Perspectives on Anarchist Theory – Vol 4, No 2

14 Pages·2013·5.2 MB·English

Inside this issue: Volume 4, No. 2
Gront Awards & Updates...lrish anarchists and Black Nationalism Fall 2000
Update on the IAS...saying goodbye to a board member, new website, 2000 fundraising campaign, and more
What's Hoppening...books, magazines, events, and anarchist comrades
Writing Contest...call for essays on the new social movement
Postructuralist Anarchism
An Interview with Todd May
As a political philosophy, them? I believe there is. If I'm right
anarchism is concerned with What I see as the essential in my approach, what anar
the transformation of society; link between anarchism and chism provides to poststruc
however, anarchism is often the poststructuralism of Lyo turalism is a larger frame
neglected by major political tard, Deleuze, and especially work within which to situate
and philosophical trends. In Foucault, is the denial that its specific analyses. The
an attempt to situate anar there is some central hinge framework is a different one,
chism within contemporary about which political change to be sure, from the tradi
philosophical thought as well could or should revolve. For tional anarchist framework. It
as think critically about anar Marx, political change was a is not unchanged by post
chism, Todd May has created matter of seizing the means structuralism. But the new
what he calls postructuralist of production; for liberals, it framework I have tried to
anarchism. By grafting lies in regulating the state. articulate would be news to
French postructuralist What anarchists deny (at least most poststructuralists, who
thought onto anarchism, May in parts of their writings, the resist the idea of a larger
offers a new political philoso parts which I'm trying to framework altogether.
phy with which to analyze draw out) is that there is a
our worid. I conducted an single Archimedean point for
interview with Todd May via change. Inasmuch as power How doc hwisme , rwehcicohn coifltee n arenliaers
email in October 2000. is everywhere, the need for on politically unifying principles
- Rebecca DeWitt
political reflection and cri (such as anti-capitalist I statist
tique is also everywhere. Not stances), with postructuralist
only at the level of the state thought, which sees power as an
Postruthcetu croamlibsitn atAionna orfc ahniasrmch ismis or the economy, but also at interconnected network rather than
and poststructuralist philosophy the level of sexuality, race, a system to be opposed?
(the work of Foucault, Lyotard psychology, teaching, etc. etc. Regarding the idea of totaliz
and Deleuze). What is essential to ing systems, it is surely the
«/> both these political philosophies I s there anything left of anar
that makes it possible to combine chism? Continued on page 6
t/>
Reclaim the Cities: From Protest to Popular Power
"Direct action gets the goods," anarchism and anticapitalism streets" is an understandable
proclaimed the Industrial almost household words. As one. When industrial capital
Workers of the Wodd neady a if that weren't enough, we ism first started to emerge in
century ago. And in the short find ourselves on the streets the early nineteenth century,
time since Seattle, this has cer of twenty-first-century me its machinations were rela
tainly proven to be the case. tropolises demonstrating our tively visible. Take, for in
Indeed, "the goods" reaped by power to resist in a way that stance, the enclosures. Pas
the new direct action move models the good society we ture lands that had been
ui
ment here in North America envision: a truly democratic used in common for centu
have included creating doubt ries to provide villages with
as to the scope and nature of their very sustenance were
globalization, shedding light But is this really what democ systematically fenced off -
on the neady unknown work racy looks like? enclosed - in order to graze
ings of international trade and sheep, whose wool was
finance bodies, and making The impulse to "reclaim the
Continued on page 8
PERSPECTIVES ON ANARCHIST THEORY
Pago 2
IAS Update
Perspectives on
Anarchist Theory
This fall sees the IAS expand funding oppor anarchism and South Africa to include issues
tunities, say goodbye to a board member and such as Black Nationalism. See page three
Fall 2000, VoL 4, No. 2 find a new home on the internet, as well as for more details.
continue with our general activities.
Newsletter of the Institute Cindy Milstein and John Petrovato organized
for Anarchist Studies As a result of our June 2000 board meeting a great anarchist conference at the end of
we decided to sponsor a writing contest in August It was a pleasure to attend an anar
Editor: addition to our usual grant awards. We chist conference where a high level of
Rebecca DeWitt wanted some way to connect more direcdy thought was present in both the presenta
with contemporary political developments tions and inevitably lively lunch and dinner
and offer financial support to a wider variety conversations. Five board members gave
of people. While our grants are meant for presentations to varying degrees, along with
Subscription Rates
more substantial projects, we decided to of a wide variety of activists and intellectuals.
(Two issues per year)
fer $1000 for a short essay focusing on anar
IAS Donors - Free
chist perspectives on the "new social move Chuck Morse's interview with Janet Biehl
Individuals - $5
ment" we see developing all around us. See (Spring 1998) has been translated into two
Institutions - $10
page three for more details. The winning more languages, German and Japanese — that
Bulk (25 Copies)- $25
essay will be published in the newsletter as makes six different translations so far. My
well as on our website. article on Seattle (Spring 2000) was quoted in
(Please make checks a London based Portuguese language news
payable to the Michelle Matisons, after five years as a board paper and will also be reprinted, in a revised
Institute for Anarchist Studies) member, is moving on. She has relocated to state, in the upcoming issue of Social Anar
the San Francisco Bay area where she has chism.
