesting problems. nearly blinded after she was assaulted by In the face of Konstantina, December’s employers’ thugs armed with sulfuric acid. movement saw all the reasons that made it Picture: occupiedlondon.org/blog take to the streets – and all the reasons for n Dimitris D and Antonis V are writers for Occupied London, which ran one of the top blogs on the Greek Riots. : occupiedlondon.org, email: [email protected] or [email protected]. 10 News: The Sparrow’s Nest anarchist library Putting the shh into smashing the state

he Sparrows’ Nest is a self-styled going back into the 1980s and beyond, the Peace and Troops Out movements, all ‘Centre for Anarchist Culture and and materials internal to the Anarchist donated by Nottingham activists. One of Education’ in St. Ann’s, Nottingham. Communist movement internationally. these is an ex-miner. He promised us a copy It was set up in Autumn 2008 by the Most aren’t even available on-line, and of the paper he and his NUM mates used TAnarchist Federation’s Nottingham group. many documents are unique. Some of to produce, The Gedling Standard. He said We wanted to make contemporary, classical them we are scanning and making available they used to give it out “so the bosses didn’t and international Anarchist ideas accessible electronically via our website, starting know; underground”. We thought he meant to an even wider number of people in a town with a 1964 edition of Anarchy featuring in secret, but then we saw it was covered in already vibrant with anti-authoritarian and Nottingham. But when you look at a coal dust! anti-capitalist culture. publication such as Bristol’s Stuff It, the We think The Sparrows’ Nest is a Anarchism has a very literate tradition. artefact is important in itself. How can a significant resource for the movement. Its early history features working class paper of which every page was hand silk- It is also important that we are outside of autodidacts, radical educators, migrants screened in lurid coloured ink, left over London, where there is far more available. composing powerful polemics in a second from other print jobs, be scanned in and We hope to attract activists from all over language, and people learning how to write viewed on a computer screen, without losing who want to read more about Anarchists and produce literature in order to get their a sense of what it was all about? and Anarchism to come and use it. It has ideas across. We have always had to do this We also have large holdings from the great potential for academic research too. We know for a fact that most of our back issues and DIY publications aren’t available anywhere else publically (although we’re pretty picky about who gets to see material internal to the movement). The space is also being used to host talks, discussions and other events on topics related to Anarchist literature. We’ve had good feedback already from the movement generally. Freedom Bookshop very generously donated of dozens of titles. The wider Anarchist community of Nottingham has also been really enthusiastic about the project and several non-AFers are heavily involved. We’ve had far more visitors so far than we actually expected. But this brings us to an interesting issue. We are based in a house and it isn’t at all obvious that it’s really a library. We haven’t publicised the address very widely at all. What are we afraid of? Well Nottingham AF doesn’t exactly have a cosy relationship with the council or the cops, but at some point Rad-lit: Reading in the Sparrow’s Nest anarchist library. Picture: indymedia.org.uk they’ll just have to deal with our existence. But the Nottinghamshire fash scene being for ourselves, and against the odds. dynamic DIY Anarcho-Punk fanzine culture what it is, some parties may be looking to In Nottingham we wanted to celebrate of the 1980s, international materials take revenge on whoever they can after the this culture and make more of it available to – including some probably not available BNP national contacts list was published. people in a spirit of self-activity and mutual anywhere else in Britain and huge amounts But we do need a controlled way to open aid. So, we pooled our book collections, in Spanish – Anarchist art and fiction, up more and more publically. There’s an spare-time and resources to make a space and self-help guides and publications like alternative education project starting up where people can read and discuss anarchist Counter Information that influenced the in Nottingham. By running some sessions ideas with both people firmly committed to nature of working-class resistance as well here on radical history we hope to attract them and people encountering them for the as reflecting it. We also have extensive runs some of those same autodidactic workers first time. We got the idea from Anarchists of the current British and Irish Anarchist and other sorts of people, making it easy for from southern Europe and South America press. them to read about Anarchism in its own who we met through the International of Then there is our collection of materials words and get involved in the struggle. Anarchist Federations. produced specifically by Anarchists Almost all of the books and pamphlets are Hearing about their own info-shops, in Nottingham in the 1980s and 90s; inventoried now and can be found on our education projects and libraries was Nottingham Anarchist News, Spot the Bomb, website. We are looking for people to come inspiring enough, but the developing Police News and The Nottingham Agitator, and see us, donate and give literature. We economic crisis made it seem more for example. Material on local groups are still cataloguing like mad so contact important than ever that people should throughout Britain is an area we really want us if there’s something you are specifically encounter anarchist ideas freely and easily. to specialise in. We already have quite a few interested in. To echo Ade Dimmick’s article in BF 228, relating to the Sheffield scene. Web: thesparrowsnest.org.uk the printed word still has an important Finally, Anarchism in Nottinghamshire Email: [email protected] role to play in bringing anarchist ideas to a is just one aspect of a long tradition of Tel. 07913720136 Anarchy in the USA, wider audience. working class struggle and self-activity in As well as old and new books and the East Midlands and South Yorkshire pamphlets we have archives including area. We’ve got materials from all sorts of By Laura Norder thousands of papers and periodicals, many workplace and community struggles, and (Sparrow’s nest & AF) n Interview: Andrew Flood 11

US and them Interview: Iain Mckay talks to Andrew Flood about America, Ireland, and learning lessons

Where did you visit on your tour? Does there seem to be much subject matter contained loads of interesting Did any groups host events? interest in libertarian ideas? anecdotes that reflected a decade of positive anarchist organisation in Ireland. I spoke in 44 North American cities scattered Attendance varied from around 60 to around across two Canadian provinces and 18 US a dozen, perhaps giving a total close to What is the US movement like from states. 1,400 people who attended a meeting during These were on the east and west coasts and the tour. a class-struggle perspective? from the east coast across the mid-west as In quite a few stops it was the first public Better than I expected. I think on arrival far as Minneapolis-St Paul’s. anarchist meeting organised in quite a while in North America I shared any of the There were lots of organisations, so apart from city size and local politics prejudices that you find in the British infoshops and organisations in formation there would have been a good deal of anarchist movement towards North America, involved on putting on the dates. variation in how experienced people were at prejudices that are often based on a failure Around one third were organised through putting together and promoting events like to try and understand conditions there. the North East Federation of Anarchist these. The people who turned up seemed to I expected a lot of North American Communists (NEFAC) while some local be interested but they were rather a small anarchists to be liberal idiots but in reality groups just organised a meeting in the one fraction of the local population. I found was huge numbers of people doing city they were active in. quite solid local organising, in particular In the vast majority of cases I’d never What was the theme of the meeting? when you considered their weak numbers met any of the organisers, everything was and relative lack of experience. The theme was ‘Building a Popular done over email, the entire Florida tour for A good few of the positions that seem odd Anarchism in Ireland.’ I was telling the instance was initated by one student who from Europe make a lot more sense when story of the growth of the Irish anarchist was on the Crimthinc mailing list and saw you can put them in the context of local movement in the period from 1997-2007 an announcement for my tour which was conditions and North American history. apparently posted there. and in doing so making an argument for He contacted me and then proceeded to an outward looking, organised movement contact email addresses he found in Florida capable of working in alliances. and managed to get four dates together that Generally there seemed to be a very high way. level of interest, it was a great help that the 44 12 Interview: Andrew Flood

Did anything in particular stand bookfair and conference events across the extreme poverty and deprivation. My New out and impress you in the US? continent. York didn’t look much like that of Sex & the There is no equivalent to the anarchist City or even friends, but then I was staying I think the sheer number of people involved influenced revolutionary unions on the in Jersey city. in local projects was very impressive. At a European mainland. The IWW would simple level about two thirds of my meetings like to be that but the reality is that its Did anything stand out and/ (about 30 of them) took place in radical membership density is less than that of the or depress you about it? social spaces of one form or another. And WSM in Ireland so its more of a network of I probably visited at least another twenty or anti-authoritarian workplace militants that The acceptance of primitivism as a more. That is a greater level of infrastructure occasionally tries to act as a union when the legitimate part of the anarchist movement (and the commitment that implies) much opportunity arises at a particular location and even the left in general. I was amazed more then I had expected to find. or at a particular time. for instance to discover that some union There are no also equivalents of the sort locals had sponsored the speaking tour of How do the American and European of regional anarchist political organisations Derick Jensen whose primitivist writings anarchist movements compare? that are found in some countries that have amount to an argument for mass murder. a real presence across a large number of He was charging in the region of 2000 I’d say the movement in Britain is closer to cities but this is a product of the small size dollars an appearance in Ontario, it was the movement in North America then either of the movement as well as not talking the quite extraordinary to me that unions would of those movements is with Ireland. Chiefly organisational question seriously enough. spend their members money on such a compared to the number of self-declared huckster. anarchists the level of national or regional Did you get much chance to see organisation is very, very weak in North What are the major tendencies America and Britain in comparison with working class parts of America? Ireland. I’d question this question. What exactly in the American movement? Beyond that there are people who like riots would be ‘non-working class’ America My tour coincided with and fed into a wave and people who like workplace organising outside of very small strips of the super of anarchist communist organising across there just as there are in most places, there rich in New York, Miami, LA or the other many of the regions I was visiting which isn’t really a single tactical direction. global cities. The vast majority of the US meant I got to play some role in the formation process of five or six new organisations. But I wouldn’t overstate this, as is true of the North America in general these organisations are tiny in comparison with the population of the areas they operate in. The positive news on the primitivist front is that apart from the couple of celebrity gurus who are very visible on the internet there is very little primitivist organisation anywhere, even in Eugene, Oregon. I have the general impression that many of the people who might formerly have been primmies had drifted into some form of insurrectional anarchism although again there are almost no organisations outside of a couple of cities. Some of the insurrectionalist stuff is really stupid, taking no account whatsoever of local conditions and acting out a weak-ass version of what is seen on Greek youtube riot porn. But there is nothing uniquely North America there either. The IWW remains by far the largest network for anti-authoritarians in the US Thriving scene: The Lucy Parsons social centre in Boston but it didn’t really strike me as having any real existence as a union outside of what The US and Britain are also very similar in population is working class so it follows were pretty small struggles in a couple of that most anarchists are not part of region that most of the urban geography is working cities. Many social anarchists join it as a wide organisations or often even local class, including of those cities already way of meeting up with like minded folk and organisations. listed. I guess this question may come from of distancing themselves from the nuttier The region wide groups in reality really the way the US is portrayed in the TV that end of the local anarchist scene. only exist as more than isolated individuals makes it over here, after all workers are in a very small number of cities although pretty absent from ‘Sex & the City’ except What problems are there for the future they often have a scattering of individual when they are pouring drinks for or being growth of anarchism in America? members outside of these. targeted by the main characters. This means that in terms of struggle the Beyond that perhaps this is a question Internally issues like the high rate of vast majority of activity is around individual about the industrial working class? A good transience which means it’s hard to anarchists involved in local community, part of the trip was in cities that would have accumulate collective experience in any environmental or workplace struggle as been associated with large scale industry, city as people are always moving in, in militant individuals who happen to be particularly those cities in the mid-west, particular when organisational problems anarchists rather than as part of a collective places like Detroit. I saw 8-mile, Detroit are encountered. anarchist effort. seemed to be close enough to that but Related to this is the very low level of From time to time there are a variety of considerably more run down than at the intergenerational contact which means the social / political gatherings at which people time of that story. movement today which is mostly under can exchange experiences but which apart I’ve also seen all the episodes of the Wire 30, if not 25 doesn’t easily benefit from from the occasional spectacular event like and that seems like an accurate enough the lessons learned the hard way by the summit protests these don’t formulate portrayal of life in Baltimore. Miami on movement in the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s. collective action. the other hand was nothing like what is Externally the North American cult of the As with Britain the biggest of these are portrayed in CSS Miami, there is a very rugged individual and the American dream bookfairs but the sheer scale of North narrow strip of really rich folk but behind not only make popular organising difficult America means there is no single equivalent that, away from the beach are mile after but seeps into the anarchist movement like to the London bookfair but rather a range of mile or ordinary workers and patches of a poison. Interview: Andrew Flood 13

Couple this with the historic success Anarchism here is also pretty much always these are a lot of work to maintain. When of the US state in smashing radical class struggle in flavour even if a particular I moved to Canada and became involved in oppositional movements in all their forms struggle happens to be one around what Common Cause we needed a web site and and the current high degree of repression might be seen as environmentalism. from the start we wanted to make this a of anything that steps over the limited collective project. So along with someone boundaries of protest allowed and you have Has the Irish movement got anything else I forced myself to learn enough Drupal a very difficult atmosphere in which to build to learn from the UK, and visa versa? (an opensource CMS system) to put it anything that goes beyond lobbying. together. The number of police is extraordinary, Try to avoid extreme sectarianism damaging When that was done I realised that creating their constant use against the ‘civilian the ability to work together, although in a new site would be an easy way not only to population’ is striking, I saw more people reality that is easier to say than to do. On store my own material but that it would also being arrested on the streets in the 16 the local level there are loads of things we be almost no extra work to create accounts weeks of my tour as I have in nearly 40 years see and would seek to learn from although on it for other anarchists to do the same for outside North America. And finally in the the question of what can be transferred to theirs. US in particular there is an extraordinary the different conditions here is not always Then when I was organising the tour I level of state infiltration and the use of agent an easy one. realised creating a blog on the site would provocateurs to tempt fresh young activists And of course we nicked the idea of be an easy way for people (including my into doing stupid stuff that can lead them to doing a bookfair and that has been a strong parents) to keep track of how things were very long jail sentences. success, the Dublin one is around a quarter going. I found I quite liked the freedom the size of the London one now which is of blogging (as people don’t expect the What gives you hope for improvement? pretty good given the population difference. same level of editorial care as they do with articles) so I’ve kept going. Class divisions, although sometimes WSM was one of the first on the net in As of now I’m starting to expand the camouflaged by race are very, very visible in the 90s. Do you think that has paid off? number of people with accounts on the the USA and almost as visible in Canada. site, basically through offering accounts to Workers, particularly outside the coastal No question about that although really it was cities, are being fucked over in a very, very an individual rather than an organisational visible way. So ‘rugged individualism’ aside effort up to the late 1990’s when the internet North America should be fertile ground for really started to take off. class struggle politics, it certainly has been I worked in IT from the early 1990’s and in the past. basically just grabbed electronic versions of Also the left does not really exist, the few anything we printed, for most of that time I far left groups that exist are much smaller think the others were inclined to view my than their equivalents in Britain despite online activity as a rather odd and nerdish the much greater population, they don’t hobby. really exist outside a few colleges in a few Nowadays we are working on lots of ways towns. With the exception of Canada there of developing a collective online presence is no social democracy and no viable green and probably a dozen members are actively party. In short it would not that hard for involved in that in a regular way, in the last anarchists to become ‘the’ opposition. months we’ve been putting a lot of video and Internally there is actually a huge amount audio online as well as working on social Paying of individual experience of grassroots networking sites like Facebook. respects: organising within the anarchist movement. At the If you had the emergence of a coherent How has the internet changed how grave of US movement this individual experience anarchists get their message across? anarchist could be turned into some pretty powerful hero Dyer collective organisation. Obviously the net is now far more important Lum than the scattering of local radical bookshops Did things change much in Ireland used to be. But there are negatives to that, people are probably reading a lot fewer book during your time in the states? length texts for instance. Ha. At the time of writing they certainly The growth of indymedia here in Ireland, have. I left the Celtic Tiger and returned to which we played quite a central part in, was an economy that has collapsed month after extremely useful to us. It got our ideas out month since my return. Now that is a long to huge numbers of people who may never story and one that is far from over. have visited our own site. But I first saw the collapse when I arrived And it generated a very useful debate, in Miami around the start of April, loads of particularly at the time of the 2002/3 anti- condo skyscrapers hand been abandoned war movement. people I know and those who agree with the after 20 floors of construction after the But the internet has changed a lot in the Anarkismo statement. So over time the site banks had stopped loaning money to the last few years, the indymedia model may may build to quite a useful resource in its developers. Crossing the Atlantic was a bit well be on the way out and we need to keep own right. But it also functions as training like getting a flight that was running a little looking at how we can turn aspects of the for me, ahead of the sunset, you had seen what was new stuff to our use. I may work in IT but I’ve never done any coming. Anarchists are nervous about stuff like formal training outside of the equivalent Facebook, and rightly so, but remember of a YTS course, I tend to learn new stuff How do the Irish and British the origins of the internet lie in the military by starting off a project that I think should wanting a common and control system that exist and pick things up as I go along. anarchist movements compare? could survive a major nuclear war, if that The Irish movement is smaller both because can be used for good anything can! Any final comments or suggestions? the island has a fifth of the population and We’ll build a successful movement by in real terms. Can you tell us something about your always looking outwards, taking risks and But for its size it’s a lot more organised. latest project, Anarchist Writers? trying new things. Traditionalism and too I would guess there are 3-400 anarchists much concern with purity are a recipe for in Ireland who have some level of activity (anarchism.pageabode.com) inaction. and 20-30% of these are in one of the two I’m terrible at managing to file anything I national organisations, mostly in WSM. write so for years I’ve used the internet to I’d guess there would be maybe 4,000 store my public writings – often as not I use By Iain anarchists in Britain but only 4-8% of that google to locate old stuff. For years this was Mckay number are in national organisations. on a variety of manually edited pages but n 14 Investigation: The media and terror Linking today’s Islamic terrors to anarchism comments: society. Both movements turned away from “Ever since 9/11, I have been arguing the world as it was in favour of an idealised Analysis: How the that the ‘war against terror’ is immoral and world as it might be. Like the Islamists, counterproductive. It sanctions the use the anarchists rejected the political establishment of state terror – bombing raids, tortures, compromises of the democratic process. countless civilian deaths in Afghanistan The more desperate among them put their and Iraq – against Islamo-anarchists whose point across with dynamite instead”. have ressurected numbers are small, but whose reach is deadly” Some Criticisms old spectres for Ali adds that increased security measures and new laws are not the answer “If What perhaps characterises the above quotes new problems anything they will push young Muslims in is their brevity. In some cases (Tariq Ali and the direction of mindless violence.” Dr Rizvi) the information provided is taken mongst the many explanations of Al as a given, and the reader broadly asked to Qaeda and Islamist violence since Lord Desai take their word for it. When I entered into 9/11, one arguably stands out. Put A British Muslim Labour peer, Desai argues correspondence with Tim Pendry about his simply it is the suggestion that Al that Islamism is a political ideology quite article, he explained: AQaeda’s violence is something outside of distinct from religion. He comments: “The comments were not based on any Islam per se, indeed outside of Islamic “the modern Islamist terrorist is a particular report or analysis, just the fundamentalism. In searching for historical descendant of the anarchist, except that commonsense assessment of someone who precedents, writers, journalists and there is a central ‘office’, al-Qaeda, which has read fairly widely in late nineteenth politicians have begun to compare Al Qaeda either controls them or at least inspires century intellectual and political revolt.” to Anarchist organisations, and in particular them” the wave of violence that was associated with Anarchism in the late nineteenth and John Gray early twentieth centuries. Between 1892 and 1901, Anarchists One of the UK’s most eminent academics, assassinated the Heads of State in France, Gray’s “Al Qaeda and What It Means To be the United States and Italy, as well as Modern” rejects the view that Al Qaeda killing the Prime Minister of Spain and the wishes to turn the clock back to the sixth Empress of Austria. century, but instead places it as a modern The years during and immediately after political movement, that seeks to use the First World War also saw a significant violence to alter the human condition. wave of violence in the United States, mostly He sees the Anarchist era of propaganda associated with Anarchist émigrés from by deed as a precursor to radical Islam, Europe. At the centre of this agitation was compares Bin Laden to the nineteenth Italian émigré Luigi Galleani, who combined century Russian Anarchist Nechaev and Kropotkin’s theories of mutual aid with a comments: “Al Qaeda’s peculiar hybrid of commitment to revolutionary violence. He theocracy and anarchy is a by-product of and his followers fought dirty – for example Western radical thought” in 1916 Anarchist chef Nestor Dondoglio poisoned the soup at an Archbishops Dr Hasan-Askari Rizvi banquet, lacing it with arsenic. A Pakistani political and defence analyst, What was particularly noticeable here writing in July 2008 about the return of the was the innovative nature of the violence Stings like a bee: Ex-Trotskyist Tariq Taliban to prominence in the region: – at the end of April 1919 30 letter bombs Ali coined the term ‘Islamo-Anarchism‘ “It is a wrong assumption that the Taliban were posted to figures in the American will again become friendly to Pakistan if it establishment, timed to arrive on Mayday. Why though are writers comparing such gives up its support to the US led war on This was followed by a bomb attack on disparate phenomena? It is hard to consider terrorism. The Taliban have an anarchist the home of the Attorney General, and in two ideologies as different, ostensibly, as agenda that aims at dismantling the September 1920 the first ever car bomb, Anarchism and Islamism. Anarchism is Pakistani state” planted by Anarchists at the New York based on the concept of life without rulers, Stock Exchange. Thirty-three people were whilst the core of Islam is submission to an killed, whilst the likely bomber, an Italian Graham Stewart authority – Allah. Anarchists are opposed to Anarchist called Mario Buda, quietly made A historian who served for a while as nation states, whilst Al Qaeda look to build his way back to Italy. Terrorism therefore, assistant to the late Conservative MP a caliphate – a vast territory where Muslims has been crossing borders for some time. Alan Clark, Stewart wrote an interesting will live under the rule of the Qu’ran, Let us now consider some of the writers comparison piece “Al Qaeda, Victorian having swept away corrupt Muslim rulers. who, alongside The Economist of 18 August Style” in The Times, shortly after 7/7. He If anything that resembles an empire more 2005 argue “For jihadist, read anarchist”. commented: than a nation state! “The militant atheists of late 19th century In the meantime Bin Laden and co Tariq Ali Europe would have found little common have happily worked with various nation intellectual ground with 21st century states – the US back in the 1980s, and at Laying the blame for the 7/7 attacks in Islamists. Yet both were ascetic movements different times since then Sudan, Pakistan, London firmly at the door of Tony Blair and whose followers were repelled by the Saudi Arabia and Afghanistan. That these his decision to join the US led invasion of decadence and thoughtless exploitation relationships have often soured over time Iraq, Ali wrote “Why They Happened”. He they believed inherent in Western bourgeois should not distract us from the fact they Investigation: The media and terror 15 happened – and new ones may well be forged Muslims are a single nation, whilst Al Qaeda is sparse. in the future. spokesman Louis Attiya Allah criticises More substantially, Gelvin sees Anarchists When Tariq Ali was pressed by those nation states as a Western invention, calling as adopting an instrumental approach critical of his invention of the term “Islamo- for their destruction. to terrorism. The more outrageous and Anarchism” he responded with the curious Writing before the 2008-9 Israeli attacks spectacular the better – the more it would answer that “I coined Islamo-Anarchism to on Gaza, Gelvin also sees al-Zawahiri embolden revolutionaries and diminish the counter the Islamo-Fascism of American as at times lukewarm about Hamas, and control of counter revolutionaries. Here and Brit neo-Cons.” The Neo-Cons must be their interpretation of the Palestinian perhaps Gelvin is at his weakest. If you view shaking in their boots at that one Tariq! struggle. Indeed the quotes Gelvin selects terrorism as a method, not as part of an Whilst accepting that the term Islamo- of al-Zawahiri insisting that the Palestinian ideology or the basis of an ideology under Fascism is hardly politically sophisticated, struggle is not a nationalist one, but for consideration, it is not surprising that you (although it is not just Neo-Cons who have one for shariah, show the Al Qaeda number can find similarities between the intentions used it) it is difficult to see how Ali’s counter two engaged in some rather unconvincing of terrorists. terminology advances any cause, indeed it verbiage. Terrorists of a whole range of political appears to be based more on petulance than Whilst this is all very interesting, in and religious backgrounds – from Islamist anything else. what way does it prove that Anarchism to nationalist to fascist – may wish to kill Secondly human beings often rely and Al Qaeda are analogous or that they the President of the United States. But does on comparisons with known objects or are unique in tackling the ‘wellspring of that tell us anything about them other than phenomena to categorise things that are subjugation’? Indeed it is tempting to ask they are willing to use violence? new or they do not understand. If someone why any revolutionary would attempt to associates bombings with Anarchism, or attack anything other than the well-spring Conclusions anti-semitism and prejudice with Fascism, of subjugation? it is perhaps not too long a journey to using Next is the proposition that both Historical parallels can be found between terms such as Islamo-Anarchism or Islamo- Anarchists and Al Qaeda’s worldview are Anarchist and Islamist violence. A desire Fascism. based on an ideal counter-community. to respond to injustice, (whether real However, if that simplistic approach is “In the Al Qaeda imagination it seems that or perceived) and a willingness to use all that lies behind such terminology, it is unlikely to stand up to rigorous analysis. Indeed Anarchists have arguably killed far fewer people in pursuit of their goals than any other ideology – look at the historical record of liberal democracy, Zionism or Irish Republicanism to take three examples. What could be more convenient, to a British Muslim peer such as Lord Desai, if deadly Islamist violence in the UK actually has nothing to do with Islam at all?

