Anarchy101 Q&A - Recent questions

where are we "anarchists"?

Fri, 18 May 2012 00:31:52 +0000

lets just assume that i am entirely uneducated in regards to any of this information. can someone please tell me where we are, why we can not find it to come together. anarchy, to me, is not chaos, but the ultimate definition of self accountability. my question. when.

Are there conflicting opinions on the feminist notion that any woman who alleges rape should be assumed to be truthful?

Thu, 17 May 2012 06:56:12 +0000

What makes someone an anarchist?

Thu, 17 May 2012 03:24:58 +0000

If anarchists disagree with each other so much, how do you tell who is one, and who isn't?

Is it populist to drop anarchist jargon in the hopes that non-anarchists will better understand your ideas?

Wed, 16 May 2012 20:06:27 +0000

Isn't the desire for anarchy really the desire for freedom?

Mon, 14 May 2012 19:22:06 +0000

I don't mean to use any charged words or phrases so when I use words like 'freedom' I am referring to the literal dictionary interpretation of the words. Since the state's sole purpose seems to be to dominate all those under it, and domination is the forceful control of someone's behaviors, and a limitation in someone's behaviors is a limitation on their freedom, and anarchists wish to abolish the state, is the true intention of anarchists to stop dominion over the people and thus maximize the freedoms of the people? I wish for critiques of my logic and my assumptions. I am attracted to anarchy more and more nowadays because my own freedoms appear to be disappearing (I am in the United States).

How do you feel about bullying?

Sat, 12 May 2012 17:56:05 +0000

There's been a lot of focus and discussion on the topic of bullying in schools, most often this revolves around the treatment of minority youth groups such as LGBTQ, non-whites, non-Christians, etc. Unarguably, this causes a lot of emotional and occasionally physical damage. How would an anarchist propose going about and trying to solve this problem, from the perspectives of a victim, friend of victim, friend of bully, parent of victim, parent of bully, teacher, etc.?
My other point with this is that many anarchists see public humiliation and physical violence as alternative methods to police/incarceration for dealing with "problematic" people (for lack of a better word at the moment). Do these count as bullying? How does that relate to school yard bullying?
This might be a bit vague, but I hope to clarify with some of the answers and questions you all might offer.

How would an anarchist deal with having something taken from them?

Sat, 12 May 2012 05:00:57 +0000

Let's assume it's not something completely necessary for survival, but was being used consistently, so...a small wind turbine for electricity or something. Would an anarchist seek out the culprit? Would an anarchist take it back if they found the culprit? Would an anarchist just buy or steal another one? What if the turbine was stolen in the first place?

To what extent and in what ways are contradictions useful to anarchists?

Fri, 11 May 2012 10:26:00 +0000

(if at all).

As has been touched upon in numerous answers (cf. the questions and answers listed with the tag "contradictions"), anarchists exist in a world informed to a greater or lesser extent by systems that they find reprehensible. Are there benefits to holding and owning the places that they rub openly? Which ones? Why?

As some preemptive clarification, I am most interested in those that are beneficial either internally to individuals or to the larger not-anarchist world, as opposed to extra-mural between various groups or tendencies, though if you have a worthwhile answer about that, I'd welcome it, too.

How do anarchists make money?

Thu, 10 May 2012 05:39:01 +0000

..coz im broke all the time.

What would happen to the anarchism in the internet?

Tue, 08 May 2012 20:21:14 +0000

What would this internet do to our anarchism--or maybe, what HAS it done?

What do anarchists think about death?

Tue, 08 May 2012 20:19:55 +0000

Why do killer cops go free?

Tue, 08 May 2012 20:19:25 +0000

Heard this at a demo, really made me think.

What would happen with the internet in anarchism?

Sat, 05 May 2012 07:24:59 +0000

As an anarchist and web developer, I have been thinking about the changes that would occur to the internet and to my job in an anarchistic society.

While there are many non-profits that would likely continue to need websites, the majority of people who hire me are businesses and I am unsure if there would be any use for an anarcho-syndicalist society to have the same degree of use for web developers. I guess I am curious if there would be the ability/drive for businesses to start which would actually need advertising via websites.

