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what anarchism is not

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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

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.

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:

Those who believe violent destruction and anarchy are synonymous

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

Anarcho-capitalism

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.

Criticism of "anarcho-capitalism"

"Anarcho-capitalist" websites

Fake anarchism from boss-loving rich white boys who have never had to work a shitty job in their lives:

Attacking Anarcho-communism

Individualist anarchists have occasionally claimed that communist anarchism is a false form of anarchism.

  • Benjamin Tucker called it "pseudo-anarchism." (Labor and Its Pay)
  • Henry Appleton said: "All Communism, under whatever guise, is the natural enemy of Anarchism, and a Communist sailing under the flag of Anarchism is as false a figure as could be invented." (''Anarchism, True and False)
  • Victor Yarros says there is "no logical justification, no rational explanation, and no "scientific" reasoning has been, is, will be, or can be advanced in defence of that unimaginable impossibility, Communistic Anarchism." (A Princely Paradox)

These individuals believe anarchism is only truly possible if private property is permitted.

Anarchy as an attitude

Some folks think that if they present themselves as anarchists, it lends them an aura of coolness, danger, hipness, or radicalness.

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. These actions do not necessarily represent the ideals of those of us in the anarchist movement 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." 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 - These guys have been online for some time. They design games and use their hip "anarchist" theme to sell them.
  • 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.

Fake Libertarian Sites

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.

External links

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