Introductions to Anarchism
Anarchism is a political philosophy that is shrouded in misconception. This is largely due to the fact that anarchism is a truly diverse way of thinking, one which cannot be characterized by simple slogans or party lines. In fact, if you ask 10 anarchists for their description of anarchism, you are likely to get 10 different answers.
-- Liz A. Highleyman, An Introduction to Anarchism, 1988
The following books and articles offer a flavour of the diversity and similarities in anarchist thought.
- Notes on Anarchism by Noam Chomsky, 1970
- Spunk Press - Introductions to anarchism Links to various essays on the topic.
- Anarchy: A Graphic Guide by Clifford Harper (Camden Press, 1987). This is a wonderful book. Clifford Harper has brought anarchism to life in this book. Covering anarchism in all its many forms, Clifford's book is probably the best short introduction to anarchist ideas and history you can find. It presents anarchism as a constructive theory and a living movement, struggling for real freedom against all forms of oppression. As he puts it, "like all really good ideas, Anarchy is pretty simple when you get down to it -- human beings are at their best when they are living free of authority, deciding things among themselves rather than being ordered about." Available from AK Press
- Anarchy in Action, by Colin Ward (Allen & Unwin, 1973; Freedom, 1982). Another exceptionally good introduction to anarchism, and one focusing on the application of anarchist principles in daily life.
- The Compassionate Revolution - Radical Politics & Buddhism by David Edwards (Green Books, 1998). "What does Buddhism have to do with radical politics? According to David Edwards, author of the remarkable Free to Be Human, the answer is "everything". The roots of Buddhism lie in compassion, and it is compassion - not anger - that empowers activists and dissidents, whether they be environmentalists, human rights campaigners, or anyone else concerned about social and ecological justice. At present, argues Edwards, "Our capacity for compassion is hobbled, vestigial, a fact that explains our failure to generate effective resistance to the forces of greed and hatred currently laying waste to our planet." Simply put, compassion is the root of all successful dissent." --- David Cromwell's review for ZMag. Available from AK Press
- The Political Philosophy of Poststructuralist Anarchism Todd May, (Penn. State, 1994). "What poststructuralists like Michel Foucault, Gilles Deleuze, and Jean-François Lyotard offer instead is a political philosophy that can be called tactical: it emphasizes that power emerges from many different sources and operates along many different registers. This approach has roots in traditional anarchist thought, which sees the social and political field as a network of intertwined practices with overlapping political effects. The poststructuralist approach, however, eschews two questionable assumptions of anarchism, that human beings have an (essentially benign) essence and that power is always repressive, never productive." Available from Word Power
- Quiet Rumours: An Anarcha-Feminist Reader (AK Press/Dark Star, 2003)This long-awaited and important anthology draws together essays, interviews and pamphlets exploring the relationship between anarchism and feminism. The pieces included range from classics by Emma Goldman such as The Tragedy of Women's Emancipation to Jo Freeman's highly influential essay on the politics of organizing groups The Tyranny of Structurelessness. Throughout the collection the theme of developing an effective feminist, anarchist revolutionary movement is explored from various historical and contemporary perspectives. Essential reading. Available from AK Press
- We Are Everywhere: the irresistible rise of global anticapitalism (Verso, 2003) is neither academic thesis nor art book, neither agitprop nor critical analysis, neither inspirational document nor DIY manual - but all of these, woven together using innovative graphic design and photographs. Texts, images and interviews with activists merge in both printed word and this website, creating a lively, polyphonic insight into the ideas and activities of the movements against capitalism and for life. We hope the result proves to be an inspirational, authentic document of insurrection. Available from Word Power
- Webs of Power: Notes from the Global Uprising (New Society Publishing, 2002) is a call to reconceive our political and economic systems at the very deepest levels. Writing from the front lines, Starhawk chronicles the global justice movement sparked by Seattle's 1999 anti-World Trade Organization protest. An activist in many of the major peace and justice movements of our times, Starhawk continues to be deeply involved as a direct action participant and trainer in the anti-globalization movement. Includes writings from her participation in various protests as well as a more theoretical section. Available from Word Power
- The Dispossessed by Ursula LeGuin
- Animal Farm by George Orwell
- The Fifth Sacred Thing by Starhawk
- Woman on the Edge of Time by Marge Piercy
- Body of Glass by Marge Piercy
- Red Mars, Blue Mars, Green Mars (Trilogy) by Kim Stanley Robinson
- Antarctica by Kim Stanley Robinson