P.S. I apologize for my lack of knowledge about anarchism, I have recently been reading about it after finding many of it's ideas similar to my own.

Do You Think: "WE" (or just you) will live to experience anarchy?

Wed, 02 May 2012 21:30:00 +0000

I'm curious to know how people feel about how likely it is for them to experience anarchy as their "new" way of life.

What would children be "allowed" to do, as far as leaving home young and getting equal rights to their parents?

Tue, 01 May 2012 01:25:55 +0000

I'm 14 years old and have believed in anarchy for about 4 years, my parents are both anarchists as well. I chose to be an anarchist of my own free will; however I'm very contradicted by the laws I’m restrained by. How my life, or even adolescences whose parents aren’t anarchist lives, change under complete and total anarchy? I understand this question may be vague, if more information is needed please just request and I will update it ASAP.

Where do anarchists place scientists in society?

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 15:53:28 +0000

I wasn't too sure of the wording for the question but my reason for asking it is that it had occurred to me that scientists don't fit well into the proletarian or bourgeoisie classes --because they don't own or work means of production. Furthermore scientists don't really produce anything except information, so are they part of the service sector? I suppose what I am asking is: since scientists take highly technical equipment and turn it into data and theories, how do you envision scientists and scientific communities working in an anarchist society. I'm still not sure if this is the right question but its the best I got.

Is War Within the Relm of Anarchy? What Makes An Anarchist?

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 22:46:13 +0000

If two countrys go into a war do most anarchist support this? What realy makes an anarchist? What do you believe as your own personal anarchy?

What's the general attitude anarchists have of neighborhood/community watch organizations?

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 03:32:37 +0000

In my experience, neighborhood watch programs are really nothing more than narcs, off-duty police, superiority-complex-ridden people that try to be police, and then the occasional person who just wants to make sure no one is being harmed. It's this last group of people that give me hope for watches, and I think community watches can fit nicely with anarchism; it's volunteer, there are different watchers every night (or week or whatever), and no one has authority over others. The Highway Helpers in Iowa and other states are slightly reminiscent of this organization (volunteers drive around the highways in trucks with car-repair equipment and help anyone in need, free of charge). I can easily see some anarchist societies having such organizations (people patrolling to make sure no one is harming another or being harmed), and I have heard Christiania has similar coordination among residents, although I can't confirm this.
But with incidents like that of the recent Trayvon Martin shooting and many others like it, there's legitimate concern regarding these watches.
On top of the original question, what do all of you think?

How might an anarchist tell someone to seek help for a psych. problem?

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 22:16:40 +0000

In general, i'd say @s value mental autonomy and resist the tyranny of psychiatric institutions. Further, i think there is often value in communicating with non-neurotypical (whatever that is) people. Often psychological distress can be caused by some fucked up aspect of society. The psychologically damaged (and, really, who among us isn't?) often hold insights that others cannot see. Usually the field of psychology acts to reinforce the presence of capitalism and other oppressive crap by not questioning these fundamental social ills, and reinforcing the role of pharmaceutical control. We are right to be wary of endorsing the psych industry.

But what if someone we must interact with has extreme psychological issues that are unaddressed? How might they get help without submitting to some psychological authority? How can we respond to their problematic behavior without trying to get them medicated by force or locked up in a psych ward?

What's anarcho-collectivism?

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 04:49:03 +0000

What's the theory behind it? How does it relate to anarcho-communism?

What role do games play in anarchy?

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 02:15:27 +0000

I will leave this open for now but am willing to refine if confusion ensues.

How does anarchy relate to or challenge consensus reality?

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 02:08:11 +0000

Many anarchists see the state and capitalism as related with consensus reality and so are interested in somehow challenging or overthrowing that (part of) consensus reality. Many also see anarchism as about achieving a different consensus reality without the state and capitalism.

