Commies have always done this kind of thing, but it’s long been a core of Anarchist thought - Small affinity groups, ad hoc organizing, mutual aid networks within the decaying corpse of the state.

I’m not talking about nihilistic ecofash crap like “Desert” or whatever, but rather how to work in these small, nimble, and responsive groups and organizations. I think that as global warming rips nation states apart and capitalism continues to fuck everything this kind of organizing is going to be very important. There may not be an industrial proletariat to organize by mid century if global warming puts enough pressure on the world to cause widespread logistical and economic collapse.

I think that’s likely enough to merit serious consideration, including working out what communist organizing would look like, and how it would work, in a post free-trade, post-international just in time logistics world.

There’s that old story where an old man is walking down the beach after a storm. The storm has washed up thousands of starfish who are stranded now. The man sees a little girl throwing starfish back in to the ocean. He says “Why are you bothering, you can’t save all of them.” and without looking up the girl says “I can save this one” and hucks another starfish in to the surf. The man thinks about that for a second and then joins the girl in hurling starfish.

As global warming continues to worsen, as the neoliberal state continues to auto-cannibalize, all these disasters are going to add up. Things that are destroyed won’t be repaired. There will be knock-on effects as the collapse of infrastructure in one region accelerates the collapse in surrounding regions. Flexible, relatively small scale organizing groups doing on the ground relief, repairs, or even outright replacing infrastructure will likely be vital for the survival of many communities.

A lot of us are already involved in projects like this in one way or another. Pooling theory, personal experiences, and other resources to apply our dialectical magic to the problem can only make us stronger.

  • roux [he/him, they/them]@hexbear.net
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    1 month ago

    I honestly absolutely agree that comrades should read anarchy theory. I think it’s our due diligence to at least know and understand what fellow comrades understand regarding their interpretation of socialism. We don’t have to agree with each other 100% but I think it can go a long way with stuff like organizing like your Helene example. And if there is something I’ve become acutely aware of, it’s that anarchists are really fucking good at setting up mutual aid programs in stages of crises. I could have only wished my DSA chapter had had that ability when it was active, and if I ever get around to trying to start a PSL chapter where I am at, I want it to be a focus. Also from limited experience, if you just show up and help, the anarchist like that lol.

    Books to read:

    • Are You an Anarchist by Daniel Guerin
    • An Anarchist Programme by Errico Malatesta
    • Anarchy by Errico Malatesta**
    • Anarchy Works by Peter Gelderloos
    • Anarchy and other Essays by Emma Goldmann**
    • Conquest of Bread by Peter Kropotkin**
    • Mutual Aid by Peter Kropotkin**
    • Anarcho-Syndicalism by Rudolf Rocker++

    And Michael Bakunin but I haven’t gotten around to even organizing his works yet into a reading list so can’t really recommend yet. I am planning wrapping up this chunk of reading with him though.

    ** I haven’t read these yet but am working

    ++ currently reading

    • tombruzzo [none/use name]@hexbear.net
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      1 month ago

      Plus one on Conquest of Bread. I’ve read it and it’s up there with the Manifesto for me. It’s a short read that really gets into the details of how anarcho communism would look.

      It’s a practical book that shows what anarchy is, not just do as thou will and abolishing bedtime

      • roux [he/him, they/them]@hexbear.net
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        1 month ago

        I’ve been meaning to get to Conquest of Bread for like a year but keep getting side tracked. So this is gonna be one of my next books while I’m in this particular theme.

    • tombruzzo [none/use name]@hexbear.net
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      1 month ago

      Also I’ll add Now and After: The ABC of Communist Anarchism By Alexander Berkman.

      It’s a good introductory read but felt a bit too simple for me after Conquest. Look around and you can pick it up for free

      • roux [he/him, they/them]@hexbear.net
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        1 month ago

        Are You an Anarchist is also a bit simple but I thought it was an ok one to start with. It’s super easy and touches on just enough that you will know if going further in the theory is something you might want to do. I don’t mean to knock it but it felt aimed towards angsty teens lol.

        I’m gonna grab Now and After and add it to my library.

    • ghost_of_faso2@lemmygrad.ml
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      1 month ago

      And Michael Bakunin but I haven’t gotten around to even organizing his works yet into a reading list so can’t really recommend yet. I am planning wrapping up this chunk of reading with him though.

      Bakunin sucks, dont fall for him.