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Anarcho-Syndicalism versus Vol. 1: On Creating the
Post #01
Well, I just read TNL's [Tell No Lie's] "The Historical Failure of Anarchism", which I consider to be a most serious analysis. Honestly my head is still swimming and once I catch my breath, need to go re-read it. But just a small part:
Several years ago I read Emma Goldman's "Living My Life" (Vol. 1 & 2), plus writings of Alexander Berkman. Emma Goldman is usually summarily dismissed by lots of Marxists, and I think both she and Berkman had valuable things to say. But I usually felt that her anarchist ideas tended to be idealistic. On the other hand, Emma Goldman, while maintaining her criticisms of the Bolsheviks, was a stalwart supporter–in theory, but mostly practice–of the Russian Revolution. After being deported from the U.S. back to the Soviet Union (when it was in its infancy) she was one of those who pointed to those "authoritarian aspects and potentialities" -- most especially in terms of the manifestations and ramifications of a developing bureaucracy, while still carrying on some dialogue with Lenin–and even though she was essentially put under "house arrest." And I also think that Emma Goldman, while having that liberatory spirit, was incorrect in thinking that by virtue of the Bolshevik Revolution, people were going to be liberated in one-fell swoop, and was seemingly in denial of many of the life and death contradictions the Bolsheviks faced. So I'm curious -- how do Andy or TNL [Tell No Lies] or any of the rest of you weighing in on this discussion see bridging the gap between an anarchist such as Emma Goldman and the Marxist-Leninists-Maoists, or if this is even possible? And when Andy talks about Anarcho-Syndicalism is that a reference in a more sweeping way, or is he considering even the "divisions" in A.S., i.e. the "socialist anarchists", "collective anarchism" or "anarcho-communism." Or are there real differences? When I think of Anarcho-Syndicalism, I guess I have a pretty limited view, because I automatically think of The Wobblies and also Eugene Debs. Auxilio.
Post #02
Greetings,
As an unbelievable revolutionary force of anarchism, both Emma Goldman and Alexander Berkman cannot be beaten in their enthusiasm. [*1] But as theoreticians go, I would choose Mikhail Bakunin. From Chapter IV of "Marxism, Freedom, and the State," he wrote, "…the International [Marx's organization] only fights old tyrannies in order to establish new ones, and that in order worthily to replace existing absurdities, it wishes to create another!" [*2] Authoritarian, Statist Communism is just another form of Enlightened Monarchy, and all monarchies are the same. The ruler, once imbued with the right ideas, will be able to create the proper social order -- whether those ideas are tradition and heritage, a religious order, a heavenly mandate, or Marxist ideology. And also in the words of Bakunin, chapter 3 of the same text, "It is true that the most imperfect republic is a thousand times better than the most enlightened monarchy…" [*3] As such, I consider Anarchism and any form of authoritarian government as opposites, no matter what inspires that Authoritarian government -- whereas, in contrast, the more libertarian the government, the better. "And when Andy talks about Anarcho-Syndicalism is that a reference in a more sweeping way, or is he considering even the 'divisions' in A.S., i.e. the 'socialist anarchists', 'collective anarchism' or 'anarcho-communism.' Or are there real differences? When I think of Anarcho-Syndicalism, I guess I have a pretty limited view, because I automatically think of The Wobblies and also Eugene Debs." Many of the ism's are often cited in place of each other, even when reading "educated scholars." But I try to draw back to the original root-meanings of the words. Syndicalism is from the French, for "Radical Unionism." Anarcho-Syndicalism is just the practice of organizing unions for the purpose of overthrowing government, or compromising its laws to the will of the people. So, it's really just a tool, and as Marx said, [*4] the General Strike is our lever. Anarchist forms of Socialism, Collectivism, and Communism are just different theoretical models for the distribution of wealth. Collectivists, "To each according to their contribution." Communists, "To each according to their need." Socialist is really just a broad term for anyone with anti-capitalist ideas and sympathy for worker miseries; so, Anarcho-Socialists really could have either distribution method. Andy Carloff, Resources *1. See Emma Goldman's "Living my Life;" and see Alexander Berkman's "Prison Memoirs of an Anarchist."
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