Best of Social Anarchism

Just got my copy of The Best of Social Anarchism, a collection of articles and reviews from Social Anarchism, the US published review that has been coming out since 1980. It has some great stuff in it, some of which I had forgotten about, including a critical survey of the so-called “new anarchism” by Brian Morris, not to be confused with Volume Three of my anthology, Anarchism: A Documentary History of Libertarian Ideas, The New Anarchism (1974-2012). The only article in both anthologies is Jeff Ferrell’s “Against the Law: Anarchist Criminology,” so there isn’t much overlap, which is nice. It’s very reasonably priced, and covers a very wide range of topics showing the continuing relevance of anarchism today.

The Best of Social Anarchism also includes my essay on “Chomsky’s Contributions to Anarchism,” which was part of a special issue of Social Anarchism marking the publication of Chomsky on Anarchism, edited by Barry Pateman, a collection of essays by and interviews with Noam Chomsky focusing on anarchist related topics. The introductory note to my piece on Chomsky incorrectly identifies it as the introduction to Chomsky on Anarchism, which was actually written by Barry Pateman. The introductory note also makes my essay on Chomsky sound much more critical than it really is (see for yourself by clicking this link).

I don’t “divorce” Chomsky’s linguistic ideas from any relevance to political ideology but simply quote his own remarks to the effect that his linguistic theories are only “suggestive as to the form that a libertarian social theory might assume.” Some of the political implications of his linguistic theories are drawn out by Chomsky himself in one of the selections I included in Volume Three of the Anarchism anthology, under the title “Human Nature and Human Freedom” (which incidentally is not included in Chomsky on Anarchism). When I suggest that perhaps Chomsky’s most lasting contribution to radical political theory is his analysis and critique of the role of the media and intellectuals in modern society, “manufacturing the consent” of the general population to their own exploitation, I refer to Chomsky’s own acknowledgement that much of this critique originated with the anarchist revolutionary, Michael Bakunin, who warned that rule by intellectuals would constitute “the most aristocratic, despotic, arrogant and elitist of all regimes.”

Michael Bakunin

My description of Chomsky as an anarchist “fellow-traveller” is again a quote from Chomsky, not my description. I also give credit to Chomsky for introducing many people, including myself, to anarchist ideas, particularly the constructive achievements of the anarchists in the Spanish Revolution and Civil War. My comment that Chomsky’s contributions to specifically anarchist ideas are modest is consistent with Chomsky’s own self-evaluations, and not an attempt to belittle his role in making anarchist ideas better known to the general public.

Anarchy in Egypt

Egyptian Anarchist Black Bloc

Here is a post from “Even if Your Voice Shakes” regarding anarchism in Egypt:

Anarchists have been present in Egypt before, during, and after the revolution, but until today, they have yet to organize a mass grouping under the banner of anarchism. The Ultras of Egypt’s football clubs have for years been associated with anarchist ideas and actions, and they are widely credited with having initiated the level militancy that brought down the Mubarak government in February of 2011.

Last night, anarchism left the graffitied walls, small conversations, and online forums of Egypt, and came to life in Cairo, declaring itself a new force in the ongoing social revolution sparked two years ago with multiple firebombings against Muslim Brotherhood offices. Later, the government shutdown the “Black Blocairo” and “Egyptian Black Bloc” Facebook pages, but they were soon re-launched.

“Wait for our next attacks as we respond to the closing of our official page…” they posted in a statement posted online this morning (translated below).

Today, the black bloc made its first mass-appearance in Tahrir Square, and, shortly after, firebombed the Shura Council (Egyptian Parliament), tore down a section of the protest-barrier walls leading from Tahrir Square, and, with others, engaged in fighting against security forces.

These statements and actions are in preparation for tomorrow’s second anniversary of the revolution, and for what some are calling “a whole new level” or protest in Egypt.

Anarchism and the black bloc concept has grown in recent months across Egypt, Stemming from various anarchist grouping/circles that coalesced during the revolutionary period. A massive distrust among the youth of all political parties, a sharp critique of the role of religion within governance, and the inspiration of anarchist resistance around the world (largely symbolized by the late-2008 revolt in Greece) have helped it catalyze.

Protesters teargassed in Egypt

Below is the statement of Black Blocairo in regards to the removal of their websites, their firebombing attacks against government offices, and their calls for revolt:

“Yesterday and after we finished our event, we met some of the revolutionary movements and we decided to unite together in our next attacks, hence we did our first two attacks, as we told you yesterday:

1- Setting fire to Ikhwan (Muslim Brotherhood) online office.

2- Setting fire in the Ikhwan office in Al-Manial street in Cairo.

 And we announced our revolution since today in Al-Tahrir Square untill Egypt and it’s people get their rights back! Life, Freedom and social justice!

