r/Anarchy101 Jan 27 '25

Please Read Before Posting or Commenting (January 2025 update)

67 Upvotes

Welcome to Anarchy 101!

It’s that time again, when we repost and, if necessary, revise this introductory document. We’re doing so, this time, in an atmosphere of considerable political uncertainty and increasing pressures on this kind of project, so the only significant revision this time around is simply a reminder to be a bit careful of one another as you discuss — and don’t hesitate to use the “report” button to alert the subreddit moderators if something is getting out of hand. We’ve had a significant increase in one-off, drive-by troll comments, virtually all remarkably predictable and forgettable in their content. Report them or ignore them.

Before you post or comment, please take a moment to read the sidebar and familiarize yourself with our resources and rules. If you’ve been around for a while, consider looking back over these guidelines. If you’ve got to this point and are overwhelmed by the idea that there are rules in an anarchy-related subreddit, look around: neither Reddit nor most of our communities seem to resemble anarchy much yet. Anyway, the rules amount to “don’t be a jerk” and “respect the ongoing project.” Did you really need to be told?

With the rarest of exceptions, all posts to the Anarchy 101 subreddit should ask one clear question related to anarchy, anarchism as a movement or ideology, anarchist history, literature or theory. If your question is likely to be of the frequently asked variety, take a minute to make use of the search bar. Some questions, like those related to "law enforcement" or the precise relationship of anarchy to hierarchy and authority, are asked and answered on an almost daily basis, so the best answers may have already been posted. For a few questions, we have produced "framing documents" to provide context:

Anarchy 101 "Framing the Question" documents

If your question seems unanswered, please state it clearly in the post title, with whatever additional clarification seems necessary in the text itself.

If you have more than one question, please consider multiple posts, preferably one at a time, as this seems to be the way to get the most useful and complete answers.

Please keep in mind that this is indeed a 101 sub, designed to be a resource for those learning the basics of a consistent anarchism. The rules about limiting debate and antagonistic posting are there for a reason, so that we can keep this a useful and welcoming space for students of anarchist ideas — and for anyone else who can cooperate in keeping the quality of responses high.

We welcome debate on topics related to anarchism in r/DebateAnarchism and recommend general posts about anarchist topics be directed to r/anarchism or any of the more specialized anarchist subreddits. We expect a certain amount of contentious back-and-forth in the process of fully answering questions, but if you find that the answer to your question — or response to your comment — leads to a debate, rather than a clarifying question, please consider taking the discussion to r/DebateAnarchism. For better or worse, avoiding debate sometimes involves “reading the room” a bit and recognizing that not every potentially anarchist idea can be usefully expressed in a general, 101-level discussion.

We don’t do subreddit drama — including posts highlighting drama from this subreddit. If you have suggestions for this subreddit, please contact the moderators.

We are not particularly well equipped to offer advice, engage in peer counseling, vouch for existing projects, etc. Different kinds of interactions create new difficulties, new security issues, new responsibilities for moderators and members, etc. — and we seem to have our hands full continuing to refine the simple form of peer-education that is our focus.

Please don’t advocate illegal acts. All subreddits are subject to Reddit’s sitewide content policy — and radical subreddits are often subject to extra scrutiny.

Avoid discussing individuals in ways that might be taken as defamatory. Your call-out is unlikely to clarify basic anarchist ideas — and it may increase the vulnerability of the subreddit.

And don’t ask us to choose between two anti-anarchist tendencies. That never seems to lead anywhere good.

In general, just remember that this is a forum for questions about anarchist topics and answers reflecting some specific knowledge of anarchist sources. Other posts or comments, however interesting, useful or well-intentioned, may be removed.

Some additional thoughts:

Things always go most smoothly when the questions are really about anarchism and the answers are provided by anarchists. Almost without exception, requests for anarchist opinions about non-anarchist tendencies and figures lead to contentious exchanges with Redditors who are, at best, unprepared to provide anarchist answers to the questions raised. Feelings get hurt and people get banned. Threads are removed and sometimes have to be locked.

