Anarchism and the left
These articles from various sources look at the anarchist
critique of other socialist ideas including Leninism, Marxism and
Social democracy. If you know of an anarchist on the left not listed
here please suggest listing it to me. If
one of these links is no longer working please
tell me it is dead.
Which Way To The
Revolution: Anarchism or Leninism
My talk is simply going to be an introduction to the basics of
anarchism, though it'll be aimed a bit for those coming from a
Marxist view-point. I'll tend to focus on the areas where we
disagree, say the difference over authority and the state, rather
than on why capitalism needs to go.
Anarchism and
Marxism
A lot of people who call themselves anarchists will probably be
extremely annoyed when I say that the most striking thing is how much
we have in common with Marxism. Both anarchists and Marxists are
materialists. Both believe that the ideas in peoples' heads are
shaped by the social and economic conditions in which we live.
The Anarchist
Alternative to Leninism
A spectre is haunting the left - the spectre of
anarchism. All the powers of the old left have entered into a holy
alliance to exorcise this spectre
[PDF file
of the Anarchist alternative to Leninism]
The Marxist
theory of the State....an anarchist reply
There is no one Marxist theory of the state, different currents
within Marxism have developed their own variants. However all share
the idea that the State can, and must, be used as a means towards
achieving the classless society
The failure of
Marxism
There is much of use within Marxism, I do not propose to throw away
the impressive economic analysis for instance, but as an ideology, as
a tradition and as a guide for the future it has failed; and failed
on a grand scale
The Bolshevik
Revolution: A legacy better rejected
This year marked the 80th anniversary of the death of Lenin. Time to
dump Leninism as a deeply flawed theory.
[Suggest a link]
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Revolutionary
politics and single issue campaigns
Over the past decades, there has been a tendency for activists to
move away from organisations,and organisation on a class basis, and
concentrate on single-issue campaigns. In its lifetime, the WSM has
been involved in many such campaigns
Leninism
and the failure of the Russian revolution
The Russian revolutions of 1917 demonstrate that a revolution is
possible but they also warn against authoritarian methods of
introducing socialism.
Kronstadt
1917-1921: The Fate of a Soviet Democracy
Review of Israel Getzler's excellent book on red Kronstadt. Essential
reading for anyone interested in combating Bolshevik myths about the
uprising of 1921.
What's the
importance of the French revolution?
We can examine the French revolution as a prototype of how
revolutions occur and progress. Kropotkin defined it as the
"mother of us all ". The ideas and methods of the French
Revolution were and still have relevance to us today
Rosa
Luxemburg on socialism and objective conditions
Rosa Luxembourg argued that socialism didn't just entail a change in
material conditions but also a change in relationships within
society, that freedom was a prerequisite for a socialist society
Cuba..socialist
paradise or Castro's fiefdom?
Cuba, about 90 miles off the coast of North America, is the
largest of the Caribbean islands. The social services are in a far
better condition than they are in other Latin American countries.
Virtually every Cuban under the age of 30 can read and write. But the
cost of these benefits is high for the working class who have never
been in the saddle of power in Cuba.
Argentina and the
left
An analysis and critique of two Leninist accounts of popular
self-organisation in the crisis in Argentina.
[Suggest a link]
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Anarchist replies to Leninists
- Supplement
- The SWP's very peculiar 'Anarchism'
This is a supplement that was distributed with Workers Solidarity
at Marxism in Dublin. It's based on a reply to an article on
Anarchism published in Socialist Review by Pat Stack, also
available as a
PDF
file
- Marxism and "Anarchism": A
reply to the SWP
A lengthy critique of an SWP article on anarchism. Published in
Freedom.
- Defending the
Bolsheviks or defending the
truth?
A reply to the now defunct Irish Workers Group
- John Rees In
defence of the Truth
A review of John Rees article on Defending October published in
International Socialist, focusing on his claims on the Kronstadt
rising of 1921, as a way of understanding the Leninist method on
the Russian Revolution
- In Defence of the
Truth
Another more detailed critique of John Rees' "In Defence of
October" and its account of the Makhnovists and Kronstadt.
- Worker's
Ice Pick
This essay is written in response to the book "Blackshirts and
Reds" by Michael Parenti, a large part of which is taken up with
apologetics for, and praise of, the Union of Soviet Socialist
Republics and it's satellites.