Disclaimer: the views ex just successfully completed a PhD. in
pressed in Perspectives do not Women's Studies. Her dissertation, Our fundraising campaign is going quite well
necessarily represent the views "Systems, Standpoints, and Subjects: Marxist although we still need $6000 in donations to
of the IAS as a whole. The ma Legacies in U.S. Feminist Theories" looks at meet our goal. So far, we have received
terial in this newsletter is © the the ways in which Marxism has influenced $14,000 in donations and we thank every
US feminism - for better or for worse. From one — old and new supporters — for their
Institute for Anarchist Studies.
the start, Michelle committed herself to en generosity. We recendy received a fabulous
suring the success of the IAS and we have all donation from Aigis Press of three new ti
IAS Board of Directors: enjoyed working with her. des, which will compliment our books for
donors. These include Since Predator Came:
Paula Emery, John Petrovato,
The IAS website has moved to a new loca Notes From The Struggle For American Indian
Dan Chodorkoff,
tion, http://flag.blackened.net/ias. This an Liberation by Ward Churchill; From State to
Cindy Milstein, Maura Dillon, archist site has generously offered to host Community: Rethinking South Korean Modernisa
Paul Glavin, Chuck Morse the IAS and we are happy to be in the com tion by Seung-joon Ahn; and One Si%e Does
pany of friends. Our email address stays the Not Fit All by Beverly Naidus. See the book
General Director: same for the time being and we'll maintain a list insert for all the wonderful books from
Rebecca DeWitt redirect page on our old website account Raven Used Books you can choose from and
support the IAS.
A new page on the website detailing how ~ Rebecca DeWitt
P.O. Box 1664 and where to find completed IAS projects
Peter Stuyvesant Station will be of interest to everyone. Future pages
New York, NY 10009 - USA in the works include advice on writing and
publishing for the radical writer.
The IAS website has moved!
Phone: [phone]
E-mail: [email protected] This year we gave out our first grant to a Our new address is
fiction project For quite some time, we have
Web: http://flag.blacken.cd
been committed to funding the "written
http://flag.blackened.net/ias
net/ias/Defaulthtm word" and we are excited to have given a
Grants awarded • Entire collection of
grant for a play about an Irish anarchist We
The IAS is a nonprofit, also gave a grant to a previous grant recipient newsletters • Application materials •
tax-exempt organization. who will expand upon his original work on Anarchism links
VOLUME 4, NO. 2
Page 3
Grant Awards
The IAS Board of Directors was pleased ety. Kevin Doyle is an award winning extensively on historical and contempo
to award grants to the following indi short story writer and political activist rary labor politics. -
viduals in June 2000: He is a founding member of the Work
ers Solidarity Movement, an anarchist If you are interested in applying for a
$1000 to Kevin Doyle for "Orange organization in Ireland. grant, please send a SASE to the IAS at
Fire", a three act theater play about the P.O. Box 1664, Peter Stuyvesant Station,
life, beliefs and struggles of Irish activist $1000 to Lucien van der Walt for New York, NY 10009 - USA; or print
Captain Jack White (1879-1946), who "Anarchism and Revolutionary Syndical an application from our website, http://
strongly identified as an anarchist. ism in South Africa, 1904-1921", which flag.blackened.net/ias.
White's life and anarchist beliefs have all expands upon a project previously
but been obliterated due to the destruc funded by the IAS. This new work will
tion of his memoirs and papers by his deal with the influence of anarchism and Writing Prize
family (White came from a privileged revolutionary syndicalism on broader
The IAS is offering a $1000 award for
Protestant family loyal to the British social movements in the same period.
an essay that advances anarchist per
monarchy) and the fact that, as a revolu The specific focus is on the impact of
spectives on the "new social move
tionary, he has been "written out" of the libertarian socialist ideas on trade unions ments" represented by recent interna
history books. In order to provide a and Black Nationalism. This project tional anti-globalization protests. Es
framework with which activists can chal builds upon the original research into
says should address this movement in a
lenge sectarian divisions in Ireland, this the influence of anarchism and revolu fashion that links theory to practice in
play aims to situate White within Irish tionary syndicalism on revolutionary order to contribute to the emergence
revolutionary history as well as anar groups in South Africa. Lucien van der of new anarchist praxis, theory in
chism and draws on the destruction of Walt is a student, teacher and activist in formed by practice. Submissions should
White's papers as a metaphor for the South Africa. His work focuses on trade be between 3000 and 10,000 words.
Written work already funded by the
repressive mentality of a sectarian soci union activity in Africa and he has written
IAS will not be considered. The winning
essay will receive $1000 and excerpts
will be published in the IAS newsletter.
Grant Updates Deadline for submissions is
January 1,2001.
C.W. Brown completed Vanguards of the Sam Mbah completed a draft of his
Crusaders; The American Radical Right, Lib manuscript, Military Dictatorship and The in issue #3 of Arsenal: A Magazine oj"An
eral Ideology, and the New World Order and State of Africa. He hopes to finish the archist Strategy and Culture (Winter 2001).
presented it in August in Vermont dur book and begin the publishing process He was awarded $1500 in January 2000.
ing the anarchist conference "Critical this fall. He was awarded $2000 in Janu
Anarchism: Remaking the Tradition." ary 1999. Fernando Lopez continues research
He was awarded $800 in June 1997. on, The FACA and the Anarchist Movement
Frank Adams completed a draft of his in Argentina. He has completed three
Allan AntlifFs book, The Culture of Re essay "Work Ownership & Work Man chapters and is now writing about anar
volt: Art and Anarchy in America, went agement: One Anarchist's Perspective" chist activities in the Devoto prison dur
through final editing at the Univeristy of and aims to complete the essay by spring ing 1931. He has also collaborated with
Chicago Press. "Cosmic Modernism: 2001. He was awarded $500 in June university students to research material
Elie Nadelman, Adolf Wolff, and the 1997. on the "disappeared comrades" of the
Materialist Aesthetics of John Weich- late 70's. He was awarded $2200 in June
sel", an article based on material from Mike Staudenmaier's piece Towards a 1999.
