The End of Anarchism?

72 Pages·2012·0.38 MB·English

brutal violence and majority pressure are fundamentally inef-
fective. For instance, there is a profound disagreement con-
cerning the prevention of smallpox in the field of sanitation.
Some believe the smallpox inoculation is absolutely useless if The End of Anarchism?
not outright dangerous; others, on the contrary, consider it a
real salvation. This conflict of opinion has been going on for
many years without a bad word from either side to alarm the
guardiansofpublicorder. Onthecontrary,somanyfactshave Luigi Galleani
been certified, so many observations, experiences and results
havebeengathered,thatconferthecharacterofarealblessing
uponthesetheoreticaldisagreements,thesecivilizedformsof
competition.
As the average intellectual level rises, many diverse ener-
gieswillparticipateindebatesofthiskind,andwecanreadily
assumethat thenewsocietywillbethemostactive, themost
daring,themostperseveringimaginableinthefieldofresearch,
withouthavingtoconcludethatthesediscussions,thesetheo-
reticalandphilosophicaldisagreementsmustendintragedy.
Those who recall the religious wars, the wars for national
independence or for political freedom, ignore or forget that
thosewererebellionsagainsttyranny,acausethatwouldhave
no reason to exist in a libertarian society and that, beneath
the theological, nationalist or political surfaces, existing eco-
nomicinterestswerebeingthreatenedbyneweconomicinter-
ests,strugglingtoassertthemselvesinaconvulsedworld.
Atthispoint,wecansumupandreplytothefirstquestion
we have posed: “Of the two trends, both denying the legiti-
macyofprivatepropertyandbothpromotingthesocialization
ofallmeansofproductionandexchangeinthestruggleforeco-
nomic emancipation, which one has voiced the new idea that
markstheinceptionofamoreadvancedphaseintheseriesof 1925
72
more even-minded and reliable regulator than the concern of
theinterestedparties?
The recent scandals concerning the distribution of the
money collected for the earthquake victims in Calabria [l908]
testify that, while millions of dollars could be collected in
just a few hours among thousands of citizens, moved by a
spontaneous, noble impulse of solidarity, the State, entangled
by its rickety bureaucracy, does not know how to distribute
them, and when it does do so (two or three years after the
catastrophe),itgivesthemoutthewrongway.
Andthen,whatthreatstopublicordercanbefearedinaso-
cietywherethefundamentalcausesofanypublicdisturbance
havebeeneliminatedbythereconciliationoftheeconomicin-
terests of each individual with the economic interests of the
wholecommunity?
Nonsolopanevivithomo[mandoesnotlivebybreadalone],
object our adversaries. After food is assured, men will fight
over something else. Have you forgotten the religious wars,
the national struggles, the hopeless and bloody struggles for
theconquestofpoliticalfreedom?
We haven’t forgotten anything, and we are very far from
believingthat,afterhavingreachedequality,theinhabitantsof
thefuturecitywillgiveupanyassertionofindividualenergy,
ofeveryindependentactionandeverycompetitiveactivity. On
thecontrary.
But we also know (and this is a truth that is largely sup-
portedbytheworldofscience)thattherearetwobasicneeds,
foodandreproduction,towhichalllivingcreaturesaresubject.
Thefirstpushesthemtoferociousstruggles,eventomutualde-
struction, whiletheseconddrawsthemtogetherandtendsto
unifythem.
Iftheneedthatleadstoferocityandmutualdestructionhas
been satisfied, other forms of competition can be developed
withoutviolentcollisionsthatwillthreatenpublicorderorin-
dividual freedom, because, in certain fields and competitions,
71
ofthedisinheritedtocurse,threaten,ordestroytheirvineyard
or their comfort. Parliament and the police have expected all
kinds of threats and curses, and they have scrupulously cata-
loguedeveryoneofthem. Educationalandculturalinstitutions,
Contents
fromkindergartentouniversity;thejudicialsystem,frommag-
istrates to the supreme courts, are all there to avert devasta-
tion. And, if and when, during times of upheaval, their mea-
sures should appear insufficient or belated, the military insti- Afewwords… 5
tutions,ruthlessguardiansoforderatanycost,willintervene
Introduction 11
with their laws of war, their martial courts and mass execu-
tions. Things must remain as they are; social relations can-
Chapter1. TheInterviewwithMerlino 23
notbedisturbed;therulingminoritymustluxuriateinwealth
and idleness, while ruthlessly governing the immense major-
Chapter2. TheAnarchismofMerlino 33
ity, who have only one duty to toil without relief in a state of
servitude, to remain, alter having produced wealth, in a state Chapter3. TheCharacteristicsofAnarchism 39
ofblindignoranceandsqualidpovertyforaslongastheylive.