James L Gelvin Steps Forward

Only in 2008 did a writer try to build a substantive case comparing Islamist terrorism and Anarchist terrorism - James L Gelvin, of the University College Los Angles (UCLA.) An expert on the Middle East, Gelvin fired his first shot in 2007, seeing five core areas where Al Qaeda and Anarchists overlapped. He argued Al Qaeda: n Places action over ideology n Has a single minded focus on resistance n Lacks programmatic goals Islamist Mob: A demonstration against the Danish Mohammed cartoons, February 2006 n Pursues violence for its own sake n Is de-centralised with semi-autonomous the caliphate might be defined as a territorial deadly violence are observable. Far greater cells. expanse freed from the constraints of differences however exist – most obviously Thus “all these factors align Al Qaeda the nation state system and ordained and in the type of future society envisaged, who with a type of movement that historically administered according to the precepts of violence is aimed at, or indeed in working has had nothing to do with Islamism at all: Islamic law.” relations with existing nation states. James Anarchism”. Here, he sees Anarchists and Islamists L Gelvin not only fails to prove his case, but In 2008 Gelvin attempted to flesh out his facing the same core problem, the difficulty puts forward so many general points that arguments in the academic journal Terrorism in producing “a governance cum disciplinary they could be used to prove – or disprove and Political Violence. Here he stresses that mechanism from a vantage point located – just about anything. Anarchism makes the claim to be defensive within the existing nation state system”. That Anarchists broadly stopped in nature, as does Al Qaeda, whose rhetoric Gelvin is on weak ground in arguing that using terrorism as a method means that is dominated by the perceived injustices of Al Qaeda’s vision of counter-community researchers and analysts will continue to the “Zionist-Crusader Alliance”. remains ambiguous. On the contrary we return to it when looking for indications as Adopting such a position is hardly unusual have a view from those who have spent time to the nature of future trends in Al Qaeda however – anyone who visited Northern in Al Qaeda controlled territory such as their and Islamist violence. It is to be hoped Ireland during the troubles will have camps – the journalist Abdel Bari Atwan, that one or two of those who stop by, may observed the frequency with which Ulster or with regard to their jihadist training actually know a little bit about one or other Loyalists referred to themselves as “under facilities the Islamist turned defector Omar of the ideologies under discussion. siege” or groups like the Ulster Defence Nasiri. They tell us much about how Al Association (note the name) characterised Qaeda members go about their business n Paul Stott is currently working on a PhD themselves as a purely reactive force. and live their daily lives. looking at the similarities (and many more Even on the international political stage, Finally we have our knowledge of the type of differences) between Anarchist and Islamist actions such as the invasion of Iraq were society Al Qaeda was involved with building terrorism. He can be contacted via his website characterised as being defensive. in Taliban controlled Afghanistan. Whilst paulstott.typepad.com Gelvin sees both Al Qaeda and Anarchists some difficulties and differences occurred as attacking the wellspring of their between Al Qaeda and the Taleban, evidence By Paul of Al Qaeda dissenting substantially from subjugation – the state. Bin Laden’s deputy, Stott Aymaan Al-Zawahiri states openly that that experiment in actually existing shariah n 16 Interview: Protest policing Heating up the

t is not overstating the case to say that without the Legal Defence and IMonitoring Group, a large number of people who disagreed with the policies of Her Majesty’s Government are walking free today who might otherwise be serving a lengthy stretch. The group have for over a decade been at the forefront of street protest in the UK, making sure that when people exercise their right to free speech, they aren’t simply spirited away to the extensive dungeons of democracy’s cradle. Andy Meinke, a tall and focused character, has been involved in the organisation in London since 1998, and is part of a half- dozen strong group of legal observers in the capital, with a much larger group of casuals supporting them. Over the last ten years, while the basics have not changed significantly, Andy has seen an evolution of the policing of dissent as police techniques, and law use, tighten. He said: “Fundamentally British public order policing tactics have remained unchanged since 1974 and the Red Lion Square riot, where a student called Kevin Gately was killed by police, who had an inquiry and were duly exonerated by Lord Scarman. Out of this came the plan not to chase through the streets whacking people. “Since then they have been practicing an ever-tightening form of containment, very different from the tactics used elsewhere in Europe, which is designed to disperse crowds. “It’s based on a psychological theory of a hierarchy of needs, whereby if people are kept long enough and bored their desire to go home, eat and go to the loo will outweigh their rage at civil liberties being breached. “What we’ve seen in the last ten years Containment: Police tactics in the UK have revolved around the kettle, where police though is much more common and first contain protestors behind a cordon of police, then gradually tighten the line. longer-term kettles, or bubbles as they’re sometimes called, designed to hold etc. vastly outnumbers them so it has to be demonstrators in a cordon of police before “More generally, part of the culture in our mostly psychological.” eventual release, of up to seven-and-a-half movement is a suspicion of paramilitary But smart policing has not been hours – like Oxford Circus in 2001 - and a tactics, which has good political reasoning the only tool hitting effectiveness in complete failure by the activist movement but does hamstring us. demonstrations. to find a way around it.” “The tactics from British police see A raft of new laws have been highly The differences between such tactics almost no use of tear gas except in violent noticeable in the last few years attached to and older styles of policing, which are circumstances – it has only been used once anti-terror legislation. still used on the continent, came to the in Toxteth, 1981. They don’t use water Andy believes that in many cases the fore in Gleneagles 2005 in Scotland and cannon. practical danger of some of these has been Heiligendamm 2007 in Germany, when the @There are plans to use acoustic devices overstated, with less notorious laws actually anti-G8 demonstrations came to town. The but it’s mostly just batons, which while it doing more damage in many cases. styles of policing, and approaches from is dangerous looks less so and even this is “As with so often, the high-profile laws, activists, were very different. becoming less frequent, extendable batons like the Terrorism Act stuff and section 58a “Comparing the German and Scottish mean you can hurt people without causing (anti-photography) are less damaging than G8s, the activist movement there is a brain damage, horses are used much more some of the more seemingly innocuous lot stronger in Germany which made a widely to intimidate. ones, for example Section 50 of the Police difference, and they are more professional “It’s a much more psychological approach, Reform Act gives them the power to demand in their approach to dealing with police, because the number of riot-trained police is the name and address of people who which we are not. actually very low. they believe to be acting in an antisocial “The closest we have had tactically were “For example the Met have 3,500 out of manner. the Wombles group in the UK. They were 30,000 who are riot trained and the others “That was designed to be used against put under a lot of police attention when they aren’t allowed to even be there because of juvenile delinquents but is now routinely started to take this more tactical approach, health and safety laws. used to obtain the names of protestors. members were followed home, intimidated “Even a small demo of 35,000 people “It’s an example of a law that has not been headline small 16 Interview: Protest policing Interview: Protest policing 17 Heating up the kettle question t is not overstating the case to say that without the Legal Defence and Interview: IMonitoring Group, a large number of Rob Ray talks to demonstrations legal people who disagreed with the policies of Her Majesty’s Government are walking free today who might otherwise be serving a observer Andy Meinke about police tactics today lengthy stretch. The group have for over a decade been tested in the courts and for the majority of at the forefront of street protest in the UK, the people who have been arrested over it the making sure that when people exercise case has been dropped, but it has brought their right to free speech, they aren’t simply a lot of results for the police because the spirited away to the extensive dungeons of psychological aspect of it is, according to democracy’s cradle. the European Court of Human Rights, a Andy Meinke, a tall and focused character, ‘chilling effect on the right to protest’. has been involved in the organisation in “The so-called photography law that has London since 1998, and is part of a half- been brought in really won’t stop people dozen strong group of legal observers in the photographing police as far as the higher capital, with a much larger group of casuals courts are concerned, but loads of people supporting them. will be stopped by police and intimidated Over the last ten years, while the basics out of doing so. have not changed significantly, “Another feature is there are so many Andy has seen an evolution of the policing laws that people find it hard to keep up. of dissent as police techniques, and law The police themselves often can’t follow the use, tighten. amount of laws. He said: “Fundamentally British public “To become a sergeant you have to pass order policing tactics have remained a multiple-choice test on the laws as they unchanged since 1974 and the Red Lion stand, for which until 2004 they had a 75% Square riot, where a student called Kevin pass rate. Since then they have refused to Gately was killed by police, who had an say what the pass rate is.” inquiry and were duly exonerated by Lord Surveillance, in the form of both CCTV Scarman. Out of this came the plan not cameras and the hated Forward Intelligence to chase through the streets whacking Team – a police squad dedicated to profiling people. activists – has also been a major difficulty “Since then they have been practicing an in building any kind of movement capable ever-tightening form of containment, very of taking on police lines. different from the tactics used elsewhere Blocked: The activist movement is yet to find an effective way of beating modern police lines “The camera system is just overwhelming. in Europe, which is designed to disperse To avoid it you’d have to just about mask up crowds. when you leave your home and keep it on “It’s based on a psychological theory of until you go to work on Monday morning. a hierarchy of needs, whereby if people are “And it makes it impossible for anyone kept long enough and bored their desire to who is regularly active to not be known. Calling out the cops go home, eat and go to the loo will outweigh “For the last eight years I’ve been regularly their rage at civil liberties being breached. followed by Forward Intelligence Teams, who As some 7,000 people protested against the G20 in the City of London one person died. Ian “What we’ve seen in the last ten years Containment: Police tactics in the UK have revolved around the kettle, where police know me by name on any major demo I’ve Tomlinson 47, who worked at a newsagent nearby collapsed and died in the early evening though is much more common and first contain protestors behind a cordon of police, then gradually tighten the line. been on, and the same is true for upwards on his way home from work. longer-term kettles, or bubbles as they’re of 50 regular activists in London. The initial Police account that they were attacked by the crowd while trying to give first sometimes called, designed to hold etc. vastly outnumbers them so it has to be “It’s strange how it gets to you after a few aid to Mr. Tomlinson is completely false. In fact numerous witnesses have come forward demonstrators in a cordon of police before “More generally, part of the culture in our mostly psychological.” days of it. During the European Social Forum with exactly the opposite account, police pushed away protesters attempting to help eventual release, of up to seven-and-a-half movement is a suspicion of paramilitary But smart policing has not been they followed me into the Royal Courts of him. Secondly it is now established that police knocked Mr. Tomlinson to the ground ten hours – like Oxford Circus in 2001 - and a tactics, which has good political reasoning the only tool hitting effectiveness in Justice when I went in for a case and stood minutes before he collapsed causing him a head injury. complete failure by the activist movement but does hamstring us. demonstrations. outside the courtroom until I left. He didn’t die from a heart attack despite IPCC claims. They tried to pull the video showing to find a way around it.” “The tactics from British police see A raft of new laws have been highly “When we were going they arrested Helen his assault from websites. They used London police to look into their own charges. They The differences between such tactics almost no use of tear gas except in violent noticeable in the last few years attached to Steele (who became internationally famous failed to interview the officer concerned or discipline him until pushed. and older styles of policing, which are circumstances – it has only been used once anti-terror legislation. in 1997 as one of two people involved in the Experience from the 2005 shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes, back to the last still used on the continent, came to the in Toxteth, 1981. They don’t use water Andy believes that in many cases the McLibel trial) for jamming a revolving door demonstration deaths – Blair Peach in Southall 1979 and Kevin Gately at Red Lion Square in fore in Gleneagles 2005 in Scotland and cannon. practical danger of some of these has been and obstructing police in following me. She 1974 suggests the shoddy coverup will be followed by an implausible whitewash. Heiligendamm 2007 in Germany, when the @There are plans to use acoustic devices overstated, with less notorious laws actually was acquitted.” Meanwhile, the Legal Defence and Monitoring Group ask for anybody who witnessed anti-G8 demonstrations came to town. The but it’s mostly just batons, which while it doing more damage in many cases. As is the case with many long term someone being arrested (even if you don’t know who they are) please write a detailed styles of policing, and approaches from is dangerous looks less so and even this is “As with so often, the high-profile laws, activists, Andy is unsure as to how public account on the incident as soon as possible and forward it to LDMG email below or post: activists, were very different. becoming less frequent, extendable batons like the Terrorism Act stuff and section 58a protest can progress against today’s police Legal Defence and Monitoring Group BM Box HAVEN, London, WC1N 3XX. LDMG meets at “Comparing the German and Scottish mean you can hurt people without causing (anti-photography) are less damaging than tactics. “Legally, the House of Lords Freedom on the first Tuesday of the month 7pm. G8s, the activist movement there is a brain damage, horses are used much more some of the more seemingly innocuous has said this year that kettling people is The Climate Camp Legal Group have also got a call out for legally aided people (low lot stronger in Germany which made a widely to intimidate. ones, for example Section 50 of the Police perfectly legal, for up to 71/2 hours – the income – approx less than £14,000 with low savings) who might be willing to be parties to a difference, and they are more professional “It’s a much more psychological approach, Reform Act gives them the power to demand Oxford Circus test case.” judicial review case on the searches and who: suffered an excessive number of searches under in their approach to dealing with police, because the number of riot-trained police is the name and address of people who section 1 and section 60. Also people threatened with section 50 (antisocial behaviour), or which we are not. actually very low. they believe to be acting in an antisocial immigration offences to obtain their name and address or people threatened with arrest “The closest we have had tactically were manner. By Rob Ray “For example the Met have 3,500 out of for having stolen a mobile phone. Please contact [email protected] the Wombles group in the UK. They were 30,000 who are riot trained and the others “That was designed to be used against (Freedom Press) � put under a lot of police attention when they aren’t allowed to even be there because of juvenile delinquents but is now routinely started to take this more tactical approach, health and safety laws. used to obtain the names of protestors. members were followed home, intimidated “Even a small demo of 35,000 people “It’s an example of a law that has not been Andy Meinke is active with the Legal Defence and Monitoring Group, which attends demonstrations to prive witness in potential court cases. � phreak.co.uk/ldmg/index.php, email: [email protected] 18 In focus: The economic crisis Understanding In focus: The Anarchist Federation bring their analysis to the table of why capitalism is broken. Again. he current economic crisis is not seeking maximum profits will keep wages as an unexpected blip in the normal low as they can get away with, limiting the smooth workings of capitalism. amount that workers can spend. These two Throughout its history capitalism factors together mean that over time there Thas been subject to cycles of growth and will be a tendency for profits to fall, leading decline. For the working class, even in to businesses failing, attacks on wages and so-called growth periods, the benefits a general downward spiral. are largely felt by the better-off, with just Capitalism finds ways of keeping the a small portion of the benefits trickling growth period growing for as long as down to people at the bottom of the class possible. The recent crisis is the result of hierarchy. a particular set of circumstances that have Marx, despite his many grievous errors, taken shape since WWII. Firstly, finance developed an astute analysis of how capital has emerged as an autonomous capitalism worked. He demonstrated why sector. capitalism was prone to economic cycles. Originally, the banking system was firmly Capitalism needs to grow in order to tied to the production of real products survive. It does this by finding new markets in manufacturing. It existed to facilitate and producing new products. For example, the smooth operation of manufacturing the development of new technology – industry. Now finance capital has created computers, digital products, mobile phones its own ‘products’ – various stocks, bonds, etc- provided a huge area of growth over the securities, futures, currencies etc - that past couple of decades. have a very indirect relationship to any However, there is a limit on how long the actual underlying production. This ‘fictitious pace of growth in demand can continue. capital’ is treated as ‘real’ and trading takes Though people will continue to replace place on a global level, with unfathomable current models for new ones, the pace of sums of money moving around the world. growth will diminish. This will put downward There are enormous profits to be made as pressures on profits. There is also another long as there is confidence that the system contradiction in capitalism. Growth is will continue. The overall effect on the limited by ability of the working class to global economy as a result of the expansion an expensive necessity, making up a large buy the products of their labour. Capitalists of finance capital is that there has been an proportion of people’s expenditure, both increase in debt (and so the money supply), as mortgages and rents. While people can making everyone, including the working easily cut back on foreign holidays or wait class, believe that they are better off -- in the a few years to trade in the car, housing is case of the working class, by supplementing something people need to continue to pay often stagnant or declining real wages with for and it is difficult to ‘downsize’. The borrowed money. It is the fact that modern increase in demand for housing, and the capitalism is based so much on psychology consequences of this, lie at the core of the that makes it so vulnerable. origins of the crisis. It is therefore important Secondly, capitalism has shed its border to explain why there has been such an constraints and is now fully global. It is increase in demand. not just the finance system but trade, With the continuing rise in population, production, and even labour, to an extent, there is a continual demand for new homes. which are transcending national boundaries. Populations are growing at an increasing This means that when there are problems rate, creating a huge new demand for places in one part of the world they will be felt to live. In addition, the ideology of home everywhere. This makes it very difficult for ownership has spread to all sections of the governments to control what is happening, population. People do not want to live with hence the need for global summits such as their relatives or squeeze into tiny flats. The the recent G20. ideal is a house with a garden, and plenty of room for the children. The desire to own Background to current crisis a home has often been forced on people, with landlords, including councils, taking advantage of increased in demand by raising The current crisis can be traced to several rents. At one point getting a mortgage was developments over the past two decades, a cheaper option than renting for many with the housing market at the centre. working class people. The sale of council Hate figure: Fred “The Shred“ Goodwin Housing is a special product because it is In focus: The economic crisis 19 the crisis today