My question is what do you think about exploring an anarchy that is not about that, but is instead about challenging consensus reality itself and exploring outside of the limits of what people agree the world (society, politics, economics, physics, etc etc etc) is and how it works? Any examples of this in historical practice or in writing or your experience etc?

How would this kind of anarchy have different theories and practices than the anarchist movement generally?

Anarchy vs. Anarchism?

Sat, 14 Apr 2012 05:59:12 +0000

Is there a difference? If so, what's the difference? Can someone adhere to anarchy, but not anarchism, and vice versa?

What are Anarchist critiques of "social capital", if any?

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 08:33:52 +0000

How do anarchists define "social capital" and how is it critiqued from an anarchist point of view?

When (if ever) is coercion an appropriate choice for an anarchist?

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 09:37:07 +0000

In an ideal world, persuasion and discussion would settle all things, but my ideal world has no room for ten hour consensus meeting more than maybe once per lifetime. Lump on to that that my ideal world is one of many, and they don't all fit together like a nice jigsaw puzzle of anarchyland.

If we are assuming that the dirty grit of the real world in the here and now will be present in whatever other realities we create (meaning that they are non-utopic), where does coercion come in to play? At what point does it cross the line in to domination?

Does anarchy mean that I can't try to coerce people or only that they're free to walk away if I do?

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 04:20:25 +0000

Do anarchists believe in meritocracy?

Mon, 09 Apr 2012 18:25:14 +0000

Is anarchy a form of consensus?

Mon, 09 Apr 2012 17:52:37 +0000

Is anarchy or anarchism, as you understand it or as it has been understood by various anarchists, something that aims toward or needs to build or is defined as a state of political consensus and/or consensus reality?

That is a "yes or no" question, but beyond that I want you to describe the anarchy you desire, especially if it is not a consensus variety. If everyone in the world doesn't agree to anarchy, then can anarchy exist? If so, what happens when people play with power, property, kidnapping, etc? How to deny power as a state while not prohibiting power as play? How to recognize when it has gone too far if not with a judge? How to experience full anarchy without having 7 billion anarchists? etc.

Are anarchists egalitarians?

Fri, 06 Apr 2012 21:34:42 +0000

I read in an anarchist 101 type pamphlet that anarchists are egalitarians who seek the creation (in a long term and immediate sense) of egalitarian social relationships and equality between people. And yet in other places, I have read critiques of "equality" as an abstracting, limiting, and quantifying view of humanity tied to liberalism and capitalism. I understand anarchism to be a critique of capitalism and liberalism.

Are anarchists egalitarians?

What do anarchists mean when they speak of "the crisis"?

Fri, 06 Apr 2012 21:29:19 +0000

What do anarchists mean when they speak of "the crisis"? Is the meaning the same as when the phrase is used in the capitalist press? And by communists? Is there a "crisis of capitalism," and if so, is this a desirable situation for anarchists?

What is Giorgio Agamben's role in the video-film-tract 'Get Rid of Yourself'?

Thu, 05 Apr 2012 02:43:30 +0000

Agamben is credited as being in the movie, but I can't figure out where he is in it. I don't think he's the guy with the mask and the blazer who stands in a fountain because that guy has the wrong accent. Does anyone know?

Do you believe that orthodox, class-deterministic Marxism has had a negative influence on anarchist theory?

Wed, 04 Apr 2012 09:13:24 +0000

While anarchists I have worked with over the years have expressed a wide range of views on domination and oppression, I find that media-based anarchists (anarchist newspapers, anarchist historians, published theorists, etc), seem to fall back on a very class-determinist view of domination that often seems disturbingly familiar to the kind of analysis put forth by Trotskyists, except with a rejection of the state.
I find this a bit odd, since my reading of Bakunin is that he was not so reductionist and that he did see that numerous institutions (church, family, the state itself) were locations which historically produced domination. He was also not as much a fan of Marx's theories as many anarchists seem to believe, in some instances referring to Marx's historical materialism as pseudo-scince. I also find it a bit ironic that theoretical post-Marxism (Foucalt, Derrida) has, since the 1960s, rejected this kind of deterministic thinking, though anarchism, as a movement, has not. This is strange, since anarchism should, by definition, be a place where ideas are free from reification and dogma and that anarchism on "the street" does seem to be more wide open (I'm thinking here of the diverse kinds of actions anarchists have been involved in, from anti-globalization, anti-war, to Black Blocks, ELF, Earth First!, Food Not Bombs, radical queer/transgendered activism). Compare this to the Trotskyists, who basically show up at protests to sell their newspaper.
Just curious what other people think about this...cheers.

