Difference between revisions of "what anarchism is not"

Revision as of 23:24, 26 March 2008

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

See nationalist anarchism

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 associate anarchism with these ideologies. The following websites represent attempts by neo-nazis to pass themselves and their ideas off as compatible with anarchism:

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.

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 FAQ on the cookbook written by an America Online user
• Spunk Press' page on the Anarchist Cookbook
• Chuck's thoughts on the original cookbook

A list of some who believe violence can serve a purpose for the Anarchist movement

Links to sites that promote this aspect of anarchy:

• Anarchist CookBook
• Anarchy N' Explosives
• ANARCHY 'N' EXPLOSIVES - VOLUME 2
• Anarchy Web-Guide
• SeekR's Anarchy Book

Fake Anarchists

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.

• The "Anarchist International" (AI)
• Warning against ANORG/AI

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.

• Miles' Apathetic Anarchy Page

See also: Anarchism is Not Cool

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 [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

• 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 hackers and not Anarchists.

Big "L" Libertarians

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 are statists.

Anarcho-capitalism

Anarcho-capitalism is a proposed theory by Murray Rothbard that runs contrary to traditional Anarchist theories. Anarcho-capitalism is not regarded to be a part of anarchist movement, and is not even discussed as part of the ideological base of anarchism. The anarchist criticism of Anarcho-capitalism mainly applies to advocacy of capitalism, as Anarchists have been opposed to capitalism as another form of hierarchical state power. 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

• Fake Anarchists and Libertarians - The Infoshop.org page that inspired this page
• Anarcho-Hucksters - A page similar to this one