this post was submitted on 14 Nov 2024
52 points (89.4% liked)

Anarchism

1487 readers
70 users here now

Discuss anarchist praxis and philosophy. Don't take yourselves too seriously.

Other anarchist comms

founded 2 years ago
MODERATORS
db0@lemmy.dbzer0.com
52
Is Anarchism viable? (lemmy.dbzer0.com)
submitted 1 month ago by glowinfly@lemmy.dbzer0.com to c/anarchism@lemmy.dbzer0.com
44 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

Why do you believe in it, do you approve it in theory or also in practice? I think a lot of people approve of anarchism in theory but rejects the possibility of it to be put in practice unless we live in an utopia.. which I don't think we do, unfortunately. Maybe techno-anarchism would be more practical? Technology is such badly regulated and ordinary people are punished harsher than corporate so I really think techno-anarchism deserves a lot more attention (not saying anarchism itself doesn't) I see a lot of people here are more knowledgeable than me so don't take my word so seriously, maybe I shouldn't be expressing my idiot thoughts on it, or maybe just embrace it and ask regardless of any shame I might get.

I'm not trying to be mean to anyone, just genuinely wanted to discuss with whoever is willing to chip in on the topic.

all 48 comments
sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[–] TherapyGary@lemmy.blahaj.zone 35 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (3 children)

If by viable you mean able to be implemented without enormous problems, I would argue that capitalism isn't viable. I believe anarchism would be better for more people than the status quo, so I'd say it's viable in comparison

Edit: to answer the other part of your question, I practice anarchism in my daily life. Anarchism, to me, is a value more so than a political ideology. I don't believe in hierarchy, so I don't perpetuate hierarchy, and I actively work to dismantle it around me

[–] Nednarb44@lemmy.world 7 points 1 month ago (1 children)

What are some examples of that in your day to day life? If you don't mind sharing.

[–] TherapyGary@lemmy.blahaj.zone 15 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (1 children)

Nice try, fed!

Jk, but this isn't an anonymous account, so I can't go into much detail on the praxis/direct action side of things. I will say that, as I believe the state, its laws, and its enforcers(cops, etc) are illegitimate, I give them no bearing on my behavior (i.e., I disregard laws (I'm not a sovcit though- I understand the consequences)). Similarly, I believe healthcare should be free, so I don't pay my medical bills; I believe food should be free, so 𝚁𝙴𝙳𝙰𝙲𝚃𝙴𝙳; and so on, though those are more egoist examples.

A few interpersonal examples that come to mind:

As a therapist, the first thing I always do with a new minor client is clarify that they absolutely do not have to participate. I also discuss involuntary committal with new clients, and seek their consent ahead of time to make that decision for them should it come to it, and if they decline then that's that as far as I'm concerned.

I practice relationship anarchy, so I place no restrictions on my partner, and our resources are pooled.

I even avoid exerting authority/power over non-human animals if I can avoid it, including our cat and even insects and such- basically I don't touch them unless they come to me, and I also follow a vegan lifestyle.

[–] Nednarb44@lemmy.world 4 points 1 month ago

Cheers! I appreciate the response. Given the examples, it makes a lot more sense

[–] glowinfly@lemmy.dbzer0.com 3 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Sorry if its a dumb question, but if its to compare to another political spectrum in regards to what it can do to more peoppe, wouldn't it be better to compare with social democracy? Finland is social democrat, people has affordable healthcare etc (except mental health access - not impossible but harder than anything else), they tax the rich, rich committing crimes punishable by fines get a way bigger fine compared to the middle class. Do you mean hierarchy is bad in any case? In regards to technology, I'd be inclined to say people in power are doing a shitty job, but anything else depends subjectively, I find Nordic countries a better reference to compare than countries like USA/Germany/France, you can see people on the happiness index (said by many its more of feeling gratitude and satisfied) many of the countries on top are Nordic countries, they also regulate tech better compared to other countries (for example, Iceland - referring to them as a good example of a country properly regulating tech, its not perfect but its not like the rest of the world isn't setting a really low bar)

[–] TherapyGary@lemmy.blahaj.zone 9 points 1 month ago (1 children)

No such thing as a dumb question!

Money functions as a points system to facilitate class hierarchy, so I don't believe money should exist. Social democracies are still capitalist.

Some people prefer to distinguish "justified" hierarchies, e.g., hierarchies of expertise (like teacher-student type relationships)- i.e., someone being in charge is okay if it's well justified.