his book, can be found in the March New Anarchist Theory of Nationalism is
1999 issue of Archives of American Art shaping up with research on theories of Joe Lowndes is still working on his es
History, magazine of the Smithsonian. nationalism in Bakunin, Landauer, and say "Anarchism and the Rise of Right-
He was awarded $1000 in January 1997. Rocker; theories on the nature and char wing Anti-Statism", focusing on the role
acter of nations and states; and contem of white southern activists and intellec
Matt Hern and Stuart Chalk's book, porary anarchist responses to national tuals in the 1940s and 1950s in creating
Architecture of Isolation is available soon isms, including the rWW as anti- the racist antistatist discourse prevalent
ftom Broadview Press, Ontario. Excerpts pub nationalist and the Anarchist Black on the right today. An article will be
lished in Democracy & Nature, Vol. 6, No. Cross Federation as pro-nationalist A produced in the near future. He was
1. They woe awarded $1200 in January 1998. version of this project will be published awarded $1000 in June 1998. ~
Page 4 PERSPECTIVES ON ANARCHIST THEORY
What's Happening: Books and Events
ism is possible thanks to several new
lapatismo! publications from London's Kate Shar
The Zapatista experience is rich in les pley Library. Louis Lecoin: An Anarchist
sons for anyone working to think Life (33 pages, large format) traces the
through a radical politics for today. John biography of a French anarchist whose
Ross's forthcoming The War Against political activity spanned more than a
Oblivion: Zapatista Chronicles 1994-2000 half-century, ending with his death 1971.
adds another volume to the already They have also released a treatment of a
abundant literature on the Zapatistas' more contemporary movement: The Cou
accomplishments and dilemmas riers are Revo/ting: The Despatch Industry
(Common Courage Press, Decem Workers Union, 1989-92 (24 pages). Read
ber 2000, 320 pages). This book analyzes ers will also want to pick up Chris Mo-
the evolution of the Zapatistas and their sey's Car Wars: Battles on the Road to No
conflict with the Mexican state from where for a look at the anarchist-
their 1994 uprising to Mexico's recent influenced anti-roads movement in the
presidential elections. Some of the theo UK (Vision Paperbacks, 222 pages,
retical background of Zapatista work March 2000). This book traces the his
can be found in Our Word Is Our tory of opposition to the automobile
Weapon: Selected Writings of Subcumandante and the explosion of these sentiments in
Insurgente Marcos (Seven Stories Press, Luisa Capetillo the UK during the first half of the
December 2000, 416 pages). This collec 1990's. Special attention is paid to the
tion is divided into three sections: the Press, August 2000, 164 pages). Readers Reclaim the Streets group.
first contains Marcos' political essays may also wish to consult Robert Bur-
and shows the evolution of Zapatismo bach's Globalisation And Postmodern Poli
as a whole; the second presents Marcos' tics: From Zapatistas To High Tech Robber atin-American Feminism
philosophical queries, personal reflec Barons (Pluto Press, December 2000, 192 If European radicalism has not been
tions, and humorous recollections on his pages). This book develops a critical fully documented, then the history of
first days as a guerrilla, as well as letters analysis of global capitalism and places Latin American anarchism has hardly
to other writers; and the final section contemporary opposition movements, been touched. Norma Valle Ferrer's The
features short stories, folk tales, and such as the Zapatistas and the protest
Story of Luisa Capetillo: a Pioneer Puerto Ri-
mythic pieces for which he has become movements that laid siege to last year's can Feminist will make a contribution to
famous. WTO meeting in Seattle in this context. the rectification of this problem (Peter
u.
Lang Publishing, December 2000). Luisa
Capetillo (1879-1922) was one of the
nderstanding is Half the Battle ost Anarchist Struggles leading figures of Puerto Rico's early
Noam Chomsky tackles some of the While European anti-authoritarian labor movement, a movement in which
international contradictions that help movements are relatively well docu libertarian socialism was an important — if
produce movements such as the Zapa mented, much has still to be not the most important - ten
tistas. In his Rogue States: The Ride of Force told. The history of anar
dency. Capetillo, a feminist,
in World Affairs Chomsky criticizes the chism in Portugal is the sub anarchist, labor organizer,
world's superpowers for committing ject of Joao Freire's new book: and novelist, is often remem
indefensible actions in the name of de Freedom Fighters: Anarchist Intel bered as the first woman to
mocracy and human rights. The United lectuals, Workers, and Soldiers in wear pants in public in
States and its allies are rebuked for vio Portugal's History (Black Rose Puerto Rico and many con
lations of international law, violations Books, 200 pages, Septem sider her book, Mi opinion
that make them the real "rogue states" in ber 2000). This book traces sobre las Ubertades, Derechos y
the world today. He challenges the legal the Portuguese anarchist Deberes de la Mujer (trans: My
and humanitarian arguments in favor of movement from the begin Opinion on the Liberties, Riches
NATO's war in the Balkans, turns his ning of the twentieth century and Duties of the Woman) the
attention toward U.S. involvement in the to the present, touching on first Puerto Rican feminist
Middle East, Southeast Asia, and Central the Spanish Civil War, World work. Valle Ferrer's biogra
America, and reveals the United States' War II, the Salazar dictatorship, phy will be a principal source
increasingly open dismissal of die United Na and the "carnation revolution" in 1974. A for biographical data on this major po
tions and international law (South End still broader picture of European radical litical figure.
