anarchism now

Drop the phrase “anarchism” into a conversation. The ignorant will shy away or otherwise remove themselves from the conversation, and the learned might talk with great sympathy for some anarchist movement hundreds of years ago. What’s unrealized and undiscussed is that there are current movements, wether their expressed purpose is anarchism or not, that are beneficial and relevant to the anarchist cause.

Drop the image of the peasants chanting while they tear down the castle wall. Not that it might not happen again, but historically it’s only served to make governments even stronger than before. A tenet of anarchist thought, which is arguably more important, and works in tandem with smashing the state is horizontal association. Horizontal association is when people, alone or in groups, make mutual exchanges of neccesary goods and services. No one involved in the exchange wields any more power than another, they are all on the same level; hence horizontal. Mutual benefit is derived. Horizontal association exists now, in ways that we often take for granted. Furniture with a “free” sign on it, potluck dinners, free stores, farmer co-ops and markets. These things have come to be because of a concern for efficiency, or community, or health; but they are all anarchist in nature.

Drop out of current society. Instead apply this “free” and communal ethos towards the organization of all things, and you have quick-and-dirty anarchism. It’s that simple. Take the case registers out of the salvage clothing store; Let people drop off and take what they need. Don’t have yard sales, have yard swaps. Give it away free, because you know you can get it across the street free. There is more than enough material, particularly in the U.S., That it would be a long time before anybody would need to produce new things. When they do, they would do it on equal terms. You may consider that all of this is also the model for many past anarchist societies, that failed. So what’s different this time around?

Dropping the energy monopoly. For once, it is considered possible and intelligent for a person, or household, to produce energy individually. Solar power, wind power, vehicles run on waste oil(try that horizontal association shit with the local restaurants). There is a certain investment for these technologies, a large one, once. There is no such thing as free energy, but these methods, coupled with concern for conservation; will end our complete-and-total dependence on the state, or corporations subsidized by the state for it. When we have our energy needs taken care of and food being produced locally; when we have common spaces and free exchange of necessities; when we trade our skills and services between ourselves freely; What need will there be for money? What need will there be for jobs? And ultimately, what need will there be for government? Money will disappear as well as needless wealth, and class distinctions. That’s the picture of anarchism now. It might not be as romantic as chanting “work or bread!”, it might involve a lot less random killings, but it’s far more likely. Encourage and propagate all of the things mentioned if you want to see it realized in our time.