Others however, like myself, prefer to focus on the underlying power dynamics. I don't think society or its institutions should ever be granting anyone power over another person

When I look at these countries you mention, rather than seeing efficient and equal distribution of resources, what I see is a lot of unnecessary mediating factors, embedded in an inherently unjust structure- the state itself. The people there may be relatively happy, but they're not free

[–] glowinfly@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 points 1 month ago (1 children)

But it is closer than people living in capitalist countries are, correct? I guess it is sort of a progress at least (if it is, maybe I'm thinking the wrong way?), also do you mean society as a whole as in the whole world to be cashless or countries since it'd be a less radical change, and if so, wouldn't these cashless societies become targets of the rest of the world? I can't seem to think a middle way through to reach to that end goal

[–] TherapyGary@lemmy.blahaj.zone 4 points 1 month ago (1 children)

But it is closer than people living in capitalist countries are, correct?

Closer to anarchism? I don't think so. Closer to everyone's needs being met and having freedom? Yes, I'd say so.

I guess it is sort of a progress at least (if it is, maybe I'm thinking the wrong way?)

It sounds like you're a pragmatist, and that's valid, but most anarchists are considered idealists, which seems to be where the 'disconnect' is (using that term lightly)

also do you mean society as a whole as in the whole world to be cashless or countries since it'd be a less radical change, and if so, wouldn't these cashless societies become targets of the rest of the world?

'Idealists' like myself catch a lot of flak over this exact issue. To me, it's largely a matter of principle, so I think we should do it anyway. I feel strongly that it isn't our responsibility to make sure every base is covered before making revolutionary change.

I believe that hierarchy is bad, so we should get rid of it. Yes, that then makes us a target for new oppressors, but we're only not a target now because we already have oppressors

[–] glowinfly@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Interesting points, very nice to get them from someone's different perspective, thanks.

‘Idealists’ like myself catch a lot of flak over this exact issue. To me, it’s largely a matter of principle, so I think we should do it anyway. I feel strongly that it isn’t our responsibility to make sure every base is covered before making revolutionary change.

I believe that hierarchy is bad, so we should get rid of it. Yes, that then makes us a target for new oppressors, but we’re only not a target now because we already have oppressors

Let's say it was done then, how would it avoid being exploitable by those oppressors?

[–] TherapyGary@lemmy.blahaj.zone 4 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (1 children)

I'd imagine the same and only way we could get there in the first place- mutual aid and violence

Edit: I've been enjoying this thread, so thanks for that! Been a long time since I've gotten this deep into discussing these things, and I like it

[–] glowinfly@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 points 1 month ago (1 children)

So it'd have to be a big revolution in that case or a network of small groups from nearby gathering to a big revolution? Uhm.. I guess with the current mass surveillance and intelligence sharing between agencies would likely stop such thing, unless people were to start using Mesh Networks like I2P considering it'd not be compromised, which if any dev involved on such projects living a country that does it like UK/Australia/NZ/USA would be approached by autorities, not a conspiracy, it happens often and the last time it happened and was publicly shared was with one of the devs of Session (Private E2EE Instant Mess!aging) who then fled to Switzerland. The only chance of intelligence agencies sitting on information about such thing happening and not giving a flying shit would be if it was from within a politically isolated country/extremist oppressive country unless it is capilist then I guess it is what it is. It'd involve so much organized planning which then.. some hierarchy will born even if a decentralized one?

[–] TherapyGary@lemmy.blahaj.zone 5 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (1 children)

I think the most important factor when it comes to that issue is free association and, like you said, decentralization. Ideally we would see coordination rather than hierarchy; no one has to be in charge- there are simply roles that get filled. There are even guides online

It's my understanding that the US military is as capable as they are on the battlefield largely due to the autonomy each individual unit is granted.

This is where things start to get out of my wheelhouse though, but it seems to me that if enough people want this kind of change, we could make it happen by enough individuals simply pitching in

[–] glowinfly@lemmy.dbzer0.com 3 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (1 children)

Wow, thanks for the suggestion, I'll takea read. By the way, when hyperlinking external websites on lemmy, add https:// before the website address so Lemmy knows to redirect to what only is contained within the hyperlink markdown, otherwise it'll hyperlink relative links (e.g. we're on a post so lemmy instance address/post/your relative link, if you were doing it on a community sidebar it'd be on /c/ directory so it'd go to /c/your link - also reminder that redirecting communities from communities sidebar will just double /c/ since it just appends your hyperlink)

In this case: (https://theanarchistlibrary.org/library/andrew-flood-a-practical-guide-to-anarchist-organisation) instead of (theanarchistlibrary.org/library/andrew-flood-a-practical-guide-to-anarchist-organisation)

I didn't know that about the US Military, that is astonishing to know.

[–] TherapyGary@lemmy.blahaj.zone 2 points 1 month ago

The Anarchist Library is awesome- they have so much great content

Ah cool, thanks for the tip!

[–] AnarchoSnowPlow@midwest.social 12 points 1 month ago (1 children)

"All is for all! If the man and the woman bear their fair share of work, they have a right to their fair share of all that is produced by all, and that share is enough to secure them well-being. No more of such vague formulas as "The right to work," or "To each the whole result of his labour." What we proclaim is The Right to Well-Being: Well-Being for All!"

