Anarchism is by far the least broadly understood ideology and the least studied academically. Though highly influential, both historically and in terms of recent social movements, anarchism is regularly dismissed. Anarchism: A Conceptual Approach is a welcome addition to this growing field, which is widely debated but poorly understood.
Occupying a distinctive position in the study of anarchist ideology, this volume - authored by a handpicked group of established and rising scholars - investigates how anarchists often seek to sharpen their message and struggle to determine what ideas and actions are central to their identity. Moving beyond defining anarchism as simply an ideology or political theory, this book examines the meanings of its key concepts, which have been divided into three categories: Core, Adjacent, and Peripheral concepts. Each chapter focuses on one important concept, shows how anarchists have understood the concept, and highlights its relationships to other concepts.
Although anarchism is often thought of as a political topic, the interdisciplinary nature of Anarchism: A Conceptual Approach makes it of interest to students and scholars across the social sciences, liberal arts, and the humanities.
Author(s): Benjamin Franks; Nathan Jun; Leonard Williams
Publisher: Routledge
Year: 2018
Language: English
Pages: xii+242
Cover
Half Title
Title Page
Copyright Page
Table of Contents
List of tables
List of contributors
Acknowledgements
Introduction
Two Modes of Decontestation
A Morphology of Anarchism
Conclusions
Notes
References
PART 1:
Core Concepts
1. Anti-Hierarchy
Authority
The State
Capital
Domination and Power
Organizing
References
2. Prefiguration
Introduction
Origins
Prevalence
Clarifying Prefiguration
Unified Practice-based Prefiguration
Further Criticisms of Prefigurative (Anti-)Politics
Conclusion
Notes
References
3. Freedom
The Concept of Freedom
Freedom as an Anarchist Concept
Conclusion
Notes
References
4. Agency
Political Agency
Anarchism, Agency, and the Encounter with Marx(ism)
Beyond Marxism and Anarchism
Concluding Remarks
Notes
References
5. Direct Action
Introduction
Conceptualising Direct Action
An Examination of What Is Human
Worker’s Councils, Unions, and Revolutionary Action Models
Green Anarchy or the Science of the Whole
Poetry as a Space of Direct Action
Notes
References
6. Revolution
Revolution vs. Reform
Social vs. Political Revolution
Recontesting Revolution
References
PART 2:
Adjacent Concepts
7. Horizontalism
Horizontalism
Anarchism and Horizontalism
Conclusion
Notes
References
8. Organisation
Introduction
The Ideological and Social Context: Locke and Rousseau
Associationism: Fraternity Does Not Stop at the Workplace Door
Anarchist Organisation: Laying the Foundations
Anarchist Organisation: Principles and Practice
Conclusion
Notes
References
9. Micropolitics
Practices and Theories of Micropolitical Power
Micropolitical Practice as Anarchist Praxis
Representation and the Micro/Macro Relationship
Micropolitics or Lifestylism?
Notes
References
10. Economy
Defining and Critiquing Capitalism
Post-Capitalism
Mutualism
Collectivism
Communist Anarchism
Bread
Notes
References
PART 3:
Peripheral Concepts
11. Intersectionality
Universal Freedom in Classical Anarchism
Beyond Universals: Post-Anarchism
Black Feminism and Intersectionality in Contemporary Anarchism
Queer Theory, Anti-Colonialism, and Contemporary Anarchism
Conclusion: Towards a More Inclusive, Interlocking Anarchist Vision of Freedom
Notes
References
12. Reform
Identities
Practices
Marriage Equality
Incarceration
Militant Reformism?
Conclusions
References
13. Work
Introduction
Context for the Critical Investigation of the Concept of “Work”
Anarchist Critique of Work
Anarchist Vision of Work
The Future of Work
Notes
References
14. DIY
An Episodic History of DIY Anarchist Cultural Forms
Key Characteristics of DIY Anarchism
Conclusion
Note
References
15. Ecocentrism
Eco-Anarchism: A Brief Introduction
Introduction to Green Anarchism
Complicating Anarchism: Questions about Technology, Industrialism, and Sustainability Moving Forward
Concluding Remarks
Notes
References
Index
