Perspectives on Anarchist Theory, Vol 8, no 2 – Fall 2004

64 Pages·2013·22.59 MB·English

Perspectives
JL on Anarchist Theory
Volume 8, Number 2 - Fall 2004 Price $5.00
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Act Like Nothing's Wrong—Nicolas Lampert
2 / fall 2004
Perspectives
A on Anarchist Theory
Volume 8, Number 2 - Fall 2004
Welcome 4
ARTICLES
What's Happening: Books & Events by Chuck Morse 5
"Walking We Ask Questions:" An Interview with John Holloway by Marina Sitrin 8
Testimonio by Maria Esther Tello 12
IAS WRITERS
The Resurrection of Vampiro by Ramor Ryan 14
BOOK REVIEWS
Days of Crime and Nights of Horror by Ramor Ryan 17
From Theater Groups to Bank Robberies: The Diverse Experience of Uruguayan Anarchists by Astrid Wessels 22
Remembering Frantz Fanon by Kazcmbe Balagoon 28
"The World Is Made Up Of Stories, Not Atoms" by Uri Gordon 34
Reading Class: Something of the Who, What, Where, Why, When and How of Consciousness by Andrew Hedden 38
The New Anti-Imperialism by Chuck Morse 44
FEEDBACK
Is There a Postanarchist Universality? A Reply to Michael Glavin by Saul Newman 49
Anarcho-Pluralism: A Reply to Saul Newman by Michael Glavin 53
Joel Schalit Responds to Sureyyya Evren 55
IAS UPDATES
Summer 2004 Grants Awarded 56
Grant Updates 57
The IAS's 2004 Fundraising Campaign 58
Latin American Archives Project Update 61
Great Books for IAS Donors 62
Contributors 63
Editorial Committee Subscription Rates
Michael Caplan, Chuck Morse, Andrea Schmidt Subscriptions are free for IAS donors. USA and Canada: $10
U.S. per year. $15 U.S. per year all other countries. Institu
Copy Editors
tions $20 U.S. per year. Bulk copies are available at a dis
Chuck Morse, Alfredo Perez, Andrea Schmidt
count. Please make checks payable to:
Layout and Design
Institute for Anarchist Studies
Michael Caplan
73 Canterbury, D.D.O, Quebec, Canada H9B 2G5
IAS Board of Directors
1 [phone]; [email protected];
Ashanti Alston, Alexis Bhagat, Paul Glavin, Brooke Lehman,
www.anarchist-studies.org
Cindy Milstein, Chuck Morse, Darini Nicolas, John Petrovato
The views expressed in Perspectives do not necessarily
IAS General Directors
Michael Caplan, Andrea Schmidt represent the views of the IAS as a whole. Perspectives on
Anarchist Theory is published by the Institute for Anarchist
Studies.
FALL 2004 / 3
Perspectives on Anarchist Theory
Welcome
invigorating weekend of discussion and debate.
sounds of empire encroaching. It is the sound of US Our newsletter, Perspectives on Anarchist Theory, has also
This issufigeh otefPr pelrasnpeesc btiovmesb ignoge csit iteos parcersosss t oo cthcuep rieedle Inradqe,s asnd grown, as you may already have noticed. This issue is a special
the drone of the helicopters that shadow our borders to prevent experiment; it is a merger of Perspectives with The New Formu
people from crossing them. By the time you read this, the heli lation: An Anti-Authoritarian Review of Books, which the IAS
copters policing the skies of New York City will have dispersed, adopted as a project last winter. The merger was partly driven by
along with the hundreds of thousands who came to protest the practical concerns, but it also reflects the developing aspirations
Republican National Convention, but the deepening struggle of the IAS, and of the movement(s) it serves.
between popular movements and the executives of empire and When it was first published eight years ago, Perspectives
exploitation will persist. sought to make a case that theoretical inquiry could be related in
Those of us involved in the Institute for Anarchist Studies relevant and even vital ways to anarchist practice, and to encour
(IAS) understand our support for the development of anti-au age the development of forums and institutions in which such
thoritarian visions as a modest but indispensable contribution to
theorizing could take place.
these movements, and I offer this account of our recent efforts in Sixteen issues of Perspectives later, it seems unnecessary to
a spirit of solidarity. continue arguing this point; there is clear interest and participa
The IAS underwent an internal change in July, when the tion in theoretical debates and projects from a range of anti-au
board voted to make me co-director with Michael Caplan. I look thoritarian tendencies. We're faced instead with the question of
forward to collaborating with Michael and the rest of the board what sort of publication would best contribute to nurturing those
in order to support the IAS and its various programs and projects.
