Still working to recover. Please don't edit quite yet.

Difference between revisions of "what anarchism is not"

From Anarchopedia
Jump to: navigation, search
(...compromise)
 
(113 intermediate revisions by 34 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
<h2>Fake Anarchists and Libertarians </h2>
+
Does the Anarchist Cookbook really have anything to do with anarchism? Is there such a thing as anarcho-capitalism? Fortunately for anarchists, there is no central committee or theory coordinator to decide what the correct anarchist line is on any given topic. Anarchism is very much defined and given form by its supporters. But there comes a time when the concept must be defended against those who would lie about it, misrepresent it, profit from it, or just plain not understand it. That is the purpose of this page. The anarchist movement is a big tent with a great many sideshows, but there are just some folks who are not circus performers.
Is the Anarchist Cookbook really by anarchists? Is there such a thing as anarcho-capitalism? Fortunately for anarchists, there is no central committee or theory coordinator to decide what the correct anarchist line is on any given topic. Anarchism is very much defined and given form by its supporters. But there comes a time when the concept must be defended against those who would lie about it, misrepresent it, profit from it, or just plain not understand it. That is the purpose of this page. The anarchist movement is a big tent with a great many sideshows, but there are just some folks who are not circus performers.
+
  
<h2>National Anarchists and Third Positionists</h2>
+
==National Anarchists and Third Positionists==
 +
:See [[nationalist anarchism]]
 +
Be aware that there are efforts underway to fuse nationalist, white supremacist, and neo-nazi ideology with anarchism. The ideology specifically preys on anarchists from the mainstream anarchist movement in order to convert them to their way of thinking. It has been suggested by many that the ideology is used as a gateway to introduce individuals to ultra-nationalist and racist positions. They pay lip-service to anti-capitalist or anti-communist sentiment, depending on their audience, and while arguing, specifically attempt to trap the opposing anarchist into using the left/right designation in the hopes of throwing it in their face to further their, 'third position.' There has been a concentrated effort amongst National Anarchists to target "anarcho-capitalists" and to a lesser extent other anarchists from the wider anarchist movement, although this has had limited success. While anarchists are fundamentally against fascism, nationalism, racism, and white supremacy, we can't control those who associate anarchism with these ideologies. Well known National Anarchist websites are:
  
Be aware that there are efforts underway to fuse nationalist, white supremacist and neo-nazi ideology with anarchism. While anarchists are fundamentally against fascism, nationalism, racism, and white supremacy, we can't control those who make up shit to appear to be like normal anarchists. The following websites represent attempts by neo-nazis to pass themselves and their ideas off as compatible with anarchism.
+
[http://www.folkandfaith.com/index2.shtml Folk and Faith]
 +
:The title 'Folk and Faith' implies that this site is [[right-theocratic]]. That suspicion is confirmed in the text of the main page, which states: <i>"We are defenders of our noble European ancestry and of the orthodox Christian faith"</i> and <i>"our Holy Cause"</i> and <i>"We aim to build a homogenous society where our peoples' cultural identity, our sacred Christian faith (as it was originally taught, not the Judeo'ized antithesis taught today), and the future of our children will grow unmolested"</i> and <i>"Only after we ... start looking to Our Creator ... can we then build a world far greater"</i> and <i>"worship Our Creator"</i>. It is also an anti-jew site, as evidenced by the phases <i>"Judeo whores"</i> and the aforementioned <i>"the Judeo'ized antithesis taught today"</i>. The site's forum uses an icon depicting the celtic cross, which is the symbol most commonly used by [[Stormfront]].
  
*[http://www.attackthesystem.com/index.html American Revolutionary Vanguard]
+
[http://www.bayareanationalanarchists.com/blog/ Bay Area National Anarchists]
*[http://www.nationalanarchist.com National-anarchist]
+
*[http://www.overthrow.com Overthrow.com]
+
--The crazy anti-semitic guy who runs this website claims to have been an anarchist at one time. This is
+
  
false, like most of the made-up news and "information" on his website.
+
[http://www.rosenoire.org/essays/n-a-dialogue.php RoseNoire]
*[http://www.terrafirma.rosenoire.org Terra  Firma]
+
  
<h2> The Anarchist Cookbook</h2>
+
==Destructive "anarchism"==
 +
While many schools of anarchist thought promote the destruction of oppressive institutions, many people and organizations take part in violent and destructive activities without political or ethical motives. Unfortunately for the movement, many of these people claim to be anarchists. Anarchism is more about creating alternative instutions, communities, and lifestyles rather than blindly destroying those already in place; however, violence can serve a purpose in the anarchist movement.
  