What is there for such an institution as the State to do in a Chapter 4. Socialist-Collectivism and Anarchist-
societywhereallclassprivilegeshavedisappeared,whereclass Communism 51
distinctionsareeliminated;wherehatred,revenge,andarmed
Chapter 5. Anarchist-Communism and Individu-
rebellion have vanished under the sun of absolute economic
alism 77
equality?
Could it direct social relations or protect public order? But
Chapter6. Workers’Organization 98
isn’t it common knowledge, even now, that the State’s intru-
sionintotheprivaterelationsofindividualsandgroupsisnot
Chapter7. PropagandaoftheDeed 105
onlyineffective,bututterlydisastrousfortherelationsandini-
tiativesitpretendstomanage? Concernsconductedbyprivate Chapter8. AnarchyWillBe! 129
initiativeofferasecurity,anincome,andanefficiencythatcan-
not be expected from the services that have been assumed by
theState. Furthermore,eventhosewhoavailthemselvesofthe
servicesoftheState,admitthat,initsfunctionasprotectorof
orderandthesecurityofitscitizens,theStatearrivestoolate
toforestalltheconsequencesofdisturbancesandinjuriesthat
have already happened despite its vigilance. Is it possible to
wish, in social relations, for a more alert,a more competent, a
70 3
nowseparatedbyachasm,willbereconciledasequalsbecause
their respective functions will be equally valued. Because, in
the future while it may be the agronomist who discovers a
new method of cultivation, it is the farmer who will make it
workwellinpractice. Andthis,inasocietynotbasedonprivi-
legeandcompetition,meansthatinthedifferentareasoftheir
skills and in the different application of their energies, they
are both equally necessary to new forms of production. One
equalstheother;bothareequallyindispensabletoanecessary
co-operation,whichhasnoplaceforsavagecompetitionsnor
forabsurdandwickedprivileges.
We have given sufficient elements for the lunatics of the
Statetoarrive,ontheirown,attheconclusionthat,ifgovern-
ment is necessary or, rather, a ‘condition sine qua non’ [a ne-
cessity]fortheexistenceofaregimewhichisdedicated,likea
bourgeoisregime,toeconomicinequalityandthepoliticalsub-
jectionofthegreatmajorityofthepeopleconstitutingtheso-
called society; government has no justification whatever and,
therefore, no reason to exist in a real and true society where
theeconomicinterestsofallitscomponentsareunitedandmu-
tual. Disagreementandfrictionwillalwaysexist. Infactthey
areanessentialconditionofunlimitedprogress. Butoncethe
bloody arena of sheer animal competition — the struggle for
food — has been eliminated, problems of disagreement could
be solved without the slightest threat to the social order and
individualliberty.
Merlino knows and teaches us that the State (which is a
bankruptandperpetualfailureasadministrator)hasaprecise
and essential political function: the preservation of the eco-
nomic ‘status quo’, the protection of the economic privileges
oftherulingclass,whoseagentandgendarmeitisandaround
whichithascreatedathreefoldbarrier—thepolitical,thejudi-
cialandthemilitary. Thesebarriers,withtheirdiversifiedfunc-
tions,pursueonesingleaim: toreassurethefortunatewealthy
that no one will spring forth from the immense, angry crowd
69
bethemainfactoroffutureevolution)—wecannotaccepteven
herethedominationofintellectualaristocracy.