Black Blocairo, The Hooligans

Wait for our next attacks as we respond to the closing of our official page…”

EGYPTIAN ANARCHIST LINKS:

Revolution Black Bloc (Egyptian anarchist page)

Black Blocairo (Black Blocairo’s new page)

Black Bloc Egypt

OTHER ARAB ANARCHIST LINKS:

Anarchists of Arabs  (Arab anarchist page)

Moroccan Black Bloc

 Anarchists in Lebanon

Tunisian Anarchist Movement

Tunisian Anarchist Organization

Tunisian Anarchist

Syrian Anarcha Feminist Movement

Syrian Anarchists

Tahrir ICN (English European solidarity page)

The New Anarchism (1974-2012) – Where to Buy It?

People have been asking me where to buy Volume Three of Anarchism: A Documentary History of Libertarian Ideas. Subtitled The New Anarchism (1974-2012), Volume Three was published in November 2012 and is available in paperback for $28.99. Clocking in at 606 pages, that is a great deal. However, for some reason Amazon is not carrying the paperback edition, or is referring people to outside sellers who want ridiculous amounts for it. The solution: order the paperback edition from AK Press: http://www.akpress.org/anarchismdocumentaryhistory3.html.

Or from Chapters/Indigo Books in Canada at: http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/books/Anarchism-Volume-Three-New-Anarchism-Robert-Graham/9781551643366-item.html?ikwid=robert+graham+anarchism&ikwsec=Books.

Or order Volume Three from Barnes and Noble in the U.S.: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/anarchism-robert-graham/1101158697?ean=9781551643366.

The New Anarchism

Anarchism Volume Three Out Now!

Finally, Volume Three of Anarchism: A Documentary History of Libertarian Ideas, subtitled The New Anarchism (1974-2012), is out. The book launch is tomorrow night in Vancouver. Here are some comments from the back cover:

Anarchism: A Documentary History of Libertarian Ideas, Volume Three: The New Anarchism (1974-2012)

 Robert Graham, editor

This is the third and final volume of Robert Graham’s acclaimed anthology of anarchist writings from ancient China to the present day. Volume Three documents the new directions and developments in anarchist ideas and practice from the late 20^th century to the new millennium, as anarchism has come to inspire people involved in global justice, anti-capitalist and occupy movements all over the world. From Europe to the Americas, from Asia to Africa, anarchists have been at the forefront of the new social movements, providing not only a radical critique of transnational capitalism and authoritarian practices and institutions, but a positive vision of a world without domination or exploitation.

“Anarchism: A Documentary History of Libertarian Ideas is both a map of a movement and a treasure trove of ideas – a valuable textbook for political militants and scholars alike.”

Andrew Cornell, Oppose and Propose! Lessons from Movement for a New Society

“Robert Graham’s excellent anthology on anarchism is essential reading for all those interested in libertarian thought. The breadth of authors and subjects is both comprehensive and impressive, giving a much needed overview of anarchism as an evolving and relevant social movement and theory.”

Iain McKay, An Anarchist FAQ, editor of Property is Theft! A Pierre-Joseph Proudhon Anthology and Black Flag magazine

“Robert Graham’s documentary series is an invaluable resource, with texts encompassing a remarkable range of theorists, organizations, and thematic issues.”

Allan Antliff, Anarchy and Art: From the Paris Commune to the Fall of the Berlin Wall and Anarchist Modernism: Art, Politics, and the First American Avant-Garde

Praise for Volume Two, The Emergence of the New Anarchism (1939-1977):

“Robert Graham’s extraordinary anthology proceeds with this remarkable instalment, displaying as never before the creativity and originality of anarchist thinking between World War Two and the 1970s.  Contemporary libertarians need to be aware of this rich legacy.”

David Goodway, Anarchist seeds beneath the snow: left-libertarian thought and British writers from William Morris to Colin Ward

“Volume Two highlights the essential works of anarchism published between 1939-1977, a period during which anarchism, it has been said, almost disappears from history. Graham’s selections shine a bright light on the period and help us understand how the Ideal stayed alive to burst phoenix like at the turn of the century, until becoming the current default position of the anti-globalization movement.”

Dana Ward, Anarchy Archives, and “Alchemy in Clarens: Kropotkin and Reclus, 1877-1881″

“In his selections Graham proves decisively that far from being lost decades for anarchism, the mid-twentieth century was a golden age for anarchist action and thought. Freed from the illusion of a common cause with Marxists, anarchist writers spearheaded debate on issues that would define new left thinking after the war. From co-operativism, ecology and feminism, to the new art, the peace movement and the sexual revolution, it is all here in brilliant clarity.”

Michael Paraskos, Re-Reading Read: New Views on Herbert Read

The New Anarchism