VOLUME 4, NO. 2
Page 5
JL oreign Language Resource 1836, Guelph, Ontario, Canada, N1H
If anarchism has always been interna 7A1 or e-mail [email protected].
tional, there is no doubt that it has
strong roots in Russia, especially in the
life and work of the Russian Anarchist, resenting the Past
Mikhail Bakunin. Researchers will no Anyone living near or passing through
longer have to travel to archives around Ann Arbor will want to visit the exhibit
the world to find his writings thanks to "Jo Labadie and His Gift to Michigan: A
Amsterdam's Institute for Social His Legacy for the Masses," which will be
tory. This September the Institute will on display from September 12th to No
present Mikhail Bakunin's Oeuvres Com vember 22nd at die Labadie Collection at
pletes, a searchable CD-ROM containing the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
all known texts written by Bakunin in This exhibition will examine the life of
Russian and, whenever applicable, Luce Fabbri this Detroit anarchist and influential la
French translation. Spanish readers will bor activist.
be able to enjoy an expanded view of play Thunderation: Folk Play With Song and
the anarchist tradition thanks to the re Dance (Bucknell University Press, Sep
cent translation of Murray Bookchin's tember 2000). This is Miihsam's last uce Fabbri, 1908-2000
Ecology of Freedom: The Emergence and Dis play, written before he died at the hands Sadly it is necessary to note the death of
solution of Hierarchy. This work is the of the Nazis in 1934. Luce Fabbri, a life-long anarchist diinkcr
most comprehensive statement of an and activist (and daughter of the famed
A
anti-authoritarian vision and politics Italian anarchist Luigi Fabbri). Luce died
since Kropotkin's Mutual Aid (La ctivist Resources of a heart attack on August 19th in Mon
Ecologia de la Libertad: el Surgimiento y la Two new books will help activists de tevideo, Uruguay at the age of 92. Her
Disolucidn de la Jerarquia, translation by velop a strategy for our times. Globalisa latest book was La Libertad entre la Histo
Marcelo Gabriel Burcllo. Nossa y Jara tion from Below: The Power of Solidarity by ria y la Utopia: Tres Ensayosy Otros Textos
and Colectivo Los Arenalejo, 1999, 509 Jeremy Brecher, Tim Costello, and del Siglo XX (trans: Freedom in History and
pages). Brendan Smith (South End, October Utopia; Three Essays and Other Texts of the
2000, 128 pages) attempts to advance a 20th Century (REA, 1998, 145 pages).
M
Her life will be documented in a forth
strategy for building die movement
odernist Roots against globalization. A revised edition coming biography by Margareth Rago.
Anarchism has provided a common of Brian Burch's Resources for Radicals, an She will be greatly missed by her friends
framework for some of the most impor annotated bibliography of print re and comrades in Uruguay and around
tant innovations in art and politics. In sources for those involved in move the world.
Mosaic Modernism: Anarchism, Pragmatism, ments for social transformation, is now
Culture, David Kadlec examines the an available. This book contains approxi
archist and pragmatist origins of mod mately 800 entries and touches on issues Contacts and Addresses
ernism as a literary/cultural phenome such as meeting facilitation, community
non. Treating a wide range of historical gardening, civil disobedience, union or Common Courage Press
sources and materials, many of them ganizing, among many other topics www.comrnoncouragepress.com
previously unpublished, Kadlec argues (September, 2000, Toronto Action for Toronto Action for Social Change
that German, French, and British anar Social Change). P.O. Box 73620, 509 St. Clair Ave. West
chists spurred the formal experiments of w Toronto, ON M6C 1C0
leading modernists, thus offering a dra [phone]; e-mail: [email protected]
elcome Back
matically new account of modernism's
After a long hiatus, Kick it Owrmagazine Institute for Social History
political genesis and the mosaic, im-
provisational tendencies of modern lit has begun publishing regularly again. http://www.iisg.nl/
erature (Johns Hopkins University Press, Individual subscriptions to this attrac
Peter Lang Publishing
October 2000, 312 pages). Erich Muh- tive, high quality "social anarchist anti-
sam, an important anarchist thinker and authoritarian quarterly" are available for http://www.peterlang.com/
one of the leading artists in the tradition, $14.50 (in US funds). Institutional sub
Seven Stories Press
will become more familiar to English scriptions are $20. For more informa www.sevcnstories.com
readers thanks to the translation of his tion write to Kick It Over, P.O. Box
Pago 6 PERSPECTIVES ON ANARCHIST THEORY
Postructuralist Anarchism: Interview with Todd May
Continued from page I
case that much of anarchism, both in I'm not sure how to answer. I don't see analysis and toward suggestions for intervention,
practice and in theory, targets capitalism any reason in principle why it should be, one passes from philosophy to programmatics."
and the state. My book is a suggestion although it may turn out to be. The Most political philosophies seem incapable of
that we not look in those two places so question of whether political philosophy passing into programmatics and then back
as to blind ourselves about the ubiquity is a process of constandy remaking our again. The tension between the world as it ex
of power's operation. If capitalism and selves is tied to the question of what ists and what we envision is most often destroyed
the state were the sole culprits, then kinds of nature human beings have and by consolidation of power by one idea or political
eliminating them would by itself open us what kinds of environments they find party. Anarchism advocates a direct democracy
up to a Utopian society. But we ought to themselves in. Since elsewhere in die or federalism to ensure that this doesn't happen
be leery of such simple solutions. One book I deny that there is anything inter but is the life of a political philosophy capable
of the lessons of the struggles against esting to say about human nature, it all surviving programmatics?
