The Anarchists

It is rather ironic to be discussing old time communistic working class political tendencies on a day, May Day, that celebrates the struggles of various leftist, anti- capitalist tendencies, especially Marxism and Anarchism the latter whose history is outlined in the book reviewed here, in the international working class movement. The irony is that, sadly, for all intends and purposes, in the main, the international working class movement has abandoned (at least temporarily) the struggle for socialism of any kind as part of its day to day struggles. Nonetheless, for those who seek to break out of the impasse of international capitalism a fresh look at these tendencies is warranted. I have reviewed various Marxist-oriented movements elsewhere in this space. Today Professor Joll's brief look at the history of the early anarchist movement (up to the Spanish Civil War) is a good primer for getting a handle on that political philosophy. That there has never been a unitary working class response to capitalism and industrialization is a weakness. That there have been various left-wing tendencies fighting for political leadership of the class is not so. During most of the 20th century the great fights were between the various Marxist-oriented reformist Social Democrats and the ostensibly revolutionary Communists. However the great fights in the late 19th century were between the Marxists and anarchists of various persuasions. Those fights are extensively detailed by Professor Joll here. Given the reemergence over the past decade or various, mainly non-working class-centered, anarchist tendencies, especially of the "propaganda of the deed" variety, it is important for today's labor militants looking for some socialist political direction to learn (or learn more) about. Professor Joll does some yeoman's work here describing the antecedents of the working class movement, especially the key trends that trace their lineage back to the 18th century French Revolution and the Enlightenment. It is the long term reaction to the failure of that revolution, the weakness of its political organization and its aborted libertarian aims to redress plebeian grievances that provided an opening to anarchist thought. Joll details the various plans, blueprints, panaceas and what not that floated thought the pre-1848 European political milieu (from Godwin to Weitling to the "Communist Manifesto") as the industrial form of organization took hold in Western society. In short, the revolutions of 1848 represented a last gasp outer limit that the bourgeoisie was willing to go to establish its rule in alliance with the working class under the sign of the French Revolution. Marx drew one conclusion from that understanding- the need to create independent working class political organization- the various anarchist trends drew others (independent communes, political withdrawal, permanent insurrection, etc.). This is where the great fight starts. If mid-19th century Euro

This book is a useful departure point for further study. Joll presents a brisk overview of the high points and major figures in anarchism from 1850 through the Spanish Civil War of the late 1930s, carefully tracing communitarian, insurrectionary, and individualist strains in the movement. But while paying lip service to anarchist ideals, Joll is dismissive of the possibility of putting them into practice, and so offers few lessons to be learned from historical efforts.

The Anarchists by James Joll is an informative and infitely interesting book which deals with the origins and the history of the Anarchist (anti)political movements in europe and briefly in the U.S. Joll comes forth as an objective reporter on this very misunderstood ideology. At times he is critical of the movementbut does paint a fairly unbiased picture. Joll explores the variety of ideals and schools of thought which characteized the anarchist movements of the past. Joll's book would be a good read for anyone who thinks that the term anarchy refers merely to chaos or that it is an invention of the youth to scare their parents. In light of the protests which abounded in 2000 it is a great read for anyone with political curiosity or concern.