Anarchist communism facts for kids
Anarcho-communism, also referred to as anarchist communism, communist anarchism, free communism,anarcho-marxism and libertarian communism, is a political philosophy and anarchist school of thought which supports the ending of the state, capitalism, wage labour and private property, while retaining respect for personal property, along with collectively-owned items, goods and services based on the guiding principle: "From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs".
Most anarcho-communists view anarcho-communism as a way of reconciling the opposition between the individual and society.
Anarcho-communism developed out of radical socialist currents after the French Revolution, but it was first formulated as such in the Italian section of the First International.
Examples
To date, the best-known examples of an anarcho-communist society (i.e. established around the ideas as they exist today and achieving worldwide attention and knowledge in history) are the anarchist territories during the Spanish Revolution.
The Free Territory during the Russian Revolution was another, where anarchists such as Nestor Makhno worked to create and defend anarcho-communism through the Revolutionary Insurrectionary Army of Ukraine from 1919 before being conquered by the Bolsheviks in 1921.
Modern day examples are Urban communities such as Trumbullplex which operates to serve the common good through sheltering residents within a neighborhood of Detroit, Michigan. This allows individuals who have previously gone into debt by means of rent to escape their economic burdens and join a democratic commune.
The commune has served as a hangout for young members of the locality, alongside a place intended for teamwork and cooperative decision making. This is often accompanied by music of the punk rock genre and frequent parties and celebrations thrown by Trumbullplex members.
The commune has existed since 1993. Its current ideology, the same as its founding ideology, was to establish a settlement based on principles of mutual aid and the absence of hierarchy.
There are also Give-away shops, free shops, or free stores, are stores where all goods are free. They are similar to charity shops, with mostly second-hand items—only everything is available at no cost. Whether it is a book, a piece of furniture, a garment or a household item, it is all freely given away, although some operate as swap shops.
The anarchist 1960s countercultural group The Diggers opened free stores which simply gave away their stock, provided free food, distributed free medical supplies, gave away money, organized free music concerts, and performed works of political art.
The Diggers took their name from the original English Diggers led by Gerrard Winstanley and sought to create a mini-society free of money and capitalism.
Although free stores have not been uncommon in the United States since the 1960s, the Freegan movement has inspired the establishment of more free stores. Today the idea is kept alive by the new generations of social centers, anarchists and environmentalists who view the idea as a way to raise awareness about consumer culture and to promote the reuse of products.
Images for kids
-
Lahontan's 1703 novel documented the author's experiences with various indigenous American tribes and cultures. The novel explores various agrarian socialist societies and how they were able to provide property for all their inhabitants through collective ownership. The recurring theme of these many cultures were their non-hierarchical structure, early egalitarian styles of living and how mutual aid played a significant role in maintaining health.
-
Carlo Cafiero, first person to break away from Mikhail Bakunin's collectivist anarchism and advocate anarchy and communism
-
Luigi Galleani influential anarchist advocate of insurrectionary anarchism
-
Sébastien Faure, French anarcho-communist proponent of synthesis anarchism
-
The Korean People's Association in Manchuria, a Korean anarchist society that existed without markets, structured on mutual aid and gift economics
-
Anarchists during the Spanish Revolution of 1936
-
An anti-fascist poster from the libertarian socialist factions of Madrid, Spain, reading "The surveillance of the city must be ensured by the Antifascist Popular Guard" as a warning of Nationalist terrorism
-
The Conquest of Bread by Peter Kropotkin, influential work which presents the economic vision of anarcho-communism
-
Watercolor by James G. Swan depicting the Klallam people of chief Chetzemoka at Port Townsend, with one of Chetzemoka's wives distributing potlatch
-
Alexander Berkman advocated for profit to be replaced with communities of common property, where all members of a group shared possessions.
See also
In Spanish: Anarcocomunismo para niños
