Zabalaza Books’ AgitProp Series #7 Building a Revolutionary Movement: Why Anarchist- Communist Organisation [BCBMB[B CPPLT by Adam Weaver of the www.zabalazabooks.net Furious Five Revolutionary Collective. “Knowledge is the key to be free!” “Knowledge is the key to be free!” Footnotes: 1. As quoted by Arif Dirlik, Anarchism and the Chinese Revolution (Berkeley: University of California Press, 1991), 2 2. Citing just a few examples of China, Vietnam and Cuba: John King Fairbank, The Great Chinese Revolution (San Francisco: Harper Perenial, 1987), 208, 212 William Over the past few years Anarchist- “It became hard to recall that in 1905-14, J. Duiker, Ho Chi Minh, A Life (NY, Hyperion: 2000), 89 Frank Fernandez Cuban Communist organisations have been bud- the Marxist left (sic) had in most countries Anarchism (Tuscon, AZ: See Sharp Press, 2001), 55 ding across the globe from South Africa to been on the fringe of the revolutionary 3. The Global Influence of Platformism Today (Johannesburg, South Africa: Zabalaza South America to North America. Yet few movement, the main body of Marxists had Books, 2003), pg. 24 (Interview with Italian Federazione dei Comunisti Anarchici for people, even within anarchist and revolu- been identified with a de facto non-revolu- Organisational Dualism), tionary circles, have a good grasp of the tionary social democracy, while the bulk beliefs, motivations and purposes behind of the revolutionary left was anarcho-syn- 4. ibid, pg. 50 (Interview with Brazilian Federação Anarquista Gaúcha for especifismo) this movement. Often times with an dicalist, or at least much closer to the www.nefac.net or www.zabalaza.net emerging movement it is not until the egg ideas and mood of anarcho-syndicalism hatches, producing concrete and visible than to that of classical Marxism. results, that people begin to give it its Marxism was henceforth after the Russian name and tell its story. Revolution identified with actively revolu- This article aims to give a brief outline tionary movements… Anarchism and of the lessons to be learned from our rev- anarcho-syndicalism entered upon a dra- 1 olutionary histories and show the roots matic and uninterrupted decline.” from which the current movement of Anarchist-Communists in North America But as history has shown in numerous and worldwide stems from and further countries, despite the popularity of anar- argue the case for this movements vision chist ideas and the high level of involve- of a coherent Anarchist-Communist ment and even leadership of anarchists in organisation based on a strategic orienta- the popular struggles of their day, anar- tion towards social movements of the chists were not able to effectively organise working class and oppressed. themselves during important revolution- While hard to believe now, the ideas of ary moments. The loosely knit anarchist Anarchism once held centre stage in the movement was not able to develop the mass revolutionary movements during strategic and tactical unity necessary to the turn of the century on every conti- deal with massive state repression, moves nent. Through labour unions, cultural toward state accommodationism of social centres, women’s groups and popular movements (such as advent of the welfare newspapers, the libertarian ideal of a state or government mediation of work- free, horizontal socialism created by the place struggles) or the rise of Bolshevism. people inspired millions across the globe. Together these forces sounded the decline Anarchism, expressed through revolu- of anarchism and the role of anarchists in tionary and anarcho-syndicalism, was the mass movements, along with a number of dominant revolutionary ideology of mass anarchist militants who were swayed into movements in most countries, while the the forming Communist Parties of the vast majority of the Marxist current was early 20’s. organised into reformist social democrat- The Russian Revolution of 1917 pro- ic parties that were oriented towards elec- foundly swayed the orientation of the toral change, or, “socialism at the ballot global revolutionary movements towards box.” Marxist writer Eric Hobsbawm the statist politics of Marxist-Leninism. notes that: Many began to see Russia, under Lenin, 2 7 movements into their hands, which patriarchy. But these attacks and the Trotsky and later Stalin’s leadership, as The New World in assumes a presumptuous leadership of growing resistance are neither isolated the leading hope of revolution. The new our Hearts the masses or vanguardist role, but to events, but are all elements of historical soviet state opened up training institutes, work as a catalyst of ideas and action forces at work. These forces are also call- offered advisors and contributed financial We are standing at a moment of historic within. Like baking soda to vinegar, a ing forth the ideals inspired by anarchism resources to emerging Communist juncture, a moment that promises to catalyst works to create a reaction when and Anarchist-Communism: that of a Parties throughout the global south, vast- bring ever more frightening realities. Yet, it