debts that have caused the repercussions to be felt all around the world. The term used to describe what they did is known as ‘securitisation’. Mortgage brokers would not hold on to the debt or IOU. They would ‘package up’ the debt with other debts and sell it to a bigger bank or investment company. This new package, or security, often came with a high guarantee rating because the bad debt was disguised and mixed in with good risk debts. This gave the mortgage broker more money to keep lending. Meanwhile, the bank that now owned this new security might also sell this on., making the whole financial system vulnerable. In Britain, the situation was not as extreme, but the housing market and the lending practices mirrored that in the US. People of all social classes aspired to own their own home. With wages as low as they are, even for professional people like teachers, many people had difficulty raising the needed cash for a deposit. With house prices rocketing, two and a half times annual salary (the traditional lending terms) was not high enough to buy anything but a cupboard. In order to attract these people, building societies and banks offered new lending terms that often required no deposit with a 100% mortgage. Northern Rock was the most aggressive firm in its effort to attract new customers. They offered a ‘Together Loan’ which put a person’s personal debt together with the mortgage in one package. The resulting loan was often 125% of the values of the Anger: Banks have property. Like in the US, mortgage providers borne the brunt of were confident that they were not taking any public dissatisfaction. serious risks because they assumed house Picture: Matt Doherty prices would continue to rise. They also got practiced securitisation and sold on the housing debts to larger banks. Northern homes was eagerly taken up by tenants of the rust belt states like Michigan and Rock was one of the main firms to carry out who saw their chance of getting onto the Ohio. In Las Vegas, all sorts of people this practice and was completely dependent property ladder. were moonlighting from their jobs as on the wider financial market to continue to The events of September 11th also fuelled waitresses and card dealers in order to provide them with funds. demand for houses as an investment. With become ‘mortgage brokers’. The market was The increase in house prices and home the stock market so volatile and house completely unregulated. ownership is the single most important prices and rents rising, property investment Daily Mail economic editor Alex Brummer, factor in fuelling the consumer boom of the seemed a guaranteed way of making money. not known for his left-wing views, in his book last decades. However, another aspect of the It wasn’t just the better-off who did this, The Crunch: How greed and incompetence banking system is crucial in making such but also working class people who already sparked the credit crisis, documents the a consumer boom possible. As discussed had one home. The ‘buy to let’ market full horror of the lengths mortgage brokers above, capitalism can only grow if it manages mushroomed. and banks would go in order to sell debt to to increase demand. This demand is limited However, it is the role of the financial those who clearly couldn’t afford it. by wages and finding new consumers. The system in all of this that lies at the root of Mortgage brokers put together packages situation of widespread home ownership, the crisis. that lured people in, with hidden clauses together with rising house prices, provided As a result of the factors discussed about higher rates of interest. They often an ideal way of increasing demand without above, banks and mortgage brokers in the didn’t ask to see any evidence of ability to increasing wages; profits soared and the US stepped up their lending. However, it pay and according to Brummer, 40% of the government complacently congratulated was not the traditional housing market loans were these ‘liar’ loans. The mortgage itself for the high economic growth rates. that would bring the best returns because brokers didn’t worry about this because Why was this possible? interest rates were low. Many firms looked with rising house prices, they could always Firstly, buying a home usually means for ways of selling mortgages at higher rates repossess and make money if the person that people will spend money on ‘doing of interest. They found their target in the defaulted. it up’. Immediately demand goes up for home ownership aspirations of the lower However, if this was all that happened, building workers, electricians etc. and working class. This became known as the then despite the dire effects on those that ‘sub-prime’ market. got sucked in, the problem would have been Firms sprung up all over but mainly in relatively self-contained. It is what they California, Las Vegas, Florida and some mortgage brokers and banks did with these 44 20 In focus: The economic crisis

