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ANARCHISM AND POLITICAL THEORY:
Contemporary Problems
by Uri Gordon
Mansfield Collee
Uni!ersi"y of O#ford
S$b%i""ed "o "&e De'ar"%en" of Poli"i(s ) In"erna"ional Rela"ions in 'ar"ial
f$lfil%en" of "&e re*$ire%en"s for "&e deree of Do("or of P&iloso'&y +DP&il,
A''ro#i%a"e -ord (o$n": ./0111
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For my parents, Shifra and Ze'ev
and in memory of Yosef Gordon (192!2"#
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A4STRACT
Anar(&is% and Poli"i(al T&eory: Con"e%'orary Proble%s 5 Uri Gordon0 Mansfield Collee
S$b%i""ed for "&e deree of DP&il in Poli"i(s0 Trini"y 311/
T&is "&esis e#'lores (on"e%'orary anar(&is%0 in i"s re6e%eren(e as a so(ial
%o!e%en" and 'oli"i(al "&eory o!er "&e 'as" de(ade7 I"s %e"&od (o%bines ($l"$ral
so(ioloy and '&iloso'&i(al ar$%en"a"ion0 in a 'ar"i(i'a"ory resear(& fra%e-or87
T&e firs" 'ar"0 9E#'lainin Anar(&is%0 ar$es "&a" i" s&o$ld be addressed 'ri%arily
as a 'oli"i(al ($l"$re0 -i"& dis"in(" for%s of oranisa"ion0 of (a%'ainin and dire("
a("ion re'er"oires0 and of 'oli"i(al dis(o$rse and ideoloy7 Larely dis(on"in$o$s -i"&
"&e &is"ori(al -or8ers; and 'easan"s; anar(&is" %o!e%en"0 (on"e%'orary anar(&is% &as
f$sed in "&e in"erse("ion of radi(al dire("6a("ion %o!e%en"s in "&e Nor"& sin(e "&e 2.iolen(e is a''roa(&ed "&ro$& a re(i'ien"6based
defini"ion of "&e (on(e'"0 e#'lorin "&e li%i"s of any a""e%'" "o =$s"ify !iolen(e and
offerin obser!a"ions on !iolen" e%'o-er%en"0 re!ene and ar%ed s"r$le7
Te(&noloy is s$b=e(" "o a s"ron anar(&is" (ri"i*$e0 -&i(& s"resses i"s in&eren"ly so(ial
na"$re0 leadin "o "&e e#'lora"ion of L$ddis%0 "&e disill$sioned $se of ICTs0 and "&e
'ro%o"ion of lo6"e(&0 s$s"ainable &$%an6na"$re in"erfa(es as s"ra"ei(al dire("ions for an
anar(&is" 'oli"i(s of "e(&noloy7 ?inally0 "&e lens of "&e Israeli6Pales"inian (onfli(" is $sed
"o address anar(&is" dile%%as aro$nd na"ional libera"ion0 e#'lorin anar(&is" res'onses
in (onfli("6ridden so(ie"ies0 and dire(" a("ion a''roa(&es "o 'ea(e%a8in7
@
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ACNOBLEDGEMENTS
My firs" and fore%os" deb" is "o %y s$'er!isor0 Mi(&ael ?reeden0 -i"&o$" -&ose
s$''or" and $idan(e "&is "&esis -o$ld &a!e ne!er been 'ossible7 In &is 'a"ien" ye"
$n(o%'ro%isin -ay0 Mi(&ael &as 'ro!ided a rea" deal of 'ers'e("i!e0 insi&" and
(ri"i(is% -&i(& -ere in!al$able "&ro$&o$" %y -or87
Da!id Miller and Eliabe"& ?raer read draf"s of fo$r of "&e (&a'"ers in "&is
disser"a"ion and offered i%'or"an" s$es"ions7 a"&erine Morris0 %y (ollee ad!isor0
-as also of rea" &el' and s$''or" d$rin "&e diffi($l" and an#io$s 'ro(ess of -ri"in7
So %any indi!id$al (o%rades and (ollea$es &a!e (on"rib$"ed "o "&is "&esis -i"&o$"
readin %y -ri""en -or8 "&a" I (o$ld ne!er %en"ion so%e -i"&o$" doin in=$s"i(e "o
o"&ers7 If yo$0 reader0 &a!e e!er e#(&aned ideas -i"& %e in (on!ersa"ion0 "&en
so%e"&in of "&e follo-in 'aes is yo$rs0 as is %y &ear"fel" "&an8s7
D$rin resear(& for "&is "&esis I &a!e en=oyed "&e &os'i"ali"y of se!eral infos'a(es
and (olle("i!e &o$ses0 -&ose li!in e#a%'le of 9anar(&y in a("ion -ill al-ays be
re%e%bered: Can Masde$ +4ar(elona,0 Cen"re A$"ono%e +La$sanne,0 Ce((o Ri!ol"a
+?irene,0 CIA +A%s"erda%,0 E*$ino# +Man(&es"er, E$rod$snie +Leiden,0 ?or"e
Prenes"ino +Ro%a,0 Les Na$s +4ar(elona,0 Les Tanneries +Di=on,0 Le To$r +Gene!e,0
Ra%ans Lane +Bye >alley, Salon Maal +Tel A!i!, and Tala%& +Lanar8s&ire,7
?inally0 %y 'aren"s0 e;e! and S&ifra0 %y sis"ers0 Noa and Ifa"0 and %y 'ar"ner0
L$(y Mi(&aels0 &a!e been "&ere for %e "&ro$&o$"0 "o offer "&eir $n(ondi"ional s$''or"7
I" is "o "&e% "&a" I a% $l"i%a"ely indeb"ed7
F
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INTRODUCTION
S"irlin0 S(o"land $ly < 311/ FAM7 ?ro% "&e "e%'orary 9Hori6one e(o6!illae0
-&ere an"i6G a("i!is"s &a!e been (a%'in for "&e 'as" -ee80 a %ass e#od$s is in
'roress7 In s%all ro$'s0 "&o$sands of 'eo'le "re8 "&ro$& fields and &ills0 %a8in
"&eir -ay "o "&e M. %o"or-ay7 I" is s"ill dar8 -&en s(ores of %en in bla(8 rio" ear
e%ere o$" of 'oli(e !ans "o s$rro$nd "&e e(o6!illae0 b$" %os" of i"s in&abi"an"s &a!e
already %ade i" "o "&e "ar%a( no- drain bran(&es and bri(8s on"o "&e road or
s"ain %ass si"6do-ns7 T&e in"en"ion: "o blo(8 delea"es0 s"aff and -or8ers fro%
arri!in a" "&e 'res"iio$s Gleneales &o"el0 "&e G s$%%i" !en$e7 Mean-&ile0 e%erin
fro% -i"&in "&e (a%'0 a re%ainin fi!e &$ndred 'ro"es"ers bein '$s&in "&eir -ay
"&ro$& one 'oli(e line af"er ano"&er0 on "&eir -ay "o "&e %o"or-ay7 So%e $se a
9ba""erin ra% %ade of lare infla"ed "yre6liners7 O"&ers (on!in(e lines of rio" 'oli(e "o
re"rea" by 'el"in s"ones a" "&eir lare "rans'aren" 'las"i( s&ields7 As reinfor(e%en"s r$s&
"o "&e s(ene0 "&e (elebra"ory defa(e%en" of (or'ora"e re"ail o$"le"s *$i(8ly ends in fa!o$r
of a r$s& "o "&e %o"or-ay7 T&en ne-s arri!es "&a" "&e rail-ay a''roa(& "o Gleneales
&as been disabled "&e "ra(8s raised off "&e ro$nd -i"& a (o%'ressor0 "yres se" afla%e
as -arnin7
Mean-&ile on "&e M.0 'oli(e re%o!e one ro$' of 'ro"es"ers fro% "&e %o"or-ay0
only "o &a!e ano"&er ro$' blo(8ade i" a fe- &$ndred %e"res do-n7 A" "&a" 'oin"0 all
a((ess roads "o Gleneales fro% "&e nor"& and so$"&eas" are si%$l"aneo$sly blo(8aded
by si# affini"y ro$'s0 "are"in "&e %os" ob!io$s 'ress$re6'oin"s for "rans'or"7 T&ere is
no e#i" fro% Per"& or Crieff0 and A%eri(an and a'anese delea"es are for(ed "o "$rn
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ba(8 a" in8ell 4ride and Ye""s o; M$(8&ar"7 S%all ro$'s of 'eo'le0 -&o &a!e been
&idin near "&eir "are"s o!erni&"0 no- lie on "&e "ar%a( lin8ed "&ro$& %e"al ar%6
"$bes0 or a""a(&ed "o an obs"r$("in !e&i(le7 Ta("i(s de!elo'ed "&ro$& "-o de(ades of
an"i6roads 'ro"es"s and resis"an(e "o fores" (learin are no- (rea"in lon *$e$es of
!e&i(les aro$nd S(o"land delayin "&e s"ar" of "&e %ee"in of "&e leaders of "&e se!en
%os" ind$s"rialised na"ions in "&e -orld and R$ssia7
A leafle" dis"rib$"ed earlier "&a" -ee8 a" "&e 9Ma8e Po!er"y His"ory %ar(& in
Edinb$r&0 i"s "e#" re'rod$(ed &ere0 e#'lains "&e blo(8aders; %o"i!a"ions:
T&e G blo(8ades re'resen" only "&e %os" o!er" %anifes"a"ion of a %$(& -ider
'&eno%enon7 T&e las" de(ade0 "&is "&esis ar$es0 &as seen "&e f$ll6blo-n res$rre("ion of
K
MAKE HISTORY: SHUT DOWN THE G8
T&e G &a!e s&o-n "i%e and "i%e aain "&a" "&ey are $nable "o do
any"&in b$" f$r"&er "&e des"r$("ion of "&is -orld -e all s&are7 Can -e really
belie!e "&a" "&e G -ill 9Ma8e Po!er"y His"ory -&en "&eir only res'onse is "o
(on"in$e "&eir (olonial 'illae of Afri(a "&ro$& (or'ora"e 'ri!a"isa"ion Can-e e#'e(" "&e% "o "a(8le (li%a"e (&ane -&en -&e"&er or no" i" is a serio$s
'roble% is $' for deba"e0 as "&eir o-n lea8ed do($%en"s s&o- Mar(&in is
only "&e firs" s"e'7
More is needed as %ar(&es are of"en inored: "&in8 ba(8 "o "&e %ea6
%ar(&es aains" "&e Ira* -ar7 T&e G need "o be i!en a %essae "&ey (an;"
inore7 T&ey (an;" inore $s blo(8in "&e roads "o "&eir olf (o$rse0 disr$'"in
"&eir %ee"in and sayin -i"& o$r bodies -&a" -e belie!e in a be""er -orld7
Ho-e!er0 -e don;" need "o as8 "&e G "o (rea"e a be""er -orld7 Be (an s"ar"
ri&" no-0 for e#a%'le0 -i"& "&o$sands of 'eo'le (on!erin "oe"&er "o
de%ons"ra"e 'ra("i(al sol$"ions "o lobal 'roble%s in an e(o6!illae off "&e road"o Gleneales based on (o6o'era"ion and res'e(" for "&e 'lane"7
Starting toa! "# $an ta%# r#&'on&i(i)it! *or o+r a$tion& an t,# "or)
"# "i)) in,#rit to-orro". W# $an a)) -a%# ,i&tor!.
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'ar"i(i'a"ory resear(& %e"&ods -i"& 'oli"i(al "&eory7 I finally re!ie- "&e (on(re"e
resear(& s"aes $nder"a8en0 and dis($ss "&e iss$es of reliabili"y0 enae%en" and
s(&olarly dis"an(e raised by a("i!is" s(&olars&i'7
Contemporary Anarchism: A first look
T&e (on"e%'orary anar(&is" %o!e%en" is 9ne- in "&e 8ey sense "&a" i" does no"
for% a (on"in$i"y -i"& "&e -or8ers; and 'easan"s; anar(&is" %o!e%en" of "&e nine"een"&
and early "-en"ie"& (en"$ries -&i(& %e" i"s de%ise $nder E$ro'ean 4ols&e!is% and
?as(is% and "&e A%eri(an Red S(are7 Ra"&er0 i" re'resen"s "&e re!i!al of anar(&is"
'oli"i(s o!er "&e 'as" de(ade in "&e interse%tionof se!eral o"&er %o!e%en"s0 in(l$din
radi(al e(oloy0 fe%inis%0 bla(8 and indieno$s libera"ion0 an"i6n$(lear %o!e%en"s and0
%os" re(en"ly0 resis"an(e "o neoliberal (a'i"alis% and "&e 9lobal 'er%anen" -ar7
4e(a$se of i"s &ybrid enealoy0 anar(&is% in "&e ae of lobalisa"ion is a !ery fl$id and
di!erse %o!e%en"0 e!ol!in in a ra'idly6s&if"in lands(a'e of so(ial (on"en"ion7
T&e ar(&i"e("$re of "oday;s anar(&is" %o!e%en" (an be des(ribed as a de(en"ralised
ne"-or8 of (o%%$ni(a"ion0 (oordina"ion and %$"$al s$''or" a%on a$"ono%o$s nodes
of so(ial s"r$le7 La(8in any one (en"re or 'er%anen" (&annels of in"era("ion0 "&is
ar(&i"e("$re &as been li8ened "o "&a" of a 9r&io%e "&e s"e%less0 b$lbo$s roo"6%ass of
'lan"s li8e 'o"a"o or ba%boo a s"r$("$re based on 'rin(i'les of (onne("ion0
&e"eroenei"y0 %$l"i'li(i"y and non6lineari"y +Clea!er 2..0 S&eller 31110 Ada%s 3113a0
C&es"ers 311@0 e''esen 311Fa7 T&e %e"a'&or is borro-ed fro% "&e dis($ssion of
8no-lede in Dele$e and G$a"rari 2.K:K62@,7
.