racism, misogyny, prejudice against gays comes down to environment. But who Bear in mind that the anarchism I'm try
and lesbians, etc. is that power and op knows how environments will change, ing to draw out of the tradition would
pression are not reducible to a single site and what kinds of questions they will not see direct democracy as the answer
or a single operation. We need to under raise for us? to all political problems (otherwise, anar
stand power as it operates not only at chism would be another strategic politi
the level of the state and capitalism, but cal philosophy). That said, your question
in the practices through which we con For pobsotrthu ccrteuartaivleis at nadn daersctrhucistivme., Inp ocownetrar sits, still remains, since one can wonder what
duct our lives. anarchism natural Justification of its own exis happens to political philosophy when a
tence • that humans are essentially good and it
programmatics is carried out. Certainly,
is the institutions of power that are bad there one thing would remain of the view I
7 n yoteurmr bso oofk th, ep oalritticicualal tipohni loofs "othpeh dyis isco crdaasntc ien fore we need to get rid of them - characterises all tried to develop: the idea that we need
between the world as it exists and the world as power as bad. How does the anarchist concept always to be investigating the power re
it is envisioned." of power change with the addition of postruc- lationships that arise in various practices
When the discor turalism? and to give them proper ethical evalua
"political
dance is no longer While [anarchists] have a two-part dis tion; that is to say, to ask whether they
philosophy is present, that par- tinction: power (bad) vs. human nature are acceptable or not. On the view I'm
motivated by a ticular political
(good), I have a four-part one: power as defending, since we never know in ad
discordance philosophy became creative/power as repressive and good/ vance how power works, we need al
between how obsolete whether it bad. I do not take creative power as ways to keep investigating its operation,
occurs because the necessarily good, nor repressive power in order to see where it's leading and
people think the mHd has changed as necessarily bad. It all depends on what it's creating; and we need always to
world should be and or because the goals what is being created or repressed. The ask the ethical question of whether we
how they find it." have been realised. ethical evaluation is independent of find that acceptable.
You give the exam which kind of power it is. That's why
ple of the commu it's so important for there to be clarity
yUy hose job is it to construct the program-
nist revolution where, once the goals of the revo on one's ethical vision - a point which W matte?
lution were reached, the political philosophy that too many poststructuralist thinkers ne As far as who is to construct the pro
described such a change becomes obsolete and glect. But one does not solve the ethical gram, it is certainly not to be philoso
therefore a new political philosophy was needed problem by positing a good human na phers. (Goodness gracious, banish the
in order to advance. Is political philosophy a ture and then saying that it should be
thought) This idea is, I hope, no longer
process where we are constantly remaking our allowed to flourish. There is too much taken seriously, even by philosophers.
view of the world and what we want? evidence against the idea of an essen The only response as to who IS to con
The idea I'm trying to press eady in the tially good (or essentially bad) human struct the program, or at least have input
book is that political philosophy is moti nature for that claim to be made. One into its construction, is that it is those
vated by a discordance between how cannot rest one's ethical judgments on who are affected by the current situation
people think the wodd should be and human nature, but instead must develop and the proposed changes. Now that
how they find it. Why think about politi the socially given ethical networks may be another way of saying "the peo
cal philosophy unless there is a problem within which our lives unfold.
ple," but it does limit things somewhat.
that needs to be addressed? And that For instance, I will have litde to say
problem, for political philosophy, is that about how gays and lesbians should be
the wodd is distant from how one thinks you stamteo stht paat rwt] teh e"m ideuast o af baa cnledaor nde [mfoar rtchae treated in society (e.g. should they be
it should be. Whether political philoso tion to be made between political philosophy and admitted into the category of the mar
phy is a constant process is something political programs...as one moves away from riageable or should they challenge mar-
VOLUME 4, NO. 2
Page 7
riage itself?) That, it seems to me, is up create an oppressive power arrange
Biography
to them. My role is to support them in ment I think we mistake many support
Todd May grew up in NYC and has been
their choices. ers of the WTO if we describe them in
more or less politically active since the
terms of a conspiracy theory. My suspi
1960's. He continues to be inspired by the
cion is that most of them sincerely be
hope generated in the 1960's. Unlike many
The antaerricsehdis ta sco onncee wpht iochf p"coownegrlo ims ecrhaatersa cat lieve they are doing good things, even others of his generation, May has not turned
certain points and is reinforced by [power] along though they're not. How to explain this? to stock options and pension plans and
certain lines' \ and therefore can be amenable to It seems to me that we need to look at
instead strives for a better society by
the idea of reform because certain reforms at the practices they're engaged in and the
maintaining "the open and continuous
certain points could result in revolution. Is there effects of those practices on others, and
response to oppression wherever one finds
a place for revolution in postructuralist anar to recognize that there are a whole series it" During the 1980's he became involved in
chism? of deleterious effects that supporters of the divestment and anti-nuclear movements
The term "revolution" strikes me as a the WTO have failed to recognize. That, and since then has worked on gay and les
loaded one. Sometimes it seems to mean it seems to me, would be a poststruc bian rights, anti-racism and, especially, Pales
that there is an overturning of the key turalist anarchist take on the WTO...As tinian rights. As an intellectual, May para
point of power in a society. When used an activist, I find myself in accordance phrases Foucault to describe himself: "I
in that way, the term "revolution" seems with the recent demonstrations intended write what I believe to be right, and let the
to imply a strategic political philosophy, to eliminate the WTO and related op bureaucrats sort out my papers." He counts
so I think it is better avoided. When pressive institutions and to abolish loan among his influences Abbie Hoffman, Nel
things change enough as a result of po paybacks from Third Wodd countries. son Mandela, Martin Luther King, Saul Alin-
litical intervention, then we have a revo Of course, there's a lot more, but phi
sky, Rosa Parks, and Noam Chomsky. Todd
lution. Thus, the distinction between losophy, while it interacts with the pro- May is an Associate Professor of Philosophy
reform and revolution should not be the grarnmatic, does not, it seems to me, at Qemson University in South Carolina.