the various DIY products as well as new when borrowers began to default on their In Britain it was Northern Rock that furniture and other fittingss. Employment loans. As bad debts increased, there were spearheaded the collapse as it was the goes up in these sectors, further fuelling fewer loans made. In addition, those had most implicated in high risk mortgages consumer demand as these workers are their houses repossessed wouldn’t be and relied entirely on borrowing money better off. However, this spending would not consuming much anymore. from other banks to keep it going. When have been possible, given the low incomes Alan Greenspan, the then-head of the US no bank wanted to lend any more money, people are on, if it wasn’t for another aspect Federal reserve, warned of problems back it was in trouble and the result was the of the banking system: personal loans and in 2005. He said investors were making queues outside the bank branches that we credit cards. a mistake if they thought house prices witnessed on the news. When people buy a house, they would continue to rise and that interest But this soon spread as other banks immediately feel more secure, especially rates would remain low. He had dropped the admitted they had a large portion of if house prices are rising. They think that interest rates after September 11 in order to their assets in these securities that were they are actually better off because they keep the economy going. becoming rapidly worthless. And like in have ‘made’ money each time the value of When he returned the interest rates to the US, interest rates had risen which their property goes up. As a result, they are what was considered normal, according to increased the cost of mortgages. There willing to spend more money. Since they Brummer it was an “arrow at the housing was a sharp increase in repossessions and don’t actually have the money, they need market”. The demand for houses stalled. subsequently a decline in demand for other to borrow money or use the credit card, More homes were repossessed and this hit goods and services. House prices began to which they are willing to do because of the demand for other goods and services. The fall, reversing the process of before. People confidence they have as a result of being a economy began a downward spiral. felt they were less well-off, cut back on home owner. However, mortgage brokers and bankers spending which led to job losses in the The banks ‘conveniently’ stepped in to did not cut back on their attempts to lend retail sector. Banks were reluctant to lend satisfy the demand for credit. Consumers money and the market in mortgage-based money to anyone is this climate, trying to who ‘owned’ their home were the targets of securities continued within the financial stem the fall in profits. loan and credit card offers. It helped that sector. Both in the US and Britain all the Britain is more affected by the whole interest rates for borrowing were relatively major banks held varying amounts of these financial crisis than other European low. The logic behind their generosity was dodgy securities. countries for several reasons. The economy obvious; if the consumer couldn’t keep The first bank to admit that this might is heavily reliant on imports of manufactured goods and food. The increase in food prices thus hit more than prices, but also the balance of payments which was already in heavy deficit. The main way Britain earns foreign exchange is through the export of oil and people investing in the City and Canary Wharf. Up to 30% of the economy is based around financial services. With the upset in the financial markets, less money was coming into Britain, causing further problems and hitting the value of the pound. As the pound decreased in value the price of necessary imports rose even more, meaning that people had to watch their spending even more. Rising prices was also one of the main reasons interest rates had been raised. Throughout 2008 the rot spread and the government debated what to do. In the end it followed the lead of the US and the EU and lowered interest rates and pumped money into the economy. Unimaginable amounts Economic key: The financial centres of London supplied the housing boom with credit of money- billions of pounds- have been put into the financial system, much of it used to up the payments, the bank could always be a problem was the HSBC in 2007. It had help the banks write off their bad debts. repossess. taken over a mortgage company in the US The bubble has burst- all the money that The more people spent, the more jobs and had large investments in the mortgage people thought was there has proved to be were created in retail and the more the securities market. More and more banks an illusion and has simply disappeared. To economy grew. Workers from all over realised that they were going to make losses keep things where they are, governments Europe were attracted by the need for more in this area and cut back on the buying of have chosen to create that money again by skilled labour in the building industry. securities from mortgage brokers. The going into debt itself. The whole strategy is Their presence further increased demand mortgage brokers were then unable to raise designed to maintain the status quo. They for goods and services and also increased any new money to cover all the bad debts want to get people spending by encouraging demand for rented accommodation. they were now facing. them to get in debt again. They want banks As people became better off, many sought House prices were falling so repossession to keep businesses going. However, this to increase their wealth even more by didn’t help them much and they had to hasn’t happened. entering the ‘buy-to-let’ market. Whole tower cut back on their operations, with some What is most despicable is the way that the blocks have been built with the ‘investor’ in declaring bankruptcy. top people in the financial system continue mind. Even many workers, especially those Due to the global nature of markets, now to pay themselves massive salaries, working in the building trade, had money Britain, which has always been closely despite the fact that the whole mess was to spare. They already owned a home; what linked with the US economy, felt the due, according to Brummer, “to their own better investment than a second home in repercussions, as did the rest of Europe to greed and incompetence”. Applegarth, the Spain or a flat in an inner city area that they some extent. Globally there was a massive man who headed Northern Rock, may have could do up themselves and then rent out? loss of confidence in the banking system left in disgrace but he has retired a rich The situation in the banking system itself because of the increased realisation man. Whilst all the problems were going on could continue as long as ‘liquidity’ was that they were all holding bad debts. If they in his company, he sold his own shares and maintained – as long as banks were willing were holding bad debts then they assumed netted 2.7 million. to keep the money moving. If anyone other banks would be and the system froze; The situation can only get worse. North decided to call in the debt, then problems no bank wanted to loan to any other bank, Sea oil is set to run out within a decade would begin. This is what happened. something that is necessary to keep money and will then be a net importer of oil. The The downward spiral began in the US flowing around the system. City and Canary Wharf, having attracted the In focus: The economic crisis 21 biggest banks and investment companies protest at banks. Therefore, we need to seriously think from all over the world as a result of the 2. In some ways, this decline in about ways of creating an alternative deregulation of finance markets by Thatcher consumption is a blessing in disguise for economy now, not wait until ‘after the in the 1980s, is clearly at risk of complete the environment. Car driving has been cut revolution’. This is not a substitute for collapse. back as have the number of people flying. other actions but a complement that could This can be seen in the drop in the value We are getting the ‘negative growth’ that achieve both short-term and long-term of the pound. Britain is no longer a place the French Anarchist Federation called for benefits. In the short-term we could make anyone wants to invest in. Job losses in its ‘decroissance’ (literally ungrowth) people better off. have already begun in the City and Canary campaign. By being less dependent on capitalist Wharf, further reducing demand for goods However, this is not the kind of negative markets and producing and trading and services, including housing. The few growth they had in mind. Maybe we should independently, we can still get the goods manufacturing industries that Britain has welcome this reduction in consumption but that we need. In addition, it brings people left are struggling to survive. argue for redistribution of the wealth that together and prepares the way for economic The government has officially announced is so obviously there. We could organise a organisation in a post-revolutionary period. that we are in a recession, optimistically campaign around this, arguing the ruling We have already looked at this with the forecasting that this will last until the end class has caused the crisis, so why should ideas of participatory economics. This of 2009. However, there is no justification they continue to hoard such great wealth? could involve creating networks of different for this optimism. If Britain isn’t actually Workers are ready to challenge the producers and consumers who trade directly producing any real products and is going to arguments that they have to sacrifice with each other. We could also consider the lose the demand for its only two big products because there is no money, both to bail out idea of our own banks, just like workers – oil and financial services, then what can the banks and conduct wars. It even makes set up their own ‘friendly societies’ in the economic growth actually be based on? ‘economic’ sense. Why put the money in the 19th century. We can stress the importance They are willing to give massive amounts hands of the banks so that they will lend of quality of life rather than the obsessive of money to the banks, but a pittance to money to businesses and consumers? We consumption that has gripped us all. the unemployed and all public sector wage could call for money to be given to people Focusing on the economic crisis does increases have been paltry. Without raising for housing. not mean that people should stop other people’ income, not just the rich but the 3. The workplace is the ideal area to campaigns they are involved in because majority of people, the working class, how launch campaigns. It could be done through they are all linked. With a deepening crisis, can the economy get off the ground again? local union branches or through the IWW. racist, fascist and nationalist ideas will They seem to be relying on working class There should be a call for wage increases, come to the fore. We must fight to maintain people being willing to get into debt but a demand to bail us out, not the bankers. an international perspective. not asking for any wage increases. This The State will increase its repressive is seen in the underlying messages in the apparatus in order to control any unrest mass media form bosses and government that will increasingly erupt as the recession about the need for sacrifices. This attitude What is most deepens. And, our concerns with the is reflected in the trade unions. The NUT despicable is environment and global warming cannot be told its members that it needed to accept forgotten. the low wage increase because of the ‘credit the way top We must challenge the ‘jobs at any cost’ crunch’. Small businesses are in the same argument that makes it possible for the situation. They are suffering because of people in the government to continue with projects such lack of demand. as the third runway at Heathrow. We have This economic crisis shows starkly what financial system to stress that we can live well without these capitalism is and always has been about: things, through a redistribution of wealth the enrichment of a few at the expense of continue now to and a reorganisation of society. the many. No one in the financial sector will This strategy will enable us to actually actually suffer. They have already amassed pay themselves win something, increase the confidence enough wealth to keep them going. Salaries of the working class, and help prepare us Anarchist Federation massive salaries will continue to be high and bonuses, “ for an actual revolution by weakening the despite the disaster created by the bankers, ruling class and strengthening our position will continue to be paid, even if they manage Again, the argument could be that the both in terms of power but in skills and to hide it better. Meanwhile, the working economy needs us to spend. capacities for self-organisation. class is bearing the brunt of the crisis. We refuse to get into debt, so we need Anarchists both in the UK and It is difficult to know what to argue as higher wages. We can also challenge the internationally need to work together for anarchists. great gap in wages between workers and the an international perspective and strategy The injustice of what has happened is bosses. on the crisis. The mass of the working blatantly obvious to everyone. But what to 4. There can also be a campaign to class is clearly fed up and would like to do about it? There is no point in simply investigate pension funds and guarantee take action. We need to spread our analysis arguing for the ‘overthrow of capitalism’. pensions. Already some companies are of capitalism and the role of the State. Many people would probably agree with us getting rid of final salary pension fund Equally important, anarchists need to now. The problem is how to do this; how schemes and generally trying to reduce their build up a presence in workplace struggles to create a different system from the point commitments to paying what they originally and community campaigns. Quoting the where we are at now. committed. Pension funds will also have Anarchist Federation’s industrial strategy: At the moment, we are incredibly bought many of the dodgy securities and “Our task is not to have the ‘correct’ dependent on the system. When there is a workers in workplace pension schemes political position and wait for capitalism crisis, it is the working class who suffers. should be calling for investigations into the to fall, perhaps criticising their ‘mistakes’ Therefore, many people would like to see health of the investments, demanding that along the way. The movement must break the situation going back to what it was. This they do not pay the price of poor investment down the barriers of class society and will only happen if capitalism recovers and decisions. recreate society in its own terms. starts growing again. In other words, the 5. A key problem with the economic “This is the revolution. The development economic well-being of the working class is crisis is that it reveals the extent that we of a widespread ‘culture of resistance’ tied to the well-being of capitalism. This is are dependent on a successful capitalism. amongst working class people is a necessary not a good situation to be in. I would like We are all tied into the system one way or condition for this to take place. This culture to suggest a few ideas of what we could be another. The more financial commitments develops through real experiences of people arguing and doing as anarchists: one has – mortgage, debt, children, or in their everyday lives.” 1. Workers should not get in debt in order simply addiction to consuming – the less to spend. It is not up to us to bail out the likely it is that people will take action. They banking system. There should be calls for don’t want to destroy the system that they people to tear up their credit cards and are dependent on. n This discussion document, first circulated within the Anarchist Federation, is published here as part of the AF’s ongoing work with Black Flag. Views expressed on articles bearing this logo are specifically endorsed by the AF. : afed.org.uk or email [email protected] 22 Analysis: Bakunin’s reputation Give some credit ost anarchists will find Richard tatters. . .” anarchism. Perhaps it could be argued that Dawkins’’ critique of god and Dawkins presents this “just to weaken Pinker was not aware of Barrett and his religion in The God Delusion our confidence”, after arguing that “I dearly analysis, yet the same points can be found (Bantum Press, London, 2006) want to believe that I do not need such in a close reading of the anarchist he does Mboth admirable and timely. However, most surveillance -- and nor, dear reader, do you.” mention, Bakunin. would be surprised that any critique of god [p. 228] Bakunin, like most anarchists did not would fail to mention, never mind discuss, What does this example (and others like have a benign perspective on “human Bakunin’s God and the State. it) mean for anarchism? Surely this shows nature” (if we did then we would not be This anarchist classic explores the logic that governments are needed? Anarchists anarchists as giving power to people would of religion, explaining why it has such a argue that it does not mean much for be unproblematic!). “All men”, he argued, baneful effect on humanity. Most anarchists anarchism. Few anarchists are remotely “possess a natural instinct for power” and would agree Bakunin’s book is essential surprised that in such circumstances that “we realise that power and authority reading for all seeking to understand people take advantage of the lack of police corrupt those who exercise them as much religion. Bakunin is, however, mentioned in and act in anti-social ways. This is because, as those who are compelled to submit to passing and it is worthwhile to explain the regardless of what the teenage Steven Pinker them.” [The Political Philosophy of Bakunin, fallacies associated with it. thought, anarchists do not think that simply p. 248 and p. 249] First, it is essential to note that the removing government will transform the Given this, it seems unlikely Bakunin argument against anarchism is not humans previously subject to it. Rather, we would have concluded that simply removing Dawkins’, but as they are in his book and see anarchy coming from a process of social the police would suddenly transform this would be where most people would see struggle and not being created “over-night” those corrupted by authority into moral it. It is, however, a quite common fallacy, by chance or misfortunate. individuals nor made those who have never and resurfaces with regularity – particularly This issue has been addressed by heard of anarchism into libertarians. He when a government (for whatever reason) anarchists for some time. George Barrett’in was well aware of the effect of environment becomes neutralised. The resulting disorder his excellent Objections to Anarchism on an individual’’s development: is usually labelled “anarchy” and some notes: “Even if you could overthrow the “Everyone carries within himself the point to this as empirical evidence that government to-morrow and establish germs of this lust for power, and every germ. anarchism, the same system would soon . . must develop and grow, if only it finds grow up again. in its environment favourable conditions. “This objection is quite true, except These conditions in human society are the that we do not propose to overthrow the stupidity, ignorance, apathetic indifference, government tomorrow. If I (or we as a group and servile habits of the masses.” [Op. Cit., of anarchists) came to the conclusion that p. 248] I was to be the liberator of humanity, and How the police strike could have if by some means I could manage to blow transformed the “habits of the masses” up the King, the Houses of Lords and is left unexplained by Pinker, nor how it Commons, the police force, and, in a word, could have created appropriate “favourable all persons and institutions which make conditions” to overcome centuries of up the government – if I were successful hierarchical society. This is not to say that in all this, and expected to see the people Bakunin did not think that a free society enjoying freedom ever afterwards as a result, was impossible nor that people could not then, no doubt, I should find myself greatly live without government or police. Thus “to mistaken. make men moral it is necessary to make “The chief results of my action would be their social environment moral”. Bakunin to arouse an immense indignation on the argued that there three things “necessary part of the majority of the people, and a for men to become moral”: “birth under re-organisation by them of all the forces of hygienic conditions”; “a rational and government. integral education accompanied by an “The reason why this method would fail upbringing based upon respect for work, is very easy to understand. It is because the reason, equality, and liberty”; and “a social strength of the government rests not with environment wherein the human individual, Respected: But Richard Dawkins misses itself, but with the people. A great tyrant may enjoying full liberty, will be equal, in fact and the anarchist critique of religion in his work be a fool, and not a superman. His strength by right, to all others.” [Op. Cit., p. 155] lies not in himself, but in the superstition of Need it be stressed that a police strike anarchism is impossible. This is based on the people who think that it is right to obey creates none of these preconditions? a fundamentally mistaken notion of what him. So long as that superstition exists it is How can a police strike create such an anarchism actually argues. useless for some liberator to cut off the head environment, unless you assume that As part of his excellent discussion on of tyranny; the people will create another,. humans are unaffected by hierarchical whether religion makes us good or not, “Suppose, however, that the people social relations -- a position which Bakunin Dawkins quotes [p. 228] “Steven Pinker’s develop, and become strong in their love of would have, rightly, mocked. disillusioning experience of a police strike liberty, and self-reliant, then the foremost What did Bakunin see as the means in Montreal”: of its rebels will overthrow tyranny, and of getting from a bad social environment “As a young teenager in proudly peaceable backed by the general sentiment of their age to a good one if the former ensures the Canada during the romantic 1960s, I was their action will never be undone. impossibility of creating people able to a true believer in Bakunin’s anarchism. “So the anarchist rebel when he strikes live freely? By means of social struggle, I laughed off my parents’ arguments that his blow at governments understands that by which people transform themselves if government ever laid down its arms all he is no liberator with a divine mission by changing the world (which is why hell would break loose. Our competing to free humanity, but he is a part of that anarchists argue for self-liberation). “How predictions were put to the test. . . when humanity struggling onwards towards can this ignorance be dissipated, how can the Montreal police went on strike . . . city liberty. “ [p. 355] these disastrous prejudices be destroyed?” authorities had to call in the army and, of Given this, most anarchists would not asked Bakunin. By “only one way: That course, the Mounties to restore order. This be surprised at the result of the police is complete solidarity in the struggle of decisive empirical test left my politics in strike nor consider it a “empirical test” of workers against the employers”, that is “the Analysis: Bakunin’s reputation 23 where it’s due... Analysis: Iain McKay looks at the weakness in recent complaints about anarchism’s relationship to social reality way of a practical emancipation.” Strikes, (expropriation should be social in nature, in a position where they can do no harm, for example, “awaken in the masses all the otherwise ownership is transferred rather without delegating to anyone the specific social-revolutionary instincts which reside than eliminated). function of persecuting criminals.” [At the deeply in the heart of every worker... but Clearly, then, anarchists would not be Cafe, p. 99, p. 100 and p. 101] which ordinarily are consciously perceived surprised by the example of the Montreal Like Bakunin, Malatesta argued that “all by very few workers, most of whom are police strike. This is because the so-called the bad passions... will not disappear at a weighed down by slavish habits and a “anarchy” was imposed by an outside event stroke. There will still be for a long time general spirit of resignation.” However, rather than created in the process of a those who will feel tempted to impose their “those instincts” are “stimulated by the people fighting for their freedom. will on others with violence, who will wish economic struggle” and anarchist ideas can Moreover, even in those circumstances, to exploit favourable circumstances to “find their way to the minds of the people” anarchists would not be surprised if some create privileges for themselves”, “those and “swiftly proceed toward their full individuals did not take advantage of the who would encroach on personal integrity, actualisation.” [Op. Cit., p. 316 and p. 384] situation to loot, get revenge, and so on (as liberty and the well being of others.” This struggle also creates the structural did happen, for example, immediately after Hence “we will defend ourselves... without framework of a free society: the defeat of the military coup in Barcelona delegating to anyone the special function “The organisation of society through a in July 1936). In addition, it should be of the defence of society” and this, he free federation of workers’ associations noted that anarchists also think that it is sressed, will be “the only effective method.” -- industrial and agricultural as well as unlikely that anti-social behaviour will The fundamental problem, he argued, was scientific, artistic, and literary -- first into totally disappear in a free society -- rather it that “the major damage caused by crime a commune; the federation of communes would just be greatly diminished. is not so much the single and transitory into regions, of regions into nations, and of nations into a fraternal international union.” [Op. Cit., p. 410] Nor did Bakunin (like all anarchists) consider a free society as being perfect after a revolution. He pointed to a “more or less prolonged transition period” and he was well aware that a free society would need to defend itself against those seeking to impose their authority on others (and what is genuine crime but that?). Thus, “in an intelligent, wide-awake society, jealously guarding its liberty and disposed to defend its rights, even the most egoistic and malevolent individuals become good members of society. ” [Op. Cit., p. 412 and p. 249] Anarchists, in other words, do not consider anarchism to need perfect people to work, quite the reverse. All we argue is that, after struggling for freedom, people will, in general, act in better ways than they do in unfree ones -- as would be expected, given in the degrading effects of Chaos: Police demonstrate in New York in 2004. Most anarchists would agree in the present authoritarian social relationships and the climate a lack of police would lead to some looting as society is still highly capitalistic empowering effects of revolt and freedom. If you like, freedom, and the struggle for Given time, it is likely that the police instance of the violation of the rights of a freedom, encourages the better aspects of strike would have resulted in some form of few individuals, but the danger that it will human nature to predominate and flourish community self-defence developing. After serve as an opportunity and pretext for the while guarding against and minimising the all, it would be strange if people did not constitution of an authority that, with the worse aspects. try to stop those seeking to coerce them - outward appearance of defending society It also seems strange that Pinker was - people have been doing so long before the will subdue and oppress it.” [Op. Cit., p. surprised looting took place -- after all, police were created by the state. 131, p. 132 and p. 101] any supporter of “Bakunin’s anarchism” From an anarchist perspective, this is As is the case under the state today, would know that capitalist society is one hardly problematic. As Errico Malatesta where the police impose the wishes of the marked by massive inequalities, with wealth argued, if people impose themselves by ruling elite and defend capitalist property concentrated in the hands of a few. In such force then “they will be the government” rights well, to various degrees (depending circumstances looting (i.e., individual and “we will oppose them with force” for “if on their wealth), defending the rights of all expropriation of wealth) would be expected today we want to make a revolution against within that framework. as people seek to take what they needed but the government, it is not in order to submit Ultimately, the notion that anarchy is could not afford. So, no looting (i.e., a respect ourselves supinely to new oppressors.” condemnatory of free people defending for inequality and capitalist property rights) Anarchists, he continued, “believe that to themselves against those seeking to coerce would be a surprise for anyone familiar with act criminally means to violate the liberty the anarchist critique of capitalism. of others” and so “when there remains a By Iain residue of criminals, the collective directly This is not to suggest that looting is part McKay of the anarchist programme, far from it concerned should think of placing them n 24 Biography: Simone Weil Saluting the Red Virgin Biography: Simone Weil brought a passion for freedom

Simone Weil of place to the culture and solidarity of the militia, the Sebastion Faure Century. Philosopher, Mystic, Anarchist workers founded on their own experiences She rationalised her position thus, “I do 1909 – 1943 as workers”. not love war; but what has always seemed Weil aligned herself with the Paris-based to me most horrible in war is the position ebruary 2009 saw the 100th group around La Revolution Prolétarienne; of those in the rear. When I realised that, try anniversary of the birth of Simone which aimed to protect the working as I would, I could not prevent myself from Weil, philosopher, Jewish-Catholic class movement from the twin dangers of participating morally in that war – in other religious mystic, pacifist, feminist, reformist collaboration with the bourgoisie words, from hoping all day and every day Funion activist and anarchist. Seemingly and submission to the Moscow orientated for the victory of one side and the defeat of socially inept and a-sexual, she was often dictates of the Communist Party. the other – I decided that, for me Paris was dubbed ‘The Red Virgin’. She was however, a While teaching philosophy at a girls’ the rear and I took the train to Barcelona, deeply complex visionary; and an insightful, secondary school in Le Puy between 1931 with the intention of enlisting.” (Mclellan. passionate and dedicated comrade to the and 1934, she was actively involved in local 1990). libertarian communist cause. workers struggles and the general strike However, Weil’s Spanish incursion was Weil was born in Paris on February 3rd of 1933. In an act of solidarity, Weil took short-lived. Following an accident with a 1909 to Alsation refugee, agnostic middle- twelve months out of education to work cooking pot, she received serious burns to class Jewish parents. Weil was a child in factories to experience working class her legs. Some say this was caused by her genius, proficient in both ancient Greek life first-hand. Only ill-health and physical innate clumsiness. This culminated in her and Sanskrit at an early age. She graduated limitations prevented her from doing this being sent to Assisi in Italy to convalesce. in philosophy in 1931. Throughout her further. Throughout this time she was While there she experienced a profound relatively short life, she died aged 34, Weil actively involved in workplace organising religious ecstasy in the same church where suffered from chronic ill-health and co- and agitation. Francis of Assisi is said to have prayed. A ordination problems. In 1934, based upon a series of lectures, year later it happened again. From this point Weil took an early interest in politics, Weil started work on the draft of her classic Weil dedicated her life to matters pertaining to the esoteric and metaphysical. With the start of WW2 and the Nazi When I think that the great invasion of France, Weil and her family Bolshevik leaders proposed were forced to flee Paris, eventually ending to create a free working class up in London by way of Vichy France and New York. Once she settled in London she and that doubtlessly none aligned herself with the socialist elements of them had ever set foot within the French Resistance in Exile. inside a factory, so that they Over the next few years she continued to write prolifically on philosophy, social hadn’t the faintest idea of the issues, psychology, religion, spirituality real conditions which make and mysticism. servitude or freedom for Eventually, after years of ill-health, over-work, self-neglect and absolute the workers – well, politics selflessness, Weil suffered a complete physical collapse. She was diagnosed as Simone Weil appears to me a sinister farce.” “ tubercular in both lungs. Weil refused any kind of special-treatment or adequate diet by the age of 10 she declared herself a critique of orthodox Marxism and state which would have restored her health. She Bolshevik! Throughout her early years she socialism, Oppression and Liberty3; a persisted in continuing her self-imposed maintained an interest in the Communist superb work. chaste and frugal lifestyle in a mis-guided Party but never actually joined. One of her Weil wrote: “I do not think that the act of solidarity with the working class. She biographers, Mclellan (1990)2 wrote: “If workers’ movement in this country will would only eat or receive the treatment that the Communist Party was an impossible become something living again until it she believed the poorest worker in occupied context in which to imagine anyone as seeks, I will not say doctrines, but a source France received. Given the severity of her individualist and naturally rebellious as of inspiraation, in what Marx and Marxism illness this was inadequate. Weil, revolutionary syndicalism, by contrast, have fought against and very foolishly On 24th August 1943 Weil seccumbed would appear as her natural home. despised: in Proudhon, in the workers’ to illness and starvation and died in the “This movement embodied an groups of 1848, in the trade union tradition, Grosvenor Sanitorium, Ashford, Kent. exceptionally strong feeling for the in the anarchist spirit.” On 30th August 1943 she was buried in particular and peculiar nature of the Although this is not strictly a review of a pauper’s grave in Ashford’s Bybrook working class and for its outlook born of Oppression and Liberty, I would like to take Cemetry. For 15 years the grave remained experience as disinherited and exploited. the opportunity to recommend it to readers. unmarked. In 1983 Ashford Borough Its followers preached as complete a break Oppression and Liberty is indispensible Council named a street Simone Weil Avenue as possible from existing society. libertarian communist critique of Marx, in her honour.4 As against social democracy, they had Marxism, Leninism and state socialism. no time for the institutions and practices In 1936, although a self-proclaimed of parliamentary party politics; and as pacifist, Weil went to Spain and joined the By Ade against Marxism-Leninism, they gave pride French-speaking section of the anarchist Dimmick n