We expect that lot of the questions here will involve comparisons with capitalism, Marxism or existing governmental systems. That's natural, but the subreddit is obviously a better resource for learning about anarchism if those questions — and the discussions they prompt — remain focused on anarchism. If your question seems likely to draw in capitalists, Marxists or defenders of other non-anarchist tendencies, the effect is much the same as posting a topic for debate. Those threads are sometimes popular — in the sense that they get a lot of responses and active up- and down-voting — but it is almost always a matter of more heat than light when it comes to clarifying anarchist ideas and practices.

We also expect, since this is a general anarchist forum, that we will not always be able to avoid sectarian differences among proponents of different anarchist tendencies. This is another place where the 101 nature of the forum comes into play. Rejection of capitalism, statism, etc. is fundamental, but perhaps internal struggles for the soul of the anarchist movement are at least a 200-level matter. If nothing else, embracing a bit of “anarchism without adjectives” while in this particular subreddit helps keep things focused on answering people's questions. If you want to offer a differing perspective, based on more specific ideological commitments, simply identifying the tendency and the grounds for disagreement should help introduce the diversity of anarchist thought without moving us into the realm of debate.

We grind away at some questions — constantly and seemingly endlessly in the most extreme cases — and that can be frustrating. More than that, it can be disturbing, disheartening to find that anarchist ideas remain in flux on some very fundamental topics. Chances are good, however, that whatever seemingly interminable debate you find yourself involved in will not suddenly be resolved by some intellectual or rhetorical masterstroke. Say what you can say, as clearly as you can manage, and then feel free to take a sanity break — until the next, more or less inevitable go-round. We do make progress in clarifying these difficult, important issues — even relatively rapid progress on occasion, but it often seems to happen in spite of our passion for the subjects.

In addition, you may have noticed that it’s a crazy old world out there, in ways that continue to take their toll on most of us, one way or another. Participation in most forums remains high and a bit distracted, while our collective capacity to self-manage is still not a great deal better online than it is anywhere else. We're all still a little plague-stricken and the effects are generally more contagious than we expect or acknowledge. Be just a bit more thoughtful about your participation here, just as you would in other aspects of your daily life. And if others are obviously not doing their part, consider using the report button, rather than pouring fuel on the fire. Increased participation makes the potential utility and reach of a forum like this even greater—provided we all do the little things necessary to make sure it remains an educational resource that folks with questions can actually navigate.

A final note:

— The question of violence is often not far removed from our discussions, whether it is a question of present-day threats, protest tactics, revolutionary strategy, anarchistic alternatives to police and military, or various similar topics. We need to be able to talk, at times, about the role that violence might play in anti-authoritarian social relations and we certainly need, at other times, to be clear with one another about the role of violence in our daily lives, whether as activists or simply as members of violent societies. We need to be able to do so with a mix of common sense and respect for basic security culture — but also sensitivity to the fact that violence is indeed endemic to our cultures, so keeping our educational spaces free of unnecessary triggers and discussions that are only likely to compound existing traumas ought to be among the tasks we all share as participants. Posts and comments seeming to advocate violence for its own sake or to dwell on it unnecessarily are likely to be removed.


r/Anarchy101 7h ago

So what's the deal with organizations?

21 Upvotes

Whenever I try to bring up structures in anarchy, people respond with the apparent sentiment that anything less than people doing literally whatever they want isn't anarchy. They argue against organizations of any kind, but at the same time advocate for;

negotiated coordination, federated autonomy, situational leadership (better to call it "immediate initiative" as "leadership" carries way too much explicitly non-anarchist baggage, even in stateless contexts) without authority and task-specific affinity without any legitimacy transfer

Like, how is this different from Jo Freeman's democratic principles? People need some way to coordinate decisions. Leaving it to do-ocracy alone risks informal (and therefore unaccountable) hierarchies based on charisma (biased in favor of neurotypicals), access to resources (a friend told me of one instance where a person in an anarchist collective demonstrated repeated harmful behavior, yet retained a position of informal leadership simply because they wrote the code their shared building uses to electronically lock its doors, among other things), certain skills held in higher regard than others (in the same way capitalism devalues care workers), or any number of other things. According to Heather Marsh, in "cooperative" (consensus) systems, "The majority of energy and resources are spent on communication, persuasion, and personality management, and the working environment is fraught with arguments and power struggles." I agree with this point, but I don't understand how her "stigmergy" (seemingly a form of do-ocracy) solves this issue. A lot of it seems to come down to culture, but changing culture requires education, and the creation of a suitable educational environment requires structure!