Do anarchists register for the selective service?

Wed, 04 Apr 2012 03:26:21 +0000

Why/why not

Are their places in America where anarchy is practiced?

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 04:49:07 +0000

Left Communism & Classical Anarchist Positions?

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 17:41:45 +0000

It has often been said on here and elsewhere that the Communist Left through out it's history (and other left Marxisms) have just come to the same conclusions that have been classical Anarchist positions. I am wondering if anyone who posts here would like to back that sort of claim up.

My main reason for wondering this is because it seems that perhaps this is true, but at times Anarchists have had positions that vary from such positions of where the Communist Left and some Anarchists intersect politically. So I am wondering who are these classical anarchists, and which currents held these views that Marxists came to years later?

Is Free town Christiania an example of anarcho-capitalism?

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 01:57:42 +0000

They're free from the influence of the state, but they still exchange goods in a (almost) completely free market. Isn't that the essence of anarcho-capitalism?

What's the deal with feminism and anarchy (anarcha-feminism)?

Tue, 27 Mar 2012 05:55:39 +0000

What's the correlation between the two? I've heard some a-feminists say all anarchists are (or should be) feminists. Is patriarchy really that prevalent or that big of a problem?
Feminism just seems like a whiny way of saying women need to be treated equally, but yet different and even better than men. Please relieve me of my ignorance.

How would an anarchist society deal with crimes like rape or serial murder?

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 22:48:46 +0000

I'm personally a anarcho-syndicalist; but, this is something that perplexes me often. I don't see how a mutualistic society could intern people, without state backing.

And you hardly want private police, like the *cough* anarcho-capitalists.

Thanks! Btw.

Martial Arts (Hierarchy and Authority...)

Sun, 25 Mar 2012 00:20:00 +0000

Martial arts sometimes implement hierarchy when it comes to belt progression and advancing in rank. Also, there are times in the gym/dojo where the instructor/'master' will take somewhat of an authoritarian stance in order to convey a message.

My question is, are these hierarchical/authoritarian relationships justifiable? Martial arts are obviously completely voluntary but some stuff does seem to kind of contradict certain aspects of Anarchism.

Maybe I'm just over-thinking though.

"Property is theft" -Taken too literally?

Thu, 22 Mar 2012 20:33:02 +0000

Now on the subject on property and how Anarchists generally define property, I still have a lot to learn. From what I understand, Anarchists define private property as property owned by the few but ran by many. Also anything that is used to exploit others for profit is considered 'property'. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

Anyways, my question is, is the 'private property' I live on considered property or possession? If someone owns private property and is uncomfortable with people 'trespassing', I think it's fair enough to handle that situation (whether it be warnings, violence, etc.) But is that considered "Private Property" by Anarchist definition? It's land that their home is on and they're not using it to exploit anyone or gain profit at the expense of others.

How would YOU counter these questions or arguments...

Thu, 22 Mar 2012 05:49:27 +0000

I've come across of a lot of these arguments before and while some are harder to counter, some are quite easy. I'd just like to see how people respond to some of these questions.. hopefully I'll learn some stuff here and be able to form more arguments of my own. These tend to be the arguments of strong patriots or capitalists that I've come across recently:

1) Laws protect us and without them, society would indulge in chaos.

2) Capitalism offers more jobs and gives 'everyone' the chance to start a business of their own and profit off it. Besides, it's voluntary. How is that slavery?

3) Why have such a radical opinion when none of these things are possible? Why not work to change laws and politicians?

4) We need government to create and maintain roads, hospitals, fire departments, medicine, etc.