debates, and best support the interventions of a range of voices
The IAS s granting program is central to our mission, and
reflecting on the theoretical questions at hand. The provisional
with that in mind, I am happy to announce that we are making
merger is one step in that direction.
significant progress toward meeting our 2004 fundraising goal. In this issue, you'll find the usual IAS updates incorporated
This year we need to raise $24,000 to sustain our granting pro into a more substantive publication that includes IAS grantee
gram and other projects. At the back of this issue of Perspectives, Marina Sitrin's interview with John Holloway, author of Change
you will find more information about how to donate to the IAS the World Without Taking Power, an excerpt from Ramor Ryan's
and about the great books that donors will receive thanks to the
forthcoming book Clandestine Voyages Through the Global Rebel
good people at Raven Books. Please donate to the IAS today if Underground (for which he was awarded an IAS grant in July
you have not already done so. 2002); Maria Ester Tello's first person account of participation
It is with pleasure that I report that the IAS awarded $4,875 in Resistencia Libertaria, the clandestine Argentinean anarchist
in our summer round of granting, in support of three important
group; as well as book reviews and debates sparked in past issues
and exciting projects. Congratulations to Melissa Forbis and of the New Formulation.
Cale Layton, who were awarded a grant for their project, Anar We would very much appreciate your feedback on this merger.
chist Trade Unions in Bolivia: 1920-1950] to Trevor Paglen for his
Should it be permanent? Are there features that you would
project, Recoding CarceratLandscapes; and to Stevphen Shukaitis like to see in a future IAS publication? Or particular themes
who received an IAS grant for his project, Between Sisyphus and
you would like dealt with? Please email your comments to
Self-Management. Please see page 56 for more information about
[email protected].
these projects. Above all, we hope you enjoy this experimental issue of Per
The fourth annual Renewing the Anarchist Tradition confer
spectives, and that you will consider supporting the IAS as we
ence, co-sponsored by the IAS, will take place on the last week continue to develop forums in which to build radical visions of
end in September, at Goddard College in Plainfield, Vermont. free and just societies.
RAT organizers (and IAS board members) Cindy Milstein and
John Petrovato, have put together a rich program of panels and r
presentations, and this year RAT will double in size, welcoming
up to two hundred participants. We hope to see you there for an
4 / FALL 2004
Perspectives on Anarchist Theory
What's Happening
Books & Events
by Chuck Morse
dential election will ascend to the
THE WhINeiNghEtRs oof fp othwee rn ine xatn U eSm ppirreesi
beset by deep crisis. Internationally it is
entrenched in conflicts that it can neither
win nor lose and domestically it has only
a tenuous grip on the legitimacy neces
sary to secure its rule. It is at war, which
is the eternal companion of revolution.
Anarchists can help turn the former
in the direction of the latter by radical
izing the growing discontent with the
established order and by deepening the
integrity of the alternatives we advance.
