On this page, there are links to interesting texts, dealing with topics similar to this page: anarchist societies and ways to get there.
2009
Keywords: Conflicts, Organization, Transformative Support, Community Accountability
How can conflicts be resolved in anarchist projects or anarchist societies if there are to be no hierarchical power structures, i.e. no military and no police? How does a group that has given itself free agreements deal with behavior that runs counter to these agreements? This text uses the example of conflicts in the field of intimate violence to show what such conflict resolution might look like. We won't just need other forms of organization but also other values and thought patterns.
Another good source on community accountability is this podcast with the friendly butch anarchist.
That the only way stuff is really going to get any different is to call each other on shit and then learn how to do it better the next time around.
The criminal injustice apparatus, which systematically targets and brutalizes communities of color, radical and queer communities and immigrants, is not the first place many of us think to call when we are under attack.
Look at the power dynamics. Gender difference is obviously not the only factor that causes power imbalances in a relationship.
Inter Transformative Support team communication can be tricky. Beware of butting heads, and playing out the conflict yourselves.
Ilan Shalif, 2007
Keywords: Anarchy, Organization
A pleasant to read "serial novel" that describes in great detail what life in a libertarian-communist (or anarchist) world might be like. Everything is covered: From the personal life of Ri and Ti, to the federal system, the information system, the organization of work, the distribution of products, measures taken when free agreements are violated, the education of children, youth and adults, and overcoming the greenhouse effect, to the course of the revolution 50 years ago and the anniversary celebrations. This text does not intend to be a manual, but answers many "can this be possible?" questions, makes anarchy pictorially imaginable and tangible, and encourages further thought and experimentation.
He immediately met with the interpersonal committee of the grassroots community to decide on what was to be done.
Every grassroot community assembly could put a subject on the agenda of its district assembly of delegates. Every district assembly of delegates could put a subject on the agenda of any higher level assembly of delegates.
The uprising that turned a successful revolution was in response to the failure of the capitalist system to deal with the catastrophic results of the weather system going out of control.
p.m., 1983
Keywords: Utopia, Organization, Science Fiction
An anarchist draft from the beginning of the 80s, which, in addition to a description of the catastrophic conditions of the current capitalist system and the need for change, describes a detailed version of an anarchist society. In addition to human coexistence and the possibility of co-existence of different lifestyles, linguistic, urban planning, and economic issues are thought through.
bolo’bolo is also a modest proposal for the new arrangements on the spaceship after the Machine’s disappearance.
The Work Machine has a planetary character, so a successful bolo’bolo strategy must also be planetary from the outset.
Since people aren’t working for a marketplace, and only secondarily for exchange, there is no longer any distinction between crafts/arts, vocation/job, working time/free time, inclination/economic necessity (with the exception of some basic maintenance work).
Ursula K. Le Guin, 1974
Keywords: Utopia, Science Fiction
Maybe the most recommended anarchist science fiction. The character Shevek and the home planet of Anarres became part of anarchist culture. The described utopia is both inspiration and a warning of rigid and authoritarian structures.
You cannot buy the revolution. You cannot make the revolution. You can only be the revolution. It is in your spirit, or it is nowhere.
To make a thief, make an owner; to create crime, create laws.
Nothing is yours. It is to use. It is to share. If you will not share it, you cannot use it.
Marie Goldsmith, 1919
Keywords: Economics, History, Anarchism
One of my favorite texts on anarchist economics. Especially part 3 is a very good and concise description of what we could aim for. Of course, after more than 100 years, our situation is a bit different and we have other tools at hand, but the anarchist principles are still valid.
Individuals or organisations will draw from these stocks as they need them, and, in case of insufficient quantities, after an agreement with other consumers and interested organisations.
To give to each proportionally to their work is, if you wish, a fair principle; but it is a lower type of justice, like the idea of rewarding merit or punishing vice.
We reject therefore the idea itself of a wage; we dissociate the two issues of production and of consumption, leaving between them only the link which results from the fact that the total quantity of produced goods must be indexed on the consumption needs.