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B&a" ani%a"es "&ese r&io%a"i( ne"-or8s0 and inf$ses "&e% -i"& (on"en"0 is
anar(&is% as a 'oli"i(al ($l"$re0 a s&ared orien"a"ion "o-ards -ays of 9doin 'oli"i(s
"&a" is %anifes" in (o%%on for%s of oranisa"ion +an"i6a$"&ori"arian0 non6&ierar(&i(al0
(onsens$s6based, in a (o%%on re'er"oire of 'oli"i(al e#'ression +dire(" a("ion0
(ons"r$("in al"erna"i!es0 (o%%$ni"y o$"rea(&0 (onfron"a"ion, in a (o%%on dis(o$rse
+8ey-ords0 narra"i!es0 ar$%en"s and %y"&s, and in %ore broadly 9($l"$ral s&ared
fea"$res +dress0 %$si(0 die",7
I%'li(i" in all "&e ($l"$ral (odes 'ro'ellin anar(&is" a("i!i"y are "&e %ore abs"ra("
9'oli"i(al s"a"e%en"s of anar(&is%7 T&ese are also fra%ed e#'li(i"ly in re'resen"a"i!e
ar"efa("s of "&e %o!e%en";s 'oli"i(al lan$ae0 s$(& as "&e 9&all%ar8s or 9'rin(i'les of
$ni"y "&a" a("i!is" ro$'s e%'loy0 -&i(& for% "&e basis for an ideoloi(al analysis of
anar(&is%7 T&ese s"a"e%en"s enerally e%'&asise "-o "&e%es7 ?irs"0 a re=e("ion of 9all
for%s of do%ina"ion0 a '&rase en(a's$la"in "&e %anifold so(ial ins"i"$"ions and
dyna%i(s %os" as'e("s of %odern so(ie"y0 in fa(" -&i(& anar(&is"s see8 "o $n(o!er0
(&allene0 erode0 'er&a's o!er"&ro-7 I" is "&is eneralisa"ion of "&e "are" of
re!ol$"ionary s"r$le fro% 9s"a"e and (a'i"al "o 9do%ina"ion "&a" %os" dis"in("ly
dra-s (on"e%'orary anar(&is% a'ar" fro% i"s earlier enera"ions7 Se(ond0 -e find
referen(es "o an e"&os of 9'refi$ra"i!e 'oli"i(s -&ereby libera"ory as'ira"ions are "o be
a("i!a"ed 9in-ardly in "&e %o!e%en";s e!eryday 'ra#is7 Refle("in "&e do6i"6yo$rself
a''roa(& ani%a"in anar(&is"s; a("ion re'er"oires0 "&e e"&os of 'refi$ra"i!e 'oli"i(s "&$s
(o%bines bo"& d$al 'o-er s"ra"eies +b$ildin rassroo"s al"erna"i!es "&a" are "o 9&ollo-
o$" (a'i"alis%,0 and "&e s"ress on realisin liber"arian and eali"arian so(ial rela"ions
-i"&in "&e fold of "&e %o!e%en" i"self7
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B&a" anar(&is" ideoloi(al e#'ression o!er-&el%inly la(8s0 on "&e o"&er &and0 are
de"ailed 'ronos"i( s"a"e%en"s on a desired f$"$re so(ie"y7 T&is does no" %ean "&a"
anar(&is% is %erely des"r$("i!e0 b$" "&a" i"s (ons"r$("i!e as'e("s are e#'e("ed "o be
ar"i($la"ed in "&e 'resen"6"ense e#'eri%en"a"ion of 'refi$ra"i!e 'oli"i(s no" as an a!
priori 'osi"ion7 T&is lends anar(&is% a s"ronly o'en6ended di%ension0 -&ereby i"
es(&e-s any no"ion of a 9'os"6re!ol$"ionary res"in 'oin"7 Ins"ead0 anar(&is"s &a!e
(o%e "o "rans'ose "&eir no"ion of so(ial re!ol$"ion "o "&e 'resen"6"ense7 Non6&ierar(&i(al0
anar(&i( %odes of in"era("ion are no loner seen as fea"$res on -&i(& "o %odel a f$"$re
so(ie"y0 b$" ra"&er as an e!er6'resen" 'o"en"ial of so(ial in"era("ion &ere and no- a
9re!ol$"ion in e!eryday life +>aneie% 311252.
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Two Agendas
T&e 'resen" "&esis0 "&en0 is %o"i!a"ed by "-o lin8ed resear(& aendas:
/. T,# &t+! o* a 'arti$+)ar 'o)iti$a) $+)t+r#
0. Int#r1#ntion& in a 'arti$+)ar g#nr# o* 'o)iti$a) t,#or!
T&ese "a8e "$rns in "&e fron" sea" in ea(& 'ar" of "&e "&esis7 4eyond "&e 'ossibili"ies
and (&allenes of ea(& se'ara"e aenda0 i" is ar$ed "&a" "&a" "&e "-o are no" only
(o%'le%en"ary b$" inse'arable7 Le" %e firs" say so%e"&in abo$" ea(&7
T&e firs" aenda is in*$isi"i!e and e#'lora"ory0 and in!ol!es %a8in sense of
(on"e%'orary anar(&is% as a 'oli"i(al '&eno%enon7 S$(& an en"er'rise essen"ially se"s
o$" "o 'ro!ide an analysis of "&e anar(&is" %o!e%en" in i"s !ario$s as'e("s0 s$es"in a
"&eore"i(al -or8in en!iron%en" in -&i(& in"ellien" (onne("ions (an be %ade a%on i"s
%any differen" %anifes"a"ions7 ey "as8s in "&is res'e(" are a, enri(&in o$r analysis of
"&e %o!e%en";s ne"-or8 ar(&i"e("$re0 of "&e ne"-or8s; (ons"i"$en" nodes0 and of "&e
($l"$ral loi(s "&a" ani%a"e "&e% b, s$es"in a re(ons"r$("ion of "&e %o!e%en";s
re(en" enealoy and so$r(es of infl$en(e0 as -ell as i"s rela"ions&i' -i"& "&e 9&is"ori(al
anar(&is" %o!e%en" and (, %a8in sense of "&e -ay in -&i(& anar(&is"s %a8e sense of
"&e%sel!es: %a''in "&e ideoloi(al -orld -&i(& anar(&is"s (rea"e and re'rod$(e0 and
"&e e'is"e%oloies "&a" "&ey enera"e in "&e (o$rse of 'oli"i(al enae%en"7 T&ese "o'i(s
are e#a%ined0 in "$rn0 in "&e firs" "&ree (&a'"ers of "&e "&esis7
T&e se(ond aenda in!ol!es a %ore s$s"ained (on(ern -i"& "&e "o'i(s of anar(&is"
deba"e and (on"ro!ersy %en"ioned abo!e7 In addressin "&ese0 "&e firs" "as8 is one of
disen"anlin differen"ia"in be"-een differen" as'e("s of a dis($ssion0 iden"ifyin
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%e"&odoloi(al (or'$s of a(ade%i( 'oli"i(al "&eory7 S$(& a 'ers'e("i!e s$es"s "&a"
'oli"i(al reasonin %$s" "a8e in"o a((o$n" "&e real (ondi"ions of 'oli"i(s0 in "er%s of
definin i"s *$es"ions and deba"es0 as -ell as in "er%s of in"era"in *$es"ions of
'ra("i(al i%'le%en"a"ion in"o i"s fold7 B&ile for %ains"rea% 'oli"i(al "&eory "&is -o$ld
%ean 'oli(y0 leisla"ion or (ons"i"$"ional (&ane0 "&e real -orld -i"& -&i(& anar(&is"
reasonin is (on(erned is "&a" of e#"ra6leal a("i!i"y for so(ial "ransfor%a"ion7
Ano"&er 'ossibili"y0 &o-e!er0 sees "&e se(ond0 in"er!en"ionis" or 'res(ri'"i!e
aenda0 as an end in i"self and "&$s as 'er&a's 'ri%ary "o "&e firs" one0 in "er%s of "&e
resear(&er;s o-n in"eres"s and of i"s sinifi(an(e "o 'ro!idin an enri(&ed a''roa(& "o
anar(&is" 'oli"i(s7 On s$(& an a''roa(&0 "&e firs" aenda no- "a8es on an a$#iliary role0
bein !ie-ed as a ne(essary 'reli%inary "o %ore ar$%en"a"i!e "&in8in7 ?ro% (&a'"er
F on-ards0 "&en0 "&e reader is in!i"ed "o 'ro!isionally ado'" an anar(&is" fra%e of
ass$%'"ions0 and see -&a" &a''ens -&en -e 9r$n -i"& i"0 in a''li(a"ion "o a n$%ber
of "&e%es7 To be s$re0 "&e 'ossibili"y for any in"er!en"ion in an e#'li(i"ly anar(&is"
"&eore"i(al deba"e de'ends on i"s ro$ndin in a 'rior a((e'"an(e of so%e anar(&is"
ass$%'"ions7 B&ile I 'resen" "&is fra%e-or8 in so%e elabora"ion0 I do no" ar$e for i"s
!alidi"y as s$(&7 My '$r'ose in "&is "&esis is no" "o add any"&in ne- "o 9"&e (ase for
anar(&is%0 -&i(& &as already been 'resen"ed e#&a$s"i!ely in "-o (en"$ries of anar(&is"
li"era"$re0 and &as re(ei!ed s$bs"an"ial "rea"%en" and reinfor(e%en"0 fro% differen"
anles0 in a(ade%i( 'oli"i(al "&eory +Bolff 2.K20 Taylor 2.K
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deba"es "&a" only arise fro% -i"&in "&e%7 T&$s0 in "&e se(ond 'ar"0 "&e ro$ndin of
ar$%en"a"ion in a 're!io$s analysis of 'oli"i(al ($l"$re allo-s "&e elabora"ion of
(on"e%'orary "&e%es in anar(&is" "&eory "o refle(" %ore en$inely "&e deba"es0
%en"ali"ies and lan$ae of "&e anar(&is" %o!e%en"0 "o be fo$nd in anar(&is"s; e!eryday
a("ions and $""eran(es7
T&e 'resen" "&esis s&o$ld "&$s f$r"&er be dis"in$is&ed fro% 're!io$s a(ade%i(
-or8s on anar(&is%0 s$(& as "&ose (i"ed abo!e7 B&ile I do no" %ean "o *$es"ion "&e
!alidi"y or rio$r of "&ese en"er'rises as s$(&0 "&e iss$e I "a8e -i"& "&e% all is "&a" "&ey
'ro(eed in (o%'le"e de"a(&%en" fro% "&e reali"ies of "&e anar(&is" %o!e%en"0 res$l"in
in "&eore"i(al in"er!en"ions "&a" &a!e no dire(" resonan(e "&e a("$al deba"es in -&i(&
anar(&is"s enae in "&e (o$rse of "&eir 'oli"i(al a("i!i"y7 T&e e#'losi!e ro-"&0 and
dee'enin of0 dis($ssion in anar(&is" (ir(les re(en"ly0 -&i(& &as been "o$(&in on a
%$l"i"$de of iss$es and es'o$sin oriinal and so'&is"i(a"ed 'ers'e("i!es0 &as re(ei!ed
li""le if any re(oni"ion fro% a(ade%i( -ri"ers7 Alan Ri""er *$i"e "y'i(ally sees "&e 9is"
of anar(&is% re'resen"ed in "&e -or8s of God-in0 Pro$d&on0 4a8$nin and ro'o"8in0
-&ose (on"rib$"ions "o anar(&is" "&eory are $ni!ersally si% rearded as %os" se%inal7 T&ese
-ri"ers0 -&o s$((eeded ea(& o"&er -i"&in "&e dis(re"ely bo$nded 'eriod be"-een "&e ?ren(& and
R$ssian Re!ol$"ions0 -or8ed o$" a (o&eren" se" of oriinal ar$%en"s0 -&i(&0 -&ile (on"in$in "o
be infl$en"ial0 &a!e no" de!elo'ed %$(& sin(e ro'o"8ins "i%e7 Hen(e0 "o (o%'re&end
anar(&is% as a 'oli"i(al "&eory0 "&e -ri"ins of %ore re(en" anar(&is"s need no" be (onsidered7+Ri""er 2.1:/,
S$(& an a''roa(& -o$ld &a!e been &ard "o =$s"ify e!en "-en"y fi!e years ao0 -&en
anar(&a6fe%inis% and e(oloi(al a''roa(&es "o anar(&is% -ere already -ell de!elo'ed7
Today i" -o$ld be o$"raeo$s0 in !ie- of "&e s&eer e#'losion of anar(&is" a("i!i"y and i"s
a((o%'anyin refle("ion0 -&i(& are readily a!ailable for so$r(in and dis($ssion if one
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8no-s -&ere "o loo87 S"ill0 e!en in so%e of "&e %os" re(en" -ri"in0 "&e ass$%'"ions and
so$r(es for dis($ssion re%ain ei"&er "&ose of nine"een"& and early6"-en"ie"& (en"$ry
anar(&is"s +Bard 311/,0 or s"i'$la"i!e (lai%s -&i(& are en"irely insensi"i!e "o -&a"
(on"e%'orary anar(&is"s a("$ally "&in8 and -ri"e +S&ee&an 311@,7 As ason M(J$inn0
edi"or of "&e %os" -idely6read A%eri(an anar(&is" =o$rnal ar$es0 9"&e !oid in "&e
de!elo'%en" of anar(&is" "&eory sin(e "&e rebir"& of "&e %ilie$ in "&e 2.