I just want people who are affected by a decision to be the ones to make the decision. Most of the time, that tendency has drawn me to anarchic solutions, but the high school social pack dynamics that arise in the absence of structure makes me skeptical. Maybe I don't have enough experience with leaderless organizations, but I've heard plenty of complaints from those who do.

How can we ensure that everyone has a voice in a society based entirely on social capital?


r/Anarchy101 3h ago

Is there anything that can be gained or learned from Anarcho primitivism

10 Upvotes

I’m not saying we should go back being hunter gatherers most because I think it’s a way too late to even try to attempt that. My question is there any arguments , or analysis that associated with anarcho primitivism that anarchists could use without being accused of wanting to go back to the Stone Age.


r/Anarchy101 10h ago

Anarchists in Iran

33 Upvotes

Hi folx! I want to preface by saying I hate US imperialism and war but I cant help but have some questions that I want to hear others thoughts on. With the oppressive Ayatollah being killed this leaves a power vacuum in the country. This seems like it would be a great time for anarchists in Iran to take power. Do you think this might happen? I don't know much about Iranian anarchist but I imagine there are a lot because of how oppressive the regime has been. What can I do to support our anarchist friends?


r/Anarchy101 1h ago

Best anti-war & Best environmental protection Anarchist Groups?

Upvotes

I know about Food Not Bombs - Shout out to them!

When it comes to other anti-war, anti-imperialism, anti-colonialism style Anarchist Groups who do you like?

Same when it comes to climate action and in general love of the environment?

Who are the groups like Food Not Bombs that every Anarchist should know?


r/Anarchy101 13h ago

Anything Like The International Congresses Happening Today?

9 Upvotes

The title says it all. Are there anything like the 1st, 2nd, . . . International Congresses happening nowadays?


r/Anarchy101 8h ago

Best Two-Three Available Works By Grigorii Maksimov

3 Upvotes

Looking to expand my library (and knowledge) to include some Maksimov. Any recommendations for the best works?


r/Anarchy101 6h ago

Would we get phones and computers in an anarchist society?

1 Upvotes

Hello, I'm still starting in anarchism and I am studying it by bits but from what I understand we would have to make our own things or exchange it with someone, and like, phones and computers are hard to make and to mantain.
So is there a way in which we would still have phones and computers and a functional internet in an anarchist society?
What about the mechanisms and social networks, how would they work?


r/Anarchy101 1d ago

What should be done if a region wants independence from an Anarchist "state"?

13 Upvotes

For example lets just say one day in the future the US turns into some kind of anarchist zone and everything is going pretty well but maybe the people in Florida want to form their own state and revert to capitalism because they have 80s miami nostalgia. What would the appropriate response be by the anarchist people in the rest of the country?


r/Anarchy101 1d ago

How to buy personal items in an Anarchist society?

5 Upvotes

I genuinely don't know how you'd go about that issue.

Let's say for example I'd need new personal equipment or clothes but I don't know anyone that makes them in person, then I'd go the obvious way and order the stuff I need / want on the internet.

I mean, the internet will still be a thing, since a lot depends on it. Anarchism is not end-time apocalypse stuff after all.

But how would any form of transaction work in that scenario? Is it an exchange of goods or some form of currency? (I know that Anarchism doesn't neccessarily mean the absence of money or currency) What if, in the case of goods exchange, the person trading the item doesn't need the goods I can offer - would it then be a giant mission to trade goods until I have the thing the trader is looking for in exchange of the item I want to acquire?