References

1. Simone Weil: An Anthology. Edited and Simone Weil. David McLellan. Poseidon Press. 1990. Websites introduced by Sian Miles. Penguin Books. Modern 3. Oppression and Liberty. Simone Weil. Routledge. simoneweil.net/dates.html Classics. 2005. 2006. rivertext.com/weil2.html 2. Utopian Pessimist: The Life and Thought of 4. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simone_Weil hermenaut.com/a47.shtml Radical Reprint: Malatesta 25 Class struggle or class hatred? In 1921 Malatesta was brought to trial with human beings are free and endowed with all 80 others in an attempt to break Italian the means to exercise their freedom, must anarchism. Before a jury in Milan, he was rely mainly on the proletariat. accused of being a mouthpiece for hatred, As today the hoarding of natural resources a slight he was to take exception to both in and capital created by the work of past and court and through the pages of anarchist present generations is the main cause of the newspaper Umanità Nova, in 1921... subjection of the masses and of all social wrongs, it is natural for those who have expressed to the jury in Milan some ideas nothing, and therefore are more directly about class struggle and proletariat that and clearly interested in sharing the means raised criticism and amazement. I better of production, to be the main agents of the come back to those ideas. necessary expropriation. II protested indignantly against the This is why we address our propaganda accusation of inciting to hatred; I explained more particularly to the proletarians, whose that in my propaganda I had always sought conditions of life, on the other hand, make to demonstrate that the social wrongs do it often impossible for them to rise and not depend on the wickedness of one master conceive a superior ideal. or the other, one governor or the other, but However, this is no reason for turning the rather on masters and governments as poor into a fetish just because he is poor; institutions. neither it is a reason for encouraging him Therefore, the remedy does not lie in to believe that he is superior, and that a changing the individual rulers, instead it is condition surely not coming from his merit necessary to demolish the principle itself or his will gives him the right to do wrong to by which men dominate over men; I also the others as the others did wrong to him. explained that I had always stressed that The tyranny of callous hands (which in proletarians are not individually better than practice is still the tyranny of few who no bourgeois, as shown by the fact that a worker longer have callous hands, even if they had behaves like an ordinary bourgeois, and once), would not be less tough and wicked, even worse, when he gets by some accident and would not bear less lasting evils than to a position of wealth and command. the tyranny of gloved hands. Perhaps it Such statements were distorted, would be less enlightened and more brutal: counterfeited, put in a bad light by the that is all. bourgeois press, and the reason is clear. Poverty would not be the horrible The duty of the press paid to defend the thing it is, if it did not produce moral interests of police and sharks, is to hide the brutishness as well as material harm and real nature of anarchism from the public. physical degradation, when prolonged from The press does that by duty, but we have generation to generation. The poor have to acknowledge that they often do it in good different faults than those produced in the faith, out of pure and simple ignorance. privileged classes by wealth and power, but Since journalism, which once was a calling, not better ones. decayed into mere job and business, If the bourgeoisie produces the likes journalists have lost not only their ethical of Giolitti and Graziani and all the long sense, but also the intellectual honesty of succession of mankind’s torturers, from refraining from talking about what they do the great conquerors to the avid and not know. bloodsucking petty bosses, it also produces Let us forget about hack writers, then, the likes of Cafiero, Reclus and Kropotkin, and let us talk about those who differ from and the many people that in any epoch us in their ideas, and often only in their way sacrificed their class privileges to an ideal. of expressing ideas, but still remain our If the proletariat gave and gives so many friends, because they sincerely aim at the heroes and martyrs of the cause of human same goal we aim at. redemption, it also gives off the white Amazement is completely unmotivated in guards, the slaughterers, the traitors of their these people, so much so that I would tend own brothers, without which the bourgeois to think it is affected. They cannot ignore tyranny could not last a single day. that I have been saying and writing those How can hatred be raised to a principle of things for fifty years, and that the same justice, to an enlightened spirit of demand, things have been said by hundreds and when it is clear that evil is everywhere, and thousands of anarchists, at my same time it depends upon causes that go beyond and before me. individual will and responsibility? Let us rather talk about the dissent. Let there be as much class struggle as There are the “worker-minded” people, one wishes, if by class struggle one means who consider having callous hands as the struggle of the exploited against the being divinely imbued with all merits and exploiters for the abolition of exploitation. all virtues; they protest if you dare talking That struggle is a way of moral and material about people and mankind, failing to swear elevation, and it is the main revolutionary on the sacred name of proletariat. force that can be relied on. Now, it is a truth that history has made the proletariat the main instrument of the By Errico Malatesta next social change, and that those fighting (Umanita Nova) for the establishment of a society where all n Author: Malatesta in London 26 History: Bloody Friday Glasgow’s bloody

ike all the events in political struggle it November 1915 with a massive demonstration 10,000 members of the ASE from eight is difficult to trace the thread back to and march of thousands through the city separate engineering works were on strike what brought it to this stage, Bloody streets and on to the Glasgow Sheriff’s Court. throughout Clydeside. The officials from the Friday 1919 is no different. This was The size of the demonstration caused the ASE denounced the strike. It was this double Lnot just an attack on a large demonstration Sheriff at the court to phone the Prime pressure from the government and their own in Glasgow, it was the culmination of a series Minister of the day, this resulted in the trade union that drove the workers from the of radical events in Glasgow and the Clydeside immediate implementation of the “1915 Rent various engineering works in Glasgow to form area where the state showed its brutality. Restriction Act” which benefited tenants the LWC to give the workers a voice. Perhaps we could even take it back to the 18th across the country. Although the strikers demands were not century and the radicals like Thomas Muir and met, its importance is in the fact of it forming others. However we can certainly take it back The Labour Withholding Committee. the LWC. A committee formed from rank and to the rent strikes of the first world war, the file union members that determined policy forming of the Labour Withholding Committee, This happened in a time of war, so it was in the work place and refused to follow the (LWC) The Clyde Workers’ Committee (CWC) obvious that by 1915 Glasgow and Clydeside directives from union officials. and the political climate of that period. had a very large class oriented militant The government, alarmed by the February grassroots movement and had forced the 1915 strike, summoned trade union leaders The rent strike Government on this occasion to act in their to a special conference. The result of this favour. conference being the now notorious Treasury In pre First World War Glasgow there were a The rent strike was mainly a women’s Agreement. All independent union rights large number of empty houses. By the year organisation but the men were proving to be and condition, including the right to strike, 1915 all were occupied by incoming workers just as militant in the workplaces. Around the were abandoned for the duration of the war. to the munitions and allied war industry same time in 1915 during a prolonged period It also allowed the employers to “dilute” trades. of considerable economic hardship for most labour, meaning they could employ unskilled A shortage of workers and materials saw industrial workers, Clydeside engineering labour in skilled jobs to compensate for the growing labour shortage. The Munitions Act also made strikes illegal and restrictions of output a criminal offence. October 1915 saw one such tribunal, the outcome of which was that three shipwrights from Fairfield Shipyard on the Clyde were sentenced to one month’s imprisonment for their refusal to pay a fine imposed because of their strike action in support of two sacked workers. The imprisonment of the three shipwrights prompted the official union representatives to call for a public enquiry. However, the LWC, which had reformed after the February 1915 strike, were seeking immediate strike action. A rather shakey and uneasy peace remained while official union leaders and the rank and file LWC waited for the government’s response. With the lack of any response from the government, the LWC decided, with the full backing of the workers, to issue an ultimatum to the government; If the shipwrights were not released within three days there would be widespread industrial action throughout Speakers: ILP activists and militants Emmanuel Shinwell and Hopkins at the rally Clydeside until their release. Three days after the LWC ultimatum a lack of maintenance and the housing stock employers refused workers’ demands for a the shipwrights were released. It was later deteriorate rapidly. At the beginning of the war wage increase. The insatiable demand for war discovered the imprisoned men’s fines had the landlords tried to implement large rent munitions had lead to a rapid rise in inflation been paid. The general feeling among the increases, at the receiving end of this were and a savage attack on the living standards of LWC and others was that the fines had been 7,000 pensioners and families whose men the working class. paid by ASE officials in an attempt to prevent were fighting in France. This brought about Workers were demanding wage increases widespread industrial action on Clydeside the formation of the “Glasgow Women’s to offset these repressive conditions. At this over which they could exercise little control. Housing Association” and many other local time Weir’s of Cathcart was paying workers This victory lead to the LWC deciding to “Women’s Housing Associations” to resist brought over from their American plant, 6/- form a permanent committee to resist the the increases. shillings a week more than workers in their Munitions Act. It was to be called the Clyde A variety of peaceful activities were used to Glasgow plant. Workers Committee, (CWC) and organised on prevent evictions and drive out the Sheriff’s The dispute between workers and management the same democratic principles as the LWC. It officers. There were constant meetings in an at Weir’s rapidly escalated into strike action. The would have 250-300 delegates elected directly attempt to be one step ahead of the Sheriff’s strike was organised by a strike committee from the workplace, it would meet weekly. officers. named the Labour Withholding Committee This was a seismic sift in the employee/ Women would cram into closes and stairs (LWC). This committee comprised of rank management working relationship on to prevent the entry of the Sheriff’s officers and file trade union members and shop Clydeside. Up until then shop stewards in the and so prevent them from carrying out their stewards. It was they who remained in control industry merely existed as card inspectors evictions. They used little paper bags of flour, of the strike rather than the officials from the and implementers of national and district peasmeal and whiting as missiles directed at Amalgamated Society of Engineers (ASE). committees policies. However, after the the bowler-hatted officers. The strike started in February 1915 and forming of the CWC in 1915, increasingly These activities culminated on the 17th of lasted almost three weeks. At its peak it was the workers through the CWC that History: Bloody Friday 27 Friday, 31.01.1919 History: How Clydeside fought to the bitter end controlled the policy on the shop floor. hours to 40 in order that discharged soldiers The strike and the events of January 31 1919 could be found employment, and to stop the “Bloody Friday” raised the Government’s Arrest and deportation re-emergence of a pool of unemployment, concerns about industrial militancy and thereby maintaining the strength of the revolutionary political activity in Glasgow. Between January and March 1916 the Dilution workers against capital. The CWC had Considerable fears within government of a Commission met little or no opposition widespread support amongst workers and workers’ revolution in Glasgow led to the from workers and trade unions elsewhere other important trade union bodies within deployment of troops and tanks in the city. on Clydeside. During this period however, the Clydeside area for their demands for a An estimated 10,000 English troops and minimal progress was made in the Clydeside 40-hour working week tanks were sent to Glasgow in the immediate engineering industry. At the start of the strike Clydeside employers aftermath of Bloody Friday. Soldiers with A management decision at Beardmore’s were unconcerned. Both the government fixed bayonets marched with tanks through engineering works Parkhead Glasgow, to and trade union officials were also initially the streets of the City. There were soldiers refuse shop stewards access to new “dilutees” unconcerned, feeling that without official patrolling the streets and machine guns on brought about strike action in March 1916. In support the strike would quickly fade. the roofs in George Square. the following four days workers at three other These views changed drastically just four No Scottish troops were deployed, with the munitions factories came out in sympathy days in. By 30 January 1919 40,000 workers in government fearing fellow Scots, soldiers or with the Beardmore strikers. These events on the engineering and shipbuilding industries otherwise, would go over to the workers. It was Clydeside worried the government and the in Clydeside were out on strike. Electricity the British state’s largest military mobilisation Dilution committee who were afraid that supply workers in Glasgow had come out in against its own people and showed they were the actions of the syndicalist-inspired CWC sympathy, plus the strike was joined by 36,000 quite prepared to shed workers’’ blood in would impede munitions production and miners in the Lanarkshire and Stirlingshire protecting the establishment. possibly spread. coalfields. It was stated that during the first On order of the government on March week of the strike not a single trade in the 24 1916, the military authorities arrested Clydeside area was left unaffected by strike and deported Kirkwood, Haggerty, Shields, action. The rapid spread of the strike was Wainright and Faulds, the Beardmore shop attributed to the large-scale deployment of stewards. On the same day they arrested and flying pickets by the CWC, largely made up of deported McManus and Messer two shop discharged servicemen. stewards from Weir’s of Cathcart, one of the factories that came out on strike in Sympathy The demonstration: Bloody Friday with the Beardmore strikers. On March 29 the military authorities again On Friday 31 January 1919 upwards of 60,000 swooped and arrested and deported Glass, demonstrators gathered in George Square Bridges and Kennedy, three more shop Glasgow in support of the 40-hours strike stewards from Weir’s. The shop stewards and to hear the Lord Provost’s reply to the were sent to Edinburgh where they had workers’ request for a 40-hour week. Whilst to report to the police three times daily. the deputation was in the building the police These restrictions were kept in place until mounted a vicious and unprovoked attack 14 June 1917. These deportations broke the on the demonstrators, felling unarmed men resistance to the implementation of “dilution” and women with their batons. in the Clydeside engineering industry, it also The demonstrators, including large realised the government’s aim in bring about numbers of ex-servicemen, retaliated with the demise of the CWCduring the war. whatever was available, fists, iron railings and broken bottles, and forced the police The forty hour week to retreat. On hearing the noise from the square the strike leaders, who were Following the end of the war there was a meeting with the Lord Provost, rushed Injured: Clyde Workers’ Committee fear of mass unemployment due to the outside in an attempt to restore order. One leader Davie Kirkwood lies on the demobilisation of the troops and the demise of the leaders, David Kirkwood, was felled ground after a police attack of the munitions factories. The common to the ground by a police baton, and along view held by the majority of workers in with William Gallacher was arrested. On 10 February 1919 the 40-hours strike shipbuilding, engineering and mining was After the initial confrontation between the was called off by the Joint Strike Committee. that a drastic cut in the number of hours in demonstrators and the police in George Square, Whilst not achieving their stated aim of a 40- the working week, with the same war time further fighting continued in and around the hour working week, the striking workers from pay levels, was the only solution. city centre streets for many hours afterwards. the engineering and shipbuilding industries On January 1919 the CWC held a meeting The Townhead area of the city and Glasgow did return to work having at least negotiated of its shop stewards from shipbuilding and Green, where many of the demonstrators an agreement that guaranteed them a 47-hour engineering, from this meeting the “Forty had regrouped after the initial police charge, working week; 10 hours less than prior to the Hour” movement was born, and the decision were the scenes of running battles between strike. was taken to go with the miners in their police and demonstrators. demand for a reduction to the weekly hours In the immediate aftermath of ‘Bloody : gdl.cdlr.strath.ac.uk/redclyde/index.htm to help absorb the increase to the workforce Friday’, as it became known, other leaders of :gcal.ac.uk/radicalglasgow/ and the reducing number of jobs. the Clyde Workers’ Committee were arrested, radicalglasgow.me.uk/glasgowpedia/ In terms of both its tactics and its demands including Emanuel Shinwell, Harry Hopkins wiki/index.php/main_page the January 1919, 40 Hours Strike led by the and George Edbury. CWC was the most radical strike seen to that By John date on Clydeside The objectives of the strike Troops were to secure a reduction of weekly working Couzin n 28 Interview: Mark Leir Bakunin for the Interview: Iain McKay talks to Mark Leir about his new biography, Bakunin: The Creative Passion

ark Leier is a Canadian historian back to the English language works on an activist, one of his strengths was his of working class history and Bakunin, such as Carr’s book and Mendel’s optimism, optimism not so much about the the director of the Centre for and Berlin’s articles, it was obvious that possibility of success so much as optimism Labour Studies at Simon Fraser there was no comprehensive book, aimed about the necessity for radical analysis and MUniversity. An anarchist, he has written at a more general audience, that treated action. on extensively on British Columbia’s rich Bakunin seriously as an activist and a At the same time, it is often the case history of labour radicalism. thinker. So I decided to try to do that. that refusing to appreciate incremental His fourth book, Bakunin: The Creative I didn’t set out to write the biography of change can be immoral. Let me give you an Passion (Thomas Dunne Books, 2006), is an Bakunin or the most comprehensive example. Many anarchists refuse to vote, for excellent biography of one of the founders biography; I tried to write a biography many very good reasons. At the same time, of anarchism. We thought it would good to that used some primary research and that voting for a slightly more progressive party ask him why Bakunin would be of interest built on the splendid academic work on may mean real benefits for people. Even if to 21st century activists. Bakunin that was not easily accessible to a that benefit is only, say, $50 a month more non-academic audience. for someone on welfare, that $50 is crucial Why write a biography of Bakunin? for some people. And so it may be that some practical politics should also inform I first started thinking about a biography What does Bakunin offer radicals today? anarchist ideas about what to do now. of Bakunin in the aftermath of some of the First, he offers some hope, hope in the Of course I am simplifying the question anti-globalization and anti-WTO protests, importance of struggle. This was an activist and I would not presume to tell anarchists such as the “Battle in Seattle” and the who fought on the losing side all of his life, what should be done, but I offer this as an terrible police brutality in Genoa that yet did not lose his passionate hope, his example where a straightforward argument resulted in the death of Carlo Giuliani. understanding, that the struggle itself was on refusing to vote may not be as principled The anarchist presence at these protests meaningful, for without it, the world would as it first seems. had the media and “terrorism experts” certainly get worse. While some seem him As a thinker, one of his great strengths scrambling to explain what was going on. as a quixotic figure, I see him as one who was his ability to write passionate, inspiring Of course they were trying to explain realistically assessed the opportunities for prose. At the same time, he could be a little away anarchism, not to understand, and success and failure and decided to fight for imprecise in his analysis. I have tried to they relied on parodies of anarchism. When an ideal even when he thought there was appreciate Bakunin’s strengths rather than they tried to do historical analysis, they no immediate chance of victory. harp on the weaknesses. always took it back to Bakunin, painting Second, he offers a clear appraisal of him as the father of propaganda by the deed, what the radicals’ targets should be. After which they always interpreted as blind all, capitalism and the state have not Why do you think his ideas violence and terror. changed much since his time; Bakunin are not more accepted? That worsened would recognize much in the 21st century. I think his ideas are not more accepted after the 9/11 He wrote powerful critiques of capital and precisely because he was right. If patriotism d e s t r u c t i o n the state that still serve as useful starting is the last refuge of the scoundrel, of the points for understanding the world, and he pragmatism is the first refuge of the World Trade did so in accessible, evocative language. scoundrel. Bakunin always shines a critical Towers. Third, while there is a tendency to light on the compromisers and those who My first draw a dividing line between “classical insist that we have to settle for less. Now, as reaction was anarchism” and contemporary anarchism I suggested above, sometimes compromise to blame the and post-anarchism, a careful reading is all you can do, and a little may be better journalists of Bakunin suggests that the “classical than nothing, but Bakunin’s insistence that and pundits, anarchists” wrestled with many of the we must always strive for more, even when but when same problems of goals, strategy, and we compromise, is a stinging rebuke to I went tactics that anarchists face today. those who say, “this far, but no further.” Bakunin rejected the idealist thought of his day to become a Q. There are lots of distortions and materialist and a realist, and I believe materialism and realism misrepresentations attached to Bakunin. offer a stronger foundation What do you think are the worse? for criticism than idealism As you suggest, this would be a long list. and some variants of post- Among the worst – the belief that he modernism. believed in terror for the sake of terror. His arguments about violence were much What were Bakunin’s more sophisticated and complicated than strengths and that, but they have been reduced to absurd weaknesses? notions by his critics and sometimes by his supporters. Like most of us, His arguments about bandits as a his strengths and revolutionary force have often been weaknesses often misinterpreted – the social bandits of Russia stemmed from the that he talked about were very different from, same source. As say, motorcycle gangs or criminal gangs. Interview: Mark Leir 29 21st century Not every outlaw is an anarchist – some For Bakunin, that understanding that more closely resemble fascists, whatever ideas do not exist in some pure form understanding we have for the fact that but come out of real, lived experience, social forces created them. Bakunin’s anti- opportunity, and constraints was crucial. Semitism has been greatly misunderstood. For good or ill, Bakunin was a sophisticated At virtually every talk I’ve given on Bakunin, intellectual, aware of contemporary trends I’m asked about it. Where it exists, it is and thought. Proudhon was not, and so repellent, but it takes up about five pages was less of an intellectual influence on of the thousands of pages he wrote, was Bakunin. But anarchism is not just an written in the heat of his battles with Marx, intellectual position; it is also an ethical one where Bakunin was slandered viciously, and and a moral one. In that sense, Proudhon’s needs to be understood in the context of the anarchism, what Bakunin thought of as his 19th century. “instinctual” understanding of anarchism, was important. How central were secret societies in his thought? How instrumental was Bakunin in In my opinion, the secret societies have creating modern anarchism? been greatly exaggerated. In some cases, Anarchism in particular would seem to be they didn’t exist beyond Bakunin and a a movement in which it would be a mistake few friends, and so functioned like affinity to attribute the creation or founding of groups, not revolutionary cells; in other a movement to a single person. But I cases, they had good reason for being think anarchism is not just living without secret, for open groups were an invitation authority; it is also a political theory, a set for arrest and imprisonment. – or sets, sometimes in conflict! – of ideas. The important point is that as an In tracing the evolution of ideas, historians anarchist, Bakunin did not believe in secret, are often limited to those who left records, conspiratorial coups but in open action and either their own written work, works written propaganda. The idea that he believed the about them, records of organisations, and social revolution would be accomplished by the like. That is unfair, but it is the way the small sects is simply wrong. past works. So Bakunin’s influence, his “credit” for creating modern anarchism, How were the early documents is in large part due to his prominence as a created for these groups? writer and activist. He was very effective as a writer and famous – infamous, perhaps, as It varies – some pretty clearly seem to be an activist, and a powerful and inspirational Bakunin’s own work, while others are thinker. clearly more collective statements. He It is unfair to say he created modern wrote incessantly, and re-wrote incessantly, anarchism, but he did much to make it not to say obsessively, working and re- intelligible and accessible, and in that working the material over time, and he sense, deserves some credit. clearly incorporated the ideas of others as he went. He didn’t live in a closet or an ivory tower, and his ideas evolved as he worked Is his reputation an example of radicals with other people. subscribing (unknowingly) to a “great men” perspective on history? Can nineteenth century be drawn upon Few of us would deny that some people to find new solutions to new problems? are inspirational, or have articulated our I think that if Bakunin were dropped into our thoughts more carefully than we have, or society today, he would be impressed with have taken on roles that we admire. In that the technological progress but dismayed sense, I have no quarrel with “great person by the lack of social and political progress. history.” Many of the same problems that existed in But the more usual meaning is to insist his day are still here today, and in many that history is only made by “great men ways, we have declined, not progressed. The and women of power,” of kings and queens tsar’s prisons, for example, were regarded and magnates. That is a reactionary notion as the worst in Europe, but in many ways, of history that serves power, not people. the treatment of prisoners such as Bakunin No one would cast Bakunin as that sort of was better than that found in US prisons “great man.” today. Many people know Bakunin’s aphorism about authority – how he would absolutely acknowledge the authority of the bookmaker What is the relationship of Bakunin on questions involving boots. But even then, to Proudhon’s anarchism? Bakunin insisted he would not bow down to Bakunin was undoubtedly influenced by that authority and would not do whatever Growing: Bakunin poses for a Proudhon’s sense of justice and liberty, the bookmaker recommended. photograph at the height of his and by his personality, but intellectually, So too with Bakunin: we can choose to popularity and, left, as a young man the influence was rather limited. Bakunin listen to him and acknowledge his work as believed that Proudhon had not made the an anarchist thinker and activist without intellectual breakthrough to a materialist conceding for a moment that we must bow understanding of the world. to him as the authority on anarchism. 44 30 Interview: Mark Leir