- Will
the real Bakunin please stand up?
Reply to the British SWP's distortions about the father of
anarchism.
- A few comments
on "Bakunin's Statism and Anarchy: A review by Chris Gray"
A critique of Chris Gray's review of Bakunin's "Statism and
Anarchy."
- How the
Revolution was Lost?
A critique of Chris Harman's "How the Revolution was Lost" showing
the links between Leninism and the rise of Stalinism.
- A reply to Pat Stack's
"Anarchy in the UK?"
A critique of one of the worse articles on anarchism ever. It was
printed, in edited for, in Socialist Review.
- The
irresistible correctness of anarchism
A lengthy review of the SWP's "The Resistible Rise of Benito
Mussolini," exposing its distortions of history (particularly
about anarchism during this period) and indicating the flaws in
their anti-fascist front, the Anti-Nazi League.
- Red Emma and
the Reds
A lengthy reply to an American Leninist and his lies and
distortions about Emma Goldman's politics and life. For my
daughter, Sophie Emma.
- Letter
to "Socialist Resistance"
A reply to another crap Marxist article on anarchism. Will these
people ever read an anarchist book?
- Letter
to Socialist Resistance (2)
Replying to their reply on anarchism. Available as
pdf file.
On the Labour Party
- Money
talks...
Some light is shed on Blair's meetings with big business. A truly
listening government.
- Tough on
Blair. Tough on the causes of Blair
On why Blair's justifications for war are nonsense and why the
focusing on Blair by some parts of the anti-war movement is wrong.
We need to change the system, not politicians.
- Gullible
Morons or Getting Militant?
Blair's government has, unsurprisingly, decided to allow GM crops
to be grown. The only sensible thing to do is to oppose GM.
- New
Labour: Power Junkies
Blair's support for random drugs tests in schools shows that this
should be done to his government. They are power junkies, seeking
more and more power regardless of the costs.
- Doing
our job for us...
An article on how New Labour has confirmed the anarchist case
against the state. What better advertisement for libertarian ideas
can there be than Blair?
- Something
to really swear about!
A few comments on the insulting and illogical "oath" the Blairites
want to make immigrants swear.
- 1 in 5 (longer
version)
More of the same, plus more on social perspectives under new
Labour and the self-defeating nature of "individualism"
- Democracy
in action!
On the hypocrisy of Blair lecturing Chinese students on democracy.
- Paging Mr.
Kettle...
Blair (killer of thousands of Iraqis) on the death of Saddam's
sons (killers of thousands of Iraqis).
- Labour
Pains
On the 2003 Labour Conference, on Blair's "reverse gear" and what
the alternative to Labour really is.
- Something
to really swear about!
A few comments on the insulting and illogical "oath" the Blairites
want to make immigrants swear.
- Even better than
the real thing...
Britain under Blair has become even more unequal than under
Thatcher. What a surprise!
Globaliation movement
[Suggest a link]
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More information on the Russian revolution
Specific left groups
One Step Forward,
Two Steps Back
A lengthy review of "Imagine" by the Scottish Socialist Party leaders
Tommy Sheridan and Alan McCombes
Socialist Workers Party/International
Socialist Tendancy
The British SWP has written over a dozen
articles attacking anarchism in the last couple of years (see replies
above). Below are some articles by anarchists on the SWP
PDF file of State or
Revolution
- The
State or Revolution
An anarchist answer to Lenin, written for Marxism 2003
- The SWP versus
Anarchism
Here are a few quotes from Pat Stack's Socialist Review
article "Anarchy in the UK?" which formed the basis of his
talk at Marxism 2001. Ask yourself why the SWP leadership
systematically lies about anarchism.
- Lenin,
History's "Hidden Democrat," speaks!
Stright form the horses mouth
- Anarcho-Quiz
on the SWP
Test your knowledge
- What is
Anarchism?
There is an alternative to Leninism's state capitalism and party
power. It is called anarchism, a socialism which places freedom
and working class management of society at the core of its vision
of struggle, revolution and socialism.
- Another world
is possible?
Under capitalism, 8 people make life and death decisions for
millions. Under Bolshevism, 19 people made them
Useful links
