Forward
I consider anarchism the most rational and practical conception of
a social life m freedom and harmony. I am convinced that its
realization is a certainty in the course of human development.
The time of that realization will depend on two factors: first, on
how soon existing conditions will grow spiritually and physically
unbearable to considerable portions of mankind, particularly to the
laboring classes; and, secondly, on the degree in which Anarchist
views will become understood and accepted.
Our social institutions are founded on certain ideas; as long as
the latter are generally believed, the institutions built on them are
safe. Government remains strong because people think political
authority and legal compulsion necessary. Capitalism will continue as
long as such an economic system is considered adequate and just. The
weakening of the ideas which support the evil and oppressive
present-day conditions means the ultimate breakdown of government and
capitalism. Progress consists in abolishing what man has outlived and
substituting in its place a more suitable environment.
It must be evident even to the casual observer that society is
undergoing a radical change in its fundamental conceptions. The World
War and the Russian Revolution are the main causes of it. The war has
unmasked the vicious character of capitalist competition and the
murderous incompetency of governments to settle quarrels among
radons, or rather among the ruling financial cliques. It is because
the people are losing faith in the old methods that the Great Powers
are now compelled to discuss limitation of armaments and even the
outlawing of war. It is not so long ago that the very suggestion of
such a possibility met with utmost scorn and ridicule.
Similarly is breaking down the belief in other established
institutions. Capitalism still 'works', but doubt about its
expediency and justice is gnawing at the heart of ever-widening
social circles. The Russian Revolution has broadcasted ideas and
feelings that are undermining capitalist society, particularly its
economic bases and the sanctity of private ownership of the means of
social existence. For not only in Russia did the October change take
place: it has influenced the masses throughout the world. The
cherished superstition that what exists is permanent has been shaken
beyond recovery.
The war, the Russian Revolution, and the post-war developments
have combined also to disillusion vast numbers about Socialism. It is
literally true that, like Christianity, Socialism has conquered the
world by defeating itself. The Socialist parties now run or help to
run most of the European governments, but the people do not believe
any more that they are different from other bourgeois regimes. They
feel that Socialism has failed and is bankrupt.
In like manner have the Bolsheviks proven that Marxian dogma and
Leninist principles can lead only to dictatorship and reaction.
To the Anarchists there is nothing surprising in all this. They
have always claimed that the State is destructive to individual
liberty and social harmony, and that only the abolition of coercive
authority and material inequality can solve our political, economic
and national problems. But their arguments, though based on the
age-long experience of man, seemed mere theory to the present
generation, until the events of the last two decades have
demonstrated in actual life the truth of the Anarchist position.
The breakdown of Socialism and of Bolshevism has cleared the way
for Anarchism.
There is considerable literature on Anarchism, but most of its
larger works were written before the World War. The experience of the
recent past has been vital and has made certain revisions necessary
in the Anarchist attitude and argumentation. Though the basic
propositions remain the same, some modifications of practical
application are dictated by the facts of current history. The lessons
of the Russian Revolution in particular call for a new approach to
various important problems, chief among them the character and
activities of the social revolution.
Furthermore, Anarchist books, with few exceptions, are not
accessible to the understanding of the average reader. It is the
common failing of most works dealing with social questions that they
are written on the assumption that the reader is already familiar to
a considerable extent with the subject, which is genera By not the
case at ale As a result there are very few books treating of social
problems in a sufficiently simple sad intelligible manner.
For the above reason I consider a restatement of the Anarchist
position very much needed at this time - a restatement in the
plainest and clearest terms which can be understood by every one.
That is, an ABC of Anarchism.
With that object in view the following pages have been written.
Paris,1928.
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