r/Anarchism • u/Thin_Shelter_103 Marxist • 1d ago
Researching Anarchism has given me hope.
Hey yall! I have been watching youtubers like Anark, Andrewism and reading things on the anarchist library. I wouldn't say I'm an anarchist yet as I think I'm still a Marxist at heart but I would classify myself as Libertarian Socialist. (If we have to get technical, Council Communism)
But what has really wowed me is how Anarchists give a much better road map or idea of how to organize in your local community that not only highlights the idea of Horizontal power but also makes people into active political agents.
What I mean is that it feels like most people politically only vote and nothing else. I think voting is good and very important for the midterms in the USA especially but it can not be the be all end all of political action. Because the feeling of "Im waiting for midterms or this politician I like to get elected" puts you in the backseat of political action. It feels as if Politics is happening to you and that you have no real way to steer the ship.
I was watching Black Flag Civllians video on this and listened to a speech a former black panther turned Anarchist gave on this topic as well and it really opened my eyes. The Black Panther party was most dangerous because of Mutual aid like free food for kids and even set up ways to get check ups and taught self defense. That it really only takes a small amount of people focused on one thing and you can make a difference in the present.
I joined my local Mutual Aid group near me and im going to go to my 1st meeting this later this month and I cant wait! Previously before looking into this stuff I was saddened that things like food, clothing and medicine are not provided by the state. I would say I still am but after my research I realize that if I'm so sad about it then I should just do it instead!
Non state Mutual aid or other good Anarchist/Horizontal projects are immune from one of the bad things about state aid. State aid can be revoked and underfunded and is under threat by this administration and others before it. But no wealthy donor can make me not help my community and so non state mutual aid while also has its problems is more stable in my view at least in this current moment.
I dont really know why I'm posting this besides wanting to talk about this recent epiphany it feels I've had.
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u/Malleable_Penis 1d ago
Libertarian Socialism and Council Communism are generally anarchist, btw. They’re just specific flavors within the overall anarchist milieu
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u/Thin_Shelter_103 Marxist 17h ago edited 16h ago
That makes sense! The only reason I would not quite call myself an Anarchist yet is that I still do believe in the idea of the "Dictatorship of the Proletariat" as a transitory phase. Not in the way of the USSR or China as those were state capitalist and imperialist nations that never even got close to withering the state or even destroying captalism. But I think a more Paris Commune decentralized style state could be a good middle ground and in my mind could lead to a stateless society over time if that makes sense.
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u/Palanthas_janga anarcho-communist 11h ago
I'd recommend seeing if you can get your workplace organised toward unionising as well
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u/ZootSuitRiot33801 1d ago
Collecting a bunch of valuable information on organizing and action from different redditors over time, I created a post of suggestions HERE that could possibly prove to be of some help.