I wanna preface this with: I’m learning and I want to learn. I have so many questions and I’d love to hear the perspectives of some seasoned anarchists on my thoughts and questions. I’m here to learn, and I greatly appreciate any input anyone can give.
I’m confused. I have so many anarchist friends, and I politically relate to them on a very very deep level. In a lot of ways I consider myself an anarchist, I sympathise with it for so many reasons:
- I’ve been let down by so many electoral movements the last 10 years, and there’s somethin so empowering about not asking or waiting for help
- Anarchist calisthenics has changed my life, not asking for permission to change things, to take charge
- I believe in the power of the grass roots, that ultimately, if enough of us got together, we can make the change we want
- Whenever a disaster occurs, look around: there’s anarchists everywhere. In natural disasters? Anarchist groups are found distributing food, water and shelter. In homeless crisis? They’re found in soup kitchens distributing food.
- It challenges systems of power by default that governments use to harm marginalised folk
Despite all of this? I’m still a member of my country’s Green Party. We have a very progressive leader and their policies could make a huge difference to my life and the people I care about, my community, everyone. While I’m not going to rely on them to win power, or even to hold onto their promises, I can’t help but feel like it’s still worth campaigning for them because I feel like it moves me closer to a country where more of us have the help we need.
Some of my anarchist friends shit on these electoral parties (even if they’re super progressive). And I understand why, and I feel it’s difficult to critique them for it, because electoral politics has rarely won us any consistent safety or justice.
But as a disabled trans person, I’ve been on the shit side of the state so often… that no matter who’s in power, I’ll always feel like an adversary to the state. Because at the end of the day: the state has power, and it’s difficult to invision a state that doesn’t abuse vulnerable groups (perhaps that’s a problem?).
On the other hand? I also feel like… The state is a central entity that can organise large amount of resources much easier than the people themselves can. And after centuries of capitalism, is it possible for enough of us to work with each other to build power, community, care and resources outside of the constraints the government and state give us?
I’m also well aware that anarchism isn’t the absence of hierarchy necessarily, it’s the conscious understanding and consent to hierarchy that we choose (if I’m understanding it correctly). Whether that’s through choosing people to lead certain things or groups to do it etc. but then I’m also like: is it human nature that problematic hierarchies occur, whether through governance or anarchism?
That’s my other question: the way I feel I’m an anarchist is as an activist. Which is to say: when I cover up fascist stickers and propaganda in my city? I’m not waiting for the government and I don’t care about the laws that prohibit me from doing it. But as far as changing things on a societal and cultural level? I feel this conflict: I feel the need to work within electoral politics to temper the rise of the far right parties in my country… but at the same time I recognise this system is a sinking ship, and therefore? I want to build resources, community and support on the ground irrespective of government.
I don’t know… I’m very confused and I don’t know what I’m thinking, saying or doing. I feel like these contradictions are incompatible with anarchism. But do my values and praxis make me an anarchist, even if I’m participating in electoral politics? Am I wrong for wanting to seek some electoral power to at least have a leader in my country that’s NOT a raging transphobe, or neo Nazi?
I know don’t necessarily have to choose between the two (though I guess it depends on who you ask), but I wonder: how do you reconcile the contradictions?
Nope, but it might not mean you’re an anarchist. I stress the word “might.”
Anarchy is a philosophy, not a destination, as you kind of alluded to. I plan to vote in the coming elections and continue to participate in electoral politics, because I recognize that this system will not be replaced simply by non-participation. There are not yet enough anarchists to just overturn what has been the norm for a long time.
That does not mean, however, that I will be satisfied with this system. It’s going to continue to take years of effort to wrest power from the hands of the undeserving. I may never see the kind of governance I think will work at scale, but if I can be part of making that become people’s reality someday, then I will have done my part.
It sounds like you’re coming around to communalism, which is the kind of anarchy I like. It’s also the most viable path, imo, to see anarchy become a reality, because helping each other at a small scale was always the point for me.
Big governments don’t work—even when they’re good—because they are unable to effectively respond to the immediate needs of a growing and changing populace. They can catch many disabled people in a broad net, for example, and provide help, but the minute somebody doesn’t fit the mould, they fall through the cracks or get left behind entirely. A community, though? They know you, what you need, and they are already there with you to help.
I think it’s good that you’re asking questions. Keep it up! Don’t be satisfied with “good enough.”
Yes, communalism! I’ve read about that, it’s really resonated with me. I definitely want to learn more. Will have to pick up some more books.
Thanks for your response, it’s very thoughtful provoking. Particularly the point about big governments and small vulnerable groups slipping through the cracks. Because I very much agree with that perspective.
I have a lot of learning to do, but I’m excited. Thanks again! ☺️