Having said that, I do think that there have always risen, declined, and risen again has not been adequately explored, at is much of interest and utility in his in new forms to meet new conditions. least not in North America; the ways in work, though others may disagree. And Clearly the world can not continue as it which anarchism has sometimes retreated few anarchists have ever treated Bakunin has; the old choice, socialism or barbarism, to academia, but remained influential as an authority the way some Marxists still faces us. nonetheless is important to unearth; the have consulted Marx for everything from Here I am using socialism in the old writers and activists who have pushed that understanding history to fixing their sense, not as state socialism, Bolshevism, synthesis of Marx and Bakunin need to be faucets. and the like. explored. And no group can build socialism – Here I’m thinking of people such as Do you think that a merger of anarchism – other than the working class. Paul Mattick, who never called himself an Bakunin and Marx is possible? Whether it will or not is the question. anarchist but was as anti-authoritarian and anti-vanguard as Bakunin, and Erich In some ways, that synthesis has always Was Bakunin’s anarchism heavily Fromme as just a few examples. And I am been there. Alvin Gouldner called Bakunin linked with revolutionary unionism? sure there are many, many other areas that the first “post-Marxist,” meaning someone need exploration. who built on Marx’s insights and focused Yes, Bakunin, or the ideas that he But the third answer, and really, these are on questions that Marx had not thought represented, were hugely influential in observations and suggestions, not answers, much about or was mistaken about, such building revolutionary unionism. In some is for anarchists to write about every aspect as the nature of the state, the problems of ways, the IWW represented that synthesis of history from an anarchist perspective. vanguardism, and the ambiguous role of between Bakunin and Marx we talked about That is, there is no reason why anarchist the “revolutionary intellectuals” and their earlier. history should only study anarchism. It relationship to radical and working class As for today’s union activists, that radical could study governments and capitalism movements. vision and tradition can be hugely inspiring; and war and every other historical topic Of course much of Marx’s insight was the attempt to grapple with big ideas is from an anarchist perspective. That would his own ability to synthesize ideas from essential; the insistence on organizing from be exciting work. different fields, from philosophy, socialist the periphery to the centre, not from the theory, and political economy, and Bakunin centre out, is fundamental. Richard Dawkins has provoked a lot was in substantial agreement with Marx on of responses with The God Delusion, many issues. Your book Red Flags and Red Tape would Bakunin have approved? On some issues where they disagreed, looks at labour movements becoming they misunderstood each other and in fact institutionalised. Would this affect Bakunin would likely have approved of Dawkins’s atheism, but I suspect he would even a revolutionary union? think Dawkins’s particular critique was a I suspect any group of two or more people little naive. While Bakunin was a ferocious starts running into problems of power and atheist, he understood the appeal of religion authority and decision-making! But you’re to the oppressed. right, the question is the institutionalisation If you want to “cure” religion, he insisted, of power. One of the things you had to remove poverty and oppression. I argue in Red Flags and Red Tape is that If religion were not a social institution, people with some power – and the power of a social power, but a matter of individual these early labour bureaucrats was limited belief, then it wouldn’t much matter what – often make the wrong decision for the people believed, for it would not intrude on right reasons. their lives. That is, they were trying to build working At the same time, they would soon realise class militancy, trying to move workers that if they wanted things to change, they to resistance, trying to create a labor could make those changes without appeal newspaper, trying to form new organisations to a non-existent power. – all worthy aims. If they wanted to understand the world, But precisely because they were not knowledge would be available to them and immediately accountable, they made their while they could continue to believe in decisions in a vacuum, without input anything they wanted, when they wanted to and consensus from union members. work in the world, they would understand That separated them from the members that science – real knowledge of whatever and created a bureaucracy: rule by office field – differs from religion in that it has to holders. deliver or it gets discarded. The other thing I argue is that a union Take away its social power, and religion can be militant and revolutionary without is no longer an issue. Blaming people for being democratic; alternatively, though seeking some small solace isn’t helpful. Biographer: Mark Leir hopes his book rare, a union could be conservative and will reopen the issue of Bakunin’s legacy democratic. Bakunin had a pretty eventful life. So the dangers of bureaucracy are always Would his biography make a good film? were more similar than they allowed; on there. The way to avoid is to ensure that other issues, their personalities and dislike institutions that let officials make important I often thought it would be a great film, or, for each other clouded the controversies. decisions by themselves are not created in at least, one I’d like to see. But Spielberg But I think it is fair to say that Marxism the first place. and Scorcese haven’t returned my calls. becomes more palatable and inspiring Robbie Coltrane would be my choice to play the more it approaches anarchism, while What areas of working class and Bakunin, and he already has the beard from the Harry Potter series. anarchism becomes more powerful as a anarchist history need investigating? way to view to world critically the closer it Marx is a little trickier; but someone with approaches the best Marxist traditions. I have three answers here. The first is the intensity of Robert De Niro could pull that there has been an explosion of work it off, though that particular casting does Do you think revolutionary unionism in working class and anarchist history in boggle the mind. recent years. Personally, I’d love to see Jack Nicholson can grow in influence again? A lot of it has been published by university pull one of his famous hissy fits with a If we change the question a little, to ask, and academic presses, and that is great, but faceful of yak hair glued on as he kicked will revolutionary workers’ movements grow we also need people to make that work more and shouted about Bakunin’s ideas on the in influence again, I think the answer is, if accessible and to synthesize it. Second, commune... they do not, we are in grave danger. there are huge areas of working class and I doubt they will take the very same form anarchist history that need investigating. By Iain they did in the past, but workers’ movements The “ethnic” press of these movements McKay n Review: Live working or die fighting 31 Review: Journalist’s history is interesting, but flawed

Living working or die fighting – how the by the ambitions of Chiang and his war The later details of the two year crisis working class went global lords/landlord reactionaries. It must be said are again fairly well known: deserted by the Paul Mason that many had been previously integrated official trade union and Labour leadership, Publisher: Vintage into the nationalist movement. and also the sectarian marxists, the workers ISBN: 978-0099492887 The emergent Russian state capitalism fought vigorously in their own interests. Paperback 304pp under Lenin, then Stalin, were also victims Eventually the ruling class tactic of calling of the military Right but lived to fight another in the fascists proved successful, as it was Contrary to the publicity, this is not a book day with Mao Zedong’s peasant army. The also to be in Spain, Germany, etc. The model of explanations – more a series of accounts massacres and betrayals are horrifying! of the socialist group, working with workers of insurrectionary activity collected from [Dirlik] You will only get the bare bones of councils, remains an example for the future. the last 200 years. this from Mason but take my word the story Situations rarely repeat themselves but The author, a television journalist known of the Chinese anarchism is fascinating, the example of the NO group is well worth of the left ( he featured as a speaker at last with all its pluses and minuses. copying – thoroughly recommended. [Levy] year’s anarchist Projectile film festival), has Nearer home but from the same period, carried out a lot of research from a wide the two red years in Italy of 1918–20 General criticism range of periods and countries. are the subject of a good deal of myth He presents them as a series of stories and speculation. Thanks however to a Coming now to a different scene and a point and links them together over the years to conscientious and imaginative old style of criticism which can serve as a general justify the subtitle about the working class communist, the real story behind the mass one for much of the book. This concerns globalisation. The result is a unique volume insurrections is already the astonishing resilience of the French silk of chapters or sections which follow on workers against the overwhelming power of one another to provide an impressive the advancing mechanisation of capitalism. sequence of an introduction to socialism Chapter two examines the Lyon in action. Nothing looked at in full, but a insurrections in the years after 1830 and broad brush picture is painted, well worth again reads like a well-informed journalist’s your time and effort. Further reading report. We read of Jean-Claude Romand, suggestions on some of the topics raised Joseph Benoit and the rest, ranged against are listed at the end of this review. the 400 silk manufacturers; rationalisations and a cut in tariffs are on the agenda, and The new approach the textile community took three significant steps. They set up a Workers’ Commission, joined the National Guard and established What is new with this publication is not the first workers’ newspaper in history. the academic research – much of his Mason describes the events, and the slogan information comes from existing books, “Live working or die fighting” which are albeit it in several languages – but the re– quite inspirational. writing of the stories into small readable However the implications of the struggle chapters. Much of the subject matter will are not examined. These momentous be familiar to experienced readers, like happenings were of extraordinary the Paris Commune and London dockers’ significance for the workers’ movement. strike of 1889 but some is relatively new to To discover this we need to turn to the this reviewer at least. works of Daniel Guerin. His interesting This includes important details of the little book which attempts a form of General Union of Jewish Workers or the unity between the conflicting ideas of Bund and its communities in East Europe libertarianism and marxism, both of after the turn of the century. The vibrant which he had experience, summarises Jewish mini world was erected in the old the conclusions subsequently listed by Poland area in general but in particular Proudhon, based initially on the Lyon in the town of Brzeziny. Destroyed by the events. Nazis with the loss of thousands of lives, it Its essential features were an overall was painstakingly resurrected afterwards association of labour and: into a unique narrative. This section ends known, though similarly neglected. n every associated individual to have an with the desperate fight back in Warsaw. The cast is much the same – a militant indivisible share in the enterprise, working class, a strong anarcho syndicalist Two other studies in particular are n each worker to take his share of heavy, movement, emerging “communism” and a outstanding. The nationalist revolt of dirty, or dangerous work, in the workplace worried ruling class willing to call in the Sun Yet Sen in colonial China from 1911 and /or society, military forces for oppression, in this case until the repression by Chiang Kai-shek’s n each to be trained for, and to do, all the in the form of the fascists. Guomindang, or KMT, in 1927 is virtually operations of the workplace or industry, The difference here is the existence of a forgotten. n remuneration to be proportional to skill group of socialists who, having learnt the and responsibility of the job, Getting information requires much sorting, lesson from Britain and Germany, were ferreting out, reading obscure published n profits to be shared in proportion determined to try to influence the workers’ n sources until the hidden histories are each to be free to set his own hours, work councils and push them towards the as defined and leave the association at will, revealed. Behind the familiar tale of national collective society. Antonio Gramsci and his n management and technicians to be liberation degenerating into totalitarianism, New Order journal, openly critical of the two elected, and work regulations to be subject there is the story of a very strong anarchist prior experiences in the war combatants, movement, largely unknown due to general were astonishingly effective in generalising, and academic neglect. collectivising and organising the shop The powerful libertarians were crushed in stewards councils in north industrial Italy the treacherous killings in the cities 1927 into a force for socialism. 44 32 Review: Paul Mason to collective approval, propagate the value of capitalism. This set Attempts to encompass all three areas n office holders to be elected. of ideas has aided the transformation of a of activity have been very few indeed, we Most of the ideas of industrial and political largely agricultural and fractured world into comment on these below. Hence the first liberation can be implied from the demands, a predominantly industrial one. question asked of a new publication is – is though Proudhon’s strong opposition to But many have the definite opinion that this libertarian, marxist or a modest reform strikes – the most likely means of achieving private ownership, the automatic priority of capitalism, that is being advocated? these – was just one of many contradictions of wealth, the inevitable competition that Some readers will retain a faith in the in his theories. results in disastrous wars, discrimination, disinterestedness of academic writers. For the ongoing success of the struggle hierarchy and privilege has run its course. Many Libertarians, believe that in reality against capitalism, not only must there A change is due, with Karl Marx being the and to put the issue crudely, academics still be fightbacks and victories but these most consistence critic from 1840. pursue the interests of those that pay them must become public knowledge. Only by Marxism is a theory about a new society – capitalists. This is too large a subject to a process such as Proudhon organised coming from the action of political pursue here but doubters should consult and Guerin has publicised, can this be representatives, using popular discontent Noam Chomsky’s Objectivity and Liberal done and the limitation of the journalistic as their justification. It reduces political Scholarship. approach in the generalisation procedure activity to theories of planned action, often The major point of this is a summary of be recognised. This criticism applies to the grossly inadequate, but has been the centre the real events in the Spanish Revolution Mason project overall. of resistance for more than a century. 1936-39, which Mason contrasts in exact It proposes a replacement structure or detail with the book of a leading liberal What’s in it State, which then progresses onto the final American writer. His criticism is a thorough objective, “communism”. demolition job, not just on political grounds It is a sad fact that what you read in books New worlds like Russia, etc, have been because he says he respects the author’s is generally not the truth, the whole truth based on this hope. liberal principles(?) but on the academic and nothing but the truth. Writers are for An alternative theory was proposed most grounds of unsubstantiated statements, practical reasons in any case required to eloquently by Mikhail Bakunin. His point neglect of the evidence, selection of facts, select their material and they do this from was that Marx’s replacement regime was avoidance of awkward events and such like. what they consider is important. almost certain to erect a new dictatorship It should also be noted Chomsky’s own Going right back to pre-history, both the and that real change would only come from references are to such hostile writers as spoken and written word has been used for citizens ignoring the political perspectives Leon Trotsky, that he also uses Pierre a variety of purposes but the main one has and taking over first workplaces, then Broue’s highly recommended book, despite been to advance self interest, or specifically society, by themselves – with no mediating that author’s well known Leninism. In summary, he uses a methodology which cleverly exemplifies the subject of the text. We can conclude that this academic bias is the rule rather than the exception. Of course, not all documents can be categorised in this way and a minority are more reliable. Finding such authors before their books are relegated to be “out of print” or they are promoted, integrated, bought off or otherwise subverted, is the trick and it is not always apparent how to do it. Some independent writers whatever their background, especially from groups like Solidarity for workers power, Chris Pallis, etc, need to be sought out and their books acquired for present or future use. For now we can say that, as an absolute minimum, if other writers want to continue with their partisan approach they should be open about their views and opinions in both academic and other aspects, even regarding so called “neutral” documents. This is probably impossible in the present world, it must be admitted.