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a''ealin "o 'ra("i(al iss$es7 Al"&o$& s5&e %ay "a8e side -i"& "&e broad aenda of
en!iron%en"al a("i!is"s0 9"&e '&iloso'&er s&o$ld no" "a8e "&e !al$e of "&e a("i!is"s;
(lai%s for ran"ed "&eir in"$i"ions0 ar$%en"s0 (lai%s0 and "&eories s&o$ld also be
s(r$"inied7 Ho-e!er0 "&e fa(" "&a" "&ey need "o be (ri"i(ally e#a%ined does no" affe(" "&e
%ain 'oin": "&a" "&e a("i!is"s; in"$i"ions0 (lai%s0 and "&eories o$&" "o be "&e s"ar"in
'oin" for a '&iloso'&y ai%ed a" 'oli(y (&ane7 Pro(ed$rally0 "&is %eans "&a" "&e
"&eoris" 9s"$dies "&e in"$i"ions and "&eories "&a" e#is" -i"&in "&e i!en so(ie"y and
analyses 'o'$lar; "&eories -i"& a !ie- "o refinin "&e% +De6S&ali" 3111:3.6@2,7 4y
brinin "&e +of"en (onfli("in, !ie-s of a("i!is"s "o a &i& le!el of ar"i($la"ion0 "&e
"&eoris" (an (ons"r$(" a dis($ssion -&ere "&e a("i!is"s; deba"es (an be $nder"a8en in a
%ore 're(ise and (lear -ay0 -i"& a""en"ion "o de"ail and a (o&eren" "&read of ar$%en"7
T&e role of "&e "&eoris"0 on "&is s(ore0 is "o 'ar"a8e in and fa(ili"a"e "&e refle#i!e 'ro(ess
of "&eorisin a%on a("i!is"s0 f$n("ionin as a (larifier0 oraniser and ar"i($la"or of ideas0
an a("i!i"y "&a" "a8es 'la(e *ith and for a("i!is"s7 Her or &is oal is "o address0 in
"&eore"i(al for%0 "&e iss$es "&a" a("i!is"s fa(e in "&eir e!eryday oranisin0 "o asse%ble
ideas so "&a" "&ey (an be dis($ssed (aref$lly0 "o lay o'en &idden ass$%'"ions and
(on"radi("ory s"a"e%en"s0 and in eneral "o ad!an(e a("i!is"s; "&in8in by "rans'osin i"
fro% "&e fra%en"ed "errain of brief and infor%al deba"e "o a di%ension -&ere a %ore
s"r$("$red and 9&i& defini"ion dis($ssion (an be $nder"a8en "o "&e -ri""en 'ae7
B&ile "&e is" of "&is a''roa(& is !ery (lose "o "&e "y'e of "&eorisin a("i!i"y "&a" I
a% 'ro'osin &ere0 one as'e(" of i" is no" s$s"ainable for a''li(a"ion "o "&e 'resen"
(on"e#"7 Clearly anar(&is" "&eory is no" eared "o-ards $nder'innin 9'oli(y (&ane0
-&i(& ine!i"ably %eans (&ane "&ro$& "&e s"a"e7 Ra"&er0 "&e oal is "o $nder'in !ario$s
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of -&a" "&a" -orld a("$ally loo8s li8e0 ins"ead of ass$%in "&a" "&e "&eoris" is e%bedded
in a -ell6f$n("ionin de%o(ra"i( 'oli"y7 T&is ass$%'"ion is no" !ery -idely s&ared
a%on De S&ali";s o-n a$dien(e of en!iron%en"al a("i!is"s7
I" (o$ld also be as8ed -&e"&er i" is really "&e 'ro!in(e of theory "o (on!in(e "&e
'$bli( of "&e a''ro'ria"eness or !iabili"y of a 'oli"i(al 'osi"ion0 -&e"&er anar(&is% or
De6S&ali"s de%o(ra"i( and so(ialis" en!iron%en"alis%7 B&a" (on!in(es 'eo'le %$(&
%ore effe("i!ely "&an "&eory is ideoloi%al(o%%$ni(a"ion: 'ro'aanda0 sloans0 (ar"oons
and0 'er&a's %ore "&an any"&in0 "&e li!in 'ra("i(e of a("i!is"s -&i(& "&e la""er $se
dire("ly "o ins'ire 'eo'le by -ay of e#a%'le +"&is is -&a" anar(&is"s (all 9'ro'aanda by
deed,7 I" %ay be serio$sly do$b"ed -&e"&er anyone &as e!er been 9-on o!er "o a
'oli"i(al 'osi"ion on "&e s"ren"& of a -ell6(ons"r$("ed ar$%en" or a''ealin "&eory7 I"
is %$(& %ore li8ely and in fa(" (onfir%ed by -&a" (an be obser!ed a%on a("i!is"s
"&a" 'eo'le (o%e in"o "&eir 'osi"ions on "&e basis of a %$(& %ore 'ersonal 'ro(ess0
-&i(& "a8es 'la(e no" only on an in"elle("$al5"&eore"i(al le!el b$" also on "&e basis of
e%o"ion0 (on!i("ion and belief ele%en"s of ideoloy -&i(& need "o be "a8en in"o
a((o$n" in (ons"r$("in a 9rele!an" '&iloso'&y "&a" (an "r$ly i%'a(" so(ial aendas7
A final iss$e "o be "a8en -i"& De6S&ali";s a((o$n" is %ore s"ri("ly %e"&odoloi(al: &is
&i&ly !al$able a''roa(& "o 9doin 'oli"i(al "&eory does no" (o%e -i"& "&e ($s"o%6
%ade "ool8i" "&a" is ob!io$sly re*$ired for a((essin "&e "&eories of a("i!is"s7 Ho- is "&e
"&eoris" s$''osed "o no*-&a" a("i!is"s are sayin B&ere does s5&e rea(& "o in order "o
so$r(e "&e 9'o'$lar "&eories0 ar$%en"s and deba"es -&i(& are s$''osed "o for% "&e
basis for dis($ssion Al"&o$& &e (on"in$o$sly e%'&asises "&e need "o do so0 De6S&ali"
ne!er a("$ally s'ells o$" &o-7 T&is la($na &as so%e serio$s (onse*$en(es: in "&e
2.
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re%ainder of &is boo80 &e %os"ly disreards "&e !ery a("i!is"s -&ose "&eories are so dear
"o &i%0 and re%ains larely in "&e "errain of 'rofessional a(ade%i( so$r(es7 T&ere are a
rea" deal of *$o"a"ions fro% en!iron%en"al e"&i(is"s0 'oli"i(al "&eoris"s and o"&er
a(ade%i(s0 and a !ery o((asional referen(e "o 9en!iron%en"alis"s s$(& as e#6Green
fi$re&ead ona"&on Porri""0 Ger%an Green 'oli"i(ian R$dol'& 4a&ro and si%ilar
indi!id$als -&o &a!e ei"&er ne!er been0 or are no loner0 en$ine re'resen"a"i!es of
rassroo"s en!iron%en"alis%7 T&e real (ri"erion for in(l$sion in "&e deba"e is no" -&e"&er
an a("i!is";s ar$%en" is !al$able0 b$" -&e"&er i" a''ears in a re(onised '$bli(a"ion7
T&e 'resen" "&esis e%'loys a s"ra"ey in -&i(& "&e '&iloso'&er 5 resear(&er %ore
f$lly 'ar"i(i'a"es in "&e %o!e%en" bein s"$died and "&eorised -i"&7 I" is ar$ed "&a" a
'ar"i(i'a"ory s"ra"ey 'ro!ides "&e %os" ade*$a"e and enri(&in a((ess "o a("i!is"s;
($l"$ral (odes of 'ra#is0 ideoloy0 "&eories and deba"es7
T&is "y'e of "&eorisin &as (lear resonan(es -i"& An"onio Gra%s(i;s idea of "&e
9orani( in"elle("$al7 A((ordin "o Gra%s(i0 ea(& so(ial ro$' "&a" (o%es in"o e#is"en(e
(rea"es -i"&in i"self one or %ore s"ra"a of in"elle("$als "&a" i!es i" %eanin0 "&a" &el's i"
bind "oe"&er and f$n("ion7 T&ese in"elle("$als (an be a""a(&ed bo"& "o "&e r$lin (lass
as %anaers0 (i!il ser!an"s0 (lery0 "ea(&ers0 "e(&ni(ians0 la-yers e"(7 b$" %ay also rise
o$" of "&e o''osi"ional se("ions of so(ie"y7 Gra%s(i %ain"ains "&a" no" only s&o$ld a
sinifi(an" n$%ber of 9"radi"ional in"elle("$als (o%e o!er "o "&e re!ol$"ionary (a$se
+Mar#0 Lenin and Gra%s(i &i%self -ere e#a%'les of "&is, b$" also "&a" "&e -or8in (lass
%o!e%en" s&o$ld 'rod$(e i"s o-n orani( in"elle("$als7 He oes on "o 'oin" o$" "&a"
9"&ere is no &$%an a("i!i"y fro% -&i(& e!ery for% of in"elle("$al 'ar"i(i'a"ion (an be
e#(l$ded and "&a" e!eryone0 o$"side "&eir 'ar"i($lar a("i!i"y0 9(arries on so%e for% of
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in"elle("$al a("i!i"y777'ar"i(i'a"es in a 'ar"i($lar (on(e'"ion of "&e -orld0 &as a (ons(io$s
line of %oral (ond$("0 and "&erefore (on"rib$"es "o s$s"ain a (on(e'"ion of "&e -orld or
"o %odify i"0 "&a" is0 "o brin in"o bein ne- %odes of "&o$&" +Gra%s(i 2.K252.3
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T&is "y'e of "&eorisin a("i!i"y is0 I "&in80 'ar" of -&a" %a8es "&e anar(&is" "radi"ion
$ni*$e0 or a" leas" dis"in("0 'ar"i($larly fro% or"&odo# Mar#is%7 To "&in8 li8e a Mar#is" is0
firs" and fore%os"0 "o ado'" an on"oloy and e'is"e%oloy +diale("i(al %a"erialis%0 (lass
analysis,0 "&en "o read off any 'oli"i(al (onse*$en(es fro% "&a" basis7 To "&in8 li8e an
anar(&is" is0 firs" and fore%os"0 "o ado'" a (er"ain orien"a"ion "o doin 'oli"i(s0 -&ile
a(8no-ledin "&a" a 'l$rali"y of on"oloi(al and e'is"e%oloi(al fra%e-or8s (an fi" in
-i"& i"7 T&is is 'ar" of -&y "radi"ional Mar#is" "&eory &as "ro$ble addressin "&e 'oli"i(al
per se0 -i"&o$" red$(in i" "o a %ere e'i'&eno%enon of sys"e%a"i( so(ial dyna%i(s "&a"
o'era"e be&ind 'eo'le;s ba(8s7 T&is is also -&y i" is e*$ally easy "o (&ara("erise "&e
9anar(&is" "radi"ion as %a"erialis" +4a8$nin,0 idealis" +S"irner,0 bo"&0 or nei"&er7
?ollo-in on fro% "&ese (onsidera"ions0 -e %ay 'osi" "&ree broad s"aes of "&eore"i(al
resear(& "&a" (an be offered as a s"r$("$re for ini"ia"in and enain in a (ollabora"i!e
in*$iry in"o anar(&is" "&eory7 T&ese re%ar8s ass$%e "&a" an indi!id$al
a("i!is"5'&iloso'&er is a" -or80 b$" "&ey are e*$ally rele!an" for $nder"a8in "&e sa%e
en"er'rise in a s%all ro$'7
T&e firs" s"ae +or ini"ial (ondi"ion, is "&a" of i%%ersion: in order "o &a!e a((ess "o "&e
"&eories and ar$%en"s "&a" anar(&is"s e%'loy0 and -&i(& -ill be(o%e "&e ini"ial
b$ildin6blo(8s for analysis0 "&e '&iloso'&er ei"&er beins fro% "&e 'osi"ion of bein
na"i!e "o "&e anar(&is" %o!e%en"0 or $nderoes a 'ro(ess of oin na"i!e in any (ase
-i"& "&e res$l" "&a" s5&e is si"$a"ed sea%lessly -i"&in i"s ne"-or8s and fora7 T&e
ad!an"aes and 'i"falls of s$(& an insiders;'osi"ion is dis($ssed belo-7
T&e se(ond s"ae is "&a" of absor'"ion: "&e '&iloso'&er (on"in$o$sly 'ar"i(i'a"es in
a("ions0 %ee"ins and dis($ssions0 (losely follo-in "&e 'ro(ess of anar(&is" 'oli"i(al
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ar"i($la"ion -&i(& &as by no- be(o%e a fra%e of referen(e -i"& -&i(& s5&e &as a rea"