We find this dominance in old as well as in contemporary
civilizations. Based on privilege and prompted by the wildest
A few words…
competition, it triumphs and delights in ignorance and in the
resignation, fear and universal subjection that follow. In this
climate of privilege, Moses and Mohammed can lure millions
of people to any adoration and sacrifice. And, just as easily, The end of anarchism? An odd question perhaps at a time
Galileo and Bruno can become the victims of their wrath, of whenjustabouteverybodyonemeetsis‘ananarchistintheir
theircursesandcontempt.6 Inthisclimateofcompetition,No- heartofhearts’. Noenlightenedpersonwouldeveradmittobe-
bel and Krupp7 can ascend through golden arches and clouds ing in favour of authority or hierarchy today, and even many
of incense into the Olympus of national heroes, while Gorini, ofthemarxist-leninistsofonceuponatimewouldneveradmit
BovioandRecluscandieofstarvation8. tobeinginfavourofaState.1
Thereare,ononehand,afortunatefewdestinedbychance Andtheanarchists? Thereareanarchistseverywhere,inthe
toenjoyeverything;ontheother,amultitudeofoutcastscon- fourcornersoftheearth. Morethanafewaregivingthepower
demned by those few to experience nothing. But destroy the structureasting,inspiringotherstodolikewise,andsomeare
existing economic inequalities, recompose a now-divided hu- magniloquentlypayingahighpriceforit.
manityuponareclaimedEarth, andthelasttracesofhideous There are anarchists—and not only—present in focal points
inequalitywilldisappear,togetherwiththehierarchiesthatto- ofthestrugglesuchasthatagainsthighspeedrailwaysandnu-
dayperpetuatethem. Thefarmerandtheagronomist,whoare clear power, in large demonstrations and confrontations with
thepolice—whiletherearealsothosewhosilentlylightupthe
6Galileo Galilei (1564–1642) Mathematician, Astronomer and Physi- darknessofthenightwiththeirridescentglowoffreedom.
cist,waspersecutedbytheRomanCatholicChurchforhistheoriesconflict- Anarchistsdefendimmigrantsagainstracistattacksandsup-
ingwiththebiblicallegends. portrebellionsandriotsintheconcentrationcampsoffortress
GiordanoBruno(1548–1600)convincedthatCopernicuswasright
Europe. There are anarchists locked up in prisons, and anar-
inrefusingtobelievethatEarthisatthecentreoftheUniverse, wascon-
chists who act in solidarity with them. In the UK, following
victedofheresybytheHolyOfficeoftheRomanCatholicChurchandburnt
atthestakeonaPublicSquareinRome,onFebruary17,1600. theirspiritedpresenceinthestudentdemosoflastyearanda
7Alfred Bernhard Nobel (1833–1896) Inventor of dynamite and quantityofdiffusedattackselsewhereoveraperiodoftimean-
founderoftheNobelPrize.
FriedrichKrupp(1787–1826)founderoftheKruppsteelcorpora-
tionandarmsproducerfortheGermanImperialarmies.
8PaoloGorini(1813–1896)ItalianNaturalistandPhilosopher,author
ofabookontheOriginsofVulcans.
GiovanniBovio(1841–1903)Philosopherandpolitician,authorof 1In fact, Lenin himself preferred the slogans of the anarchists until
“SistemadiFilosofiaUniversale”,“FiosofiadelDirittoinItalia”andmanyother the‘dictatorshipoftheproletariat’andhisownpersonaldictatorshipwere
literaryandphilosophicalworks. firmly established. Read The Guillotine at Work by Gregory P. Maximoff,
EliséeReclus,seep.129. CienfuegosPress.
68 5
archistsweregiventhestatusofpublicbug-bearbythepolice rationtoasocietywithoutmastersandwithoutgovernmentis
andmedia,whoinvitedthepopulaceto‘shopananarchist’.2 neitherabsurdnorUtopian.
There are anarchist individualists—and anarchist individu-
als.