* A [[aol_cookbook_faq.html|FAQ on the cookbook]] written by an America Online user.
+
===The Anarchist Cookbook===
 +
The Anarchist Cookbook is an example of this kind of anger-motivated destruction. Here are some links to articles about what the anarchist community has to say about the Cookbook:
 +
*An [http://www.infoshop.org/texts/aol_cookbook_faq.html FAQ on the cookbook] written by an America Online user  
 
*[http://www.cwi.nl/cwi/people/Jack.Jansen/spunk/cookbook.html Spunk Press' page on the Anarchist Cookbook]  
 
*[http://www.cwi.nl/cwi/people/Jack.Jansen/spunk/cookbook.html Spunk Press' page on the Anarchist Cookbook]  
*[[chuck_cookbook_essay.html|Chuck's thoughts]] on the original cookbook.
+
*[http://www.infoshop.org/chuck_cookbook_essay.html Chuck's thoughts] on the original cookbook
 
+
<h2> Anarcho-capitalism</h2>
+
 
+
Most anarchists who have heard this term think it is an oxymoron. The anarchist movement has a tradition dating back over a hundred years of opposition to capitalism.
+
 
+
This new concept, "anarcho-capitalism" as it's called by its proponents, flies in the face of this history. It is probably better described as "libertarian capitalism," which is similar to extropianism and contemporary party libertarianism in the United States. These are the folks who want to liberate themselves from
+
government, but still want to be YOUR boss.
+
 
+
<h3>Criticism of "anarcho-capitalism"</h3>
+
 
+
 
+
*[http://www.geocities.com/CapitolHill/5065/between.html Between Anarchism and Libertarianism: Defining a New Movement by Jeff Draughn]
+
*[http://tigerden.com/~berios/lba.html Libertarianism: Bogus Anarchy - by Peter Sabatini]
+
*[http://tigerden.com/~berios/spunk/Spunk051.html The New Right and Anarcho-capitalism, by Peter Marshall]
+
*[http://tigerden.com/~berios/spunk/Spunk143.txt Anarchism and Capitalism, by Andrew Flood]
+
*[[append1.html|Anarchism and "Anarcho"-capitalism]]
+
*[[faq/append11.html|Replies to Some Errors and Distortions in Bryan Caplan's "Anarchist Theory FAQ" version 5.2]
+
 
+
 
+
<h4>"Anarcho-capitalist" Websites</h4>
+
 
+
Fake anarchism from boss-loving rich white boys who have never had to work a shitty job in their lives.
+
 
+
 
+
*[http://www.anarchista.com Anarchista]
+
*[http://www.anti-state.com Anti-state.com]
+
*[http://www.blackcrayon.com Black Crayon]
+
*[http://www.jim.com/jamesd James's Liberty file collection index]
+
 
+
 
+
 
+
 
+
<h2>People who mistakenly believe that anarchy is about blowing shit up</h2>
+
  
 +
===Those who believe violent destruction and anarchy are synonymous===
 +
Links to sites that promote this kind of "anarchy":
 
*[http://home.intekom.com/scotland/cookbook/menu.html Anarchist CookBook]
 
*[http://home.intekom.com/scotland/cookbook/menu.html Anarchist CookBook]
 
*[http://koapp.narod.ru/english/teacher/book1.htm Anarchy N' Explosives]
 
*[http://koapp.narod.ru/english/teacher/book1.htm Anarchy N' Explosives]
Line 59: Line 29:
 
*[http://www.geocities.com/seekrmhs/Anarchy SeekR's Anarchy Book]
 
*[http://www.geocities.com/seekrmhs/Anarchy SeekR's Anarchy Book]
  
 +
==Fake Anarchists==
  
<h2>Anarchy as an Attitude / Just plain confused</h2>
+
There are some who occasionally commit outright fraud while using the label, 'anarchist'. Even though they may appear to be legitimate initially, these individuals or organisations fail to meet anarchist criteria upon closer inspection. Below is a reference of fake anarchist sites/organisations and evidence against them.
  