deree of in"i%a(y7 T&is s"ae (an be e#'e("ed "o be "&e %os" 'ro"ra("ed one0 -i"& a
(ons"an" infl$# of ideas in"o "&e '&iloso'&er;s e%erin fra%e-or80 and a (on"in$o$s
'ro(ess of refinin "&e -ay in -&i(& ideas are 'osi"ioned and (onne("ed in "&e resear(&er ;s
o-n %ind7 T&e 'ro(ess (an &a''en ini"ially in an $ns"r$("$red %anner0 fro% "&e 'osi"ion
of obser!a"ion and non6in"er!en"ion7 Ho-e!er0 -&a" (an also be e#'e("ed fro% "&is s"ae
is "&a" "&e '&iloso'&er -ill e!en"$ally en(o$n"er a n$%ber of re(al(i"ran" deba"es -&i(&
anar(&is"s (on"in$o$sly re"$rn "o0 "&$s iden"ifyin -&a" are "&e %os" !al$able and
rele!an" "o'i(s of "&eore"i(al in*$iry7 A" a %ore ad!an(ed 'eriod of "&is s"ae0 "&erefore0 i"
(an also "a8e "&e for% of "&e '&iloso'&er initiatinfo($sed dis($ssions on a 'ar"i($lar
"o'i( a%on a("i!is"s 6 -&e"&er in 'ersonal dialo$e -i"& n$%ero$s a("i!is"s0 or a"
se%inars and -or8s&o's +a" a("i!is" a"&erins or in "&e r$n6$' "o %ass %obilisa"ions0 for
e#a%'le,7 To all of "&is is added an infor%ed and (on"e#"$alised dis($ssion of rele!an"
ar$%en"s and a''roa(&es 'ro!ided in anar(&is" and non6anar(&is" "e#"s7
T&e "&ird s"ae is "&a" of in"era"ion0 -&i(& 'arallels "&e 9-ri"in $' 'ro(ess of "&e
'&iloso'&i(al o$"'$"7 Here0 "&e a("i!is"5'&iloso'&er "a8es a s"e' ba(8 fro% "&e 'ro(ess of
absor'"ion0 and $nder"a8es "&eir o-n e#er(ise of arranin "&e ideas "&a" "&ey &a!e
en(o$n"ered in a %ore s"r$("$red %anner on "&e -ri""en 'ae7 T&is s"ae (an0 in 'rin(i'le0
"a8e 'la(e -&en "&e '&iloso'&er feels "&a" s5&e &as rea(&ed a (er"ain 'oin" of sa"$ra"ion0
-&en f$r"&er dis($ssions "&a" s5&e obser!es and 'ar"i(i'a"es in are yieldin di%inis&in
re"$rns "&e ar$%en"s and "&eories are no- fa%iliar and rarely is so%e"&in ne- &eard7
In "&e 'rod$("ion of "&eore"i(al o$"'$"0 "&en0 "&ere are "-o %a=or "&ins "&a" "&e
a("i!is"5'&iloso'&er (an do7 T&e firs" is "o i!e elabora"e ar"i($la"ion "o 'oin"s "&a" are
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=$ded "o en=oy broad (onsens$s in anar(&is" %o!e%en"0 "a8in ideas and (on(e'"s o!er
-&i(& "&ere see%s "o be an in"$i"i!e aree%en" a%on a("i!is"s and renderin %ore
(o%'le# "&e -ay in -&i(& "&ey are $nders"ood7 T&e '&iloso'&er (an "ease o$" "&e -ay in
-&i(& (on(e'"s are $sed in eneral free6for% dis($ssion0 (larify "&e so$r(es of aree%en"
o!er "&e%0 and "ransla"e "&is (onsens$s in"o a %ore (o%'re&ensi!e a((o$n"7 T&e
(onsens$s (an0 of (o$rse0 also be (&allened0 or "&e '&iloso'&er %ay dis(o!er "&a" i" leads
"o so%e (on(l$sions "&a" a("i!is"s &a!e ye" "o (onsider7
A se(ond f$n("ion is "o enae -i"& 'ar"i($lar areas of (on"en"ion -i"&in anar(&is%0
%a''in o$" "&e differen" ar$%en"s "&a" are %ade in "&eir (on"e#" and s'ellin o$" "&e
ba(8ro$nd of so(ial a("ion aains" -&i(& "&e (on"ro!ersy o(($rs7 In addressin anar(&is"
deba"es0 "&en0 "&e firs" "as8 is one of disen"anlin differen"ia"in be"-een differen"
as'e("s of a dis($ssion0 iden"ifyin 'a""erns -&ereby s'ea8ers "end "o ar$e a" (ross6
'$r'oses0 'oin"in "o (onf$sed $ses of "&e sa%e (on(e'" in differen" senses0 and '$""in
"&e finer on 3&estions-&i(& are "&e %os" rele!an" and %eaninf$lly6deba"able ones7 ?ro%
"&is follo-s "&e se(ond "as80 -&i(& is "o s$es" dire("ions for "&e re(ons"r$("ion of (er"ain
deba"es0 "o for%$la"e s$bs"an"i!e ar$%en"s of one;s o-n0 and "o as8 -&e"&er and &o-
"&e (on(l$sions (an be seen "o fil"er ba(8 in"o anar(&is%;s ($l"$ral (odes7 In s$(& a
(a'a(i"y "&e "&eore"i(al in"er!en"ion does no" ne(essarily in!ol!e "a8in a 'osi"ion -i"&in
"&e deba"e as i" is ($rren"ly s"r$("$red "&e oal (an also be "o in"er!ene in "&e -ay in
-&i(& "&e deba"e i"self is s"r$("$red0 *$es"ionin "&e ass$%'"ions reardin i"s 'ara%e"ers
and -&a" -e are &a!in "&e deba"e for7 ?inally0 "&e anar(&is" '&iloso'&er %ay rea(&
"en"a"i!e =$de%en"s -i"&in a (er"ain deba"e0 offerin a !ie- "&a" sees so%e 'osi"ions as
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%ore a""ra("i!e "&an o"&ers0 and %a8in s$bs"an"a"i!e ar$%en"s -&i(& are "&en fed ba(8
in"o "&e onoin dialo$e -i"&in "&e anar(&is" %o!e%en"7
4efore dis($ssin reliable =$de%en" and s(&olarly dis"an(e in 'ar"i(i'a"ory
resear(&0 le" %e o$"line "&e resear(& 'ro(ess $nder"a8en in "&is "&esis 4T&e s"ra"ey &as
in!ol!ed fi!e years of e%bedded resear(& -i"& anar(&is" a("i!is"s in!ol!ed in an"i6
(a'i"alis" and an"i6-ar a("i!i"ies0 -&i(& allo-ed %e "o be 'ar" of di!erse lo(al (a%'ains
and 'ro=e("s0 dis($ssion ro$'s0 as -ell as %ass %obilia"ions and a("ions7 In O#ford0 I
&a!e been si"$a"ed -i"&in "&e lo(al anar(&is" ne"-or80 -&i(& &as ro-n "&ro$&
n$%ero$s dire(" a("ion (a%'ains0 fro% an"i6(or'ora"e (a%'ainin sin(e 3111 "&ro$&
"&e %obilisa"ion aains" "&e Ira* -ar in 311@0 and -&ose %e%bers de!elo'ed "&e lo(al
Inde'enden" Media Cen"re and no- effe("i!ely r$n "&e Eas" O#ford Co%%$ni"y Cen"re7
On "&e U le!el I &a!e 'ar"i(i'a"ed in "&e an"i6a$"&ori"arian 'ro(ess oranisin for May
Day a("ions and an"i6-ar de%ons"ra"ions0 and in "&e -issent6ne"-or8 resis"in "&e 311/
G s$%%i" in S(o"land7 On "&e E$ro'ean le!el0 I &a!e enaed in 'ar"i(i'an"
obser!a"ion a" 'ro"es" %obilisa"ions in Ni(e +EU0 De(e%ber 3111,0 Genoa +G0 $ly 3112,0
4r$ssels +EU0 De(e%ber 3112,0 4ar(elona +EU0 Mar(& 3113,0 Oslo +Borld 4an80 $ne
3113, and E!ian +G0 $ne 311@,7 I also "ra!elled "o se!eral in"erna"ional a("i!is"
a"&erins0 in(l$din "&e S"rasbo$r No 4order Ca%' +$ly 3113,0 "&e Peo'les; Global
A("ion +PGA, E$ro'ean Conferen(e in Leiden +Se'"e%ber 3113, and "&e E$ro'ean So(ial
?or$% in ?irene +No!e%ber 3113, and London +No!e%ber 311F,7 In addi"ion0 I "oo8
'ar" in onoin ne"-or8in a("i!i"ies as 'ar" of O#ford and U6based (a%'ains0 PGA0
"&e E$ro'ean So(ial Cons$l"a +ESC, 'ro=e("0 and "&e so(ial for$% 'ro(ess7 To f$r"&er
"ra(e "ransna"ional (onne("ions0 I &a!e been %ain"ainin (on"a(" -i"& anar(&is" a("i!i"y
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in "&e Uni"ed S"a"es and Canada "&ro$& (on"in$o$s e%ail (orres'onden(e -i"&
a("i!is"s0 %oni"orin of Nor"& A%eri(an anar(&is" -ebsi"es0 inde'enden" %edia and
dis($ssion e6lis"s0 and %ee"ins -i"& A%eri(an oranisers -&o re$larly arri!e in
E$ro'e for 'ro"es"s or s'ea8in "o$rs7
I &a!e been (ons"an"ly follo-in and %a8in no"es of "&e deba"es "&a" I en(o$n"ered
a%on a("i!is"s in all of "&e ro$'ins and fora %en"ioned abo!e0 as -ell as %oni"orin
Enlis& and S'anis&6lan$ae e%ail lis"s and -eb dis($ssion ro$'s7 In "&e 'ro(ess of
doin so0 I &a!e en(o$n"ered -&a" I belie!e are "&e 8ey deba"es "&a" are ende%i( "o
(on"e%'orary anar(&is" %o!e%en"s0 -&i(& are refle("ed in "&e sele("ion of (&a'"er6
"o'i(s in "&e se(ond 'ar"7 I &a!e also ini"ia"ed se(ond6order dis($ssions0 "&a" &a!e
fo($sed no" on (olle("in 'ri%ary %a"erial b$" on "&e de!elo'in analysis and
ar$%en"s in "&is "&esis0 -&e"&er in 'ersonal dialo$e -i"& n$%ero$s a("i!is"s0 or a"
-or8s&o's I led d$rin a"&erins of "&e U 7arth First6ne"-or80 PGAE$ro'eand "&e
lo(al anar(&is" %ilie$ in O#ford7 T&ese -ere in "&e for%a" of 263 &o$r se%inars -i"& $'
"o @1 a("i!is"s0 in -&i(& feedba(8 -as re(ei!ed (on(ernin %y de!elo'in a''roa(& "o
anar(&is% as a 'oli"i(al ($l"$re +a "er% "&a" so%e a("i!is"s see% "o &a!e 'i(8ed $', and
anar(&is" (on(e'"$alisa"ions of ideas s$(& as do%ina"ion and 'refi$ra"i!e 'oli"i(s7 To
all of "&is is added an infor%ed and (on"e#"$alised dis($ssion of rele!an" ar$%en"s and
a''roa(&es 'ro!ided in anar(&is" "e#"s +see belo-,0 fro% boo8s and essays "o flyers0
bro(&$res0 and -eb6based ne-s and o'inion 'os"ins7 T&is disser"a"ion0 "&erefore0
s'e(ifi(ally in!ol!es a (o%bina"ion of a(($%$la"ed $nders"andin ained by firs"6&and
e#'erien(e and dis($ssions -i"& a("i!is"s0 a (ri"i(al readin of anar(&is" and non6
anar(&is" "e#"s0 and e#'osi"ory ar$%en"a"ion7
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"&o$&"6o$" essays o$" "&ere0 %$(& of -&a" one en(o$n"ers in "&e 'ole%i(al se("ion of
anar(&is" li"era"$re is =$s" no" !ery ood7 T&o$& no" -an"in "o "a8e "&e (o%'arison "oo
far0 'ole%i(al anar(&is" li"era"$re so%e"i%es dis'lays -&a" is0 a((ordin "o so(iolois"
Eri8 Olin Bri&"0 'ar" of -&a" is 9b$lls&i" abo$" 9b$lls&i" Mar#is%: "&e la(8 of (aref$l
deba"e0 (larifyin one;s ar$%en"s in a -ay o'en "o (&allene0 ad%i""in -&ere "&ere are
a's in one;s 8no-lede and $nders"andin +in"er!ie-ed in irby 3112,7 Bri&" reads
"&is la(8 as "&e res$l" of delibera"e ref$sal0 sin(e &e (anno" brin &i%self "o ad%i"
