Date: Wed, 5 Jan 2000 20:27:57 +0000
From: Erik <anarchie-AT-buelinckx.net>
Subject: Re: So What the Hell is "Left Anarchy"?


At 23:40 -0500 04-01-2000, Chuck0 wrote:
...>
>I know that American anarchists have been interested in some time in
>getting beyond the simple left-right spectrum. I've seen a variety of
>diagrams which show alternative ideology graphing techniques.
>
>In the U.S., most people equate the Left with the Democratic Party. But
>that is useless for our discussion. I would characterize the "Left" as
>socialists, communists, Marxists, progressives, etc. of various stripes.
>I think at its most basic, the Left is anti-capitalist. Anarchism is
>anti-statist AND anti-capitalist (for the most part), so this twists the
>spectrum quite a bit.
>
>I think the best part of Anarchy magazine's examination of this topic
>can be found in Lawrence Jarach's article, especially the section where
>he talks about "characterisitics and definitions." He talks about how
>the Left has perverted the idea of "direct action" so that it has come
>to mean "any angry confrontation with the state, rather than the
>traditional anarchist definition: ignoring the state."
>
>He writes that typical Left activism such as "registering public
>dissatisfaction with government policies (by marching, demonstrating,
>fighting cops, destroying property, expropriating banks, liberating
>prisoners, assassinating political/industrial leaders) is agitation and
>propaganda, not direct action.
>
>Does this help?
>


yes, thanks.

i would also like to note that i still think it is important for anarchists
to keep in touch with the authoritarian left for two reasons:

- to have a good laugh
- to let people know that there are much better alternatives than marxism
(in all its forms) for the capitalist mess we are in

Don't spoil any energy in discussing too much with them, but talk to the
younger ones who are drawn in because they think that's the real thing.

Like we can make fun of RATM, but since they appeal so much to young kids
why not use them as an hook to talk about anarchism as action and fun (or
is this what you intend with the -AT--youth thing you talked about some time
ago). The only thing to keep in mind is that although you may think you are
still young and openminded, for those kids under 20 you -- over 30 -- are
probably an old fart ;-)

And the make a link with AJODA, aren't they even more disconnected with the
youth. The fact that Zerzan is used in the media is not because he's
popular among the young anarchists (he may be), but because the media love
to use icons and he's a good one (it must really be funny for him as
abolisher of "signs").

Erik