Are you an anarchist but not a member of an anarchist organisation?

[danny la rouge]

It’s long been clear that there are far more people who call themselves anarchists than are involved in organised anarchism. This is obviously true of all other political persuasions too. But it’s the question about anarchism that particularly interests me.

I have some ideas about why people who share our aims don’t feel they can commit to organisations, but I don’t want to prejudge the conversation, so I’ll not chip any in. There will of course be many different reasons.

Obviously U75 isn’t representative of the world, but it would be interesting to hear thoughts and views nonetheless, because I suspect that there are a large number of people who fall into that category here.

 

[Pickman's model]

I don't think anarchists don't join eg the ACG on grounds of commitment. I've been a member of several groups, the acf, CW, Whitechapel anarchists among them but I joined because I felt in line with those groups. There's going to be lots of other anarchists who have never seen an anarchist group they might feel in tune with. Or who are happy working locally with friends or on single issue campaigns. It's always inspiring to see the breadth of interests on display at bookfairs, which aren't really reflected by the national groups imo. I've not been a member of an anarchist organisation since the demise of alarm: more because I don't feel a resonance with the groups I'm aware of than anything else.

 

[Flavour]

Does the IWW count? I've been a member of that. The only formally-organised anarchist group around my parts is the FAI (Federazione Anarchica Italiana) but they're not very active beyond holding the occasional talk: but their members are all present regularly in the more informal activities that go on through the various occupied (anarchist) spaces in Turin

 

[danny la rouge]

Yeah, I didn’t mean to suggest “lack of commitment”. I was more suggesting that there might be any number of barriers to joining a particular or any org. (Not committing to join an org isn’t necessarily the same as “lacking commitment”, iyswim).

 

[danny la rouge]

Does the IWW count?

Hmm. It’s not specifically or solely anarchist, but yes let’s include them.

 

[SpookyFrank]

I am an anarchist and an unofficial member of several informal associations which exist for a variety of purposes.

 

[Shechemite]

2 barriers for me.

1. I don’t think I live up to anarchist principles (I do some representation based political work for example)

2. I just know that if I joined any sort of organisation I would (whether asked to or not) get far too involved, to the detriment of other responsibilities in my life. More of a personal insight thing than anything else

 

[danny la rouge]

I am an anarchist and an unofficial member of several informal associations which exist for a variety of purposes.

Do you see that as affinity group type activity? And do you prefer that to joining, say, a national org? If so, are there any particular reasons?

 

[SpookyFrank]

Do you see that as affinity group type activity? And do you prefer that to joining, say, a national org? If so, are there any particular reasons?

I like working with people I know. That puts a limit on the size of the group. I have worked with national and international groups but they've all been small and ad hoc; or at least made up of small, ad hoc groups.

 

[fishfinger]

I'm too flaky, physically and mentally, to be of much use to any organisation.

 

[Thora]

I am an anarchist but would probably describe myself as a feminist.

Not a member of any political organisation because
1. I live in a (conservative/Conservative) small town and there is nothing local.
2. I have 3 kids and full time job
3. I am a school governor and run a community playgroup and that takes up all my remaining free time and mental space

 

[petee]

• I'm not a joiner by nature
• but i have hung around, in one case pretty consistently, with a few orgs and was willing to support their work
• some of these orgs had excellent people in them but some had arrogant and repugnant people in them and i don't do well with that

 

[Gromit]

Anarchy Organisation.

Surely that's an oxymoron?

 

[Thora]

Anarchy Organisation.

Surely that's an oxymoron?

You're so funny and clever!

 

[Flavour]

The O around the A stands for Order, old bean

Anarchy Organisation.

Surely that's an oxymoron?

 

[sojourner]

I have been pronounced an anarchist by other anarchists several times, after poetry performances. When I've rejected their claims, due to being a Socialist, they have renewed their declarations quite forcefully.

Drink may have been taken on all such occasions.

 

[Pickman's model]

Anarchy Organisation.

Surely that's an oxymoron?

When you organise things with your friends, if such creatures can be imagined, you likely do it without hierarchy.

 

[danny la rouge]

I have been pronounced an anarchist by other anarchists several times, after poetry performances. When I've rejected their claims, due to being a Socialist, they have renewed their declarations quite forcefully.

Drink may have been taken on all such occasions.

I accept your declaration, obviously. But there is a Venn diagram to be drawn there. I describe myself as socialist > communist > anarchist > anarchist communist.

 

[danny la rouge]

Anarchy Organisation.

Surely that's an oxymoron?

Hilarious. But you’re assuming that organisation necessitates hierarchy. That’s a political assertion not a law of nature.

 

[danny la rouge]

I'm too flaky, physically and mentally, to be of much use to any organisation.

As a person with physical and mental challenges I can attest that many organisations are crying out for people who can, say, write articles or layout leaflets. Not everything involves personing barricades or attending meetings.

 

[danny la rouge]

I am an anarchist but would probably describe myself as a feminist.

Not a member of any political organisation because
1. I live in a (conservative/Conservative) small town and there is nothing local.
2. I have 3 kids and full time job
3. I am a school governor and run a community playgroup and that takes up all my remaining free time and mental space

Yeah, I’ve been there with 2 and 3. Fair enough. There’s only so much you can take on.

 

[sojourner]

I accept your declaration, obviously. But there is a Venn diagram to be drawn there. I describe myself as socialist > communist > anarchist > anarchist communist.

It's an excellent Venn diagram, tbf. I have leaned heavily towards communism in the past. And I suppose there are elements of the anarchist within.

 

[fishfinger]

As a person with physical and mental challenges I can attest that many organisations are crying out for people who can, say, write articles or layout leaflets. Not everything involves personing barricades or attending meetings.

I wish I could write but struggle with more than a sentence or two.

 

[klang]

thinking about it, I'm ashamed to say that the last anarchist org I've been involved with would have been 'WAR' (west london lot) nearly 20 years ago. I've been involved in lots of community work and other 'international' and 'single issue' bits, but I guess life got too busy to commit myself to something more long term / involved.
Another factor, I guess, would be that since moving to London a lot of my friends / close social circle are more of the a-political variety. Left leaning, but by no means radical enough to organise.

 

[Pickman's model]

I wish I could write but struggle with more than a sentence or two.

Yeh but your sentences are worth reading

 

[glitch hiker]

As a person with physical and mental challenges I can attest that many organisations are crying out for people who can, say, write articles or layout leaflets. Not everything involves personing barricades or attending meetings.

Do you know of any?

 

[danny la rouge]

Do you know of any?

Yes.

 

[fishfinger]

Yeh but your sentences are worth reading

That's very generous of you.

 

[klang]

.

 

[danny la rouge]

I wish I could write but struggle with more than a sentence or two.

You’re a much valued member of this community though.