Category Archives: Commentary

Edward Abbey: Theory of Anarchy

Anarchism is not a romantic fable but the hardheaded realization, based on five thousand years of experience, that we cannot entrust the management of our lives to kings, priests, politicians, generals, and county commissioners. Edward Abbey, A Voice Crying in … Continue reading

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David Graeber: Revolution in reverse

David Graeber is an anthropologist at Goldsmiths College, University of London. In his previous books, particularly Towards An Anthropological Theory of Value and Fragments of An Anarchist Anthropology, he has spelt out his view of the need for a link between radical politics and … Continue reading

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Carlos Taibo: Bakunin versus Marx

From Freedom News (26/12/2025) In the persons of these two revolutionaries, two distinct projects clashed within the First International There are more elements of commonality between Bakunin and Marx than might appear. It was hardly a coincidence that both sought the shelter … Continue reading

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Simone Weil: Reflections on barbarism (1939)

Many people nowadays, moved by the horrors of every kind that our time provides in a number overwhelming for anyone the least bit sensitive, think that, as a result of an excessively great technical power, or a kind of moral … Continue reading

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Simone Weil: The power of words (1937)

In every sphere, we seem to have lost the very elements of intelligence: the ideas of limit, measure, degree, proportion, relation, comparison, contingency, interdependence, interrelation of means and ends. To keep to the social level, our political universe is peopled … Continue reading

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Simone Weil: Reflections on War

The perspectives of a revolution seem therefore quite restricted. For can a revolution avoid war? It is, however, on this feeble chance that we must stake everything or abandon all hope. Simone Weil The masks have fallen away, or they … Continue reading

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Emma Goldman: The New Year

The business Christians have just celebrated Christmas. To increase their profits and heighten the glory of God, they have exploited the Savior to good purpose. Splendid success of redemption! Christ gave his blood to enable the churches and department stores … Continue reading

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The Christmas spectacle

From Freedom News (07/12/2025) Radical Reprint: The Christmas spectacle A curmudgeonly anarchist Christmas rejoinder is in some ways truer now than it was forty-five years ago punkacademic The 8 December 1980 edition of Freedom led with a bold call to action—BOYCOTT CHRISTMAS! … Continue reading

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Giorgio Agamben: To believe and not to believe

In 1973, writing Tools for Conviviality, Ivan Illich predicted that the catastrophe of the industrial system would become a crisis that would usher in a new era. “The total collapse of the industrial monopoly on production will be the result … Continue reading

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Lucy E. Parsons: A Christmas Story

“Forgive me if I am not justified in what I ask,” said Scrooge, looking intently at the Spirit’s robe, “but I see something strange, and not belonging to yourself, protruding from your skirts. Is it a foot or a claw?” … Continue reading

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