do%a"is% or %ere slo''iness on 'ar" of "&e 9so'&is"i(a"ed in"elle("$als -&o are0
'res$%ably0 "&e only ones -&o s"ill -ri"e abo$" Mar#is%7 ?or so%e anar(&is"s0 &o-e!er0
"&e so$r(es of "&is la(8 -i"&in "&eir o-n li"era"$re ra!i"a"e be"-een bad fai"& of "&e
se("arian and !i"rioli( 8ind0 and 9inar"i($la"e inoran(e7 M(J$inn +311@,0 for e#a%'le0
(o%'lains of "&e e!asion of ra"ional dis($ssion in "&e anar(&is" %ilie$0 -&i(& 9see%s "o
be "&e -ors" on "&e -eb0 b$" of"en i" is nearly as bad else-&ere:
I" $s$ally in!ol!es "&e ref$sal "o refle("0 self6(ri"i(ally e!al$a"e and self6edi" res'onses7 T&e
%ore $n"&in8in0 bellieren" and !o(ifero$s 'ar"i(i'an"s "end "o dri!e o$" "&e %ore "&o$&"f$l
and (onsidered o'inions by %a8in a ne!er6endin s"rea% of a""a(8s0 de%ands0 and fri!olo$s
(o%%en"s777In o"&er anar(&is" %edia "&e e!asion of dis($ssion "ends "o be %os" ob!io$s in "&e
le""ers (ol$%ns of 'eriodi(als777and in so%e of "&e ran"s "&a" so%e"i%es 'ass for 'ersonal0 'oin"6
of6!ie- ar"i(les7 T&ese are also for%a"s "&a" "end "o lend "&e%sel!es "o "&ose -ri"ers "oo
irres'onsible0 $n're'ared and $nself6(ri"i(al "o '$" "oe"&er %ore (o&eren" essays "&a" -o$ld
need "o be %ore "&oro$&ly "&o$&" "&ro$&0 %ore loi(ally s"r$("$red0 and %ore self6(ri"i(ally
e#a%ined in li&" of o"&er 'ers'e("i!es7
M(J$inn %ay be ri&"0 b$" only $' "o a 'oin"7 To bein -i"&0 as I &a!e said "&ere are
%any -ell6(ons"r$("ed and (aref$l ar$%en"s in anar(&is" 'ole%i(al li"era"$re0 e!en if "&ey
%i&" no" %ee" a(ade%i( (ri"eria of rio$r7 Se(ond0 9ran"s "&a" so%e"i%es 'ass for 'ersonal0
'oin"6of6!ie- ar"i(les is a bi" (ondes(endin0 sin(e i" does no" a(8no-lede "&e !al$e of a
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ran"7 T&eir f$n("ion is no" so %$(& "o 'ro!ide a s"r$("$red ar$%en" b$" "o 'ro!o8e0 ins'ire0
and dri!e "&ro$& a""i"$des "&a" are diffi($l" "o (ons"ri(" -i"&in ra"ional for%$lae7 Ran"s %ay
"ell "&e (o%%en"a"or %ore abo$" -&a" really %o"i!a"es anar(&is"s and &o- "&ey see "&e
-orld aro$nd "&e% "&an any 'ie(e of (aref$l ar$%en"a"ion0 be(a$se "&ey also dis'lay
e%o"ions and i%aina"ion i%'or"an" (ons"i"$en"s of 'oli"i(al a("ors; (oni"ion7
More i%'or"an"ly0 &o-e!er0 M(J$inn see%s "o be (as"in &is ne" of sa%'les %$(&
"oo narro-ly7 He %ay or %ay no" be ri&" in (o%'lainin abo$" "&e le!el of dis($ssion in
anar(&is" 'rin" and -eb6based %edia0 b$" "&e la(8 of ra"ional dis($ssion is far fro% "&e
nor% o$"side "&is %edia in "&e oral (on!ersa"ions a%on anar(&is"s -&ere "&e b$l8 of
dis($ssion -i"&in "&e %o!e%en" "a8es 'la(e7 T&ese oral dis($ssions0 %os" of"en in "&e
for% of (as$al and !erna($lar 'oli"i(al (on!ersa"ions a%on a("i!is"s0 "end "o be of a far
&i&er *$ali"y "&an -&a" M(J$inn is seein in anar(&is" %edia7 T&ey ad%i" less
9b$lls&i" be(a$se "&ey are fa(e6"o6fa(e dialo$es ra"&er "&an %onolo$es7 ?or "&is
reason0 i" is e#"re%ely i%'or"an" for -&oe!er -an"s "o -ri"e abo$" anar(&is% "o be
a""en"i!e "o "&ese oral dis($ssions and follo- "&e% in a (onsis"en" -ay0 so as "o a((ess a
rea" deal of reasoned and $sef$l ar$%en"s7 S$(& a 'osi"ion also allo-s "&e "&eoris" "o
-i"ness "&e real6"i%e !erna($lar ro$' dis($ssions in -&i(& s$(& (on(erns are
e#'ressed0 as -ell as "&e e#'os$re "o "&e s&ared narra"i!es0 beliefs and 'ra("i(es -&i(&
are loaded -i"& sinifi(an(e for "&eory7 T&e a""en"ion "o oral deba"e %a8es 'la(e for
(o'in -i"& iss$es of e#'lana"ion and narra"i!e b$ildin -i"&in so(ial %o!e%en"s -&i(&
es(a'e o"&er %odes of !alidi"y +(f7 Al"&eide and o&nson 2..F,7
T&is is also rele!an" "o s"$dyin anar(&is% as an ideoloy7 B&ile i" is al-ays "r$e
"&a" 9ideoloy6'rod$(in ro$'s -ill refle(" "&e i%'a(" of ar"i($la"e and re'resen"a"i!e
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indi!id$als0 -&o %ay be "&e effe("i!e (&annels "&a" i!e e#'ression "o %ore -idely &eld
beliefs and -&o %ay offer an e#(ellen" ill$s"ra"ion of a 'ar"i($lar ideoloi(al 'osi"ion0
(on"e%'orary anar(&is% is "oo 9yo$n "o &a!e yielded any ob!io$s re'resen"a"i!es of
"&is 8ind7 T&$s "&e i%'or"an(e of resear(& e%bedded in "&e %o!e%en";s !erna($lar
dis(o$rse ?$r"&er%ore0 s$(& indi!id$al;s 9ar"i($la"ed "&o$&"s are %eaninless -i"&o$"
an $nders"andin of "&e (on(e'"$al and idea"ional en!iron%en"s -&i(& fas&ion "&e%7
Be &a!e "o bear in %ind0 all "&e -&ile0 "&e rela"ions&i's be"-een "&ose re'resen"a"i!es
and "&eir so(ial and ($l"$ral s$rro$nds777"&e in!es"ia"ion of ideoloies o$&" "o e#a%ine
%ass0 or a" leas" lare6s(ale0 so(ial "&in8in +?reeden 2..
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does no" lose &er or &is (ri"i(al fa($l"y &a!in 9one na"i!e in "&e field +or &a!in been a
na"i!e "o bein -i"&, B&ile s$(& a si"$a"ion is rela"i!ely rare in e"&nora'&y0 i" &as
re(ei!ed so%e a""en"ion "&a" (an be bro$&" "o bear &ere7
In &is e"&nora'&y of Croa"ian i%%iran"s in A$s"ralia0 >al Coli(6Peis8er &i%self
a re(en"ly6arri!ed A$s"ralian Croa" -as (learly in an insiders 'osi"ion7 His resear(&
(o$ld "&$s dra- on 're6e#is"in ne"-or8s and (on"a("s0 and on "&e s&ared lan$ae and
($l"$ral ba(8ro$nd "&a" &e and &is res'onden"s &ad7 As a res$l"0 "&e 'ro(ess of resear(&
-as0 in 'ar"0 ine!i"ably a$"obiora'&i(al7 A !ery si%ilar si"$a"ion ob"ains in "&e 'resen"
s"$dy7 My 'resen(e in anar(&is" (ir(les o!er "&e (o$rse of "&e resear(& -as 'ri%arily as
an a("i!is"0 and e#is"in 5 de!elo'in (on"a("s -i"&in %o!e%en" ne"-or8s -ere an
i%'or"an" (on"rib$"ion "o %y abili"y "o a((ess o"&er a("i!is"s;'ra("i(es and ideas7 T&is
raises "&e *$es"ion of -&e"&er0 and "o -&a" deree0 "&e resear(&er is s$''osed "o brin
&er or &is o-n self and e#'erien(es "o "&e 'ro(ess of for%$la"in in"er're"a"i!e
=$d%en"s7 Peis8er;s resol$"ion -as "o 9a(8no-lede and e#'lore %y ;'osi"ionali"y;
"&ro$&o$" "&e resear(& 'ro(ess7 In "&is -ay %y o-n e#'erien(e be(a%e a !al$able
&e$ris"i( "ool0 a so$r(e of "&eore"i(al sensi"i!i"y ra"&er "&an a so$r(e of bias777Usin o$r
&olis"i( sel!es in e"&nora'&y is no" only a re-ardin so(ial e#'erien(e b$"0 for"$na"ely0
is in(reasinly a(8no-leded a%on so(ial resear(&ers as a lei"i%a"e s(&olarly
a''roa(& +.263,7
S$(& a 'osi"ion &as also infor%ed %y o-n resear(&7 T&ro$& f$ll 'ar"i(i'a"ion in
%o!e%en" a("i!i"ies as an insider0 I -as for(ed "o 'onder o!er in"er're"a"i!e *$es"ions
and s$bs"an"i!e 'oli"i(al (on"ro!ersies no" only in referen(e "o "&e be&a!io$rs and
$""eran(es of o"&er a("i!is"s0 b$" also -i"& referen(e "o my o*n refle("ions0 e%o"ions and
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ar$%en"a"ion in "&e se(ond 'ar" of "&e "&esis in(l$des bo"& aree%en" and
disaree%en" -i"& !ario$s anar(&is"s; s"a"e%en"s on differen" "o'i(s i" is 're(isely
"&ro$& "&e i%%anen" (ri"i*$e of anar(&is" -ri"in "&a" f$r"&er "&eore"i(al insi&" (o$ld
be ained7 ?or "&ese reasons0 I (an s"ronly rela"e "o "&e follo-in s"a"e%en" fro%
e"&nora'&er Nan(y Ra%sey Tos&0 a Paan Bi((a -&o in!es"ia"ed "&a" (o%%$ni"y:
I re=e(" "&e di(&o"o%y of insider6o$"sider7 I0 alon -i"& o"&er resear(&ers0 (lai% "o -or8 as
nei"&er and insider nor an o$"sider b$" as bo"& si%$l"aneo$sly7 Ra"&er "&an !ie-in "&ese roles as
se'ara"e and dis"in(" I see "&e% as "-o ends of a (on"in$$%7 In "&is "&eore"i(al s"an(e0 "&e role of
insider or o$"sider is a %a""er of deree0 no" of 8ind7 4y residin in bo"& -orlds of insider and
o$"sider0 I (an loo8 a" "&e -orld fro% "&e inside o$" and fro% "&e o$"side in7 Insider s"a"$s'ro!ides %e -i"& "&e insi&"s %issed by o$"siders0 b$" I %$s" also s"e' o$"side in order "o
e#'lore ob=e("i!ely "&e %eanin of -&o I a% and -&a" I s"$dy +Ra%sey Tos& 3112:323,
T&$s "&e 'resen" 'ro=e("0 -&i(& brides be"-een insiders e"&nora'&y and
'&iloso'&i(al ar$%en"a"ion0 %a8es roo% for a self6a-are0 9serio$s 'ar"iali"y +Clifford
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PART I
E#'lainin Anar(&is%
F3
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CHAPTER 2
BHAT MO>ES THE MO>EMENT
ANARCHISM AS A POLITICAL CULTURE
B&a" is anar(&is% B&a" does i" %ean "o be an anar(&is" B&y 4e(a$se i" is no" a
defini"ion "&a" (an be %ade on(e and for all0 '$" in a safe and (onsidered a
'a"ri%ony "o be "a''ed li""le by li""le777Anar(&is% is no" a (on(e'" "&a" (an be lo(8ed
$' in a -ord li8e a ra!es"one7 I" is no" a 'oli"i(al "&eory7 I" is a -ay of (on(ei!in
life0 and life0 yo$n or old as -e %ay be0 old 'eo'le or (&ildren0 is no" so%e"&in
defini"i!e: i" is a s"a8e -e %$s" 'lay day af"er day7
Alfredo 4onanno0 he $nar%hist ension+Ca"ania0 2..