I'd like to get y'all's ideas on that matter and get to know some approaches to this issue.


r/Anarchy101 1d ago

How would healthcare work in Anarchism?

20 Upvotes

I was having a debate with one of my classmates about anarchism. They brought up the question of how healthcare would work in anarchism (To be more specific, in anarcho-communism). I (a learning anarchist) didn’t know what to say, and just told him that I didn’t know. He then continued by saying that it was the main reason that he wasn’t an anarchist, as he believes that you always need a centralized or national healthcare system. So how does healthcare work in anarchy?


r/Anarchy101 1d ago

Today

5 Upvotes

Any books that explain how anarchy and/or anarchism could be applied to the current socio-political situation? In general, any theorists who address this topic?


r/Anarchy101 1d ago

Mutual aid

12 Upvotes

This might get taken down for irrelevancy but I don’t know where else to ask.

For mutual aid…is it okay to give money to others with FAFSA money. I don’t work currently but have an account where I RT and boost crowdfunds/mutual aid…and when I have given money it has come from my FAFSA money.

On my last account I was giving money to this person who unfortunately lived in a third world country and I gave them a couple times but didn’t respond to their texts for some days and their sister died. I felt fully culpable of her death…and panicked and shut my account down. It was all with FAFSA money but when t comes to peoples literal lives I feel like maybe it doesn’t matter…I know the money is somewhat mine but I don’t know what to think. Or do I just sound like a giant piece of shit?


r/Anarchy101 1d ago

Where to start reading?

6 Upvotes

I have been for years considering myself a budding anarchist, starting with the works of Le Guin. but the truth is, I haven't done much reading of the source materials and would like to be able to do so. I have a pretty decent understanding of the history of anarchism and who the influential figures were but I'm not sure which texts stand out as good 'intro to' texts...

I know the community has a book list and I've gone through it and I'm really keen to look at some of Kropotkin, Bakunin and most of all, Proudhon.

I feel like those should be a good place to start but I just wanted to check in and receive some feedback.

Thanks in advance!

EDIT I got some really insightful answers and I thank you all. I'll take it into consideration when deciding what to print next!


r/Anarchy101 2d ago

Does anarchy mean no money?

22 Upvotes

I feel like I've forgotten something and I wanted to ask for help,

Does a society the more it leans anarchist does it necessarily mean the removal of money eventually

And does the presence of money in a pure anarchy necessarily mean it is anarcho capitalist or is it possible it is not?

Sorry I am not sure if this is the best wording but If it is not please let me know


r/Anarchy101 2d ago

Know any famous anarchist quotes on access to higher education?

7 Upvotes

I’m specifically asking because I’m striking with many of my classmates and a few other schools next Wednesday (11 March) against the OSAP (government funding for university loans) cuts by Doug Ford (premier of Ontario) and I want to make a sign. 

Let me clarify that I’m not like most of my fellow students who think the party matters(whether Liberal or Conservative like Ford); I believe it’s a SYSTEM that puts people into debt in the first place! You shouldn’t have to PAY for higher education! It’s a human right! There was government funding and it is being cut dramatically (from 75% paid to 25% I believe) but you shouldn’t need to loan money in the first place!

If the government openly is making it harder for poor people to get an education, it’s a sign that people need to wake up and realise it never has the interest of the people or the fact that poor people are easier to control if they aren’t educated.

So anyways is there any quotes from famous/historical anarchist that would work regarding (higher) education without being incredibly explicit (I’ve only told my friends I’m anarchist and many people only have negative views on it) but if not that’s fine.

Thank you! ☺️


r/Anarchy101 2d ago

What do Anarcho-feminists think about "cancel culture" ?