Thereareanarchistswhoareagainstsocietyandanarchists
Asproponentsofthebroadestindividualautonomy,wehave
whoparticipateinneighbourhoodassemblies. Thereareeven
shown that this absolute independence from any domination
anarchistswhovoteinelections,althoughtheyarenotmaking
byeitheramajorityoraminority,fromanyhumanoppression,
asonganddanceaboutit. Thereareanarchistacademicsand
cannotfindabetterormorevigilantsecuritythaninanarchist-
academic anarchists. And then there are the anarchist punks,
communism: unlimited freedom in the satisfaction of needs;
activists, organizationalists and all manner of libertarians in
unlimitedfreedominthechoiceofwork.
thegreatzoologicalparkgenerallyconsideredthe‘movement’
Exceptional conditions of the moment or of the situation
‘against’.
mightrequirethatwelimitourinclinationsaswellasincrease
Without a doubt there are anarchists everywhere—but is
ourwork. Inthefuture,asithappensatpresent,mightwenot,
thereanarchism? Isthere,thatis,asenseofthetotalityofthe
wewhoareingoodhealth,tightenourbeltalittleinorderto
struggle, a struggle that always tends towards the absolute
help people afflicted by an epidemic with food and medicine?
destruction of the existent and the experience of freedom,
Dowenot,evennow,ifasuddenfiredevelopsactasfiremen?…
wherever one is, in whatever manifestation of the partial
Asnurses,ifanepidemicoccurs?…Asdiggersincasesofflood
struggleweareinvolvedinatagivenmoment?
orlandslide? Anddoesn’tthishappenwithoutcommandorco-
Thetotalityofthestruggleisnotaglobalvisionoftheenemy
ercion?…Withoutregardtoindividualinclinationsorunusual
setupinallitsforms,itisthetotalityoffreedomwithoutlimits
risks?…Allthisisonlyinobediencetothevoicesurgingfrom
orimpedimentsofanykind,thereforesomethinginmovement,
the depth of every conscience, calling in the name of life, of
that grows to infinity, always in act, yet totally present when
wethinkit,destroyinglimitsanddomestication.3 preservation and solidarity with the species. And is not that
voicetheautomaticandirresistiblestimulustothehighestand
Howmanyanarchistsconsciouslytransportthissenseofthe
noblestofouractions?
totalityofthestruggleintotheardoroftheirattackagainstthe
Andisnotthatcallvalid? Isitnotreceivedwithanoutburst
enemy?
ofloveandconcernsuchashasnevergreetedacommandment
ofgod,anedictofaking,alawofparliament?
LetthemcallusUtopiansasmuchastheywant—thosewho
2…nexttoanimageoftheanarchistemblem,theCityofWestminster
remember only one phrase of Darwin’s doctrine and revive,
police’s“counterterroristfocusdesk”calledforanti-anarchistwhistleblow-
under the shining sun of this twentieth century, the maxim
ers [snitches] stating: “Anarchism is a political philosophy which consid-
ersthestateundesirable,unnecessary,andharmful,andinsteadpromotesa homo homini lupus[man is wolf to man]. As for us — even in
statelesssociety,oranarchy. Anyinformationrelatingtoanarchistsshould a society where the interests of the species might be joined
bereportedtoyourlocalpolice.(pressreport31July2011)
togetherforthenobleststruggleofall,theoneagainstnature
3ThesewordshavebeenstolenfromAlfredoM.Bonanno’sintroduc-
andtheenvironmentlandthis‘associationforthestruggle’will
tiontoFeralRevolution,FeralFaun.
6 67
sociallife,workerswillpersistinbeingslaveswithoutdignity, Oncewegraspititneverleavesus,itisourcompasswhether
ferocious barbarians, degenerates deprived of conscience, in- weareinthestormyseasofrevoltorinthestagnantwatersof
decentidlerswho,throughthousandsofyearsofprivilegeand babylon,whereastoignoreitleadsusintothedeadendofecu-
tyranny,ignoranceandsuperstition,havebeenlovinglyraised menism,frontism,illusionsofquantity,orsimplybeingswept
bytherulingoligarchies. intooblivionbythegreattsunamioftheexcludedinrevolt.
