A question to our Anarchist comrades.

[white_wolf]

The more I read the more I feel that some of my views are more in line with anarchism than traditional Marxism, but aside from a very basic knowledge I am ignorant of the subject. My main area of contention with at least the Leninist variations of Marxism is the role of the State during a revolution, so I've been interested in Syndicalism since it seems it could provide organization while still keeping power firmly in the hands of the workers. I was wondering if anyone had any recommendations for reading. Is there anything akin to an "Anarchist Manifesto?" I'm thinking of picking up some of Chomksy's works or perhaps The Conquest of Bread.

[TBF]

1. Mikhail Bakunin

http://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/bakunin/index.htm

This essay is particularly good: "The Commune, the Church and the State" http://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/bakunin/works/writings/ch11.htm

It's where I fall theoretically as well ...

[Taverner]

2. Mikhail Bakunin, God and State

Anything by Nestor Makhno

Emma Goldman

Eugene Debs

that's a great start


And I am in the same boat as you - more of a Libertarian Communist/Anarcho Syndicalist

[Fantastic Anarchist]

6. Not to put too fine a point on it ...

.... but Bakunin's collectivism is what evolved more into the Anarcho-Syndicalist current, while Peter Kropotkin kept to a more anarcho-communist mode which, in itself evolved on its own. The primary difference was in remuneration. The former kept wage remuneration as a form of economic relations, while the latter stayed with the doctrine: "To each according to his needs." There are minor differences from the Mutualist "free-market" socialism (which some syndicalists are aligned) to the collectivist, and finally to the anarcho-communist relations.

I consider myself a somewhat of a Mutualist with heavy collectivist (and with it, syndicalist) tendencies, for what it's worth.

[joshcryer]

3. An Anarchist FAQ

http://anarchism.pageabode.com/afaq/index.html

[Fantastic Anarchist]

4. Proudhon: What is Property?

The Conquest of Bread is good, as well. You should probably start off with Anarchism: From Theory to Practice by Daniel Guerin. It's pretty good, contemporary online with foward by Noam Chomsky. Sorry I can't provide a link as I'm on my phone right now.

[Fantastic Anarchist]

5. Link to "Anarchism: From Theory to Practice" by Daniel Guerin

This is pretty comprehensive, and doesn't go into each anarchist's personalities, but their actual theories. If I were beginning my journey into anarchism today, this would be my first source to go to:

Anarchism: From Theory to Practice by Daniel Guerin

* Introduction by Noam Chomsky
* Preface
* 1. The Basic Ideas of Anarchism
* 2. In Search of a New Society
* 3. Anarchism in Revolutionary Practice 1880-1914
* 3. a) Anarchism in the Russian Revolution
* 3. b) Anarchism in the Italian Factory Councils
* 3. c) Anarchism in the Spanish Revolution
* By Way of Conclusion
* Footnotes

[NGNM85]

7. RE: Anarchosyndicalism

If you're interested in Anarchosyndicalism, I'd check out this;

http://www.spunk.org/library/writers/rocker/sp001495/rocker_as1.html

[white_wolf]

8. Hey thanks and welcome to DU.

This is Eric922 from Revleft, by the way.