tired one of have as a role the construction of the
"we never know in »mere reform"
programmatic Selected Works
advance how power vs. "real revolu- Twentieth Century Continental Philosophy. Edited,
works,weneed tion-" If should y\ s far as action is concerned, you offer with an introduction by Todd May. Upper
, instead be an JiJ-suggestions of how postructuralist anar Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall, 1997.
always to keep ^ of how chism can be acted upon. These include: experi
investigating its mucn and how mentation, situated freedom, valorisation of Between Genealogy and Epistemobgy : Psychology,
Politics, and Knowledge in The Thought of Michel
operation, in order deep of a change subjugated discourses, and the intellectual as a
Foucault. University Park, PA: Pennsylvania
to see where it's j? going on. In participant in theoretical practice rather than a State University Press, 1993.
fact, I think the leader. Can you tell me how you and other po
leading and what term is often litically active people can practice these guide The Moral Theory of Poststructuralism. University
it's creating" used as a banner, lines?
Park, PA: Pennsylvania State University
a mark of one's It is difficult to practice much of any Press, 1995.
radicalism, and an unconsidered way of politics in South Carolina. Just to point
in the general direction of how I live this Our Practices, Our Selves, or, What it Means To
marking out one's distinction from liber
alism. As such, it hides the question, stuff, it concerns my attitude toward Be Human. University Park, PA: Pennsylvania
which we should be asking: what needs gays and lesbians (I was faculty advisor State University Press, 2001.
to be changed and how does it need to for the gay/lesbian group for six or
The Political Philosophy of Poststructuralist Anar
be changed? When we ask that more seven years); my teaching (I try to reject
chism. University Park, PA: Pennsylvania State
concrete question (yes, a philosopher the idea of a given human nature in my
University Press, 1994.
suggesting that a certain jargon is hiding courses, I experiment with course ideas,
our ability to see the concrete), then I include neglected works, often with a
Reconsidering Difference: Nancy, Derrida, Levinas,
we're on the right track. The question of political spin, in my syllabi, I often situ andDekuse. University Park, PA: Pennsylva
is it revolution or just reform drops ate the problems we face in the context nia State University Press, 1997.
I've developed in the book); and my par
away.
"Kant the Liberal, Kant the Anarchist: Rawls
enting (trying to see the effects of power
relative to my children's lives and atti and Lyotard on Kantian Justice." The Southern
XT//? bat is the World Trade Organisp-
Vv tion to poststructuralist anarchism? tudes, and offering alternatives to them) journal of Philosophy 28, no. 4 (1990): 525-38.
The WTO seems to be one of those or ... If I were to approach the question
"The Politics of Life in the Thought of Gilles
from the standpoint, say, of someone
ganizations where power conglomerates, Deleuze." SubStance 20, no. 3 (1991): 24-35.
where a variety of practices collude to living in an urban area in the U.S. I
PERSPECTIVES ON ANARCHIST THEORY
Page 8
Reclaim the Streets: From Protest to Popular Power
Continued from page 1
needed for the burgeoning textile indus so — called representatives; nuanced and
reasoned solutions replace lesser-of-
try. Communal life was briskly thrust
aside in favor of privatization, forcing two - (or diree) evils' thinking. The
democratic process utilized during
people into harsh factories and crowded
cities. demonstrations decentralizes power
even as it offers tangible solidarity; for
Advanced capitalism, as it pushes past example, affinity groups afford greater
the fetters of even nation-states in its and more diverse numbers of people a
insatiable quest for growth, encloses life real share in decision making, while
in a much more expansive yet generally spokescouncils allow for intricate coor
invisible way: fences are replaced by Refuse & Resist! Youth Charge in Philly. July 30 dination — even on a global level. This is,
consumer culture. We are raised in an at Unity 2000. Photo from Independent Media as 1960s' activists put it, the power to
Center- Philadelphia
almost totally commodified world where create rather than destroy.
nothing comes for free, even futile at
tempts to remove oneself from the mar the figurative concrete, thereby opening The beauty of this new movement, it
ket economy. This commodification up ways to challenge capitalism, nation- could be said, is that it strives to take its
seeps into not only what we eat, wear, or states, and other systems of domination. own ideals to heart. In doing so, it has
do for fun but also into our language,
perhaps unwittingly created the demand
relationships, and even our very biology This is not to denigrate die direct action for such direcdy democratic practices on
and minds. We have lost not only our movement in the United States and else a permanent basis. Yet the haunting
communities and public spaces but con where; just the opposite. Besides a long question underlying episodic "street de
trol over our own lives; we have lost the overdue and necessary critique of nu mocracy" remains unaddressed: How
ability to define ourselves outside capi merous institutions of command and can everyone come together to make
talism's grip, and obedience, the movement is quiedy yet decisions that affect society as a whole
"We're not putting thus genuine crucially supplying the outlines of a freer in participatory, mutualistic, and ethical
off the good meaning itself society. This prefigurative politics is, in ways? In other words, how can each
begins to dis- fact, die very strength and vision of to and every one of us — not just a counter
society until some solve
day's direct action, where the means culture or this protest movement —
distant future but themselves are understood to also be the really transform and ultimately control
are attre .m.3. p"tOWinuhogr seSt ot Srt~er eecet tss,!?„ ends. We're not putting off the good our lives and that of our communities?