But,inthatcase,ouradversarieswouldbetheUtopians,the Galleanidoesn’ttalkaboutthetotalityofthestruggleinthis
apostles and heralds of an impossible stasis, instead of which, littlebook,buthedoestalkaboutsomethingwithoutwhichthe
we, without being Utopians, without accepting the legend of latter could never materialise. He talks about anarchist com-
angels and demigods, believe in the unceasing evolution and munism,thatwhich‘impliesthatthematerialandmoralneeds
theconstantprogressofpeoplesandsociety. ofeveryonebesatisfiedwithoutanyrestrictionotherthanthat
We have eliminated the vulgar objection that once out of which is imposed by nature’ and that the contribution to pro-
the inferno of present-day society — where work is not freely duction‘shouldbegivenvoluntarilybyeveryone,accordingto
elected according to the worker’s inclinations, but is imposed theircapacityandaptitude’.
by the privileged interests of the ruling classes, where no sat- As well as implying the destruction of government in all
isfaction of his material and moral needs is assured — the in- its manifestations, the non-existence of authority means the
dividual, once having attained, through the epic events of the freedom of the autonomous individual, all individuals, within
equalizing revolution, the free society where he can work, ac- the free society (or absence of society, in whatever forms this
cordingtohisability,atthetradehehasfreelyselected,under wouldtake).
thesoleinfluenceofaclearconscienceofhistask,andwiththe Even if allusions are made to anarchist communism today,
knowledgeofthegenerallyacceptednecessityofcontributing the implications of what this signifies are rarely if ever gone
to the security and to the fullness of social life in which lies into by anarchists, as the immediacy of the struggle is what
the greatest, the only warranty of everybody’s security and interests us and fear of drawing up a ‘blueprint of the future
freedom), and once having received the certainty that all of society’terrorisesuswithitsseemingimplicationofimposing
hisphysicalandintellectualneedswillbeadequatelysatisfied, amodel,thereforeauthority.
this individual, even in spite of the irresistiblestimulations of In response to his old comrade Merlino’s statement that
his physiological exuberance, will deliberately refuse to work whatisessentialinanarchismhasbeenabsorbedbysocialism,
and be totally useless. We have rejected this vulgar objection Galleani elaborates the clear distinction between anarchist
and we believe we have achieved the most interesting, if not communism and the socialist model of collectivism. Col-
themostdecisive,partofourdemonstration. lectivism, common ownership of the means of production
Wehavedemonstrated—andwebelievewithsuccess—to involving ‘from each according to their ability, to each in
oursneeringadversaries, aswellastoourtimid, uncertainal- proportion to their work’, is based on an evaluation of the
lies, that once the full satisfaction of every need is assured to finished product, whereas anarchist communism implies full
everyone,thehypothesisthateachpersonwillspontaneously satisfaction of the needs of the individual regardless of the
chooseandexecutehistaskaccordingtothecollectivewelfare valueoftheproduct. Surelythismustbetheessentialfounda-
andhisownabilityisnotabsurd;andthat,therefore,theaspi- tionofthe‘worldwithoutmeasure’thatweoftenreferto,yet
66 7
rarely think through. If we did, this would affect our choices us all, made fertile by human labour, redeemed from all hu-
and eliminate dubious ‘alliances’. We repeat ad nauseam that miliations and yokes. The bourgeois, who are in a position to
the means we use condition the ends we achieve. By the satisfy these needs in large measure are the best witnesses to
same token the ends—intended as embarking on the road of thefactthatifenergycanbediverted,itcannotbeconstrained,
freedom, which as we have said is infinite and never actually sothatouropponentsfearsofinertiaandvagrancyareplainly
‘ends’—we desire should affect the means we use, and never absurd: fencing, horsemanship, boating, motoring, mountain-
losing sight of the latter might prevent some unfortunate, climbing, oceanic cruising, politics, diplomacy, philanthropy,
whennotdisastrous,undertakings. tropicalandpolarexpeditionsarenothingbutthedifferentas-
We are living in times of ‘crisis’ and this often leads com- pects,physicalorintellectual,frivolousornoble,oftheenergy
rades down the blind alley of pragmatism and compromise, and vital exuberance which burst forth from the full satisfac-
verging on political realism. The arrogant upsurge of nazis, tionofneedsenjoyedbyrherulingclasses
sadistic cops or whatever other enemies of freedom can lead Wheneveryone’sphysical,intellectualandmoralneedsarc
to a unidimensional stance in alliance with those who define fullysatisfied,weshallhaveineveryhumanbeingtheexuber-
themselves in oppositional terms, thereby losing sight of the anceofenergythatisatpresenttheexclusiveprivilegeofthe
revolution, the splendor of its beckoning and the vicissitudes rulingclasses.