The Battle Over Baghdad
by economic and political interests, with Meeropol (et al) focuses on the wave of
little regard for human rights. He traces racial profiling, detentions, and deporta
Iracqa rpeitmala ainnds iats fl masehrc epnoainrite fso ar ngdlo tbhauls the events of the past decades, beginning tions unleashed by the government after
should be studied with urgency by with the West's support for the highly the terror attacks of September lllh. It
anti-authoritarians. In Oil, Power and repressive Shah of Iran, his subsequent brings together detainees' own testimo
Empire: Iraq and the U. S. Global Agenda usurpation by the Ayatollah's Islamist nies with a comprehensive framework
Larry Everest explores the history of US regime, and the West's consequent sup for understanding the issues outlined
intervention in Iraq and its devastat port for Saddam Hussein and his regime. by constitutional scholars working for
ing consequences for the people and the Sponsoring Saddam's tyranny—a self- their release. Going beyond the prevail
region. He shows how the present war is serving tactic intended to provide a stra ing accounts to a detailed exploration of
continuous with that history, but also a tegic counterbalance to Iran—included detention—the forms currently in use,
radical leap toward more direct military supplying him with technology to build and the conditions of each—the authors
control in Iraq and around the world. weapons of mass destruction as well as authoritatively refute its alleged justifica
He argues that the "Bush Doctrine" is tacit complicity with his government s tions, while pointing to its human costs
built on the US's imperial history and use of them against Iranians and Kurds (Seven Stories, 2004,120 pages). Super-
yet also new and uniquely dangerous (New Society, 2003, 368 Pages). Chris patriotism by Michael Parenti provides
(Common Courage, 2003,224 pages). tian Parentis forthcoming The Freedom: context by examining how hype, fear, and
Nafeez Mosaddeq Ahmed's Behind The Shadows and Hallucinations in Occupied mindless flag-waving supplant informed
War On Terror: Western Secret Strategy and Iraq should also be worth consulting debate and commitment to democracy
the Struggle for Iraq shows that the true (New Press, December 2004,160 pages). and social justice. Parenti explores ques
tions such as: What does it mean to love
goals of US-British policy in the Middle
East are camouflaged by spin and can Local Consequences one's country? Why is it so important
only be comprehended with knowledge to be "Number One"? What determines
of the history of Western intervention in Two tnheew w abro aotk hso mtreea. tA mdiemriecnassi oDniss of America's "greatness"? What is the mes
the region. He demonstrates that such sianic message behind so much national
appeared: Secret Imprisonment, Detain
intervention has been ruthlessly dictated ees, and the "War on Terror" by Rachel ism? He also examines how US leaders
fall 2004 / 5
Perspectives on Anarchist Theory
and media fan the flames of fear to win tivist movements across North America. the tradition as a whole, Spanish readers
support for huge arms budgets, military Antliff was awarded a grant by the IAS will want to check out Anarquismo Para
interventions, and global aggrandize in January 1997 in support of his Anar Principiantes {Anarchism for Beginners) by
ment, as well as to insure political ortho chist Modernism: Art, Politics and the First Marcos Mayer with drawings by Sanyu
doxy at home and abroad. Challenging American Avant-Garde (University of (Longseller, 2003,176 pages).
the nationalistic hype propagated by offi Chicago Press, 2001,292 pages). Similar Two small new books attempt to
cialdom, the media, the sports world, and aspects of the North American anarchist broaden anarchism's theoretical sweep.
the military, Parenti argues for policies movement will likely be covered in the David Graeber's Fragments of an Anar
at home and abroad that genuinely serve soon to be released Anarchism in America: chist Anthropology explores the links be
the needs of humanity (City Lights, 2004, an updated version of the 1982 tween anarchism and anthropology and
2004,168 pages). documentary by Pacific Street Film's Ste tries to imagine what a truly anarchist
ven Fischler and Joel Sucher (see http:// anthropology might look like (Prickly
Towards a New Vision
www.psfp.com/ for more info). A more Paradigm Press, 2004,100 pages). I Am
exclusively theoretical treatment of the Not A Man, I Am Dynamite! Friedrich Ni
The roecncuerwreadl ionf r eacneanrtc dheiscmad eths ante hedass new movement can be found in Chang etzsche and the Anarchist Tradition, edited
to be appreciated in its fullness. Only a
ing Anarchism, an anthology edited by by John Moore, contains eleven essays
Beginning: An Anarchist Anthology, com Jonathan Purkis and James Bowen. This that claim to find an anarchist perspec
piled and edited by IAS grant recipient collection attempts to reposition anar tive implicit in Nietzsche's work and/or
Allan Antliff, is the first comprehensive chist theory and practice by documenting the Nietzschean impulse in historical and
overview of anarchist theory and practice contemporary anarchist practice and by contemporary anarchism (Autonomedia,
in North America from 1976 to the pres providing a viable analytical framework October 2004,192 pages).
