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It’s a question I get asked all the time. Okay, that was a lie, but it has been asked once or twice. The simplified definition of anarchism is that it’s a political philosophy and movement that seeks to abolish institutions that perpetuate authority, hierarchy and/or coercion. It calls for a stateless society and targets capitalism and the state. It is a historically left-wing movement. There are many different branches of anarchism, but the ones I identify with are social and queer anarchism.
I fell down the anarchist rabbit hole towards the end of 2023, so in a sense, I’m still relatively new to the movement compared to seasoned anarchists. I spent the first few years of adulthood not knowing which political group to belong to. I was (and still am) far left in my beliefs, but still critical of the left-wing groups around me. I liked the idea of socialism, and I still do. However, I found certain socialist organisations and their conduct, namely, their lack of mutual aid and priority in making a profit, concerning. I also couldn’t get behind their obsession with the “working class revolution”.
Stay with me for this one. A revolution would be ideal, and it is something I also want. However, I believe that the working-class revolution is in the distant future, and we need to focus on what’s happening now for any real change to occur. I think more work needs to be done to unite the working class. It isn’t enough to say that the working class need to be united for a revolution, you actually have to make that happen, and I believe that is done through things like mutual aid.
To me, all political ideologies and philosophies have ups and downs, some having more downs than others. Anarchism isn’t perfect, and there are definitely criticisms to be made against it. If you are part of a political movement or philosophy, you must acknowledge its downsides to truly engage with it and understand it. That’s something I can’t stand with some of these other political groups we see around campus and in the outside world. They’re so hellbent on following this one dead white European man’s work and teachings that they think their way is the only correct way and every other way is wrong. “The revolution can only happen if everyone does it our way and joins our organisation,” is what they’re saying without actually saying it. There is no critical thinking involved, and I think that’s dangerous.
Written by El Bancroft
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