ofcreativediffusedinsurgencyandattack. Oncethefieldofeducation,ofscienceandofthearts—now
Galleanirepudiatesintotalanystruggleforpartialgainsor barredtothemajorityofmankind—isopened,itwillbefilled
reforms, ‘the ballast of the bourgeoisie’ that the latter throws byanimmensetorrentofgushingenergy,seekingoutitsmost
out under the violent pressure of the masses, making some useful function, its highest aims. With the fall of the barriers
‘inaneconcessions’. Ifthesocialistaimsattheconquestofpar- dividinghumanityinclassesandwiththejoiningofallhuman
liament(albeitwithouttheState), oratleastsomeformofad- interests in the struggle against the forces of nature and ex-
ministrative bodies, the most ardent desire of the anarchist— ternalthreats,theassociationforstruggle willbeamuchmore
and all the ‘excluded’— is to see parliament in flames as part effectivesupportforcivilization,progress,andevolutionthan
of the self-organisation of the attack. ‘..instead of the mere isthestruggleforexistence withitssavagedailycompetitions.
passiveandpoliteresistancesoferventlyrecommendedbythe This is a logical deduction, supported by incontrovertible
socialists, the anarchists prefer boycott, sabotage and, for the proofs, and to deny it, our adversaries take refuge behind the
sakeof struggle itself, immediate attempts at partial expropri- ironic presumption that, in order to live without government,
ation, individual rebellion and insurrection.’ To the horror of without private property and without masters, men will sud-
thesocialists. denlyhavetohavewings,halosandtheseraphicgoodnessof
For Galleani the consequences of anarchist abstentionism mythicalangels.
‘are far less superficial than the inert apathy ascribed to it by Buttheidealishumanandmenaresufficienttorealizeit.
the sneering careerists of ‘scientific socialism’. By stripping Against this unshakable belief of ours in economic emanci-
the State of the constitutional fraud with which it presents pation and political autonomy, our adversaries might oppose
itself it exposes its essential character as representative, pro- only one argument: that men do not change, that in spite of
curerandpolicemanoftherulingclasses’. Inthenameofwhat anyprogress,ofanynoticeableimprovementofindividualand
8 65
telligence and his morality are intimately related to the envi- ‘greater cause’ can any anarchist put that self-evident truth
ronmentinwhichhelives,theymayfearthatmanyofthecit- aside, thereby liquidating themselves instantaneously, reduc-
izensofthefuturecitywillfeelthestrongestaversionforcer- ing being an anarchist to some kind of identity that can vas-
tainkindsofwork,andthat,encouragedbythelackofanyco- cillateunderthepressureoflackofperspectiveandtheabject
erciveforce,mayrevoltagainstit. Butthisisanobjectionthat principle of ‘necessary evil’? At a distance of over a century,
resolvesitselfthrougheverybody’sfreedomtochoosethejob Galleani reminds us that ‘Anarchism rejects authority in any
or the profession, the occupation most suitable to one’s own form: to the principle of representation, it opposes the direct
capacityorinclination. andindependentactionofindividualsandmasses: toegalitar-
It cannot be seriously argued that the unruly persons who ian and parliamentarian action, it opposes rebellion, insurrec-
areunwillingtoworkatcertainoccupationswillrefusetowork tion, the general strike, the social revolution.’ For any of us
at any job and will let themselves go adrift like brutalized whomighthaveforgotten.