ent (Consortium, November 2004, 352 for understanding it. The essays it con
pages). Lavishly illustrated with original tains, written by academics and activists, The Living Tradition
artwork and photographs, it documents raise challenging questions about the
over a quarter-century of grassroots ac complex nature of power and resistance IASh agsr arenlet arseecdip tiheen tt hMirdu rvroalyu mBeo oofk chhisin
tivism, including protests and gatherings, to it. Areas covered include: sexuality Third Revolution: Popular Movements
art exhibitions, street theater, Internet and identity; psychological dependency in the Revolutionary Era. This major
sites, and squats, as well as specific move on technology; libertarian education; four-volume project is a comprehensive
ments such as environmentalism, anti- religion and spirituality; protest tactics; account of the great revolutions that
globalization, feminism, queer rights, mental health and artistic expression; and swept Europe and America during the
indigenous struggles, and prisoners' the ongoing "metaphorical wars" against past three centuries. Throughout the
rights. Included are the histories of ma drugs and terror (Manchester University work, he places emphasis on the popu
jor anarchist journals as well as essays on Press, December 2004,256 pages). For lar movements that propelled the great
specific anarchist practices relevant to ac a short and very general introduction to revolutions to radical peaks, the little-
A poetic barricade proclaiming "Existence Resistance" thwarts a fine of riot cops during protests against the Free Trade Area of the Americas. Quebec
City, Canada, 2001. Photo from We Are Everywhere by John Jordan
6 / fall 2004
What's Happening: Books & Events
known leaders who spoke for the people, and orator whose scathing critique of From the South: Then and Now
and the liberatory social forms to which
hypocrisy in all realms of life and politics
the revolutions gave rise. This volume would eventually capture the attention Latina gAaminesrti ccaa pisit arliiscth g ilno bsatlrizuagtgiolens. At
begins with the Russian Revolution of and imagination of America. Likewise, 634 pages, Ya Basta! Ten Years of the Za
1905, moves to the crisis faced by in The Voltairine de Cleyre Reader, which is
patista Uprising, will provide the most
ternational socialism at the outbreak of the first collection of de Cleyre's work
comprehensive collection of English
the Great War in 1914, and then to the
published since 1914, brings together translations of texts by Subcomandate
Russian Revolution of February 1917, the best of de Cleyre's writings, includ Marcos and the EZLN. It is edited by
the Bolshevik Red October, and the
ing never before published material. Ziga Vbdovnik, and includes Forwards
crucial German Revolution of 1918-19 From acclaimed essays like "Anarchism
by Naomi Klein and Noam Chomsky
(Continuum, 2004,416 pages). The final and American Traditions" and "The (Consortium, 2004). Cochabambal Water
volume will explore of the Spanish Revo Dominant Idea" to lesser known pieces Rebellion in Bolivia by Oscar Olivera re
lution of 1936-1939. In 1997 Bookchin on feminism, marriage, direct action, lates the selling of the city of Cochabam-
was awarded a grant by the IAS to sup education, and other topics, this fully an ba s water supply to Aguas del Tunari,
port his research for this work. notated collection captures the breadth a subsidiary of US-based transnational
Two major figures in the anarchist and intensity of de Cleyre's literary out
Bechtel, the subsequent astronomical
tradition will now be easier to study put. It is edited by A J Brigati, with an rise in water prices, and the refusal of
thanks to the appearance of a pair of introduction from Barry Pateman of the
poverty-strapped Bolivians to pay them.
new releases. The second volume of Emma Goldman Papers Project (AK It explains how the people organized an
Emma Goldman: A Documentary History Press, 2004,256 pages). opposition and recounts the dramatic
of the American Years, edited by Barry Matthew Thomas's Anarchist struggles that eventually defeated the
Pateman, Candace Falk, and others, Ideas and Counter-Cultures in Britain,
privatizers. Olivera also reflects on the
will appear in November (University of 1880-1914: Revolutions in Everyday themes that emerged as a result of the
California Press, 2004, 430 pages). This Life should offer a valuable corrective to war over water, such as the fear and
volume, Making Speech Free, 1902-1909, often superficial treatment of anarchist isolation the Cochabambinos overcame
chronicles Goldman's pivotal role in cultural achievements (Ashgate, January
through a spirit of solidarity and mutual
the early battle for free expression. It 2005,256 pages). This book examines aid and the challenges of democratically
highlights the relationship between the how British anarchists effected change administering the city's water (South
development of the right of free speech through the creation of counter-cul End Press, November 2004,160 pages).