Some folks think that if they present themselves as anarchists, it lends them an aura of coolness, danger, hipness, or radicalness.  
+
The Anarchist International (AI), who attempt to change history with much of the material found in their website. Apparently the goal of members operating under the names in the warnings seems to be to disrupt actual discussion on internet forums, by inciting hostile encounters.
 +
*[http://www.anarchy.no/ The "Anarchist International" (AI)]
 +
*[http://flag.blackened.net/liberty/anorg-warning.html Warning against ANORG/AI]
  
*[http://www.auburn.edu/~lestewm/welcome.html Miles' Apathetic Anarchy Page]
+
==Anarchy and Social Attitudes==
  
 +
Often anarchy is misappropriated as merely a label by various individuals, who are usually fairly young, believing that they are somehow cool for being an anarchist. They believe it lends them an aura of coolness, stemming from the danger or radical connotations the term carries.
  
<h2>Hacking sites</h2>
+
*[http://www.auburn.edu/~lestewm/welcome.html Miles' Apathetic Anarchy Page]
 
+
*[http://agassiz.cas.und.nodak.edu/~brown/hp.html Anarchy Now]
+
 
+
 
+
<h2>Commerical Sites</h2>
+
 
+
 
+
*[http://www.anarchyent.com Anarchy Entertainment]
+
--These guys have been online for some time. They design games and use their hip "anarchist" theme to sell them. Pretty offensive. These guys are so "rad."
+
Not.
+
*[http://www.anarchy-online.com Anarchy-Online.com]
+
--A site mostly for hackers. Not as bad as most fake anarchy sites, but still very misleading nonetheless. They should rename themselves "coolhackers.com"
+
or something like that.
+
 
+
 
+
<h2>Fake Libertarian Sites </h2>
+
 
+
Yep, there are a bunch of folks in the United States who just don't have clue about what being a libertarian is about. They'd like the world to think that it means freedom from constraint so they can make profits. Not.
+
 
+
*[http://libertarian.org Libertarian.org]
+
*[http://www.independent.org The Independent Institute]
+
*[http://www.free-market.net Free Market.net]
+
--Used to be free-market.COM. Guess they aren't very good capitalists.
+
  
*[http://www.Cato.org The Cato Institute]
+
See also: [[Anarchism is Not Cool]]
--Probably the worst of these bootlicker sites. Cato advises the capitalist
+
bosses on how to screw the rest of us.
+
  
 +
==Cracking or black hat "hacking"==
 +
Breaking into computers, collecting private information, and destroying data are actions that some people claim to do in the name of anarchism and hacking. These actions do not necessarily represent the ideals of those of us in the anarchist movement or hackers and generally do more harm than good. There is, however, a small minority of crackers that use their knowledge of computer security to break into computers and carry out actions against corporations and governments that engage in objectionable practices. These people are refered to as "grey hat hackers." "True" hackers or "white hat" hackers are people who play cleverly, usually (but not always) with computers, according to Richard Stallman [http://stallman.org/articles/on-hacking.html]. However, most "hackers" (who are refered to as "black hat hackers") do not have ethical or political motives. Some of these black hat hackers claim to be anarchists, while they usually are not.
  
<h2>Pages like this one</h2>
+
==Commerical Sites==
 +
*[http://www.anarchyent.com Anarchy Entertainment] - Anarchy Entertainment is a company that designs games and trade off their hip "anarchist" image.
 +
*[http://www.anarchy-online.com Anarchy-Online.com] - While Anarchy-Online is not as bad as fake anarchy websites, it is still misleading.  Anarchy-Online is a website for an MMORPG and not Anarchists.
  