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(on(e'"ions of anar(&is% "&a" res"ri(" i" ei"&er "o "&e &orions of 'oli"i(al "&eory or "o "&e
a''li(abili"y of &is"ori(al an"e(eden"s rela"in bo"& 'ers'e("i!es "o "&e an#ie"ies a%on
a("i!is"s reardin "&e anar(&is" a''ella"ion i"self7 I "&en offer an al"erna"i!e 'oin" of
de'ar"$re for in!es"ia"ion in e#a%inin anar(&is% fro% an e%'iri(al s"and'oin"7
Dra-in on re(en" li"era"$re in so(ial %o!e%en" resear(&0 I enae in a se" of
a''ro#i%a"ions "&a" see8 "o e#'ose "&e na"$re of "&e (on"e%'orary anar(&is" %o!e%en"7
Here0 I "ra!el fro% an $nders"andin of "&e %o!e%en";s ne"-or8 ar(&i"e("$re0 "&ro$&
an a''re(ia"ion of "&e ($l"$ral be&a!io$r "&a" enables "&e re'rod$("ion of "&is ne"-or80
and finally "o a broader a((o$n" of "&e 'oli"i(al ($l"$re "&a" ani%a"es "&e %o!e%en"
+in(l$din i"s idea"ional ele%en"s,7 I "&en analyse "&e an"aonis"i( 'ro(ess of iden"i"y
for%a"ion -&ereby anar(&is"s (ons(io$sly dra- bo$ndaries "&a" differen"ia"e "&eir (ore
ne"-or8s fro% "&e broader %ilie$ of %o!e%en"s (onfron"in neoliberal lobalisa"ion7
?inally0 I e#a%ine &o- "&e 'ro'osed (a"eori(al s&if" "o-ards 'oli"i(al ($l"$re (larifies
"&e linerin di!isions be"-een 9old6s(&ool and 9ne-6s(&ool anar(&is" ro$'s7
The A-word
4efore a''roa(&in anar(&is% as a 'oli"i(al ($l"$re0 i" is -or"& e#a%inin "&e
li%i"a"ions of al"erna"i!e lenses7 I" is i%'ossible "o (ons"r$(" an ade*$a"ely
9re'resen"a"i!e a((o$n" of anar(&is% -i"&o$" any referen(e "o a (ons"i"$en" ro$' of
'eo'le7 4$" in in"rod$(in "&e re*$ire%en" for s$(& referen(e0 ano"&er diffi($l"y
i%%edia"ely arises: &o- s&o$ld "&e resear(&er define and de%ar(a"e "&a" (ons"i"$en"
ro$' i"self T&is is 'ar"i($larly diffi($l" -i"& anar(&is%0 i!en "&e -ides'read
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rel$("an(e a%on 'oli"i(al a("i!is"s "oday "o a''ly "&e -ord self6referen"ially7 ?or
al"&o$& somethin"&a" (an only be (alled anar(&is% is !ery ob!io$sly 'resen" in "&e
dire(" a("ions0 'ro"es"s0 (o%%$ni"y (a%'ains and dis(o$rses of (er"ain a("i!is" ro$'s
"&e 'eo'le -&o% I;d lie"o (all anar(&is"s in "&is "&esis %any of "&e% do not nor%ally
(all "&e%sel!es anar(&is"s0 and so%e a("i!ely s&$n "&e label7
T&ere are so%e !ery ob!io$s reasons -&y %any of "&e a("i!is"s I &a!e in %ind are
rel$("an" "o (all "&e%sel!es anar(&is"s0 e!en "&o$& "&ey %i&" be a""ra("ed "o "&e -ord7
As 4ob 4la(8 &as '$" i"0 9"o (all yo$rself an anar(&is" is "o in!i"e iden"ifi(a"ion -i"& an
$n'redi("able array of asso(ia"ions0 an ense%ble -&i(& is $nli8ely "o %ean "&e sa%e
"&in "o any "-o 'eo'le0 in(l$din any "-o anar(&is"s7 +T&e %os" 'redi("able is "&e leas"
a(($ra"e: "&e bo%b6"&ro-er7 4$" anar(&is"s &a!e "&ro-n bo%bs and so%e s"ill do,
+4la(8 2..F:@2,7 To bein -i"&0 "&en0 "&ere is "&e -ord;s a("i!e !ilifi(a"ion: for %any
'eo'le "&e -ord anar(&is% s"ill e!o8es en"irely nea"i!e i%aes of (&aos0 %indless
!iolen(e and des"r$("ion0 no" leas" so sin(e liber"arian ideas (on"in$e "o be a("i!ely
de%onised "&ro$& "&e 9anar(&is" s(ares in "&e (or'ora"e %edia +S$lli!an 311F0
O;Connor 3112,7 As a res$l"0 re'resen"in any"&in $nder "&e banner 9anar(&is% "ends
"o (lose 'eo'le off "o -&a" a("i!is"s are sayin7 T&$s for a("i!is"s -&o -an" "o enae
-i"& "&e eneral '$bli( "&e -ord be(o%es a liabili"y essen"ially a %a""er of bad PR7 A
f$r"&er 'oin" is "&a" an e#'li(i" referen(e "o anar(&is% %i&" be seen as e#(l$si!e0 one
-&i(& does no" ad%i" %any of "&e indi!id$als and %o!e%en"s "&a" a("i!is"s (oo'era"e
-i"& and -i"& -&o% "&ey &a!e solidari"y0 s$(& as 'easan" and indieno$s %o!e%en"s
fro% Asia and La"in A%eri(a0 -&o &a!e ne!er %ade referen(e "o anar(&is% or "o any
o"&er se" of ideas roo"ed in a -es"ern &is"ori(al e#'erien(e7 ?inally0 %any a("i!is"s do no"
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-an" "o (all "&e%sel!es anar(&is"s be(a$se "&ey do no" -an" "o ado'" any label at all7
T&ey iden"ify -i"& %any 'oli"i(al and ($l"$ral "&reads0 and belie!e "&a" (ir($%s(ribin
"&eir beliefs $nder any one 9is% is $nne(essarily (ons"ri("in and i%'lies +&o-e!er
$n=$s"ly, "&a" "&ey &a!e a fi#ed and do%a"i( se" of beliefs7 In "&e -ords of one a("i!is"0
Personally I a% no" do-n -i"& any "i"les0 "as0 or desina"ions7 I;!e s'en" %os" of %y ad$l"
life "ryin "o find -ays "o do a-ay -i"& enres and borders and en!elo'es0 so I "&in8 -e are
al-ays be""er off if -e don;" label o$rsel!es or allo- anyone "o label $s7 Anar(&y or anar(&is% is
really so%e"&in -e see8 and li!e and s"r$le for0 so i" doesn;" %a""er -&a" -e (all o$rsel!es +or
don;", if -e are in "&e %ids" of a("ion doin i" +I%aris&a and No"FPro'&e" 311F,7
T&is line of e#'ression is rela"ed "o ano"&er reason for resis"an(e "o "&e anar(&is"
self6a''ella"ion7 As Da!id Graeber 'oin"s o$"0 9"&ere are so%e -&o "a8e anar(&is"
'rin(i'les of an"i6se("arianis% and o'en6endedness so serio$sly "&a" "&ey are so%e"i%es
rel$("an" "o (all "&e%sel!es anar(&is"s; for "&a" !ery reason +Graeber 3113,7 T&e reason
&ere is "&e e#'e("a"ion "&a" anar(&is% s&o$ld be $nders"ood as a (losely6defined
9ideoloy7 As "&e a$"&ors of "&e 'o'$lar 9An Anar(&is" ?AJ are a" 'ains "o ar$e0
Anar(&is% is a so(io6e(ono%i( and 'oli"i(al "&eory0 b$" no" an ideoloy7 T&e differen(e is
very i%'or"an"7 4asi(ally0 "&eory %eans yo$ &a!e ideas an ideoloy %eans ideas &a!e yo$7
Anar(&is% is a body of ideas0 b$" "&ey are fle#ible0 in a (ons"an" s"a"e of e!ol$"ion and fl$#0 and
o'en "o %odifi(a"ion in li&" of ne- da"a7 As so(ie"y (&anes and de!elo's0 so does anar(&is%7
An ideoloy0 in (on"ras"0 is a se" of 9fi#ed ideas -&i(& 'eo'le belie!e do%a"i(ally0 $s$ally
inorin reali"y or 9(&anin i" so as "o fi" -i"& "&e ideoloy0 -&i(& is +by defini"ion, (orre("7
+M(ay e"7al7 311@ A,
T&is 'o'$lar no"ion of ideoloy as do%a is far re%o!ed fro% "&e a''roa(& "a8en in
"&is "&esis0 -&i(& is infor%ed by a !ie- of ideoloies as fa%ilies of (on(e'"s s$b=e(" "o
'oli"i(ally6s'e(ifi( de(on"es"a"ions and %$"$al 'osi"ionins +?reeden 2..
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so%e =$de%en"s 9do%ina"ion is bad0 for e#a%'le "o be (orre(" by defini"ion7 T&e
fear a" "&e ba(8 of s$(& s"a"e%en"s is "&e a"ro(i"ies (o%%i""ed in "&e na%e of
9re!ol$"ionary ideoloies -&e"&er so(ialis"0 fas(is" or f$nda%en"alis" 9"&e
des"r$("ion of real indi!id$als in "&e na%e of a do("rine0 a do("rine "&a" $s$ally ser!es
"&e in"eres" of so%e r$lin eli"e7 Ho-e!er0 -&a" (a$ses a"ro(i"ies is no" "&e do("rine
i"self0 b$" i"s (o%'$lsory a''li(a"ion "o so(ie"y "&ro$& "&e s"a"e7 Anar(&is"s0 li8e e!ery
o"&er so(ial %o!e%en"0 &a!e an iden"ifiable ideoloi(al orien"a"ion0 &o-e!er $ns"able
and s&if"in in res'onse "o deba"e and self6(ri"i(is%7 Ho-e!er0 "&is is only one as'e(" of
-&a" defines "&e anar(&is" %o!e%en"7
As for "&eory0 i" is *$es"ionable &o- far -e (an say "&a" anar(&is% 9is a 'oli"i(al
"&eory in any 'ri!ileed sense7 4eyond "&e o'enness and di!ersi"y of 'ers'e("i!es -i"&in
anar(&is% +-&i(& %eans i" s&o$ld no" e#'e("ed "o be 9a 'oli"i(al "&eory,0 a %ore basi(
iss$e is -&e"&er "&e -ay in -&i(& anar(&is" a("i!is"s a("$ally "&in8 and (o%%$ni(a"e
(an be des(ribed as "&eory7 Bri"ers -i"&in "&e anar(&is" "radi"ion0 (lassi(al and
(on"e%'orary0 &a!e also been 'ar"y "o "&e $n*$es"ioned ass$%'"ion "&a" anar(&is% is
'ri%arily a %a""er of "&eory7 T&$s ro'o"8in0 in &is se%inal 7n%y%lopaedia /ritanni%a
ar"i(le0 defines anar(&is% as 9"&e na%e i!en "o a prin%iple or theory of life and (ond$("
$nder -&i(& so(ie"y is (on(ei!ed -i"&o$" o!ern%en" +ro'o"8in 2.21 e%'&asis
added &ere and belo-,7 E%%a Gold%an si%ilarly defines i" as 9T&ephilosophyof a ne-
so(ial order based on liber"y $nres"ri("ed by %an6%ade la- +Gold%an 2.2Ka,7 ?or
Daniel G$erin i" is 9one of "&e s"rea%s of so(ialis" tho&ht0 "&a" s"rea% -&ose %ain
(o%'onen"s are (on(ern for liber"y and &as"e "o abolis& "&e S"a"e +G$erin 2.
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"&ose -&o ar$e "&a" a$"&ori"y and do%ina"ion are ne(essary +C&o%s8y 2..
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fro% a "&eory7 4onanno %ay be "oo (a"eori(al in &is s"a"e%en" "&a" anar(&is% 9is no" a
'oli"i(al "&eory inside a '&iloso'&i(al fra%e of dis(o$rse +s$(& as "&is "&esis, i" %ay
-ell be addressed and de!elo'ed as'oli"i(al "&eory7 Ho-e!er0 if anar(&is% isa 'oli"i(al
"&eory0 'lain and si%'le0 "&en anar(&is"s (an only be a("i!is"s -&o endorse so%e"&in
"&a" is re(onisably a theory in "&eir &eads7 Sin(e none of "&e% does0 -e (o%e "o "&e
abs$rd (on(l$sion "&a" no a("i!is"s are anar(&is"s7
A res'onse (o$ld be "&a"0 !ery -ell0 a("i!is"s %ay no" independently "&in8 "&eir
anar(&is% in s$(& "er%s0 b$" i" is eno$& "&a" "&ey -ill aree -i"& "&e '&iloso'&er;s
defini"ion on(e 'resen"ed "o "&e% "o %a8e i" !alid a!posteriori7 4$" "&is s"ill lea!es $s -i"&
"-o 'roble%s7 ?irs"0 al"&o$& a("i!is"s %ay no"0 as I said0 disaree -i"& D$nn;s
s"a"e%en" or -i"& o"&er '$"a"i!e e#'osi"ions of 9anar(&is" 'rin(i'les0 "&ey %ay s"ill
&a!e ood reasons "o feel "&a" "&e s"a"e%en" is "oo "&in7 B&ile s$(& a s"a"e%en" %ay
des(ribe a dis"illed !ersion of a("i!is"s; opinionson a$"&ori"y0 (oo'era"ion e"(70 i" s"ill says
no"&in abo$" s$(& f$nda%en"al "&ins as "&eir 'ra#is or indeed "&eir %o"i!a"ions
abo$" -&a" %a8es "&e% "a8e 'oli"i(al a("ion7 I" is easy "o i%aine a 'erson -&o arees
-i"& D$nn;s 'ro'osi"ions fro% "&e (o%for" of an ar%(&air i" is %$(& &arder "o i%aine
"&a" "&o$sands of 'eo'le -o$ld '$" "&e%sel!es in life6endanerin si"$a"ions0 si"
"&ro$& endless a("ion6'lannin %ee"ins0 and enerally dedi(a"e "&eir li!es "o -&a"
of"en see%s an $""erly &o'eless (a$se0 =$s" on "&e s"ren"& of a 'rin(i'led o'inion7
Se(ond0 fallin ba(8 on "&e ar$%en" fro% a!posteriori a''li(abili"y -o$ld %ean "&a" "&e
en"ire anar(&is" %o!e%en"0 if "&ere is s$(& a "&in0 is s$s'ended be"-een e#is"en(e and
non6e#is"en(e an en"ire (lan of S(&rdiner;s Ca"s -&o are6and6are6no" anar(&is"s $n"il
a '&iloso'&er (o%es alon "o a''ly "&e li"%$s "es" of aree%en"7