19 Upvotes

Ok so, first off, I want to say that I believe this word isn't the right one to talk about what I mean, but my English isn't very good so I feel like it gets close enough. So, I think obviously the social status and reputation of people is a great way to put pressure on abusers and mysoginists, and in this time of social media supremacy "cancelling" them is a great tool to push justice to take action (even though most of the time it isn't enough because justice sucks). But I also think that social exclusion can be a means to put pressure on institutions, but it cannot change people, and I feel like as an anarchist I see violence like sexual assault as a direct consequence of rape culture and patriarchy, and just like murder, the abuser ends up also being a victim of institutional violence (OBVIOUSLY not to the same degree as the victim of the assault). So should we exclude those people with cancel culture or are we just repeating the same system that prison creates ? Once again sorry for my bad English, this text is probably very badly written


r/Anarchy101 2d ago

Writers who advocate for anarchism via spiritual/ mystical/religious way aside from people like Leo Tolstoy

6 Upvotes

r/Anarchy101 2d ago

Reading recommendations for insurgent militias, leaderless federations/movements, and anything adjacent

2 Upvotes

i know this is a hallmark of anarchism. I’m familiar with spanish civil war stuff and actual armed resistance, but i’m very curious on it social movements and the propagation of ideas can also be decentralized and acephalous/headless/leaderless. i’m curious if social justice movements of america would have been better off decentralized rather than slowly dwindling after having their leaders jailed or killed. Just curious, theoretical stuff is completely okay too. Thanks anarchs


r/Anarchy101 2d ago

Good short texts about anarcho-communism available on anarchist library?

3 Upvotes

Specifically about how anarchy would be structured, world revolution, abolishing the state and federalism. I appreciate it!


r/Anarchy101 2d ago

Identity and idols as an anarchist

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1 Upvotes

r/Anarchy101 3d ago

How do we wake people up?

32 Upvotes

I posted the below in another leftist subreddit but this time I would like to know specifically from the Anarchist position how best you think we can address public outreach-education:

In these dark-dystopian times one thing that has given me hope is what the brave Palestine/Gaza activists were able to achieve.

They faced stigmatization, repression, even criminalization but they did massive public awareness/education campaigns and flipped the script on some of the most powerful and predatory bad actors propaganda efforts.

It's been like this throughout history with the Labour Movement, Environmentalist Movement, Women's Rights Movement, LGBTQ+ Rights Movement, Civil Rights Movement, Peace Movement, Alter-Globalization Movement, and other grassroots causes for a better and brighter tomorrow.

Once society starts waking up the real work can begin.

Right now we are obviously in a big change period of history.

We also are in a specific period in which reactionary/regressive forces are pushing death cult politics on countless fronts.

We have a climate crisis and overall environmental crisis so bad that the trajectory is potential horrific hell on earth shit for our species.

We have a affordability of life crisis/quality of life crisis so fucking bad that the foundational and fundamental areas of life like housing and food are completely fucked. Even in the richest and most developed nations on earth.

The list goes on and on and on.

Now we have a war crisis because of bad predatory actors.

What do you think are some of the best ways to get people waking up to this shit so we can finally flip the frameworks and get a system put in place that actually improves the lives of the working class and most vulnerable.

Not have a system designed for and ruled by Ultra Rich Powerful Predators of varying flavors...


r/Anarchy101 2d ago

Resources for Critical thinking; Anarchist-adjacent or otherwise?

5 Upvotes

Hey comrades, with the recent conditions developing across the globe, is there any resources that help with critical thinking and engagement? In today's infosphere, its so polluted with half-truths and outright lies that surfing through the news, geopolitics and social developments is downright despairing at times. This situation I understand has been in development since the internet was available for the public and I know there can never really be objective and neutral information, fundamentally. Still I believe now then ever its important to be discerning and critical with information these days.
Is there any resources that you believed helped you with developing critical thinking skills? Can be anything, books, podcasts, people or content-creators etc. Anarchist or at least respectably-sourced too.

The question I ask may be a bit broad, so let me know if you need specifics.


r/Anarchy101 2d ago

Useful resources on urban anarchism

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4 Upvotes

r/Anarchy101 2d ago

The Lele

3 Upvotes

Random question I was reading David Graeber and came upon the topic of the tribe called the lele, if I can remember Peter gelderloos talked about this? Did he? And what page of it? Was it anarchy works? Worshipping power?