and turn-of-the-century anarchist ideas. tures and networks of co-operation and The early history of anti-authoritarian
The enactment of anti-anarchist laws self-organization. It looks at their con movements in Latin American is slowly
and the organization of groups in protest struction of alternative institutions and
being documented. Cristina Guzzo's
occupy center stage among the primary cultures: free schools, which encouraged Spanish language Las anarquistas rio-
documents. The volume also presents learning by desire and responsiveness to platenses, 1890-1990:Ensayo investigativo
Goldman's evolving attitudes toward vio individual needs; factories based on the
{Anarchist Women of Rio Plata, 1890-
lence in both its European and American principles of self-management and work 1990: Investigative Essay) studies a cen
contexts, the emergent revolution in Rus ers' control; communes, which pooled tury of anarchist women's activism in the
sia, and the beginnings of the Modern resources and shared skills; and revolu River Plate area of Argentina, Uruguay,
School educational movement in Amer tionized personal and sexual relations. and Paraguay (Orbis Press, 2003,104
ica, the social significance of European Thomas argues that while the anarchists pages). It explores the contributions of
modern drama, and the right of labor to did not realize their long-term aims, they
Virginia Bolten, Juana Rouco Buela, Sal-
organize against unfair working condi did go some way towards revolutionizing vadora Onrubia, and Luce Fabbri. For
tions in the United States. In addition, the everyday life of individuals, through a introduction to Latin American anar
the volume features the early evolution the diverse strategies they mobilized to chism as a whole, Spanish readers will
of Goldman's magazine, Mother Earth, expand human freedom in the here and welcome the re-edition of David Vinas's
which promoted the blending of modern now. By analyzing the various anarchist
long out of print Anarquistas en America
literary and cultural ideas with her radical counter-cultures, Thomas demonstrates Latina {Anarchists in Latin America),
and social political agenda and became a that anarchists were at the forefront of which offers a very topical overview of
platform for the articulation of her femi campaigns that challenged the existing anarchism in the region (Paradiso Edi-
nist critique, an expression of her inter social, economic, and cultural values of ciones, 2004,242 pages). ^
national reach, and a marker of her desire British society.
to spread anarchist ideas beyond the
immigrant left. Making Speech Free also
tracks Goldman's emergence as a writer
fall 2004 / 7
Perspectives on Anarchist Theory
"Walking We Ask Questions"
An Interview with John Holloway
by Marina Sitrin
Marxism. Of course, this idea was very tempts to change the world through the
much bound up with the experience of state have failed. The collapse of the
exchanged questions, answers, and
more questions during the month 1968, of the struggles in the 1970s and of Soviet Union made that very clear. But
J" oofh Anu gHuosltl.o Jwoahyn Hanodllo wMaayr iinsa t heS iatruin the anti-Poll Tax movement in Britain in it is not just the so-called "communist"
thor of Change the World Without Taking the later 1980s. countries—it's also the experience of the
Power (Pluto Press, 2002) and co-author I came to live in Mexico at the be reformist or social-democratic govern
of Zapatista! Rethinking Revolution in ginning of the 1990s and so was lucky ments all over the world. Lula in Brazil
Mexico (Pluto Press, 1998). Marina enough to be here when the Zapatista is just the latest in a long line of disap
Sitrin is completing an oral history (in uprising took place. That transformed pointments.
But it's more than that. It's not just
Spanish and English) of the autonomous everything, of course. It put previous
social movements in Argentina, a project theoretical reflections and fragmented that all the "Left" governments have
for which she received a grant from the experiences in a new context. Here was a failed to realize the expectations of their
Institute for Anarchist Studies. major movement saying clearly "we want supporters. It is also the experience of
The following interview is an ap to make the world anew, but we do not activists that building for taking state
petizer to various theories, experiences, want to take power." power involves us in a bureaucratic, hi
and questions as well as an invitation to Like millions of others, I felt and feel erarchical, alienating sort of politics that
further exploration of our theories and that that is absolutely right. But how do is a long way from the sort of society
practices. we make sense of it? What does it mean that we want to create. Directing our
in terms of the way we think about the anti-capitalist anger towards winning in
world, and about power in particular? fluence or power within the state means
Could you explain what events or activities How can we change the world without channeling our activity into the logic of
in your life brought you to the point where taking power? power, and the logic of power is the logic
of reconciliation with capital.
you are now doing considerable theoretical
as well as practical work on the question of Exactly. Your questions are mine, and I There is another reason too for people
power and, specifically, to challenge the con imagine those of countless others around the turning away from the state. And that
cept of taking power? world, especially now. Over the last ten is that the state itself is changing. The
years, and the last few in particular there are growing aggressiveness of capital means
more and more people in communities and that there is less and less possibility of
I thisin ak tthheeo rmeoticsat lo obnveio. uTsry sintagr ttion gth pinokint movements who are saying: "no, we do not achieving any sort of meaningful reform
about the state from the perspective of want state power." For me Zapatista com through the state. The welfare state
Marxist theory, I got into the so-called munities in Chiapas, and the autonomous was a way of integrating people into the
"state derivation debate," a mainly Ger movements in Argentina are reflecting this system, but there is now very little room
man theoretical debate that took place in not only in their ideology, but also in their for that. I don't think we should try to
the early 1970s. The main emphasis in practice, or are showing it in their practice re-create a welfare state, but rather build
the debate was on trying to understand and the ideology is following. What do you upon the anti-state space that is opened
the state as a specifically capitalist form make of all sorts of people all over rejecting by the narrowing of the state itself.