 +
==Big "L" Libertarians==
  
*[http://a4a.mahost.org/huckster.html Anarcho-Hucksters]
+
The word "libertarian" denotes two definitions, which are often separated by the geographical regions of North America and Europe. In Europe the term libertarian (little "l") usually means one who is of an anarchist persuasion, whereas in North America the term generally refers to a member of the Libertarian party or [[minarchists]] (Big "L" libertarians). Though this movement values [[freedom#Positive_freedom|positive freedom]], they advocate the [[minarchist]] idea of "the smallest possible government" as the ideal state, claiming their view is far more realistic. Capitalist Libertarians have little or no critique of the capitalism as a part of the state. Most anarchists (including anarcho-capitalists and free-market anarchists) dismiss this notion on the grounds that the smallest possible state means no state, effectively making Big "L" libertarians 'cowardly' anarchists. Though being advocates of liberty and freedom, Big "L" libertarians are not anarchists; they do not support the complete elimination of government.
  
(a.k.a. Anarchy for Anybody) : Similar to the "Fake Anarchists" site.
+
== Anarcho-capitalism ==
  
----
+
[[anarcho-capitalism|Anarcho-capitalism]] is a proposed theory by [[Murray Rothbard]] (some [[Anarcho-capitalism|anarcho-capitalists]] consider [[Gustave de Molinari]] to be the first proponent of [[anarcho-capitalism]]<ref name=Mises>[[Ralph Raico|Raico, Ralph]] (2011-03-29) [http://mises.org/daily/5088/Neither-the-Wars-Nor-the-Leaders-Were-Great Neither the Wars Nor the Leaders Were Great], [[Mises Institute]]</ref>) that runs contrary to traditional anarchist theories.  Anarcho-capitalism is often regarded to be apart from the anarchist movement. The anarchist criticism mainly applies to advocacy of [[capitalism]], as anarchists have been opposed to [[capitalism]] as another form of hierarchical power, often supported by government. Anarcho-capitalists often respond to these statements by asserting that they are not for "State Capitalism", as we see today, but rather a [[free market]].
This page's info last updated: December 25, 2004
+
  
 +
==External links==
 +
*[http://infoshop.org/fake.html Fake Anarchists and Libertarians] - The Infoshop.org page that inspired this page
 +
*[http://a4a.mahost.org/huckster.html Anarcho-Hucksters] - A page similar to this one
  
<!-- originally http://www.infoshop.org/fake.html  -->
+
[[Category:Anarchism]]
<!-- Last updated: December 25, 2004 -->
+
[[es:Lo que no es anarquismo]]

Latest revision as of 04:33, 18 August 2012

Does the Anarchist Cookbook really have anything to do with anarchism? Is there such a thing as anarcho-capitalism? Fortunately for anarchists, there is no central committee or theory coordinator to decide what the correct anarchist line is on any given topic. Anarchism is very much defined and given form by its supporters. But there comes a time when the concept must be defended against those who would lie about it, misrepresent it, profit from it, or just plain not understand it. That is the purpose of this page. The anarchist movement is a big tent with a great many sideshows, but there are just some folks who are not circus performers.

National Anarchists and Third Positionists[edit]

See nationalist anarchism

Be aware that there are efforts underway to fuse nationalist, white supremacist, and neo-nazi ideology with anarchism. The ideology specifically preys on anarchists from the mainstream anarchist movement in order to convert them to their way of thinking. It has been suggested by many that the ideology is used as a gateway to introduce individuals to ultra-nationalist and racist positions. They pay lip-service to anti-capitalist or anti-communist sentiment, depending on their audience, and while arguing, specifically attempt to trap the opposing anarchist into using the left/right designation in the hopes of throwing it in their face to further their, 'third position.' There has been a concentrated effort amongst National Anarchists to target "anarcho-capitalists" and to a lesser extent other anarchists from the wider anarchist movement, although this has had limited success. While anarchists are fundamentally against fascism, nationalism, racism, and white supremacy, we can't control those who associate anarchism with these ideologies. Well known National Anarchist websites are:

Folk and Faith

The title 'Folk and Faith' implies that this site is right-theocratic. That suspicion is confirmed in the text of the main page, which states: "We are defenders of our noble European ancestry and of the orthodox Christian faith" and "our Holy Cause" and "We aim to build a homogenous society where our peoples' cultural identity, our sacred Christian faith (as it was originally taught, not the Judeo'ized antithesis taught today), and the future of our children will grow unmolested" and "Only after we ... start looking to Our Creator ... can we then build a world far greater" and "worship Our Creator". It is also an anti-jew site, as evidenced by the phases "Judeo whores" and the aforementioned "the Judeo'ized antithesis taught today". The site's forum uses an icon depicting the celtic cross, which is the symbol most commonly used by Stormfront.