Making choices

So back to the case in point. We can recap on the chronological details of the content: 1819 the Peterloo massacre, Manchester, England. From 1830 Lyons and the south of France textile workers’ struggles. Recent rebellion: The workers at an occupied factory in Argentina celebrate success From 1830 the Paris Commune. 1871 – unskilled workers USA. the wealth of leaders or kings. Some have group. Post 1860 USA Fight for the eight hour day, given social explanations, or supernatural Libertarians believe that Bakunin’s ideas and May Day, ones, often relating to “ the gods “ and so are at least as important as Marx’s and 1886 – the Dockers’ tanner-an-hour strike, on, and the careful citizen has been wise to point triumphantly at the massive Russian London. examine the evidence as best as he or she revolution and its degeneration into the 1889-1895 Jewish struggles for can. We have to do likewise here. farce of state capitalism. organisation in Eastern Europe. These two ideas have been in conflict with 1905 German workers’ movement against Conflict each other, and with the more modest sets the totalitarian government. of ideas which accept capitalist reforms, for 1911-27 Shanghai workers in the In modern society, there are conflicting decades. Within the world of opposition, nationalist revolution. schools of thought that seek to explain the most activity involves the propagation of the 1918-20 Turin and the Italian workers’ world. The motive is basically the same – alternative viewpoints and “chauvinism “ factory occupations. self interest – and that is especially true of for the respective corners dominates much 1934-9 French workers and the popular the main set of ideas which evolve from and space and time. front struggles. Review: Paul Mason 33

1933-40 The workers’ industrial insurrections in US car factories. Mason links these to the current struggles Factfile: Further reading on this topic in: 2001 the Argentinean factory occupations. 2003 Shenzen factory workers, Canton. n Bookchin, Murray: The Third Revolution 294pp and 276pp] in English at last, an 2006 the Nigerian slum uprisings. – popular movements in the revolutionary extremely useful resource. ; 2005 Basra oil workers strikes and Delhi era, four volumes [one 1996, 406pp ; two n Levy, Carl: Gramsci and the Anarchists silk workers fighting for their jobs. 1998, 351 pp ; three 2003, 350pp; and four [1999, 272pp] ; sheds light on a neglected 2006 El Alto, Bolivia as ethnic peoples 2005, 289pp]. period ; the same writer provides longer gather their strength against entrenched n Broue, Pierre and Emile Temime The perspectives in a chapter [54pp] covering interests. Revolution and Civil War in Spain [1970, 1870 to 1926 in David Goodway’s For 2006 Canary Wharf cleaners, migrant 591pp] ; Anarchism – history theory and practice employees battle with the privatised n Chomsky, Noam; editor Barry Pateman: [1989, 279pp] ; interests that the Labour government gives Chomsky on Anarchism, contains Objectivity n Maximoff, Gregory Petrovich: The so much power to. and Liberal Scholarship [2005, 241pp] Political Philosophy of Bakunin – scientific n Dirlik Arif: Anarchism in the Chinese anarchism [1964, 434pp] complete with The author Revolution [1991 USA, 326pp], is incisive. index a unique volume by an experienced n Edelman, Marek: The Ghetto Fights, libertarian but ignore the subtitle. [1990, 119pp] ; an inspirational story ; n Maximoff, Gregory Petrovich: The Coming to the work in hand, it is therefore n Gorter, Herman: An Open Letter to Guillotine At Work, two volumes, [1940 necessary to assess the standpoint of the Comrade Lenin [1921, 1995, 41 pp] still in & 1975 USA, 555 pages] detailing the author. In the present case Paul Mason is a print, a manifesto where the old activist destructive tactics of Lenin and Bolshevism journalist. He may regard it as necessary to outargues the master apparachnik ; n Williams, Gwyne A: Proletarian Order - observe certain customs to protect his own n Guerin Daniel: Anarchism – from theory Antonio Gramsci, factory councils and the professional reputation. Regardless of these to practice [1970, 166pp] page 46, an ex origins of Italian communism 1911-21 [1975, superficial procedures, libertarian socialists marxist who attempts to relate the two 370pp] would be advised to dig a little deeper and ideologies and provides a comprehensive n Wolff, Jonathan: Why Read Marx Today? make a more realistic assessment. introduction to Russian, Italian and Spanish [2002, 136pp] what can be salvaged from This involves not just the usual council movements; the sectarian excesses ; admissions and confirmations, but also n Guerin, Daniel editor ; No Gods, no n Woodward, Alan: Readers Guide to finding the sources of the writer’s ideas, Masters – an anthology of anarchism, two Workers Council Socialism [2003, 30pp]; a to better identify them. In this case, after volumes, translated by Paul Sharkey [1998, useful introductory booklet listing the contents, we must now list his omissions, which turn out to be almost as impressive. Alternative sources fame, had fallen out with the Russian There is nothing at all about the long Bolsheviks over the dominance of the soviet Spanish revolution from 1931 to 1939; We can now move onto further sources for leaders. nothing about the massive experiments in readers requiring more information. Apart They argued that the situation in the workers’ councils, workers’ co-operatives from the general reference list opposite, we west was quite different and therefore the and the collective economy in the Republican can include a short note both on the facts of industrialised working class societies areas. This great and brave resistance, a insurrections in history and the process of needed the independence to develop forerunner for the second world war has learning something by our study, their own perspectives. When Lenin and been obliterated from history. For the factual survey, on the subject of co disagreed, stressing the leadership of Nor is this example isolated. There is insurrections, and revolutions in history, the Russians, and had them thrown out plenty on the eastern European lands where we have no choice but to turn to Murray of the German party and the Communist anarchism was widespread in the early years Bookchin’s colossal The Third Revolution International, they set up their own German of the century but the briefest of paragraphs – popular movements in the revolutionary Workers Party. Later, after Hitler, they only on the libertarian workers’ councils of era. This is four volumes or 65 chapters reverted to their native Holland and a shell Nestor Makhno in the Ukraine. and a total of 1,385pp. His publications on of members did survive Nazism, a relic of Any history of the libertarian movement, this are unequalled and, while not without earlier optimism. from Max Nettalu’s classic to Peter faults, stand above the rest. In the fight against Franco’s fascists in the Marshall’s modern encyclopedia will find The project is by far the most easily Spanish civil war, 1936-38, the libertarian whole chapters ignored by Mason. While understood general introduction to the Friends of Durruti group tried to salvage there are many references to marxists of theory and practice of revolution. something of revolutionary organisation one form or other, there is nothing from We cannot examine the content at length libertarian sources. but note its scope runs from 1620 to 1940 No mention of the classic writers like and covers Europe, Russia and America. PJ Proudhon, Michael Bakunin, Peter Its early cut off point does exclude the Kropotkin and Errico Malatesta, and we whole of recent history but it is the nearest are led to infer that they had nothing of any thing to an encyclopedia. The books are value whatsoever to say? however expensive, with the last two being Even the marxists who became libertarians hardbacks, costing £75 each. Best use a – Murray Bookchin and Daniel Guerin – are library or a photocopier. totally excluded. You may also be amazed Daniel Guerin meanwhile, whose little that the oppression of Russian labour, from introductory volume on anarchism has been days after 1917, through the Kronstadt referred to above, had an exemplary career killings and the east European revolts after in writing about the Nazi menace, tried 1956 are nowhere to be found in this book consciously to bridge the gap between the on liberation. two main theories of opposition thought. It remains only to conclude that despite His critique is a model for the general Paul Mason’s lack of formal political analysis of social theory, and on his death, affiliation and a hint of an assumption both sides claimed his soul! of libertarian socialism, or rank and file marxism of some form, the reality is a quite Organisations sectarian publication. We can reject out Author: Paul Mason of hand the pretence that the differences Finally we can mention the old council aren’t there. Having clarified these basic communist movement from just after the facts, readers will be in a position to assess Russian revolution in 1917. The founders, By Alan the information accordingly. Anton Pannekoek and Herman Gorter, old Woodward Bolsheviks of widespread and international n 34 Review: An Anarchist FAQ AFAQ failed to Review: Richard Alexander is left cold by the move by An Anarchist FAQ from online to paper

“An Anarchist FAQ. Volume One” symbols of Anarchy. what you need. McKay, Iain Now I have to confess I haven’t read Most enquirers online will probably just AK Press. 2008. the entire book (I ran out of time half way log on to a site to get a particular problem Paperback. 555pp. through – it’s not the quickest book to read!) sorted out and then move on. They are £20 so I won’t comment on the second half of unlikely to stop and browse the entire FAQ 978-1902593906 the book. section. The first section is about anarchism One could argue that this book will be of his book is based on the web-site and is an attempt to give some of the basic great use those people who find it tiresome of the same name, which has been characteristics of anarchism. The questions continually going to the Anarchist FAQ compiled by a collective of people answered are quite vague but cover some of to find answers – here they can peruse since 1995. The current volume the usual questions about “human nature”, half the site at their own leisure without T organisation, hierarchy, the various strands comprises approximately half of the having to log on. Perhaps having the book website, so you will have to wait for Volumeme in the anarchist thread, the “major” will encourageenco them to dip into topics they 2 to arrive before you get the whole package.ge. hadn’t previously considered? Unless you log onto the net and have a lookk The second section is about the for free. curcurrent system and why anarchists Which is pretty much the first majoror oppoppose it. Note that this book takes issue I have with this book. Why was it everer a ffairly basic view of anarchism – published in the first place? Why wouldld beibeing primarily (but not exclusively) anyone spend £40 / $50 (approx) to buyuy conconcerned with capital, the state and

two books to read when they can downloadload hiehierarchy in general and why we oppose anything they want from it from the internet?sioet? thethem. One wonders about the marketing decision,n, ConConsequently many other features of for whom is the book intended? socsociety that one might also be of interest Libraries will be looking for a properer to peopeople reading such a book – such as reference book – which this isn’t. It isn’tt a the role of the arts, health, both physical proper history or encyclopedia for example.ple. and mental well-being, transport, food In terms of punters buying it – if you can’t’t producproduction and so forth tend to be afford net access you’re unlikely to want to side-lside-lined. So all this deals with private spend so much on a book anyway; if youou proproperty,per classes and so forth. can afford net access – you can find it for The book tries to produce a synthesis free on-line. of anarchistana thinking, accommodating, Indeed putting the web-site into print formm for example,ex individualist, collectivist, seems to miss the whole point of the FAQQ mutualist,mutual syndicalist and communist format on the net. On-line you can respondond approaches,approa how well it succeeds in this to FAQs quickly and definitively andnd may dependde on the reader. arrange them so users can find preciselyely And then we come to the central portion the answer they are looking for. of the book which deals with “myths” Being online, FAQs can be continuallyy of capcapitalist economics. At which point updated to deal with new questions andnd one FAFAQ might occur – what is this doing answers can be revised in light of new in an anarchist FAQ? Wouldn’t a critique information. One can easily refer to of capcapitalism be better hived off into a other posts, web-sites etc and one can CapCapitalistita FAQ? take advantage of search engines to find anarchist As it is the “myths” discussed take up information. thinkers and some examples of “Anarchy in 150 pages of technical critique by a variety Putting it in print freezes the text and Action”. of mainly non-anarchist writers, who throws away all the advantages of an online The anarchist thinkers section is padded dismantle some of the claims of “Austrian” resource. Especially when the index to out with liberal, socialist and marxist economists from a variety of standpoints. Volume One is in Volume Two, which won’t thinkers who are “close” to anarchism. No All very interesting but given that all be published for some time. The printed text attempt is made to humanise the text by anarchists oppose capitalism, the fact that in Volume 1 can refer to other sections in illustrating the text with photos or drawings some economic theorists have mistaken the FAQ - but they may also be in the other of any anarchists, everyone in this book is ideas about how capitalism works is rather volume. As indeed will the bibliography. a faceless name. Which is another of my irrelevant. Even if their “myths” was true, we Anyway what does Volume One actually major gripes with this book. It makes no would still be in opposition to capitalism. consist of? You get over 550 pages of double- concession to the reader in terms of livening Individually each section has its merits column text covering the following sections the pages up. Page after page of double- and those with an interest in the minutiae from the web-site: What is anarchism? column text, without a glimmer of colour, of economic theory may find this section Why do anarchists oppose the current change in text styles, photos, cartoons or interesting. Others, I suspect, will find it system? What are the myths of capitalist anything. It is a very dull book in terms of repetitious if read sequentially. economics? How do statism and capitalism presentation. Like many anarchists most economic affect society? What do anarchists think It is also not a book you can realistically theory leaves me cold so this section isn’t causes ecological problems ? Is “anarcho”- read sequentially, indeed that is another really my cup of tea. capitalism a form of anarchism? The feature of the FAQ format – you only dip into There is another problem with the text as Review: Anarchist FAQ 35 add to website a whole and that it is rather confusing about “anarchist” economics. On the one hand anarchist-communists In reply: The author’s thoughts want to see the entire monetary system abolished and production based on need outside a market economy. WhereTatum illutconflicts am dolobor of opinion sumsandio arise between deliqui tet,different con groups On the other there are mutualists who orhendre individuals do commy involved nullamcon in the euguepaper, feugiatBlack Flag delit will ad generally make reference to workers’ banks and the such-like as if a form of money economy attemptTatum illut amto doloborgive a sumsandio right to deliqui reply. On this note, Iain McKay is what anarchists want, only one without respondstet, con hendre to do Richard’s commy nullamcon thoughts... capitalists. I suspect we shall have to wait eugue feugiat delit ad diam vel iuscidunt and see what appears in Volume Two of the ipsummoI would like, lobore first mincil off, to utem thank iure Richard con capitalism” but rather showing the logical book where there is a section describing enimfor his velesequis review. This et inreply utat is aliquisis a clarification accum and factual flaws in the theories so that what an anarchist society would look like to doof aodo few con points. el iril He iustie suggests dunt thatut prat AFAQ lore a key source of ideological support for see how what the economic proposals are. vulla“tries faccumsandre to produce a synthesistatem iure of digna anarchist capitalism is destroyed. Part of this process Well that’s as far as I got with this book facinitthinking,” lamcon which henim is not doloreet, the case. vulla is comparing the reality of capitalism before deadlines approached and at my corIt iliquip rather summolutries to show ptatum what ea the feum with the theories used to justify it. current rate of reading I’m unlikely to finish dolesequatvarious tendencies vel utem of do anarchism dio ero odolent have As for being “rather confusing about in common, building bridges if you like. ‘anarchist’ economics” I would say that it for another six months. alis nostisl utpatue modionsed dionsequisl It does not downplay the differences different anarchist schools do have In terms of content I have yet to look at ullumsan veros diamet, sed tie tat ex ex between “individualist collectivist, different perspectives on how a free the anarchism and ecology section – which euis accum nim nibh ecte dolore digna con mutualist, syndicalist and communist society would work. I think it wise to I may find of interest and apart from the hent nostrud ea feumsan dipsum quam, approaches,” but it aims to show why, explain all schools, as not doing so would anarcho-capitalism section (not particularly volent dolestis alissent vel ero conse cons say, Tucker and Kropotkin considered be sectarian. However, they share a relevant in the UK, but as the book is co- acip eugait nullut lut la consed dolesecte themselves as anarchists and socialists common perspective on capitalism with produced in many countries, it may be te volum ad et ad et, quat. Ullandiam and what they had in common. both communists and mutualists, for more so elsewhere) and another section on dolenibh eriusci tem quat eraestrud esse In terms of the “myths” of capitalist example, seeing exploitation rooted in the state and capital and how they affect consequam dolorper sustrud ming endre economics, to answer his question on wage-labour and both aiming to abolish society, there is a short item on the symbols dolor sum volessisi tem quis el ectet aliqui “what is this doing in an anarchist it. But, yes, Volume Two discusses the of anarchism. bla adiat iure mod dolor sum ing etuerit FAQ?” I would reply twofold. differences in economic vision for a free Now as a reviewer I’m supposed to say nos nos alit aut ulla faci blandre magnim First, economics is an area anarchists society rather than the similar critique whether I think this book is worth buying inis nibh ecte modiamet lam vent acinis can be weak on, often leaving it to of capitalism presented in Volume One. and/or reading. Well if you just want answers ecte velit aut dunt nim et in ut prat la alit Marxists to provide our analysis of Finally, I would agree that it is to some questions that anarchists might el iuscip erci eugue tat ad ectet, veniam capitalism. Yes, Marx made important “not a book you can realistically read have answered I’d have to recommend you contributions to the critique of capitalism sequentially,” but that is how FAQ’s access the FAQ on-line. If you’re not on-line but both capitalism and bourgeois generally work as Richard suggests. yourself, try a friend, internet cafe, social economics have moved on since 1867 Nor is it “a proper reference book” as centre or library. so presenting new developments and such – it aims to be an introduction to If you’re thinking of buying it again critiques is essential. It also aims to anarchism and a resource for radicals check out the web-site and download those show that many “Marxist” positions on (fully referenced, of course!). And I would sections you might want to read. Then ask capitalism were actually first expounded agree that interested readers should yourself the simple question – do you want by anarchists (such as Proudhon). consult the website first (anarchistfaq. to pay another £20 to read this on paper in Second, I would suggest that most org.uk). Many who have done so book form? activists have come across defenders have been keen to see it published. If you want a quick and cheerful printed of capitalism who throw back introductions to anarchism there are plenty “Economics 101” at them when they Qqqq: of well-written and accessible texts out attack capitalism. It is useful to show there, including Cliff Harper’s “Anarchy - why capitalist economics is flawed, and a Graphic Guide”, Peter Marshall’s history how at odds it is with the reality of “Demanding the Impossible”; there’s Ruth capitalism. This is particularly the case Kinna and Colin Ward’s introductory texts now that capitalism is in crisis – many and Freedom Bookshop will sell you bucket people are seeking answers, something loads of more detailed books, magazines hopefully that section provides. and pamphlets. I would also point out that the main There is definitely a market for an anarchist focus of that section is not “Austrian” encyclopaedia, a biographical dictionary, economics but rather mainstream, bibliography, selection of quotations and so neo-classical, economics (“Austrian” forth dressed up in a manner that libraries economics is mostly a sub-branch of that would like. ideology). To state that if the “myths” Whether readers will find this particular of capitalism were true “we would still selection of questions and answers of use be in opposition to capitalism” ignores will depend on whether it asks the right the point that this opposition would be questions – and the best way to find out is to made far harder. After all, if rent, interest consult this as an on-line resource you can and profit all genuinely represented dip into when necessary. If subsequently the contribution of their owners to the you find it to your taste then a purchase production process, opposing them as would seem sensible. the exploitation of labour would be Overused: Iain McKay extremely difficult. This section is not believes anarchists are too reliant on Marx for By Richard really about “the fact that some economic theorists have mistaken ideas about how an economic critique. Alexander � 36 Reviews: Hob’s Choice Reviews: Hob’s Choice 37

The printed word and the ‘art’ of radical pamphleteering must be kept alive. It Hob’s Choice is a revolutionary tradition that cannot be allowed to die.