of social relations. Although the actual the idea of taking power and particularly
participants in the debate developed this the Argentines and the Zapatistas challeng Your response makes me smile, a reminiscent,
notion in different directions politically, ing it concretely? Why now? though not so happy one. (Wereyou never
to me it always seemed clear that the im a Guevarist or a Trot?) I was once among
plication of the debate was that we could the ranks of those who think that the only
not think of revolution as taking place Why arteu rnminogr eth eainr db amcko oren tpheeo sptlaete way to rid ourselves of capitalism and its
through the state, or in other words, that now? Pardy I think it is a question of horrors is to overthrow the state and replace
we had to try and develop an anti-state accumulated experience. All the at it with something else, something better of
8 / fall 2004
Perspectives on Anarchist Theory
course. I no longer think that we need to,
or in fact should, take power. As a fiend
in the movements in Argentina reminds
me, what would we do with it even if we
had it? "The concept of taking power is an
archaic one, and not something we want.
We are going back to the neighborhoods." I
have so many questions, and am not sure
where to begin. At the most fundamental
level, what do we want? What do we create For more than a year Zapatista women in Amador Hcrnadez have demanded daily that the Mexican
as we are struggling against centrism and
military leave the communal village landholdings. Photo from We Are Everywhere by Tim Russo.
the state? What do we do when the state
comes into our communities? I believe in what we do is so tightly integrated with the depth of the social relations of sup
prefigurative politics, but then what do we what others do. The drive to collective port that they have woven both in their
do when the state comes in and tries to shut self-determination should be the guiding own communities and beyond. The same
us down? This is not so much an abstract principle, the Utopian star that lights up can be said of the piqueteros, or of some
question, as one based unfortunately more our questions and our experiments. That of the Social Centers in Italy, or lots of
and more in the realities of the Argentine
means, of course, an anti-state politics, other struggles.
MTDs (Movimiento Trabajadores Desocu- not in the sense of having nothing at all
pados—Unemployed Workers Movement) to do with the state (which would be very I believe each day more and more people
and the Zapatistas. difficult for most of us), but in the sense around the world agree with the vision you
of recognizing that the state is a form of are reflecting with your words. I believe as
social organization which negates self- well that this is part of a new politic, based
I ththinakt wwee dhoanv'te h taov est athret bayn sawdemrsit.t iTnhge determination. in new experiences. Do you see this articula
fact that we think that taking state power What do we do when the state tries tion as new? While new, I do not believe
is the wrong way to go does not mean to shut us down? I think violence is one
anything is absolutely new, and that ev
that we know the right way. Probably of the central problems. How do we
erything is related in some way to previous
we have to think of advancing through confront state violence? Not by trying to
experiences, thoughts and feelings. What do
experiments and questions: "preguntando gain control of the state—simply because you think? What sort of influences does the
caminamos" ["walking we ask ques control of the state always turns out to be current movement(s) draw upon? I ask both
tions"], as the Zapatistas put it. To think control by the state; and not by confront about articulated ideas as well as feelings
of moving forward through questions ing violence with violence, both because and experiences.