Those are a few off the top of my head. Most of those can be argued against, very easily. Some, such as the capitalism, I still have trouble getting around and not having studied anything about economic systems, I can't come up with more than your basic 'anti-capitalist' arguments. So, anyways, I'd just like to see how fellow Anarchists respond to some of the questions.

I'm concerned about how we'll help those of us that need long term care. Like disabled people or the mentally ill?

Wed, 21 Mar 2012 17:58:15 +0000

Difference between anarcho-socialism and anarcho-communism?

Wed, 21 Mar 2012 03:53:40 +0000

Also: difference between anarcho-socialism/communism and libertarian socialism/communism, if there is one?

Is Somalia an example of an Anarchy, and if not why?

Tue, 20 Mar 2012 18:09:19 +0000

What was up with the Orange/Black flags at DNC 08?

Tue, 20 Mar 2012 05:21:15 +0000

Were there shit loads of mutualists there?

http://crimethinc.com/texts/images/dnc7b.jpg
http://crimethinc.com/texts/images/dnc1b.jpg
http://www.crimethinc.com/texts/images/dnc4b.jpg
http://www.crimethinc.com/texts/images/dnc3b.jpg
http://www.crimethinc.com/texts/images/dnc5b.jpg

Laws: contradictive in an Anarchist society?

Tue, 20 Mar 2012 04:19:04 +0000

I've read multiple articles where some Anarchists believe it's okay for a community to have laws, as long as they were created and accepted by all the individuals within that society.

What are your thoughts? Doesn't creating laws contradict the word "Anarchism" itself? Sure, it may be consensual through all the other individuals in that society but wouldn't that place restrictions?

I guess laws being formal and then being agreed upon are two big factors in this, as well.

Are anarchists against immunizations?

Tue, 20 Mar 2012 04:05:40 +0000

I guess I mean immunizations required by the state. What's an anarchist solution to immunizing people to prevent/contain an epidemic? Should immunizations still be forced, or at least strongly recommended, for the good of society?

How can an anarchist community continue to have access to clean fresh water after declaring itself autonomous?

Sun, 18 Mar 2012 23:18:03 +0000

To clarify: let's say several hundred, or even thousand, people reclaim a part of a city and declare it a free town (no private property, no money/currency, no taxes, institution of a gift economy -- something along those lines). How can this community continue to acquire potable water (assuming this community is nowhere near bodies of water that are even close to safe to drink)? Should it just make at least the one exception of giving into the state and paying for water to be pumped in? Is this even a feasible situation?
What did/do Christiania, the Blitz, Ungdomshuset, and other free anarchist communities do for water and sewage treatment/access?
Sorry if this isn't 101 enough!

Green Anarchism/Anarcho-primitivism..

Fri, 16 Mar 2012 20:41:02 +0000

Having recent questions about left/right wing politics and where Anarchism fits in... and having found out that Anarchism is generally left wing because of it's radical perspective and emphasis on liberty, freedom, etc., I'm wondering WHY Anarcho-primitivism is considered right-wing?

I'm not a primitivist or a 'nature freak', however, the area I live in is beautiful and the sudden deforestation and homes being built, it's made me realize how the state is tearing the land apart and it's merely for profit. Sound like a hippie, right? But no, I consider myself a Social Anarchist but I would like to know why Anarcho-primitivism is considered right-wing?

Liberal or Conservative?

Thu, 15 Mar 2012 19:25:39 +0000

I was reading this article to understand the differences between left vs right wing politics:

http://townhall.com/columnists/johnhawkins/2007/04/27/10_differences_between_conservatives_and_liberals/page/full/

Anarchism is left but from what I read, left wing is more liberal while right wing is conservative. Also, it seems that Liberals promote more government and also advocate discrimination.

So, why is Anarchism considered left and of the two, is it more liberal or conservative by nature? I'm new to politics in general and would love any answers. I'm an Anarchist and to me, liberal and conservative, are just words that keep getting changed along with America's society, but I'm wondering how, specifically, Anarchism falls towards the left, which is marked more "Liberal". Any help would be awesome!