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fa(" !ery s$b"erranean and ro$ndabo$"7 More f$nda%en"ally0 "&ere is so%e"&in
s$s'i(io$s abo$" an a(" of iden"ifi(a"ion "&a" (o$ld be %ade by an e#"ernal obser!er0 and
-&i(& is said "o be !alid for "&e '$r'ose of dis($ssion0 *hether or not"&e &$%an beins
-&o enera"e "&e 'resen"6day 'ra#is see "&is (onne("ion "&e%sel!es0 or are e!en a-are of
a 9liber"arian "radi"ion in -&a"e!er "er%s "&e e#"ernal obser!er (ons"r$("s i"7 To be s$re0
"&ere is no es(a'in an ele%en" of e#"ernal (a"eorisa"ion -&en $sin lan$ae "o
i%'ose order on a %$l"i"$de of '&eno%ena7 4$" "&e fa(" "&a" s$(& an i%'osi"ion is
ine!i"ably an a(" of 'o-er0 e!en (oer(ion0 re*$ires an anar(&is" s'ea8in abo$"
anar(&is% "o a" leas" %i"ia"e i" in so%e -ay "&ro$& an in!i"a"ion "o dialo$e "o-ards
"&e 'eo'le s5&e is (a"eorisin0 an insis"en(e "&a" "&e ob;e%tof dis($ssion in(l$des self6
(ons(io$s and refle("i!e s&b;e%ts7
Hen(e0 a (on(e'" of anar(&is% is needed -&i(& "&e a("i!is"s -&o i" -ill be a''lied "o
-ill be 'rone "o re%laim and embra%e self!referentially7 S$(& a (on(e'" needs "o %ee" "-o
basi( (ondi"ions7 ?irs"0 i" %$s" address anar(&is% in "er%s "&a" are i%%edia"ely
re(onisable "o %any a("i!is"s fro% "&eir o-n e#'erien(e0 in!i"in "&e% "o endorse
9anar(&is% as an a((e'"able "i"le for so%e"&in -i"& -&i(& "&ey already iden"ify7
Se(ond0 i" %$s" e#'li(i"ly %a8e s'a(e for a la% of "&eore"i(al (los$re0 %o!in ins"ead "o a
fra%e-or8 of dis($ssion -&ere idea"ional fle#ibili"y0 e!en a%bi$i"y0 (o%e "o be seen as
ne(essary and e!en f$n("ionally6'osi"i!e (o%'onen"s7 T&e orien"a"ion fro% -&i(& "o
elabora"e s$(& a fra%e-or8 s&o$ld (learly be e%'iri(al ra"&er "&an (on(e'"$al7
Ass$%in "&a" "&e anar(&is"s "&a" are 9o$" "&ere0 -&oe!er "&ey are0 are no" de"a(&ed
indi!id$als0 o$r a""en"ion no- "$rns "o "&e no"ion of anar(&is% as referrin "o so%e for%
of so(ial %o!e%en"7
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From etworks to Political Culture
So is "&ere really s$(& a "&in as an 9anar(&is" %o!e%en" in "&e 'resen" day In
o"&er -ords0 (an a fra%e-or8 be (ons"r$("ed "o in"era"e "&e %$l"i'le si"es of -&a" -e
-o$ld li8e "o define as anar(&is" a("i!i"y in"o a re(onisable -&ole As8in s$(&
*$es"ions is es'e(ially $ren" sin(e0 "o da"e0 "&ere &as been no" a sinle a""e%'" "o
analyse "&e oranisa"ional s"r$("$res and dyna%i(s of (on"e%'orary anar(&is"
%o!e%en" in i"s o-n ri&"7 B&ile "&ere e#is"s an e#"ensi!e li"era"$re on so(ial
%o!e%en"s in "&e ae of lobalisa"ion0 !ery li""le of i" %a8es any referen(e "o anar(&is%7
B&ere s$(& referen(e e#is"s i" is in!ariably (o$(&ed in "er%s of dis(ernin 9broadly
anar(&is" resonan(es in "&e s"r$("$res and a("ion re'er"oires of "&ese %o!e%en"s as a
-&ole0 ra"&er "&an '$""in "&e anar(&is" %o!e%en" s'e(ifi(ally a" "&e (en"re of analysis
+C&es"ers 311@0 Car"er and Morland 311F,7 T&e "as8 of definin and analysin "&e
anar(&is" %o!e%en" as i" e#is"s "oday is0 "&$s0 an i%'or"an" a!en$e for resear(& for
-&i(& "&e in!es"ia"i!e field re%ains -ide o'en for in"er!en"ion7
T&e la(8 of a""en"ion "o "&e anar(&is" %o!e%en" as s$(& %ay s"e% fro% "&ree %ain
fa("ors7 T&e firs" is "&a" i" is a fairly re(en" '&eno%enon7 A re(onisable anar(&is"
%o!e%en" &as only (o%e "o -ide a""en"ion in "&e re(en" fi!e years0 and analysis s&o$ld
be e#'e("ed "o la be&ind "&e de!elo'%en" of i"s o-n ob=e(" of in!es"ia"ion7 T&e se(ond
reason is "&a" "&e 'resen(e of a lare 'ar" of "&e anar(&is" %o!e%en" "oday is s$b%ered0
ra"&er "&an o!er"7 B&ile "&ere do e#is" self6defined 9anar(&is" oranisa"ions0 "&e b$l8 of
"&e %o!e%en" o'era"es "&ro$& infor%al and ad6&o( 'oli"i(al for%a"ions "&a" &a!e no
na%e a" all0 anar(&is" or o"&er-ise0 and "&$s of"en e!ade "&e !ie- of so(iolois"s and
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'oli"i(al s(ien"is"s7 T&e "&ird and final reason is "&a" "&e e%erin anar(&is" %o!e%en"
&as been obs($red by "&e broader and %ore 'oly'&oni( se""in in -&i(& i" is 'ar"ially
e%bedded "&e so6(alled 9an"i6lobalisa"ion %o!e%en" +an a''ella"ion "&a" by i"self
deser!es so%e (ri"i(is%, and is diffi($l" "o se'ara"e fro% "&is broader (on"e#"7
I s$es" "o (larify o$r -ay "o-ards an $nders"andin of "&e anar(&is" %o!e%en" by
-ay of a fe- a''ro#i%a"ions7 As a 'oin" of de'ar"$re0 -e (an loo8 a" a %odel s$es"ed
by ?i"erald and Roders +3111:/K,0 -&o "&eorise a (a"eory of 9radi(al so(ial
%o!e%en" orania"ions +RSMOs,7 T&ey differen"ia"e "&ese fro% "&e so(ial %o!e%en"
%ains"rea% in "er%s of "&eir orania"ional s"r$("$re0 ideoloy0 "a("i(s0 (o%%$ni(a"ion0
and assess%en" of s$((ess7 Generalisin fro% "&ree e#a%'les "&e IBB0 "&e SNCC and
-o%en;s libera"ion ro$'s0 "&ey arri!e a" fi!e (&ara("eris"i(s:
Int#rna) &tr+$t+r#: 9Non6&ierar(&i(al leaders&i' 'ar"i(i'a"ory de%o(ra"i( orania"ion
eali"arian 9%e%bers&i' based $'on in!ol!e%en" s$''or" indieno$s leaders&i'7
I#o)og!: 9Radi(al aenda e%'&asis on s"r$("$ral (&ane fle#ible ideoloy radi(al
ne"-or8s lobal (ons(io$sness and (onne("ions an"i6%ili"aris"i( s"an(e7
Ta$ti$&: 9Non6!iolen" a("ion %ass a("ions inno!a"i!e "a("i(s7
Co--+ni$ation: 9Inored5%isre'resen"ed by %edia relian(e on al"erna"i!e for%s of
(o%%$ni(a"ion +%$si(0 s"ree" "&ea"er0 'a%'&le"s0 ne-sle""ers,7
A&&&-#nt o* &+$$#&&: 9Li%i"ed reso$r(es %ay be '$r'osef$lly s&or"6li!ed
s$bs"an"i!e ra"ionali"y (on"rib$"e "o larer radi(al aenda s$b=e(" "o in"ense o''osi"ionand o!ern%en" s$r!eillan(e7
T&e 8ey-ords $sed in "&is for%$la"ion are already !ery (lose "o a re(onisably
anar(&is" orien"a"ion0 -&i(& -ill be e#a%ined in %ore de"ail belo-7 T&e %o!e fro%
9radi(al "o 9anar(&is"0 in "&is (on"e#"0 lies in a "&i(8er a((o$n" of "&e s$bs"an"i!e
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(on"en" of "&e a""rib$"es o$"lined abo!e0 in(l$din so%e (orre("i!e s"a"e%en"s +es'e(ially
aro$nd "a("i(s0 -&i(& are no" ne(essarily on a %ass a("ion %odel and no" ne(essarily
non6!iolen",0 and in de!o"in %ore a""en"ion "o "&e (onne#ions be"-een "a("i(s0
oranisa"ion and ideoloy7 ?irs"0 &o-e!er0 "&e %odel &as "o be e#'anded so as "o
en(o%'ass no" only a (olle("ion of dis(re"e ro$'s +as in 9so(ial %o!e%en"
oranisa"ions, b$" "&eir in"er(onne("ion and in"era"ion in"o a 9%o!e%en" to&t %o&rt7
T&e -ay in -&i(& s$(& an in"era"ion (an be a(&ie!ed0 I belie!e0 is by fo($sin no"
on "&e nodes of a %o!e%en" b$" on "&e "ies "&a" bind "&e%7 ?i"erald and Roers;
%odel is in fa(" da"ed as far as "&e "&r$s" of (on"e%'orary so(ial %o!e%en" "&eory is
(on(erned0 sin(e "&is &as %o!ed fro% "&e fo($s on oranisa"ions "o dis($ssin
%o!e%en"s as ne"-or8s7 ?or e#a%'le0 in Mario Dianis s"a"e%en" +-&i(& en=oys
(onsiderable s(&olarly ($rren(y,0 a so(ial %o!e%en" is defined fro% "&e s"ar" as 9a
ne"-or8 of infor%al in"era("ions be"-een a 'l$rali"y of indi!id$als0 ro$'s and5or
oranisa"ions0 enaed in a 'oli"i(al or ($l"$ral (onfli("0 on "&e basis of a s&ared
(olle("i!e iden"i"y +Diani 2..3:2@,7 T&is defini"ion already does a lo" of -or8 for $s in
in"era"in a ne"-or86based $nders"andin of so(ial %o!e%en"s0 as -ell as in(l$din
"&e ($l"$ral as'e("s of (onfli(" and e%'&asisin "&e 'o-er of iden"i"y7 T&e re(oni"ion of
ne"-or8s as "&e 'ri%ary s"r$("$rin 'rin(i'le for so(ial %o!e%en"s -as s$es"ed in
'ioneerin s"$dies of "&e Pen"e(os"al and 4la(8 Po-er %o!e%en"s of "&e la"e 2.
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o''onen"s "&ese 'ar"i(i'an"s s&are7 Ne"-or8in enables %o!e%en" 'ar"i(i'an"s "o
e#(&ane infor%a"ion and ideas and "o (oordina"e 'ar"i(i'a"ion in =oin" a("ion7 Ne"-or8s
do no" &a!e a defined li%i" b$" ra"&er e#'and or (on"ra(" as ro$'s in"era(" or 'ar" -ays7
B&ile "&e ne"-or8 %odel oes a lon -ay "o-ards e#'lainin "&e ar(&i"e("$re of
"&e 'resen"6day so(ial %o!e%en" -&i(& I -o$ld desina"e as anar(&is"0 a f$r"&er s"e'
needs "o be "a8en7 T&e ne"-or8 as s$(& is all for%: "&e lines of (o%%$ni(a"ion and
reso$r(e6flo-s of -&i(& i" (onsis"s are 'resen"ed as i!en0 re%ainin silen" abo$" &o-
"&ese ne"-or8s are (ons(io$sly 'rod$(ed0 re'rod$(ed and "ransfor%ed by "&e (on(re"e
a("i!i"ies of indi!id$als and ro$'s in "&eir s'e(ifi( 'oli"i(al0 so(ial and ($l"$ral
(ir($%s"an(es7 ?or "&is reason an"&ro'olois" eff $ris0 -&o (ond$("ed 'ar"i(i'a"ory
resear(& -i"& an"i6(a'i"alis"s in 4ar(elona0 in"rod$(es "&e idea of a 9($l"$ral loi( of
ne"-or8in "o desina"e "&e broad 'rin(i'les -&i(&0 as ($l"$ral dis'osi"ions0 $ide
a("i!is"s -&o enera"e %o!e%en" ne"-or8s:
T&e ($l"$ral loi( of ne"-or8in &as i!en rise "o -&a" rassroo"s a("i!is"s777(all "&e 9ne-
-ay of doin 'oli"i(s7 4y "&is "&ey %ean 're(isely "&ose ne"-or86based for%s of 'oli"i(al
orania"ion and 'ra("i(e based on non6&ierar(&i(al s"r$("$res0 &orion"al (oordina"ion a%on
a$"ono%o$s ro$'s0 o'en a((ess0 dire(" 'ar"i(i'a"ion0 (onsens$s6based de(ision %a8in0 and "&e
ideal of "&e free and o'en (ir($la"ion of infor%a"ion777B&ile "&e (o%%and6orien"ed loi( of
"radi"ional 'ar"ies and $nions is based on re(r$i"in ne- %e%bers0 de!elo'in $ni"ary s"ra"eies0
'oli"i(al re'resen"a"ion "&ro$& !er"i(al s"r$("$res and "&e '$rs$i" of 'oli"i(al &ee%ony0
ne"-or86based 'oli"i(s in!ol!es "&e (rea"ion of broad $%brella s'a(es0 -&ere di!erse
orania"ions0 (olle("i!es and ne"-or8s (on!ere aro$nd a fe- (o%%on &all%ar8s0 -&ile
'reser!in "&eir a$"ono%y and iden"i"y6based s'e(ifi(i"y7 Ra"&er "&an re(r$i"%en"0 "&e ob=e("i!e
be(o%es &orion"al e#'ansion and en&an(ed 9(onne("i!i"y "&ro$& ar"i($la"in di!erse
%o!e%en"s -i"&in fle#ible0 de(en"ralied infor%a"ion s"r$("$res "&a" allo- for %a#i%al
(oordina"ion and (o%%$ni(a"ion +$ris 311F:
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ne"-or8in re'resen"s one area of a broader 'oli"i(al ($l"$re0 -&i(& is "&e %os" ade*$a"e
referen" for anar(&is%7 T&e idea of 'oli"i(al ($l"$re (an be e#'lained as a se" of s&ared
orien"a"ions "o-ards 9doin 'oli"i(s0 -&erein iss$es are fra%ed0 s"ra"eies are
lei"i%ised and (olle("i!e in"era("ion "a8es on eno$& re$lari"y "o s"r$("$re %e%bers;