rather than answers means a different we would lose and because that involves
sort of politics, a different sort of or us in a sort of politics that reproduces
ganization. If nobody has the answers, what we are struggling against. But then One tahbinogu t tthhaet r eis-a nrteicwul aatinodn oefx icdietiansg is
then we have to think not of hierarchical what? Self-defense is important in many that the old divisions between anarchism
structures of leadership, but horizontal cases, not so much to "defeat" the state and Marxism are being eroded. The fall
structures that involve everyone as much forces as to make it unattractive for them of the Soviet Union and of the commu
as possible. to intervene. But the most effective nist parties has given a new momentum
What do we want? I think we want form of self-defense is the density of the to the long and distinguished tradition
self-determination—the possibility of social relations that the struggle weaves. of heterodox Marxism. I am thinking of
creating our own lives, the assumption What has protected the Zapatistas is not people like Bloch, the young Lukacs, Pa-
of our own humanity. This means col so much their organization as an army shukanis, Adorno, Marcuse, Pannekoek
lective self-determination, just because (though I don't dismiss that) but rather and the whole tradition of council com-
fall 2004 / 9
Perspectives on Anarchist Theory
munism, the Italian autonomists. These state from society). That means under mean to folks that are in different stages of
creation? How do we speak of being anti-
for me are the most exciting influences, standing struggle as being rooted in ev
but clearly Hardt and Negri, Foucault, eryday experience, and that includes af political, while a lot of our work is in the
Deleuze and Guattari are also important fective relations. That implies a different realm of talk? How do we give expression to
rebellion in our every day experiences? And,
voices in the current development of the understanding of the meaning of theory,
movement. and of the relation between theory and how do we not get impatient?
experience. It means too, of course, a
Your response, while I agree with it, also radical critique of Leninism.
makes me wonder about the various ways One of the most important things But It htihnikn kw ew hea svheo tuol db eg iemt piamtipeantti.e Tnht.e I
that the Zapatistas say is "we are ordinary state means patience, in both senses: pa
theory is articulated. For example, in many
MTDs in Argentina people are talking people, that is to say, rebels." I think that tience in the sense of waiting, waiting for
about the importance of organizing first is, theoretically and politically, the most the next election, waiting until we build
the party or organization that can win,
from a base of affection, "politica afectiva." challenging statement of the whole Zap
As well, many in the autonomous move atista uprising. influence, or take state power; patience
ments speak o/""horizontalidad" (horizon- How do we understand rebellion to be too in the sense of passivity, in the sense
talism) as a tool and a goal for their rela an everyday feature of ordinary people's of accepting to be the objects and not
tions as well as vision. To me, these are not lives? How do we give expression to that the subjects of social change. We cannot
rebellion? wait: the process of human self-destruc
only styles of organizing, but are theories as
tion is too rapid. Also we cannot wait
well. Do you think there are different and
new ways of articulating theory? Yes, anti-political. My friend Cdndido is because waiting is in fact active complic
part of an occupied printing press in Buenos ity: we make capitalism every day and
Aires. He is quite explicit in stating that he we have to stop making it. Refusal. The
Yes, pRhaausils Z oinb e"pcholii tpicuat sa feac ltoivta o" fi ne hmis is not political, and yet is part of a horizon first question is how are we refusing and
book on the Argentinean revolt, Gene- tally run factory and spends his spare time how do we strengthen those refusals?
And refusal means impatience, breaking
alogi'a de la Revuelta [Genealogy of the Re speaking to workers all over about how they
volt]. I think that's very important. For too can take over their work place. Anti- time, breaking history.
But the obvious problem with refusal
our struggles to be strong, I think that political. This feels much more clear to me
when discussing movements that are at a is that, if we refuse to serve capital, we
they must be anti-political, in the sense
of aiming to overcome the separation of high level of creation, such as the Zapatistas, are threatened with starvation. Subor
the Argentines, South African autonomous dination to capital is our access to the
politics from everyday life (that is, anti-
means of survival. If we refuse to sub
political if one understands the political groups, the Sem Terra Movement in Bra
to be constituted by the separation of the zil and others. What does anti-political ordinate ourselves, how can we survive?
Here I think refusal has to be comple
mented with developing an alternative
doing, a doing through alternative social
relations. And yes, here it is a question
of patience. This is the difficult part.
But the patience has to be understood as
reinforcing the impatience, not as sup
pressing it. Traditional revolutionary
theory is the other way around: we must
wait till the time is ripe, wait for the next
major crisis of capitalism, wait until the
party is built, and so on: impatience is
subordinated to patience. I think that's
the wrong way around. Patience has to
be subordinated to anti-capitalist impa
tience, the wisdom of experience must
serve the impatience of youth.
This double temporality is very clear
in some of the major movements today.
The Zapatistas say jYa Basta!, but also
Zapatista insurgent stands guard at the first InterGalatic Encounter For Humanity and "caminamos, no corremos, porque vamos
Against Neoliberalism in rebel territory in Chiapas, Mexico. Photo by Tim Russo. muy lejos" ["we walk, not run, because
10 / fall 2004