society until some distant future but are
carve out room for then, is a legiti- attempting to carve out room for it in This is, in essence, a question of
it in the here and mate emotion<l1 the here and now, however tentative and power — who has it, how it is used, and
response to the contorted under die given social order. to what ends. To varying degrees, we all
now feeling that even In turn, this consistency of means and know the answer in relation to current
the most mini ends implies an ediical approach to poli institutions and systems. We can gener
mal of public, noncommodified tics. How we act now is how we want
ally explain what we are against. That is
spheres has been taken from us. Yet in others to begin to act, too. We try to exacdy why we are protesting, whether it
the end, it is simply a frantic cry from model a notion of goodness even as we is against capitalism and/or nation-
our cage. We have become so confined, fight for it. states, or globalization in whole or part.
so thoroughly damaged, by capitalism as What we have largely failed to articu
well as state control that crumbs appear This can implicidy be seen in the affinity late, however, is any sort of response in
to make a nourishing meal. group and spokescouncil structures for relation to liberatory institutions and
decision making at direct actions. Both
systems. We often can't express, espe
Temporarily closing off the streets dur supply much needed spaces in which to cially in any coherent and Utopian man
ing direct actions does provide momen school ourselves in direct democracy. ner, what we are for. Even as we prefig
tary spaces in which to practice demo Here, in the best of cases, we can proac- ure a way of making power horizontal,
cratic process, and even offers a sense
tively set the agenda, carefully deliberate equitable, and hence, hopefully an essen
of empowerment, but such events leave together over questions, and come to tial part of a free society, we ignore the
power for power's sake, like the very decisions that strive to take everyone's reconstructive vision that a direcdy
pavement beneath our feet, unchanged. needs and desires into account. Sub democratic process holds up right in
Only when the serial protest mode is stantive discussion replaces checking front of our noses.
escalated into a struggle for popular or boxes on a ballot; face-to-face participa
horizontal power can we create cracks in tion replaces handing over our lives to For all intents and purposes, our move-
VOLUME 4, NO. 2
Page 9
ment remains trapped. On the one hand, other, but there is a fair amount of ho decision-making processes begin to
it reveals and confronts domination and mogeneity precisely because we've con make more sense.
exploitation. The political pressure ex sciously chosen to come togedier for a
erted by such widespread agitation may specific reason—most often having litde Then, too, there is the question of scale.
even be able to influence current power to do with mere geography. This sense It is hard to imagine being friends with
structures to amend some of the worst hundreds, or even thousands, of people,
excesses of their ways; the powers that nor maintaining a single-issue identity
be have to listen, and respond to some with that many individuals; but we can
extent, when the voices become too share a feeling of community and a
numerous and too loud. Nevertheless, striving toward some common good
most people are still shut out of the that allows each of us to flourish. In
decision-making process itself, and con turn, when greater numbers of people
sequendy, have lifde tangible power come togedier on a face-to-face basis to
over their lives at all. Without this ability reshape their neighborhoods and towns,
to self-govern, street actions translate the issues as well as the viewpoints will
into nothing more than a countercultural multiply, and alliances will no doubt
version of interest group lobbying, al change depending on the specific topic
beit far more radical than most and gen under discussion. Thus the need for a
erally unpaid. place where we can meet as human be
Protestors surrounded by police in Philadelphia, August 2000 ings at the most face-to-face level — that
What the movement forgets is the Photo from Independent Media Center— Philadelphia is, an assembly of active citizens — to
promise implicit in its own structure: share our many identities and interests
that power not only needs to be con of a shared identity allows for the in hopes of balancing both the individ
tested; it must smooth functioning of a consensus de ual and community in all we do.
'What the
also be consti- cision- making process, since we start
movement forgets tuted anew in from a place of commonality. In an af As well, trust and accountability func
is the promise l^eratory and finity group, almost by definition, our tion differendy at the affinity group ver
egalitarian unity needs to take precedence over our sus civic level. We generally reveal more
implicit in its own forms ^ en_ diversity, or our supposed affinity breaks of ourselves to friends; and such un
structure: that tails taking die down altogether. written bonds of love and affection hold
us more closely together, or at least give
power not only movement's di-
reedy demo- Compare this to what could be die most us added impetus to work tilings out.
needs to be cratic process fundamental level of decision making in Underlying this is a higher-than-average
contested; it must seriously--not a society: a neighborhood or town. degree of trust, which serves to make us
also be constituted sim?lY as a tactic Now, geography plays a much larger accountable to each other.
