The floodgates of anarchy - Stuart Christie and Albert Meltzer

This polemic approaches the subject of anarchism in relation to class struggle. It presents an argument against class-based society and hierarchy and advocates for a free and equal society based on individual dignity and merit.

Submitted by Juan Conatz on December 21, 2010

Drawing from the authors’ experiences as activists and documenting the activities of other 20th-century anarchists—including clandestine activities and social change by any means—this fundamental text asserts that government is the true enemy of the people and that only through the dissolution of government can the people put an end to exploitation and war, leading to a fully free society. This is the 1970 edition.

Comments

Juan Conatz

13 years 11 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Juan Conatz on December 21, 2010

Just thought I'd get this started. Add more later.

Juan Conatz

13 years 11 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Juan Conatz on December 23, 2010

Finished.

Steven.

13 years 11 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Steven. on December 23, 2010

Amazing! Thanks

gypsy

13 years 11 months ago

In reply to by Juan Conatz

Submitted by gypsy on December 23, 2010

Juan Conatz

Finished.

Cheers bruv

Stranger Than …

13 years 11 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Stranger Than … on December 24, 2010

Wow thanks for that.

Battlescarred

12 years 10 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Battlescarred on January 19, 2012

Spam!!!

syndicalist

11 years 3 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by syndicalist on August 25, 2013

many, many years ago I could not understand this book, sorry. It was one of the hardest reads ever. I suspect it was just too "british" in tone, langugae and outlook....which makes sense given that the authors are from that part of the world. maybe with the passage of time and age, i should come back and pck up my printed copy and give another read.

rat

11 years 3 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by rat on August 25, 2013

Have you read I Couldn't Paint Golden Angels Albert Meltzer? Well worth it.

Fleur

11 years 3 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Fleur on August 25, 2013

Syndicalist:
It's so peppered with so many British references, often without any explanation or footnotes, when I read it a few years ago it made sense to me but I thought it had so much Britspeak in it, it might not travel very well. Just flicking through it now, I've come across references to Keir Hardie, William Beverage, the Webbs, Henry Mayhew, Oz magazine, the Fabians, to name but a few. I'm not sure many people outside the UK would necessarily know who these people were. I think it could really benefit from a more expanded glossary for readers outside the UK.

Completely agree with Rat, I Couldn't Paint Golden Angels is well worth a read.

syndicalist

11 years 3 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by syndicalist on August 26, 2013

rat

Have you read I Couldn't Paint Golden Angels Albert Meltzer? Well worth it.

I've read it...but there were some rough spots to read as well.

have you ever heard Albert speak (rest his soul)? Now that was often a challenge (for me!)

jeremytrewindixon

6 years 4 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by jeremytrewindixon on August 6, 2018

I have a textual question important to me. The last paragraph of the chapter Rewards and Fantasies as reproduced here on libcom reads:

"A free society might ration those goods which are in short supply and cannot be available upon the formula of "each according to his needs". It can have nothing to do with superior decisions upon merits, or the goblin fluctuations of currency. For then it would cease to be free."

I strongly remember the paragraph reading:

"A free society might ration those goods which are in short supply and cannot be available upon the formula of "each according to his needs". It might issue labour credits. It can have nothing to do with superior decisions upon merits, or the goblin fluctuations of currency. For then it would cease to be free."

Ie a reference to labour credits. (Wording might be very slightly different) I've owned a couple of hardcopy editions over the years. Am I misremembering entirely? Or is there a difference between editions?