%$"$al e#'e("a"ions7 I" is s$(& a a((o$n" of ($l"$re "&a" (an address %o!e%en" ne"-or8s
in "er%s of "&eir s$bs"an"i!e (&ara("eris"i(s0 "&e (on"e#" in -&i(& 'oli"i(al 9e!en"s0
be&a!iors0 ins"i"$"ions or 'ro(esses777(an be in"elliibly "&a" is0 "&i(8ly des(ribed
+Geer" 2.K/:2F,7 T&$s "&e (on(e'" of 'oli"i(al ($l"$re0 a''ro'ria"ely fra%ed "o a((o$n"
for "&e reali"ies of anar(&is" a("i!i"ies0 (an o a rea" -ay "o-ards e#'lainin -&a"
9%o!es "&e %o!e%en"7
Sidney Tarro- ob=e("s "o "&e idea of 'oli"i(al ($l"$re as an o!erar(&in fra%e for "&e
in"er're"a"ion of so(ial %o!e%en" dyna%i(s7 He ar$es "&a" 'oli"i(al ($l"$re 9is seldo%
s$ffi(ien"ly $ni!o(al or de"a(&ed fro% "&e sy%bols "&a" s$s"ain "&e sys"e% "o 'ro!ide a
fir% basis for (olle("i!e a("ion aains" i" +Tarro- 2..3:2KK,7 I" -o$ld see% "&a" al"&o$&
"&is %ay (a$se 'roble%s for "&e $se of "&e "er% reardin so(ial %o!e%en"s in eneral0
"&e (ondi"ions "&a" Tarro- s"i'$la"es are s$ffi(ien" for enablin "&e $se of 'oli"i(al
($l"$re as a desina"ion for anar(&is% in "&e (on"e#" of "&e 'resen" s"$dy7 Anar(&is"
'oli"i(al ($l"$re is by no %eans $ni!o(al0 b$" i"s o''osi"ion "o bo"& s"a"e and (a'i"alis%
'$"s i" a" s$(& a dis"an(e fro% eli"e and %ains"rea% 'oli"i(al ($l"$res0 "&a" fro% "&e 'oin"
of !ie- of %os" of so(ie"y "&e differen(es a%on anar(&is"s re(ede in"o insinifi(an(e7
As for bein 9de"a(&ed fro% "&e sy%bols "&a" s$s"ain "&e sys"e%9 "&e dyna%i(
&ere (anno" be red$(ed "o a binary of ei"&er 'ar"i(i'a"i!e endorse%en" of0 or delibera"e
de"a(&%en" fro%0 "&a" ense%ble of sy%bols7 Anar(&is"s are ani%a"ed0 a" leas" in 'ar"0 by
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a "&ird ($l"$ral loi(0 "&e %o!e%en" of s$b!ersi!e a''ro'ria"ion 8no-n as 9($l"$re
=a%%in7 T&e "er% -as (oined in 2.F by "&e San ?ran(is(o a$dio6(ollae band
Nea"i!land0 and in i"s broad resonan(es refle("s "&e Si"$a"ionis"s; 'reo(($'a"ion -i"&
d
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%ilie$ is a (on"e#" in -&i(& %os" b$" no" all 'ar"i(i'an"s are (losely fa%iliar "o one
ano"&er0 and %ay in(l$de 'ar"i(i'an"s -&o are also oranised as (olle("i!es a%on
"&e%sel!es7 T&e lo(al %ilie$ is "&e 'ool fro% -&i(& affini"y ro$'s are dra-n for
'ar"i($lar a("ions0 and in "&e a$s'i(es of -&i(& %any non6(onfron"a"ional a("i!i"ies are
oranised -i"&o$" e#'li(i" affini"y ro$'s +s"alls0 leafle"in0 s%all de%ons"ra"ions0 and
dona"ion6enera"in e!en"s s$(& as fil% s(reenins and 'ar"ies,7 T&e lo(al %ilie$ is also
"&e s(ene in -&i(& anar(&is"s %os" of"en (oordina"e and (ollabora"e -i"& o"&er a("ors0
s$(& as (i"ien asso(ia"ions0 yo$"& ro$' and non6anar(&is" 'oli"i(al oranisa"ions
+"y'i(ally "&e %ore radi(al ele%en"s of "&e (&ari"y and NGO s'e("r$% and e!en lo(al
(&a'"ers of 'oli"i(al 'ar"ies %os" of"en Greens,7
On "&e %a(ro6le!el +fro% "&e reional "o "&e (on"inen"al and lobal,0 "&e ne"-or8
for% is "&e 're!alen" %ode of oranisa"ion7 Anar(&is" %o!e%en" ne"-or8s are onoin0
se%i6s"r$("$red !en$es for (o%%$ni(a"ion and (oordina"ion0 -&i(& ne!er &a!e a for%al
%e%bers&i' or fi#ed bo$ndaries7 T&$s0 i%'or"an"ly0 "&e ne"-or8 %odel s&o$ld be
differen"ia"ed fro% "&e 9federa"ion %odel e%'loyed by "-en"ie"&6(en"$ry anar(&is"s
and s"ill $sed by a s%all n$%ber of 9old6s(&ool anar(&is" ro$'s +see belo-,7 Nor are
!ario$s ne"-or8s se'ara"e en"i"ies0 -&i(& o'era"e in isola"ion fro% ea(& o"&er7 In fa("0
"&e o''osi"e is "r$e: "&ere is a rea" deree of o!erla' in a("i!is"s; in!ol!e%en" in
differen" ne"-or8s0 "&e dis"in("ion bein one of f$n("ion ra"&er "&an %e%bers&i'7 One
s&o$ld "&$s dis"in$is& be"-een "&e real% of anar(&is" ne"-or8s in "&eir 'ro'er sense0
as "&e se%en"ary0 'oly(en"ri( and re"i($lar for%a" of so(ial6%o!e%en" oranisa"ion and
self6defined 9Ne"-or8s li8e 7arth First60 -issent6 or $nti a%ist $%tion7 T&e la""er are
%ore ade*$a"ely des(ribed as 9banners $nder -&i(& (er"ain 'ar"s of "&e anar(&is"
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9(i!il disobedien(e7 I "a8e "&e la""er "o %ean any (ons(io$s (olle("i!e defian(e of "&e
la-0 ei"&er for %oral reasons or in an a""e%'" "o %o$n" 'ress$re on "&e a$"&ori"ies "o
res'ond "o one;s de%ands7 T&$s T&orea$: 9If "&e al"erna"i!e is "o 8ee' all =$s" %en in
'rison0 or i!e $' -ar and sla!ery0 "&e S"a"e -ill no" &esi"a"e -&i(& "o (&oose +T&orea$
2F.:
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Se(ond0 dire(" a("ion already needs "o be bro$&" in"o (onne("ion -i"& "&e (on(e'" of
9'refi$ra"i!e 'oli"i(s7 T&is $n(o%for"able &eadin deno"es a 'ers'e("i!e firs"
e#'ressed by anar(&is"s0 -&i(& -as re6ar"i($la"ed in %o!e%en"s re!ol!in aro$nd
fe%inis%0 e(oloy0 radi(al de%o(ra(y and s'iri"$ali"y0 and is "oday (en"ral "o %any
so(ial %o!e%en"s; oranisa"ional ($l"$re0 as a %a""er of refle#i!e self6a-areness7 In
'refi$ra"i!e 'oli"i(s0 so(ial %o!e%en"s; oals are
re($rsi!ely b$il" in"o "&eir daily o'era"ion and orania"ional s"yle7 T&is is e!iden" in
affini"y ro$'s0 de(en"ralised oranisa"ion0 de(ision6%a8in by (onsens$s0 res'e(" for differin
o'inions and an o!erall e%'&asis on "&e 'ro(ess as -ell as "&e o$"(o%es of a("i!is%777I" is "&ee#'li(i" a""en"ion "o orania"ion as a se%io"i( s"ra"ey and "&e a""e%'" "o -or8 dire("ly fro%
basi( !al$es "o daily 'ra("i(e "&a" %eri"s "&e desina"ion of a ($l"$ralis"; orien"a"ion "&ese are
%o!e%en"s "&a" a("i!ely sy%bolie -&o "&ey are and -&a" "&ey -an" no" =$s" as end oals b$" as
daily $ides "o %o!e%en" 'ra("i(e +4$e(&ler 3111:31K,7
-is%&rsive aspe%ts
T&is &eadin is $sed "o brin "oe"&er "&ose as'e("s of anar(&is" 'oli"i(al a("i!i"y
-&i(& &a!e "o do -i"& "&in8in0 s'ea8in and -ri"in +as -ell as sinin and
'erfor%in,7 I" is i%'or"an" "o offer "&is as a se'ara"e s$b6&eadin in order "o e%'&asise
"&a" differen" 'oli"i(al ($l"$res enera"e0 and are s&a'ed by0 differen" e'is"e%oloies
-ays of oranisin "&eir $nders"andin of 'oli"i(s and %a8in sense of "&e%7 B&ile "&e
s$bs"an"i!e (on"en" of "&is &eadin is dis($ssed %ore e#"ensi!ely in (&a'"er @0 "-o
re%ar8s (an be %ade &ere7
?irs"0 "&is idea"ional and e'is"e%oloy6enera"in as'e(" of 'oli"i(al ($l"$re (an be
(onne("ed "o -&a" so(ial %o!e%en" s(&olars &a!e referred "o as 9(olle("i!e a("ion
fra%es a (on(e'" $sed "o e#'lain "&e (ons"r$("ion of %eanin in so(ial %o!e%en"s7
?or Sno- and 4enford +2..3:2@
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'&eno%enon "&a" i%'lies aen(y and (on"en"ion a" "&e le!el of reali"y (ons"r$("ion777 "&a"
si%'lifies and (ondenses "&e -orld o$" "&ere; by sele("i!ely '$n("$a"in and en(odin
ob=e("s0 si"$a"ions0 e!en"s0 e#'erien(es and se*$en(es of a("ions -i"&in one;s 'resen" or
'ar" en!iron%en"7 ?or so(ial %o!e%en"s0 "&e 'rod$(" of fra%in a("i!i"ies is referred "o
as (olle("i!e a("ion fra%es7 As '$n("$a"ion0 (olle("i!e a("ion fra%es 9ei"&er $nders(ore
and e%bellis& "&e serio$sness and in=$s"i(e of a so(ial (ondi"ion or redefine as $n=$s" or
i%%oral -&a" -as 're!io$sly seen as $nfor"$na"e b$" 'er&a's "olerable7 As en(oders0
"&ey %a8e 9dianos"i( and 'ronos"i( a""rib$"ion777iden"ifyin ($l'able aen"s0 be "&ey
indi!id$als or (olle("i!e 'ro(esses and s"r$("$res777and s$es"in bo"& a eneral line
of a("ion for a%eliora"in "&e 'roble% and "&e assin%en" of res'onsibili"y for (arryin
o$" "&a" a("ion7 ?inally0 "&ey 9enable a("i!is"s "o ar"i($la"e and alin a !as" array of
e!en"s and e#'erien(es so "&a" "&ey &and "oe"&er in a rela"i!ely $nified and %eaninf$l
fas&ion777T&e '$n("$a"ed and en(oded "&reads of infor%a"ion %ay be di!erse and e!en
in(onr$o$s0 b$" "&ey are -o!en "oe"&er in s$(& a -ay "&a" -&a" -as 're!io$sly
in(on(ei!able0 or a" leas" no" (learly ar"i($la"ed0 is no- %eaninf$lly in"er(onne("ed7
Be (an also see0 a" "&is s"ae0 "&a" "&e fo($s on (olle("i!e a("ion fra%es as a
(ons"i"$en" of 'oli"i(al ($l"$re frees $s fro% "&e e#'e("a"ions of (lose idea"ional
defini"ion and $ni!ersal "r$"&6(lai%s "&a" -o$ld &a!e been asso(ia"ed -i"& anar(&is% as
a 'oli"i(al "&eory7 4orro-in loosely fro% T&o%as $&n;s no"ion of a s(ien"ifi(
'aradi%0 Billia% Ga%son (larifies "&a" 9i" is no" e!en"s "&a" o!er(o%e fra%es b$" ri!al
fra%es "&a" do be""er a" e""in in"er're"a"ions "o s"i(8777?ra%es0 li8e %e"a'&ors0 are -ays
of oraniin "&in8in abo$" 'oli"i(al iss$es7 One s&o$ld as8 no" -&e"&er "&ey are "r$e
or false "&a" is0 "&eir e%'iri(al !alidi"y b$" abo$" "&eir $sef$lness in in(reasin
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$nders"andin and "&eir e(ono%y and in(l$si!eness in 'ro!idin a (o&eren" e#'lana"ion
of a di!erse se" of fa("s +Ga%son 2..3:K2,7 T&$s0 "&e Wrele!an" (ri"erion of =$de%en" for
"&e 'oli"i(al e'is"e%oloies enera"ed -i"&in a dis"in(" 'oli"i(al ($l"$re is no" 9ob=e("i!e
"r$"&0 b$" 9narra"i!e fideli"y 9"&e deree0 "o -&i(& 'roffered fra%ins resona"e -i"&
($l"$ral narra"ions0 "&a" is0 -i"& "&e s"ories0 %y"&s0 and fol8 "ales "&a" are 'ar" and 'ar(el
of one;s ($l"$ral &eri"ae and "&$s f$n("ion "o infor% e!en"s and e#'erien(es in "&e
i%%edia"e 'resen" +Sno- and 4enford 2..:321,7
Se(ond0 i" is i%'or"an" "o in(l$de $nder "&is &eadin0 alon -i"& "&e ($l"$ral
ar"i($la"ion of 'oli"i(al (on(e'"s and !al$es0 i"s %ore narra"i!e6based ele%en"s0 -&i(&
-e (an refer "o as 9%y"&oloies7 T&ese are "&e %o!e%en";s orally "rans%i""ed s"ories
abo$" 'as" %obilisa"ions0 're!io$s (y(les of s"r$le0 and older &is"ori(al e'isodes -&i(&
are seen as an ins'ira"ions7 T&ese are an i%'or"an" as'e(" of 'oli"i(al ($l"$re "&ro$&
-&i(& (olle("i!e iden"i"y is re'rod$(ed and -&i(& f$n("ion also as a %obilisin reso$r(e7
As Mar8 4ailey ar$es0 "&e anar(&is" %o!e%en" dra-s &ea!ily on 9non6-es"ern
%y"&oloi(al dis(o$rses -&i(& o'en $' for i" "&e 'ossibili"y for 9"&e de!elo'%en" of a
%y"&oloy of resis"an(e777"&a" is %$(& %ore in(l$si!e of 're!io$sly %arinalied !oi(es
"&an "&a" of 're!io$s enera"ions777T&is enera"es "&e 'o"en"ial "o (rea"e a %y"&i(al and0
&en(e0 ideoloi(al dis(o$rse "&a"0 -&ils" see8in "o enera"e a sense of solidari"y and
(o%%on '$r'ose be"-een -idely dis'ara"e ro$'s0 (an also be &i&ly effe("i!e in
enera"in a (elebra"ion of differen(e;