quotations about anarchy & anarchism
Whoever they elect, we are still #ungovernable
REWYLDSTL
Twitter post, March 8, 2016
Socialism is the preparation for that higher Anarchism; painfully, laboriously we mean to destroy false ideas of property and self, eliminate unjust laws and poisonous and hateful suggestions and prejudices, create a system of social right-dealing and a tradition of right-feeling and action. Socialism is the schoolroom of true and noble Anarchism, wherein by training and restraint we shall make free men.
H. G. WELLS
New Worlds for Old
I die, as I have lived, a free spirit, an Anarchist, owing no allegiance to rulers, heavenly or earthly
VOLTAIRINE DE CLEYRE
Exquisite Rebel
Whenever public protests ignite into violent behaviour, the mainstream media are often quick to refer to "anarchy" and to "anarchists". Those who are referred to as anarchists are protesters who burn tires or engage in battles with the police. In this narrative, anarchists are lawless hooligans and anarchy is about chaos and pointless violence ... but the equation of chaos and violence with anarchism is about as productive as the equation of circles with squares. It is a crude and bizarre misrepresentation.
ANDREAS WITTEL
"What is anarchism all about?", The Conversation, November 10, 2015
Far removed from the general presentation of anarchy is anarchism, a political philosophy rich in intellectual and theoretical tradition ... a political theory holding all forms of governmental authority to be unnecessary and undesirable and advocating a society based on voluntary cooperation and free association of individuals and groups. Even from within the dominant paradigm, we see a wide range of divergence between anarchism, which is presented strictly as an idea, and anarchy, which is presented as the real and absolute consequence (though hypothetical) of transforming this idea to praxis. Juxtaposing these terms, injecting historical perspective to their meaning, and realizing the differences between their usage within the modern lexicon and their philosophical substance should be a worthy endeavor, especially for anyone who feels that future attempts at shaping a more just society will be fueled by ideas, both from the past and present.
COLIN JENKINS
"Juxtaposing Anarchy: From Chaos to Cause", Dissident Voice, May 6, 2015
Anarchism, then, really stands for the liberation of the human mind from the dominion of religion; the liberation of the human body from the dominion of property; liberation from the shackles and restraint of government. Anarchism stands for a social order based on the free grouping of individuals for the purpose of producing real social wealth; an order that will guarantee to every human being free access to the earth and full enjoyment of the necessities of life, according to individual desires, tastes, and inclinations.
EMMA GOLDMAN
Anarchism and Other Essays
The anti-authoritarian tendencies of anarchism are understandably attractive in a world that is overwhelmingly authoritative, intensely conformist, and socially restrictive. The conservative nature of American culture, which is notorious for repressing attitudes and beliefs that form outside of the dominant "white, Judeo-Christian" standard, begs for the existence of a thriving subculture that is based on rebellion, if only as an avenue of personal liberation and expression.
COLIN JENKINS
"Juxtaposing Anarchy: From Chaos to Cause", Dissident Voice, May 6, 2015
#Anarchism is so damn necessary to wake people up out of this robotic state
JOJO
Twitter post, February 27, 2016
The only way to truly live and be alive is to own and rule over yourself #BornFree #Anarchism
BLOODED THE BRAVE
Twitter post, February 28, 2016
For the anarchist himself, whether he preaches or practices his doctrines, we need not have one particle more concern than for any ordinary murderer. He is not the victim of social or political injustice. There are no wrongs to remedy in his case. The cause of his criminality is to be found in his own evil passions and in the evil conduct of those who urge him on, not in any failure by others or by the State to do justice to him or his. He is a malefactor and nothing else. He is in no sense, in no shape or way, a "product of social conditions," save as a highwayman is "produced" by the fact than an unarmed man happens to have a purse.
THEODORE ROOSEVELT
State of the Union Address, December 3, 1901