interacts with something else. society reshaped in the image of a popu- ly expanding the once small role that with this frightening reality comes the 2 Anarchist-Communists would play key lar, horizontal socialism created by the Marxism held throughout the world. opportunity for new movements to resist roles as active participants, helping push people. As revolutionaries our moment is This factor of Marxism’s growth has imposed social crises and reshape society the social movements forward in organi- now and we cannot afford, nor can all of unfortunately yet to be sufficiently exam- in a new image. Following the Cold War sation, strength and militancy. They our people and communities, to abdicate ined and taken into consideration in look- and the collapse of the communist ‘alter- would also work to maintain the popular our responsibility and ignore the lessons ing at the origins of Marxism globally. native’, the US was left as the sole world character by arguing against electoral of our histories. We must accept this By the early 1930’s the majority of the superpower. It has now begun to enact, politics, their accompanying party organ- challenge by coherently organising our- revolutionary movements, with the great through treaty or tank, the globalisation isations and vanguardist elements. selves and putting our ideal into practice exception of Spain, were strongly influ- of hyper-exploitative capitalism and US of mass, popular and militant social enced if not in the hands of the hegemony into every corner of the world. movements that will have the power to Communist Parties. The Communist Globally the economy is in shambles. In Conclusion bring about the social revolution. Parties affiliated with the Third Following Asia’s economic crises, a International, or Comintern, with Stalin typhoon has carried across the pacific, by Adam Weaver Just as history is putting everyday peo- at the helm, directed or created strong hitting South America. Now reaching ple into the line of fire, it is forcing them of the Furious Five poles in the ideology of the oppressed and America, millions are jobless or being to step up to the plate to resist the attacks Revolutionary Collective. working class movements in numerous squeezed into the low wage service and of capitalism, white supremacy and countries through the popular front strat- retail sector, while the economy is floated egy which led to their historic defeat. by massive military spending and an Where the CP’s were “successful” in erect- accompanying national debt. Further, ing Marx’s idea and Lenin’s model of dic- the extremist leadership of President tatorship of the proletariat, the result Bush has expanded America’s agenda to was dictatorial state capitalist regimes one of empire building through neo-colo- that oppressed workers, ethnic minorities nial militarism abroad and US protec- and indigenous peoples. tionism at home, putting the US into Now that the dust has settled on the potential conflict with other emerging great struggles of the 20th century, the powers such as the EU and China. weight of Marxist and reformist narra- Important reforms of previous struggles tives of history have buried most of the such as welfare, social security, accessible spectacular history and struggles of anar- public education and affirmative action chists worldwide. But now as a new epoch are being slashed or nearly eliminated. of 21st century struggle is beginning, The years ahead will likely see a growth signs of resurgence are surfacing in in massive social movements challenging response to new crises and popular move- these crises of unemployment, war, public ments are again bursting forth with new services, economic restructuring and con- examples of popular rebellion and organi- current repression and serious anarchists sation. In this climate a few dedicated will be challenged to put their beliefs into individuals have begun to brush off the practice and turn these coming rebellions dust and bring these stories of Anarchism into international social revolution. and popular movements to light again. Already we can see some of this in new Anarchist-Communist organisations that have formed and in the syndicalist unions in Europe and the US that are 6 3 reviving out of dormancy. Communist movement within anarchism not something imposed, but is an ideal transform the participants into self-con- This requires not only a new analysis of based around two central themes: 1) the that is always strived towards and devel- scious thinkers and organisers amongst our current world and the realities of the organisation of militants into a coherent oped out of a process of critical thinking, their peers. The classic example of social oppressed and working classes, but a federation and 2) the interaction and strategising, action and evaluation. It is movements is radical labour organising, strategy of how the revolutionary forces active participation of anarchists within a concept born out of necessity as revolu- but contemporary examples could also be will act as catalysts towards social revolu- the social movements.