n to organize pro- role. Out of historic, economic, cultural,
anew tests but as the On a community-wide level, the reverse
religious, and other reasons, we may
very way we or find ourselves living side by side with a is more often true: accountability allows
wide range of individuals and their vari us to trust each other. Hopefully, we
ganize society, specifically the political
realm. The issue then becomes: How ous identities. Most of these people are share bonds of solidarity and respect;
do we begin to shift the strategy, struc not our friends per se. Still, the very yet since we can't know each other well,
such bonds only make sense if we first
ture, and values of our movement to diversity we encounter is the life of a
the most grassroots level of public pol vibrant city itself. The accidents and/or determine them together, and then rec
icy making? numerous personal decisions that have ord them, write them down, for all to
brought us together often create a fair refer back to in the future, and even re
The most fundamental level of decision amount of heterogeneity precisely be visit if need be. Accountable, demo
cause we haven't all chosen to come cratic structures of our own making, in
making in a demonstration is the affin
ity group. Here, we come together as together for a specific reason. In this short, provide the foundation for trust,
friends or because of a common iden context, where we start from a place of since the power to decide is both trans
tity, or a combination of the two. We difference, decision-making mechanisms parent and ever amenable to scrutiny.
share something in particular, indeed, need to be much more capable of al
this common identity is often reflected lowing for dissent; that is, diversity There are also issues of time and space.
in the name we choose for our groups. needs to be clearly retained within any Affinity groups, in the scheme of
We may not always agree with each notions of unity. As such, majoritarian Continued on page 10
PERSPECTIVES ON ANARCHIST THEORY
Pago 10
Reclaim the Cities: From Protest to Popular Power
Continued from page 9
to retain diversity are preferable to sim
things, are generally temporary configu spokescouncil model used during direct
rations — they may last a few months, or actions hints at such an alternative view ple consensus-seeking models; written
a few years, but often not much longer. of globalization. During a spokescouncil compacts articulating rights and duties
Once the particular reasons why we've meeting, mandated delegates from our are crucial to fill out the unspoken cul
come together have less of an immediate affinity groups gather for the purpose of ture of protests; and institutionalized
imperative, or as our friendships falter, coordination, the sharing of resources/ spaces for policy making are key to
such groups often fall by the wayside. skills, the building of solidarity, and so guaranteeing that our freedom to make
And even during a group's life forth, always returning to the decisions doesn't disappear with a line of
span, in the interim between "It is time to push grassroots level as the ultimate riot police.
direct actions, there is fre- arbiter. If-popular assemblies
beyond the
quendy no fixed place or face- were our basic unit of decision It is time to push beyond the opposi
to-face decision making, nor oppositional making, confederations of tional character of our movement by
any regularity, nor much of a character of our communities could serve as a infusing it with a reconstructive vision.
record of who decided what way to both transcend paro That means beginning, right now, to
movement by
and how. Moreover, affinity chialism and create interde translate our movement structure into
groups are not open to - every infusing it with a pendence where desirable. For institutions that embody the good soci
one but only those who share a reconstructive instance, rather than global ety; in short, cultivating direct democ
particular identity or attach capitalism and international racy in the places we call home. This
ment. As such, although an vision. regulatory bodies, where trade will involve the harder work of reinvig-
affinity group can certainly is top-down and profit- orating or initiating civic gatherings,
choose to shut down a street, there is oriented, confederations could coordi town meetings, neighborhood assem
ultimately something slightly authoritar nate distribution between regions in blies, citizen mediation boards, any and
ian in small groups taking matters into ecological and humane ways, while al all forums where we can come together
their own hands, no matter what their lowing policy in regard to production, to decide our lives, even if only in ex
political persuasion. say, to remain at the grassroots. tralegal institutions at first Then, too, it
will mean reclaiming globalization, not
Deciding what to do with streets in gen This more expansive understanding of a as a new phase of capitalism but as its
eral - say, how to organize transporta
prefigurative politics would necessarily replacement by confederated, direcdy
tion, encourage street life, provide green involve creating institutions that could democratic communities coordinated
space, and so on - should be a matter potentially replace capitalism and na for mutual benefit
open to everyone interested if it is to be tion-states. Such direcdy democratic
truly participatory and nonhierarchical. institutions are compatible with, and It is time to move from protest to poli
This implies ongoing and open institu could certainly grow out of, the ones we tics, from shutting down streets to
tions of direct democracy, for every use during demonstrations, but they opening up public space, from demand
thing from decision making to conflict very likely won't be mirror images once ing scraps from those few in power to
resolution. We need to be able to know we reach the level of society. This does
holding power firmly in all our hands.
when and where citizen assemblies are not mean abandoning the principles and
Ultimately, this means moving beyond
meeting; we need to meet regularly and ideals undergirding the movement (such the question of "Whose Streets?" We
make use of nonarbitrary procedures; as freedom, cooperation, decentralism, should ask instead "Whose Cities?"
we need to keep track of what decisions solidarity, diversity, face-to-face partici Then and only then will we be able to
have been made. But more important, if pation, and the like); it merely means remake them as our own.
we so choose, we all need to have ac
recognizing the limits of direct democ
cess to the power to discuss, deliberate, ~ by Cindy Milstein
racy as it is practiced in the context of a
and make decisions about matters that demonstration.
affect our communities and beyond.
Any vision of a free society, if it is to be
Indeed, many decisions have a much truly democratic, must of course be
wider impact than on just one city; worked out by all of us - first in this Cindy Milstein is a faculty member at the Insti
transforming streets, for example, would movement, and later, in our communi tute for Social Ecology (see http:ffwww.tao.
probably entail coordination on a re ties and confederations. Even so, we will ca/~*ise/ for more on the ISE as well as a
gional, continental, or even global level probably discover that newly defined companion essay to this one by Ms. Milstein,
Radicals have long understood such
understandings of citizenship are needed "Democracy is Direct") and a board member
mutualistic self-reliance as a "commune in place of affinity groups; majoritarian for the Institute for Anarchist Studies. Cindy
of communes," or confederation. The methods of decision making that strive can be reached at [email protected].