I'm looking for writing by self-identified anarchists on class and the economy. This stuff should be as readable as possible and should appeal to people who are patriotic about the black flag (hence the 'self-identified anarchists' bit). Any help?
Nov 26 2007 17:16
Nov 27 2007 00:03
Nov 27 2007 00:12
Anna, what by Berkman?
MJ, is that serious or a joke? I don't know what the ninja/black bloc face means.
Nov 27 2007 00:26
Actually I think it could be a great springboard for a reading group. The ninja was the equivalent of ducking, from the inevitable abuse/objections.
If I was completely intent on joking I would have used a 
and posted this:
Nov 27 2007 00:32
I agree with Anna. Berkman's ABC's of anarchist communism is what we usually use in Edmonton as a good intorduction to anarcho communist politics. It's very well written and aimed at people who can barely read, uses a lot of examples. Generally speaking its the one that has the best response from folks who are not already college educated or the reading types at least for us.
Nov 27 2007 00:40
Actually, I credit A People's History and Berkman for a large part of my radicalization. Anyway, the ABC of anarchism is currently being published by AK Press as What is Anarchism?. Also, the Rage Against the Machine website has a link to a free online version of the text.
I find the Principles of Anarchism to be a good resource as well. A bit heavy at times, but I like the structure, it makes it nice and easy to find a quick, yet thoro, anarchist analysis of particular questions.
Oh, and Anarchist Economics by Bekken is pretty straightforward. Easily available on the ASR site.
Nov 27 2007 00:44
MJ wrote:
Actually I think it could be a great springboard for a reading group. The ninja was the equivalent of ducking, from the inevitable abuse/objections.If I was completely intent on joking I would have used a
I know we all have a lot on the table, but I would love to write a simple, straightforward, readable and understandable 'Intro to Anarchism.' I would be down for starting a reading group of simple anarchist texts with the ultimate goal of collectively writing an introductory pamphlet.
Nate, do you mind if I ask what your intentions are with these introductory texts?
Nov 27 2007 03:50
Sure NC. I'm thinking of trying to start a reading group w/ anarchists in Mpls. I live rael close to a lefty bookstore and friends of mine (mostly wobs) know a lot of people in the local anarchist scene - I'm not in the know other than the IWW cuz I've only done IWW stuff since I moved here. My impression is that other than wobs and their close friends the local anarchists aren't real solid on class. I'd like to be all "this is for anarchists!" and sucker people into a conversation about class. If it works then maybe it can become the core of a WSA branch. More modestly, I'd really like to get an ongoing ASR and NEA and Workers Solidarity (and maybe prol-position?) discussion group going, maybe this could turn into that.
I have very little time outside of the IWW so I don't have much to give to it, but I figure it could be fun.
Thanks for the recommendations y'all. I've not read these books, except maybe the Berkman forever ago. How long would it take to read each of these?
Nov 27 2007 04:40
Nate - One more suggestion: Governance in the Future by Chomsky. Very straightforward, but leaves lots of room for discussion and critique. Anarchists who aren't good on class? Activisty, lifestylist types? I know your dilemma.
Berkman - easily read in a week or two
Chomsky - diddo
Bekken - It's like 4 pages
What is Anarchism - Better as a resource or possibly each section paired with a reading for further exploration.
Good luck and keep us updated.
Nov 27 2007 15:36
Nate wrote:
MJ, is that serious or a joke?
I'll put it forward seriously. Unfinished Business is excellent, came out of the blue and went back to the blue.
Every anarchist group should have written their version of it.
Regardless it is a brilliant piece of work. Anyone can understand it, which is truly remarkable.
Nov 27 2007 15:47
Tacks anyone can understand The Beano too....
Nov 27 2007 15:53
Exactly.
Nov 27 2007 15:55
yeah and the beano's got a more nuanced class analysis.
Nov 27 2007 16:01
Tacks wrote:
Nate wrote:
MJ, is that serious or a joke?I'll put it forward seriously. Unfinished Business is excellent, came out of the blue and went back to the blue.
Every anarchist group should have written their version of it.
Regardless it is a brilliant piece of work. Anyone can understand it, which is truly remarkable.
Er, some of it's pretty good, but large bits of it are complete shite, certainly not worthy of uncritical praise. It is clearly written though - but as revol points out that's not enough in itself.
Nov 27 2007 16:05
Have you read UB?
(what i'd suggest is not reading it but scanning it now on libcom and posting up random chunks to make it look silly.)
The biggest problem with it i have is its 'class pyramid' thing which is ab it off kilter, i'd prefer it if they said there were essentially 2 classes - employers and employers, then cracked out the minutiae of the system from that basis. Instead they go for a kind of social-power scale, which i don't like. They have decent points on social power, like class confidence for instance, but it shouldn't be the heart of matter.
as i said, UB is far from perfect but every group that has said so should publish their own equally readable equivalent.
Can comment on articles and discussions
For 'as readable as possible', try Berkman?