Bay Area National Anarchists

RoseNoire

Destructive "anarchism"[edit]

While many schools of anarchist thought promote the destruction of oppressive institutions, many people and organizations take part in violent and destructive activities without political or ethical motives. Unfortunately for the movement, many of these people claim to be anarchists. Anarchism is more about creating alternative instutions, communities, and lifestyles rather than blindly destroying those already in place; however, violence can serve a purpose in the anarchist movement.

The Anarchist Cookbook[edit]

The Anarchist Cookbook is an example of this kind of anger-motivated destruction. Here are some links to articles about what the anarchist community has to say about the Cookbook:

Those who believe violent destruction and anarchy are synonymous[edit]

Links to sites that promote this kind of "anarchy":

Fake Anarchists[edit]

There are some who occasionally commit outright fraud while using the label, 'anarchist'. Even though they may appear to be legitimate initially, these individuals or organisations fail to meet anarchist criteria upon closer inspection. Below is a reference of fake anarchist sites/organisations and evidence against them.

The Anarchist International (AI), who attempt to change history with much of the material found in their website. Apparently the goal of members operating under the names in the warnings seems to be to disrupt actual discussion on internet forums, by inciting hostile encounters.

Anarchy and Social Attitudes[edit]

Often anarchy is misappropriated as merely a label by various individuals, who are usually fairly young, believing that they are somehow cool for being an anarchist. They believe it lends them an aura of coolness, stemming from the danger or radical connotations the term carries.

See also: Anarchism is Not Cool

Cracking or black hat "hacking"[edit]

Breaking into computers, collecting private information, and destroying data are actions that some people claim to do in the name of anarchism and hacking. These actions do not necessarily represent the ideals of those of us in the anarchist movement or hackers and generally do more harm than good. There is, however, a small minority of crackers that use their knowledge of computer security to break into computers and carry out actions against corporations and governments that engage in objectionable practices. These people are refered to as "grey hat hackers." "True" hackers or "white hat" hackers are people who play cleverly, usually (but not always) with computers, according to Richard Stallman [1]. However, most "hackers" (who are refered to as "black hat hackers") do not have ethical or political motives. Some of these black hat hackers claim to be anarchists, while they usually are not.

Commerical Sites[edit]

  • Anarchy Entertainment - Anarchy Entertainment is a company that designs games and trade off their hip "anarchist" image.
  • Anarchy-Online.com - While Anarchy-Online is not as bad as fake anarchy websites, it is still misleading. Anarchy-Online is a website for an MMORPG and not Anarchists.

Big "L" Libertarians[edit]

The word "libertarian" denotes two definitions, which are often separated by the geographical regions of North America and Europe. In Europe the term libertarian (little "l") usually means one who is of an anarchist persuasion, whereas in North America the term generally refers to a member of the Libertarian party or minarchists (Big "L" libertarians). Though this movement values positive freedom, they advocate the minarchist idea of "the smallest possible government" as the ideal state, claiming their view is far more realistic. Capitalist Libertarians have little or no critique of the capitalism as a part of the state. Most anarchists (including anarcho-capitalists and free-market anarchists) dismiss this notion on the grounds that the smallest possible state means no state, effectively making Big "L" libertarians 'cowardly' anarchists. Though being advocates of liberty and freedom, Big "L" libertarians are not anarchists; they do not support the complete elimination of government.

Anarcho-capitalism[edit]

Anarcho-capitalism is a proposed theory by Murray Rothbard (some anarcho-capitalists consider Gustave de Molinari to be the first proponent of anarcho-capitalism[1]) that runs contrary to traditional anarchist theories. Anarcho-capitalism is often regarded to be apart from the anarchist movement. The anarchist criticism mainly applies to advocacy of capitalism, as anarchists have been opposed to capitalism as another form of hierarchical power, often supported by government. Anarcho-capitalists often respond to these statements by asserting that they are not for "State Capitalism", as we see today, but rather a free market.

External links[edit]

  • Raico, Ralph (2011-03-29) Neither the Wars Nor the Leaders Were Great, Mises Institute