opium smokers, or like the blessed of the buddhist Nirvana,
eliminating any and all activities by the total annihilation of Galleanidenouncesthesupremecowardiceofrejectingindi-
theirownselves. vidual acts of rebellion when it is we ourselves to have sown
To satisfy our needs, to nourish ourselves physically and the first seed. ‘The propaganda of the anarchists creates the
intellectually, means that we must accumulate a treasure of psychologicalclimateamongthepeople…ourresponsibilityin
strength, bend the arc of our energy, sharpen the spur of our all acts of rebellion is moreprecise, morespecific and undeni-
will,compelourvitalexuberancetoseekinaction,anyaction, able where our propaganda has been energetic, vigorous and
itsoutlet,itsexhaustvalve. Theyoungoneswho,regardlessof hasleftadeepimpression…’
fatigueanddangers,exposetheiryoutheverydaytoallkinds There is no incompatibility or contradiction between com-
of risks, are the true index of that exuberance, of that selfless munism and individualism in the context of a free united
impetuousnesswhichisnothingbuttheresultoftheeasyand co-operation of all people for production based on solidarity.
constant process of assimilation, a process which in old peo- Communismissimplythefoundationbywhichtheindividual
ple—whosebody,havingreacheditsmaximumdevelopment, has the opportunity to regulate himself and carry out his
beginstodecline—becomesslow,painful,faulting,barelysuf- functions.
ficient to conserve the failing energy, the stiffening activity, Everyanarchistwhoisfaithfultohisdenialofprivilegeand
theslippinglife. Itisthestruggleofexuberanceagainstdeteri- aspires to an economic reality where land, mines and all the
oration: the former is altruism, fearlessness, selflessness, gen- toolsof production areindivisible common property is, in his
erosity; the latter is egoism, meanness, calculation, fear, con- aspirations,acommunist. Atthesametimeifhedeniesauthor-
servativedistrust. ityandispartoftherealisationofcompleteindependenceand
In order to believe in the possibility, in the realization of a autonomy of the individual from any economic, political and
society without private property and without government, it moralboss,heisinevitablyanindividualist.
is not necessary that men be angels. It will be enough that Antithesis? No,integration.
this society be capable of satisfying the needs of all its mem- Itwouldnodoubtbeinterestingtomakeanindepthanalysis
bers on the landwhich has become againthe greatmother of of Galleani’s thesis, his use of language, his unqualified belief
64 9
inprogress,etc.,butherewehavepreferredtogivethereader for everyone, sun and joy, life and love — and then tell us if
just a few sparks from what might otherwise seem to present work, short in hours, varied in kind, freely chosen by every
itself as an historical document, and end with Galliani’s un- worker according to his own preference, in whom security
adorned home truth: The anarchist movement and the labour of intellectual and physical life will have accumulated and
movement [read leftism] follow two parallel lines, and it has kept alive all kinds of energy; tell us then, if any one will
beengeometricallyproventhatparallellinesnevermeet. refuse to participate in a work which has become a source of
Let’sfightwithallthosewhohavenoplaceinthisexecrable joy to the spirit, a physiological necessity and a universally
world,fortheconquestoflifeandtherealizationofourdreams. acknowledgedconditionoflifeandofuniversalprogress.
JW Everyone will work according to one’s aptitudes and ener-
gies.
“Another if, as usual” — whispers a stubborn dissenter…
without thinking that his objection (that there will always
be somebody, in the new society, unwilling to work) is,
again, a supposition — with this difference; however, it
lacks the positive and scientific basis which supports the
anarchist-communistprediction.
Letusmakesense. Inertiaisthepropertywherebyanobject
persistsinthestateinwhichitfindsitselfunlessanduntilan
outside cause operates on it, but nobody has ever thought to
define it or imagine it as a cessation of activity in matter. It
wouldbenonsense.
Thus,itwouldbenonsensetosupposethatbloodrefusesto
circulate,theheartrefusestobeat,thebraintofeelandreflect,
thatallthebodyorganscollectivelyrevoltagainsttheirrespec-
tivefunctions. Itwouldbedeath.
Butsolongastheconstantprocessesofassimilation,ofelim-
ination,ofnourishmentofreplacement,ofdevelopment,ofre-
production,ofdecrease—whicharetheconditionandcharac-
ter of our life — take place in our body, all our vital energies
willbeactive.
Ouropponentsareobsessedbythemanyandprofoundper-
versionswithwhichtheregimeofauthorityandprivateprop-
erty — the regime of exploitation of men by other men — has
corrupted every ethical human relation and sentiment. And,
forgettingorneglectingthefactthatman,hisprogress,hisin-
10 63