From: "Richard Singer" <chardsinger-AT-lycos.com>
Date: Tue, 14 Dec 2004 07:01:41 -0500
Subject: Re: AUT: Tariq Ali: change the world by taking power


I haven't really been able to make time to get involved in the
discussions on this list lately, so I don't know exactly where this
thread started.  But I feel a bit compelled to comment here...

Chuck0 <chuck-AT-mutualaid.org> wrote:

> All of my anarchist friends are extremely friendly towards 
> libertarian Marxists and socialists. We will, of course, 
> articulate our anarchist ideas and opinions, but we recognize our 
> libertarian leftist comrades as kinfolk. Hell, even the magazine 
> I help publish these days, Practical Anarchy, has one autonomist 
> Marxist in our editorial collective.

I think he probably means me (correct me if I'm wrong).   I guess
I'm probably a libertarian Marxist more generally; I don't know if
I really know enough about the intricacies of autonomist Marxism
(especially not compared to some people on this list) to narrow the
label down to "autonomist Marxist" specifically.

But in all fairness, Chuck knows me from back when I was happy to
call myself an anarchist.  We've known each other, especially
online, since several years before the Battle in Seattle.  Back
then I was obnoxiously pushing the relatively obscure idea of
anarchism on mostly Marxist lists.

Since then, I've gravitated more toward Marxism myself because I've
read a lot more Marx and Marxists at the same time that I've become
disillusioned with anarchism as we know it.  So, unfortunately,
I'm not so eager to defend the anarchist scene or tradition against
its detractors.  Although, then again, I probably would still be
considered an anarchist in many circles, and I don't care if people
call me one.  Do these labels really mean that much?  My experience
is that, especially in the present social context, the label of
anarchist versus, say, socialist isn't going to tell you much about
how people or groups will behave (for instance, how authoritarian
they will ultimately be, or not).

But is there jealousy about the attention that anarchists are
getting?  If so, I think the problem is that too many people
are seeking attention in the first place.  The celebrity conferred
by the media spotlight seems awfully tempting to a lot of people
who supposedly oppose both the capitalist system and hierarchy.

> > Chavez isn't another pathetic caudillo. He's won elections, and 
> a > heavily funded recall campaign sponsored by the Venezuelan 
> elite > in partnership with Washington. He enjoys broad popular 
> support, > and there's little repressive about his government.
>
> Give him time. History shows that leftist rulers eventually turn 
> into brutal thugs. Chavez might be popular and a bulwark against 
> the right in Latin America, but he isn't the answer.

I've got to disagree with Chuck here; no need to make this kind of
generalization.  And no need to think that anarchists don't have
the brutal thug potential either.  (I'm sure we can pick characters
and moments from history to prove that point too.)

I've read/heard that Chavez is connected to a substantial people's
movement.  The focus should  be on the movement and not simply on
the leader.  I've got to learn more about this, but my impression
is that it's all generally a good thing.

> > We're now coming on the 11th anniversary of the emergence of 
> the > Zapatistas. What have they really accomplished, aside from 
> making > a nice media splash? They haven't taken power, but they 
> haven't > really changed the world very much either. They've 
> barely changed > Mexico, in fact. I wish it weren't true, but I 
> doubt you can > change the world without taking power.
>
> For somebody who knows alot about the anti-globalization 
> movement, this comment is awfully provocative in an ignorant way. 
> The Zapatistas accomplished much, not just for themselves, but 
> they also inspired millions around the planet.

What I'm wondering about is what Marcos' first novel (now in the
works) will be like.  Hopefully, his co-author and editor will both
help to trim down the flowery writing style.


Richard

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