What are the fundamental differences between Anarchism and Anarcho-Syndicalism? How is it that the politics of the AF and SolFed differ for example? This is something that I need to do some reading on but in the meantime it would be great to hear some basic ideas.
Many thanks,
ElRaval
Jan 17 2012 21:52
Jan 17 2012 22:41
yes, it could be said AS is rather a method or a strategy, while anarchism is a more general set of principles, ideas etc.
Jan 17 2012 22:59
Sorry I should really have asked the difference between Anarcho-Communism and Anarcho-Syndicalism. I'm just interested in the reasons one might have for choosing one over the other and where adherents to each would start to disagree (perhaps Railyon has already answered this). I remember reading something by AF criticising the idea of "dual-power" with regards to syndicalism which was less a criticism and more a brief mention which is the reason I was seeking clarification.
Jan 18 2012 00:00
Well, I think there's two interrelated issues here. One is the difference between AF and SF and the other is the difference between a-c and a-s.
On the first, both organisations have great working relationship with each other. I think, generally, AF has a bit wider remit--specifically anarchist propaganda, analysis, outreach--while SF is more workplace oriented. This isn't to say both organisations engage in both types of activity, but that focus is a bit different.
On a-s and and a-c, both have the same end goal: libertarian communism. A-S is just a means, a tactic to get there. A-S organisations have a specific tactic of creating revolutionary unions that will bring about the revolution.
Jan 18 2012 00:05
Would like to write more but it's late where I am so I'll just link to the Anarchist Communism and Anarcho-Syndicalism introductions on libcom, hopefully that'll help a bit..
Jan 18 2012 03:28
I am having a bit of difficulty here. I don't see the difference between libertarian communism and anarcho communism (I have personally used them iner-changably. If there is a substantial difference, I think this,
Chilli Sauce wrote:
Well, I think there's two interrelated issues here. One is the difference between AF and SF and the other is the difference between a-c and a-s.
Needs to be unpacked a bit more 
.
I mean, AS is a certainly distinctive method. But can that be counterposed to AC?
Jan 18 2012 09:07
Grr, I need to go to work so can't get into this more but I'm not sure about 'counter-posing' anarcho-communism with anarcho-syndicalism either.. to me, all anarcho-syndicalists are anarcho-communists, though that's not necessarily true the other way around (for instance, you get FAI members in the CNT but you also get anarcho-communists who are against all unions)..
Gotta leave it at that for now, I'm off to meet Francesco Toldo (no joke).. 
Jan 18 2012 10:15
Was I counter-posing? I didn't mean to if I was!
Jan 19 2012 06:04
Del Piero has Noel Gallagher, Toldo has Ed. How is that happening anyhow?
Jan 20 2012 20:36
Both the AF and SF aim to bring about anarcho-communism, otherwise known as libertarian communism, yet the SF focus simply takes a strategy more dominantly focused on the revolutionary union initiative. The AF and SF are highly similar in their general aims.
If you read points 7 and 8 of the Anarchist Federation's Aims and Principles, it might make the strategy difference clearer with reference to the way the AF differs from the revolutionary union initiative nature of the Solidarity Federation.
Jan 20 2012 23:45
I always found this quotation from, of all people, Emma Goldman to be appropo:
"Syndicalism is, in essence, the economic expression of Anarchism. That circumstance accounts for the presence of so many Anarchists in the Syndicalist movement. Like Anarchism, Syndicalism prepares the workers along direct economic lines, as conscious factors in the great struggles of to-day, as well as conscious factors in the task of reconstructing society along autonomous industrial lines, as against the paralyzing spirit of centralization with its bureaucratic machinery of corruption, inherent in all political parties. "
Can comment on articles and discussions
There is no fundamental difference between the two.
Anarcho-Syndicalism is a type of anarchism (I mean, you did say "Anarchism and Anarcho-Syndicalism"), however if we speak of AF as representing anarchist communism and SolFed as anacho-syndicalism, their goals are the same but they differ in strategy (which is what a-syn basically boils down to, it's a type of revolutionary strategy).
Both are not exclusive to each other, I'd say they're actually complementary if anything.