Sex ed: The not unique! nothing in common. Solidarity Wherever you live, do a bit of research, To reinforce her case Goldman sources Federation’s Short reviews: Ade Dimmick and you will unearth a treasure trove of the work of Henrik Ibsen and Edward new pamphlet working class militancy and radical history. Carpenter. She writes: “The institution of explores how Happy hunting. marriage makes a parasite of woman, an the state, (not pictured) summarises some of absolute dependent. and religion, A Century of Writing on the IWW 1905 – 2005: It incapacitates her for life’s struggle, manipulate An Annotated Bibliography of Books on the annilhilates her social consciousness, our natural the new releases in radical Industrial Workers of the World. Compiled by paralyzes her imagination, and then imposes urges Steve Kellerman. its gracious protection, which is in reality a Pub. IWW Boston 2007. snare, a travesty on human character”. A5 format. 38pp. In the second essay Jealousy: Cause and pamphlets for 2009 No price. a possible cure, she explores relationships, PO Box 391724, Cambridge, Massachusetts advocating freedom, equality and openess 02139, USA. as the key to successful liaisons. n the last issue of This short pamphlet tackles a subject often Black Flag (228) I wrote avoided by the left in general and is therefore As with all bibliographies we are looking at a Muzak to my ears: Canned music & Class an article entitled a bold statement by the British section of list of books, and this one kicks off with the Struggle. Public space and muzak as policing. IWritten word on the the International Workers Association. Proceedings of the First Convention of the Pub. Past Tense 2008. Streets, which extolled the Sex and sexuality are rarely discussed Industrial Workers of the World published A5 format. 18pp. publishing virtues of radical openly in society, let alone in revolutionary in 1905. Price £1.00 + 50p p&p. (Payable, ‘A. Hodson’). pamphleteering. circles by virtue of the fact that society The titles are listed under the headings: Address as above. Amongst other things, it conditions and suppresses basic and General Works; Biographical Works; highlighted the importance of natural urges. Miscellaneous Works with Some Bearing on An interesting study of that dreadful pamphlets in an online, techno- The relationship between capitalism, the IWW; Writings – poetry and prose; and background music that’s played in orientated world. state power and sexuality is examined. The the IWW in fiction. supermarkets, shopping malls, and infact It concluded by appealing to controlling nature of religion and the family A rather impressive list of 226 titles are just about everywhere else we go these readers to “give their support is also touched upon. catalogued. The pamphlet also includes the days. to the small press publisher The pamphlet accurately sums up: “Whilst usual clutch of Wobbly cartoons. This is a Amazingly, the concept was created as – The printed word and the ‘art’ of human–kind continues to be enslaved by useful pamphlet for anyone wanting to find long ago as 1924, by a former army general radical pamphleteering must be capitalism, patriarchy, the authoritarian out more about the IWW. called George Owen Squier. It was originally kept alive – it is a revolutionary morality and other forms of oppression, we used in factories to make the workers work tradition that cannot be allowed can never be truly free”. Marriage and Love & Jealousy: Causes and a harder. to die.” This sentiment can not My main criticism of this pamphlet is that Possible Cure. Then it was widely used to encourage be emphasised more. it is far too short – eight pages does not do Emma Goldman. shoppers to spend more – in technical One of the publishers profiled justice to this important subject. Pub. In the Spirit of Emma 2008. terms, to enhance sales techniques and in the article was Hobnail Press, A5 format. 20pp. 50p. (Payable, ‘Active marketing. who up until recently, published Rare Doings At Camberwell: Radicals, Distro’). Call Centres also use it to regulate the Hobnail Review, which was a “guide to Subversion and Social Control – A short tour c/oActive Distribution, BM Active, London moods of callers. small press and alternative publishing through Camberwell’s Underground History. WC1N 3XX, UK. It is now aimed at youngsters hanging out from an anti-authoritarian and libertarian- Pub. Past Tense 2008. in shopping malls and railway stations, in left perspective.” HR did micro reviews of A5 format. 68pp. Please, no This pamphlet features two classic essays an attempt to drive them out! A pamphlets sent in by other publishers. Price £1.50 + 50p p&p. (Payable, ‘A. Hodson’). more: from Emma Goldman, which were first Another similar technique is the use of man begs to In late 2008 HR succumbed to financial c/o 56a infoshop, 56 Crampton Street, London, published in 1911. Mosquito Units, which emit high frequency be released pressures and subsequently went into a SE17 3EA, UK. In the first essay Marriage and Love, sounds that only under -25’s can hear. from tortuous period of hibernation – for the second time Goldman dismantles the myth that marriage So mum, when your baby or toddler is lift music since its founding in 2003. What a cracking read this is, especially if and love are synonymous. That they are crying for no apparent reason, they may However, the pamphlet publishing and you are into your radical history like I am. in fact antagonistic, having absolutely well have been zapped! distribution side of the operation is still The text is based on research done for a alive and well. It is therefore hoped that this radical history walk around the Camberwell column will follow in the footsteps of HR – a area a couple of years ago. kind of Son of Hob! It covers a wide range of radical and Publishers are invited to submit pamphlets working class activities from the 15th Review: Wide-ranging Walter for listing. Each listing will include, century to date. Throughout the years, publishing details and content summary. Camberwell Green and the surrounding The Anarchist Past and Other Essays Wilson. The articles are drawn from many For example, his rebuttal to the suggestion (Comprehensive reviews area, has been a vibrant centre for workers Nicholas Walter sources, such as Freedom, Anarchy and that Godwin’s Political Justice is a “sacred of books will continue to revellry, public meetings, rallies, protests David Goodway (editor) The Raven. text” of anarchism may just state the be published elsewhere in and the occassional riot. In the mid-1800’s Five Leaves Publications All anarchists will gain something from obvious but does expose the ignorance of Black Flag). Camberwell saw a large concentration of 978-1905512164 this collection. His reviews of Paul Avrich’s the academic in question with style and So let’s see what’s arrived Chartist activity. Paperback 192pp The Russian Anarchists and Kronstadt knowledge. in the mail bag since the last It was also the home of numerous £9.99 1921 are essential supplements to both In summary, a wonderful collection of issue..... prominent militants of their day. Including, texts, pointing out the errors and omissions articles on anarchist history from which all Dan Chatterton, Mary Hays, Una Marson This is an excellent collection of articles by of both works. anarchists will benefit from reading. Anarchism, Sex and Free Love: The Fight and Vera Brittain. Army mutinies, strikes the late Nicholas Walter. The review of Quail’s history of British Given Walter’s prolific writing for the Against Capitalism, Patriarchy and Repressive and anti-fascist actions are also featured. Of As can be gathered by its title, it is about Anarchism adds to that work immensely movement over the decades, hopefully this Religious Morality. particular personal interest is the section anarchist history and covers (in a roughly (although I disagree with Walter’s suggestion will be the first of more collections of his Solidarity Federation. on the mental health system survivor’s chronological order) most of key events and that Quail should have discussed the likes work. Pub. Manchester Solidarity Federation 2008. movement – an old friend and comrade, people of anarchism – Godwin, Proudhon, of Herbert Spencer). A5 format. 8pp. Pete Shaughnessy, a leading activist, is Bakunin, the Paris Commune, Kropotkin, All his articles express a wide-ranging Price 50pence. (Payable, ‘Direct Action’). PO mentioned. the Russian Revolution, Goldman, grasp of anarchist history and theory and By Ade Box 29, South West DO, Manchester, M15 I believe that the most important point Bookchin,Ward as well as other, less famous repeatedly show up the pretensions of Dimmick � 5HW, UK. about this pamphlet, is that Camberwell is anarchists, like Joseph Lane and Charlotte academics writing on anarchism. 36 Reviews: Hob’s Choice Reviews: Hob’s Choice 37

The printed word and the ‘art’ of radical pamphleteering must be kept alive. It Hob’s Choice is a revolutionary tradition that cannot be allowed to die.

Sex ed: The not unique! nothing in common. Solidarity Wherever you live, do a bit of research, To reinforce her case Goldman sources Federation’s Short reviews: Ade Dimmick and you will unearth a treasure trove of the work of Henrik Ibsen and Edward new pamphlet working class militancy and radical history. Carpenter. She writes: “The institution of explores how Happy hunting. marriage makes a parasite of woman, an the state, (not pictured) summarises some of absolute dependent. and religion, A Century of Writing on the IWW 1905 – 2005: It incapacitates her for life’s struggle, manipulate An Annotated Bibliography of Books on the annilhilates her social consciousness, our natural the new releases in radical Industrial Workers of the World. Compiled by paralyzes her imagination, and then imposes urges Steve Kellerman. its gracious protection, which is in reality a Pub. IWW Boston 2007. snare, a travesty on human character”. A5 format. 38pp. In the second essay Jealousy: Cause and pamphlets for 2009 No price. a possible cure, she explores relationships, PO Box 391724, Cambridge, Massachusetts advocating freedom, equality and openess 02139, USA. as the key to successful liaisons. n the last issue of This short pamphlet tackles a subject often Black Flag (228) I wrote avoided by the left in general and is therefore As with all bibliographies we are looking at a Muzak to my ears: Canned music & Class an article entitled a bold statement by the British section of list of books, and this one kicks off with the Struggle. Public space and muzak as policing. IWritten word on the the International Workers Association. Proceedings of the First Convention of the Pub. Past Tense 2008. Streets, which extolled the Sex and sexuality are rarely discussed Industrial Workers of the World published A5 format. 18pp. publishing virtues of radical openly in society, let alone in revolutionary in 1905. Price £1.00 + 50p p&p. (Payable, ‘A. Hodson’). pamphleteering. circles by virtue of the fact that society The titles are listed under the headings: Address as above. Amongst other things, it conditions and suppresses basic and General Works; Biographical Works; highlighted the importance of natural urges. Miscellaneous Works with Some Bearing on An interesting study of that dreadful pamphlets in an online, techno- The relationship between capitalism, the IWW; Writings – poetry and prose; and background music that’s played in orientated world. state power and sexuality is examined. The the IWW in fiction. supermarkets, shopping malls, and infact It concluded by appealing to controlling nature of religion and the family A rather impressive list of 226 titles are just about everywhere else we go these readers to “give their support is also touched upon. catalogued. The pamphlet also includes the days. to the small press publisher The pamphlet accurately sums up: “Whilst usual clutch of Wobbly cartoons. This is a Amazingly, the concept was created as – The printed word and the ‘art’ of human–kind continues to be enslaved by useful pamphlet for anyone wanting to find long ago as 1924, by a former army general radical pamphleteering must be capitalism, patriarchy, the authoritarian out more about the IWW. called George Owen Squier. It was originally kept alive – it is a revolutionary morality and other forms of oppression, we used in factories to make the workers work tradition that cannot be allowed can never be truly free”. Marriage and Love & Jealousy: Causes and a harder. to die.” This sentiment can not My main criticism of this pamphlet is that Possible Cure. Then it was widely used to encourage be emphasised more. it is far too short – eight pages does not do Emma Goldman. shoppers to spend more – in technical One of the publishers profiled justice to this important subject. Pub. In the Spirit of Emma 2008. terms, to enhance sales techniques and in the article was Hobnail Press, A5 format. 20pp. 50p. (Payable, ‘Active marketing. who up until recently, published Rare Doings At Camberwell: Radicals, Distro’). Call Centres also use it to regulate the Hobnail Review, which was a “guide to Subversion and Social Control – A short tour c/oActive Distribution, BM Active, London moods of callers. small press and alternative publishing through Camberwell’s Underground History. WC1N 3XX, UK. It is now aimed at youngsters hanging out from an anti-authoritarian and libertarian- Pub. Past Tense 2008. in shopping malls and railway stations, in left perspective.” HR did micro reviews of A5 format. 68pp. Please, no This pamphlet features two classic essays an attempt to drive them out! A pamphlets sent in by other publishers. Price £1.50 + 50p p&p. (Payable, ‘A. Hodson’). more: from Emma Goldman, which were first Another similar technique is the use of man begs to In late 2008 HR succumbed to financial c/o 56a infoshop, 56 Crampton Street, London, published in 1911. Mosquito Units, which emit high frequency be released pressures and subsequently went into a SE17 3EA, UK. In the first essay Marriage and Love, sounds that only under -25’s can hear. from tortuous period of hibernation – for the second time Goldman dismantles the myth that marriage So mum, when your baby or toddler is lift music since its founding in 2003. What a cracking read this is, especially if and love are synonymous. That they are crying for no apparent reason, they may However, the pamphlet publishing and you are into your radical history like I am. in fact antagonistic, having absolutely well have been zapped! distribution side of the operation is still The text is based on research done for a alive and well. It is therefore hoped that this radical history walk around the Camberwell column will follow in the footsteps of HR – a area a couple of years ago. kind of Son of Hob! It covers a wide range of radical and Publishers are invited to submit pamphlets working class activities from the 15th Review: Wide-ranging Walter for listing. Each listing will include, century to date. Throughout the years, publishing details and content summary. Camberwell Green and the surrounding The Anarchist Past and Other Essays Wilson. The articles are drawn from many For example, his rebuttal to the suggestion (Comprehensive reviews area, has been a vibrant centre for workers Nicholas Walter sources, such as Freedom, Anarchy and that Godwin’s Political Justice is a “sacred of books will continue to revellry, public meetings, rallies, protests David Goodway (editor) The Raven. text” of anarchism may just state the be published elsewhere in and the occassional riot. In the mid-1800’s Five Leaves Publications All anarchists will gain something from obvious but does expose the ignorance of Black Flag). Camberwell saw a large concentration of 978-1905512164 this collection. His reviews of Paul Avrich’s the academic in question with style and So let’s see what’s arrived Chartist activity. Paperback 192pp The Russian Anarchists and Kronstadt knowledge. in the mail bag since the last It was also the home of numerous £9.99 1921 are essential supplements to both In summary, a wonderful collection of issue..... prominent militants of their day. Including, texts, pointing out the errors and omissions articles on anarchist history from which all Dan Chatterton, Mary Hays, Una Marson This is an excellent collection of articles by of both works. anarchists will benefit from reading. Anarchism, Sex and Free Love: The Fight and Vera Brittain. Army mutinies, strikes the late Nicholas Walter. The review of Quail’s history of British Given Walter’s prolific writing for the Against Capitalism, Patriarchy and Repressive and anti-fascist actions are also featured. Of As can be gathered by its title, it is about Anarchism adds to that work immensely movement over the decades, hopefully this Religious Morality. particular personal interest is the section anarchist history and covers (in a roughly (although I disagree with Walter’s suggestion will be the first of more collections of his Solidarity Federation. on the mental health system survivor’s chronological order) most of key events and that Quail should have discussed the likes work. Pub. Manchester Solidarity Federation 2008. movement – an old friend and comrade, people of anarchism – Godwin, Proudhon, of Herbert Spencer). A5 format. 8pp. Pete Shaughnessy, a leading activist, is Bakunin, the Paris Commune, Kropotkin, All his articles express a wide-ranging Price 50pence. (Payable, ‘Direct Action’). PO mentioned. the Russian Revolution, Goldman, grasp of anarchist history and theory and By IainAde Box 29, South West DO, Manchester, M15 I believe that the most important point Bookchin,Ward as well as other, less famous repeatedly show up the pretensions of MckayDimmick � 5HW, UK. about this pamphlet, is that Camberwell is anarchists, like Joseph Lane and Charlotte academics writing on anarchism. n 38 Review: Social Ecology and Communalism Review: Bookchin’s pet project

Social Ecology and Communalism of town councils, which then hold public and wealth would be debated and sorted Murray Bookchin assemblies to decide policy, including the out on a democratic basis, or as Bookchin AK Press municipalisation of the means of production puts it “they (the assemblies) would become ISBN 978-1904859499 and distribution. arenas where class conflicts could be played Paperback 118pp. His use of the term Communalism is out and where classes could be eliminated.”. Price £9.00 intended to refer back to a historical heritage I presume he means that hierarchies could that includes the Paris Commune and later be dismantled, rather than whole sections This book contains four essays by Murray Revolutionary Communes. In terms of what of the population disposed of! Bookchin and an introduction by Eirik these communes or municipalities would be This municipalisation would be Eiglad. The Bookchin essays were published expected to do and how they would conduct undertaken piecemeal across the nation (or in various journals between 1989 and 2002. themselves there is much similarity with indeed the world) and the assemblies would The first essay, What is Social Ecology?, the works of Kropotkin and other anarchist federate on a voluntary basis (but wouldn’t offers a general introduction to Bookchin’s communists. be able to secede without majority approval views and I expect most people familiar However where there is a major difference of the whole confederation apparently). with his writings will find little new here, is in the “how we get there” department. Honestly I can’t see Bookchin’s approach but it will serve as a way for those new to Most anarchist communists don’t see the being successful in achieving what he Bookchin’s work. communalisation of land and the means of desires. The next two essays; Radical Politics in production and distribution as happening I can’t see revolutionaries using the an Era of Advanced Capitalism and The Role outside of a revolutionary struggle, one existing representative democratic methods of Social Ecology in a Period of Reaction that to gain enough power to call the assemblies, again add little new to Bookchin’s on the off-chance that all of a sudden people theses, but flesh them out a little more. would then decide that municipalisation By far and away the most interesting would be a jolly good idea and let’s all go and contentious essay is the final one along with it. The Communalist Project, Rather I suspect a more realistic (?) published in 2002, where Bookchin scenario would involve a widespread and makes clear his break with what he deep-seated revolutionary uprising involving considered to be anarchism and attempts large numbers of people who will simply to carve out an ideological niche for his sweep away existing councils and institute own project “Communalism”. And it’s the revolutionary assemblies. last essay that I would like to comment Such an uprising would incorporate on at greater length. factory and other workplace occupations During the 1980s and 1990s Bookchin and seizures of land from absent landlords was engaged in a long polemic against and these would be used for the benefit of both primitivism and lifestyle anarchism the whole community, or at least that part (often blurring the differences between the of it taking part in the uprising. two). In the end he decided it was simpler The preconditions for such an uprising to ditch his attachment to the anarchist are a matter for debate, but I doubt a few label and develop his ideas outside of it. people getting elected (probably by default In this essay he clarifies what exactly if my local councils are anything to go he understood by the term “anarchist” by) is going to trigger any revolutionary and eventually he decides that it is merely upsurge. another form of individualism. More likely anyone choosing to go down He then distinguishes it from that path will either get utterly bored revolutionary syndicalism which he sees and frustrated and quit or they’ll get so merely a variant form of marxism, a class absorbed by the minutiae of everyday struggle ideology that is tied to the matters and playing by the rules that factory and what Bookchin regards as they’ll be unable to achieve any social hopelessly out-of-date notions of what change at all. constitutes the working class, a class he At best “Communalism” reminds us now regards as having been totally that some form of democratic decision incorporated into capitalist society and making format is required in any social posing no particular threat to it. is lead by and body, that individualism is a dead-end and Alongside these he discusses marxism, with the massive and active participation that any social change needs to involve more which, despite the rigour with which it of what can best be described as as the than just workers taking over factories or analysed capitalist society in the 19th and working classes. electing parties to power. early 20th century he regards as obsolete, And part of that struggle would involve However as a means to achieving its ends and whose prioritising of the party form he workers at particular enterprises taking it seems highly unlikely to succeed and rejects with arguments that will be familiar direct control of the workplaces as an I doubt many anarchist communists will to most anarchists. integral and essential part of that struggle. thank Bookchin for burying their political All three have a fallacious view of politics Bookchin, as I understand it, sees things tradition as a means of creating space for in Bookchin’s opinion, which he regards differently. For him the struggle involves his own project. as the legitimate arena for the discussion getting people elected on to parish or If you want an introduction to Bookchin’s of opposing views and the organisation of neighbourhood councils (which the UK thought, or haven’t already got the four society in opposition to the state. have such little power as to render them of essays elsewhere, then this is a relatively Attentive readers might at this stage be little interest to revolutionaries, even statist inexpensive means of doing so. wondering what has happened to anarchist ones, let alone anarchists). Others might regard it as a disappointing or libertarian communism in this debate. Once elected and once they have a majority end to a revolutionary career and return to Well, unless I missed something Bookchin they then call an assembly of local people some of his earlier works. ignores it, instead opting for the declaration who declare for municipal communalism of a new political ideology of Communalism, and take over the means of production and By Richard which takes as its object the project of the distribution and run them for the benefit for people capturing (by democratic means ) the whole community. Inequalities of power Alexander n In colour: G20 policing 39

ACAB: Clockwise from above, the view from inside RBS after the windows were broken, police charge into a line of sitting climate campers, Ian Tomlinson is knocked down, a policeman hits the floor, and a police medic wades in with his baton. Pictures: Indymedia, climate camp.org In colour: G20 policing The BIGP icture: China’s sands Losing battle: Residents of China’s surface within the next in the Himalayas is set to have a Minqin, in northwest China’s few years. Overexploitation of catastophic effect, as the country, Gansu Province, cover sand with water reserves and unsustainable along with India, Bangladesh and stalks before planting trees. This farming methods have destroyed others, is heavily dependent on method of reforestation has held vast tracts of land and Minqin, the annual snowmelt to continue back land loss across millions of on the edge of the expanding irrigating its rice fields. Starvation hectares, but the effort is dwarfed field of dunes, is expected to have and death by dehydration is likely by deserts which are spreading run out of groundwater by 2017. to follow for tens of millions over across the interior of the country Alongside human activity in China te next few decades. and could make up 40% of all itself, the receding of glaciers Picture: China Consulate, Capetown