We are capable of producing far more than we as individuals consume with modern technology. It's not a question of capability, it's a question of logistics, a question of messaging, and a question of how much inequity we are willing to accept.

All is for all. It took all of us to get here, everyone deserves a share of the rewards.

[–] glowinfly@lemmy.dbzer0.com 5 points 1 month ago (1 children)

We actually also don't even need to eat meat nowadays, plenty of ways to fill your vitamin needs in a healthier way.. of course, it's not cheap for everyone.

[–] odium@programming.dev 3 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (2 children)

of course, it's not cheap for everyone.

I've only ever seen vegetarian diets be cheaper than meat ones. Are there a significant amount of people/places for whom vegetarian/vegan diets are more expensive?

[–] commie@lemmy.dbzer0.com 3 points 1 month ago (1 children)

some people's lifestyles are dependent on convenience foods.

[–] odium@programming.dev 3 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (1 children)

I spent my last year of college mostly eating cheap, unhealthy, and fast to make foods and most of it was vegetarian.

  • cereal
  • pbj sandwiches
  • ramen
  • breakfast bars
  • Mac and cheese
  • boiled eggs
  • oats
  • put some rice in a rice cooker and then mix it with one of these:
    • stir fry some peanuts and add some spices + lemon
    • stir fry some peanuts and add a tamarind + spice mix
    • pickle. Comes straight from the store in a jar for a variety of fruits and vegetables. Just mix it with rice and eat, no cooking involved except turning on a rice cooker. Lasts forever.
    • make egg fried rice on the rare occasion when you have more time/ are less lazy
[–] commie@lemmy.dbzer0.com 3 points 1 month ago

for $1, my local gas station will serve me two hotdogs. for a hot, convenient source of calories, it's unbeatable.

[–] metaStatic@kbin.earth 1 points 2 weeks ago

meat might be expensive but it's 100% bioavailable so you don't need nearly as much

[–] credo@lemmy.world 11 points 1 month ago

Hey, you guys showed up on “the front page” again. Real sorry about that.

But, hey. IMO, lemmy is anarchism. So there you have it.

[–] homesweethomeMrL@lemmy.world 11 points 1 month ago (1 children)

No.

Unless this is the anarchism communi- . . it is?

Yes.

[–] TokenBoomer@lemmy.world 4 points 1 month ago

I agree, I think.

[–] Alwaysnownevernotme@lemmy.world 8 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (1 children)

Well let's see. The concept of the state Is roughly 3,000 years old, and humanity is roughly 300,000 years old so.

But implementing it on any sort of scale alongside nuclear extractionist states would be pretty tricky. At the very least they would start dumping their waste into these zones if not openly land grabbing and hunting anarchists for sport.

[–] glowinfly@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Finland gave away land to Russia to keep peace and they never asked for it back, Sweden could still be an empire but it isn't, they're not nuclead states but they are not 3rd world country either, in fact, their political crisis seem like a joke when you compare to how the rest of the world is when they are in the midst of a political crisis I think Nordic countries are a lot better to debate when it comes to this than what UK, Portugal, US, Germany, France, Russia, China has been doing for pretty long or used to, they definitely set the bar really low so every argument against state seem even enraging, rightfully

I could just being biased so don't take it any of my say as a good point, I just want to discuss in regards to it, you do have good points

[–] Alwaysnownevernotme@lemmy.world 1 points 1 month ago (1 children)

While this is true, homogeneous culture combined with comparatively harsh conditions throughout Scandinavia along with the typical standing armies that would be difficult to maintain under an anarchic coalition or syndicate certainly play a role. I think the world has a lot to learn from the Nordic models, but am skeptical about their long-term viability as American hegemony sunsets.

[–] glowinfly@lemmy.dbzer0.com 1 points 1 month ago

Well, Finland isn't scandinavian though, but I do get your point. However, they do benefit from some worries to lessen so they can focus in other priorities, not justifying it but there is a silver lining, I agree once they should become more independent would somehow be better but it's not like they ain't countries who has a dark past of going through wars because of the SS and Soviet Union, Nordic and Balkan countries share that in common hence why I hardly think they'll become more independent unless it's to "replace" with European hegemony if Europe stops relying on USA. Finland, for example, was politically neutral for decades til recently now increasing their reliance on the USA just as the rest of Europe, wars really postpone the ability of a large sum of countries ability on becoming more independent. A world withour war? I wish, but that'll stay a wishful thought. List of wars since World War Ii:

[–] josefo@leminal.space 7 points 1 month ago

There are plenty of anarchist communities working in real life, so, yeah, it's viable. You can join an anarchist collective, or even start your own. These collectives are the reason life under capitalism is viable in a lot of countries. These collectives exists right now in your city, helping each other and the poor. You don't need permission from the oppressor to be an anarchist, just do it, stop subjugating yourself to the oppression, stop accepting it, normalizing it, and build the life you want with others. As others pointed out, anarchy is inside you first, it's not an external system, you decide to stop participating in violence. Anarchists then, tend to find each other and form communities. Be part of one, experience human life as it should, and become ungovernable.

