A very distinct idea that marks anarchism out from other political currents is our complete rejection of leaders. We are against the current society we find ourselves in because there are people in it who have the power to boss others around. On a day to day level these includes the police, teachers, priests, parents and so on. In the bigger scheme of things
politicians and bosses form a very distinct class of leaders who defend the current system which guarantees them wealth and power at the expense of the majority. We oppose these leaders because we oppose inequalities of wealth and power.
The usual reply to this is that if there was no-one in charge you would have people running round like headless chickens doing exactly what they like. In fact, this is what a lot of people take anarchy to be about. But think about how much of our lives is self organised. When you arrange a night out with your mates is anyone in charge? Sure one or two might take the initiative but they don’t take control. And this is true of a whole load of things we do. Most clubs and societies are groups of equals rather than dictatorships. If they were the latter who would bother going?! This bulletin has been produced by a group of people with no leader!
In fact, the parts of our lives where leaders appear most necessary are those which the system has more control over - with work being the prime example.
Given this, it is highly baffling (not to mention amusing) that some organisations that claim to be fighting for freedom also believe in leadership and organise themselves in to a hierarchy of order givers and order takers.
Leader of left wing parties like the S***alist Wor*ers P*rty (we don’t allow offensive words in print) try to be more sophisticated by saying that in order to bring about a successful revolution working class people need to be given political
direction from the vanguard Party (bored yet?).
What utter shite, and how offensive can you get. What they are basically saying is that us dimwitted ordinary folk are just to thick to work out how to get free ourselves and so what we need is the ‘enlightened ones’ to show us the way. Sod that, I’d rather not bother at all than risk life, limb and what freedom I have got just so some would be glorious leader can get closer to their ultimate prize - personal power and prestige.
For us anarchists a revolutionary movement will consist of autonomous (that is leaderless and self organised) working class action against the rich and powerful such as strikes, riots, boycotts, and occupations. People will free themselves from the shackles of all political parties, the trade unions, religions and so on. We will create our own direction and impetus and all decisions will be made at the base - on the factory floor, in the community centre or where ever else people group together. It won’t be perfect, but it will be a world away from the hell of a society built on rules and submission to rulers.
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