[–] L0rdMathias@sh.itjust.works 6 points 1 month ago (2 children)

Not if you take the traditional definition no. All natural life tends towards organization of some kind, which implies that organization is a consequence of life until proven otherwise.

If you take a more modern definition of anarchy where you mean decentralized rules, then I could imagine a situation in which it occurs. Though it's a far stretch to say that replacing a ruler with rules inherently solves the issue of power imbalance. Wether I am playing the game against an intelligent being or a logical system is irrelevant if the rules are unfair.

[–] josefo@leminal.space 3 points 1 month ago

[citation needed]

[–] ulterno@programming.dev 1 points 1 month ago

Having rules, means we need to be sure everyone follows it. And having a condition in which everyone wants to and strives to follow it, is also something utopian.

So even if the rules turn out to be desirable, a deterrent would be required. Now of course, for the thoughtful, the deterrent would be the possibility of losing long term stability, but for those who only think of immediate gains, you either have to band up (which eventually causes formation of communities and states) or they band up (= bandits) and eventually become kings (the problematic kind).

And then these things come into play:
Cooperation game Pretty good linking of thoughts by Veritasion

Then comes the most important point (or at least what I consider so). Technological progress. Science is very much viable in Anarchy, with most scientist-scientist interactions not really requiring a state in the first place. You just need an incentive structure that is good enough to make maintenance (including prevention of loss of knowledge) and further improvements, a desirable endeavour. And science can take a lot of resources, while not showing any return for a long time.
Depending upon the case, this might incite frustration in those, investing in it for those working on it.
And stagnation is not a possibility. Any attempts at that will just cause a slow downfall.

[–] VerticaGG@lemmy.blahaj.zone 6 points 1 month ago

https://www.reddit.com/r/Anarchism/comments/jp3q4p/comment/gbesw1p/

About preventing crime, the short version is that it starts in the home.

Much violent crime can be traced back to cultural factors. Violent crime, such as murder, would probably decrease dramatically in an anarchist society because most of its causes — poverty, televised glorification of violence, prisons and police, warfare, sexism, and the normalization of individualistic and anti-social behaviors — would disappear or decrease.

The differences between two Zapotec communities illustrates that peace is a choice. The Zapotec are a sedentary agrarian indigenous nation living on land that is now claimed by the state of Mexico. One Zapotec community, La Paz, has a yearly homicide rate of 3.4/100,000. A neighboring Zapotec community has the much higher homicide rate of 18.1/100,000. What social attributes go along with the more peaceful way of life? Unlike their more violent neighbors, the La Paz Zapotec do not beat children; accordingly, children see less violence and use less violence in their play. Similarly, wife-beating is rare and not considered acceptable; women are considered equal to men, and enjoy an autonomous economic activity that is important to the life of the community so they are not dependent on men. Regarding child-rearing, the implications of this particular comparison are corroborated by at least one cross-cultural study on socialization, which found that warm, affectionate socialization techniques correlate with low levels of conflict in society.

https://theanarchistlibrary.org/library/peter-gelderloos-anarchy-works#toc42

As for the re-emergence of hierarchies, I think that the notion of anarchism is essentially 'checks and balances' turned up to 11. You get to a society that's an ecosystem of fluid social relationships, and an anti-authoritarian culture which makes it impossible in a million ways for anyone to accumulate power. If we could get there, I think it would be more robust than current liberal democracy, where the branches of government can cooperate and you need buy-in from less people to enable power to be accumulated.

IMO, good anarchist praxis is to 1) encourage and popularize anti-authoritarian parenting methods and 2) build strong community groups and mutual aid networks.

In the now, I believe in Mutualism and Solidarity Economies as a means for preserving liberty and keeping one another safe.

[–] electric_nan@lemmy.ml 4 points 1 month ago

My heart says anarchy and my brain says communism. I can't live without either, so you can't make me choose. I'll maintain a materialist outlook and continue to act accordingly.

[–] merde@sh.itjust.works 2 points 1 month ago (1 children)

too disillusioned to even talk about it. I think it would be condescending of me to believe that masses that vote for asses deserve anything else.

[–] glowinfly@lemmy.dbzer0.com 0 points 1 month ago

Nordic countries seem to have been voting for more competent politicians than the rest of the world, at least. They ain't perfect but it's not like every other country hasn't set a low bar to beat it.

[–] GuyDudeman@lemmy.world -1 points 1 month ago

Yes. Next question, please.