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ABC of Anarchism

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anyone interested in social revolution should read this book. the wisdom presented here is beautiful and simple. it represents my deepest hope for humanity. let us realize that while we struggle for a free society, we begin to lose our chains as soon as we stand up. it is the act of defiance, of rebellion, which transforms us from victims into human beings. there is no meaningful struggle for social change which does not involve that exquisite moment of tense confrontation with authority. if you want to change society, you must stop obeying, and if you are only fighting for someone else's freedom, you are blind to the walls around you. peace.

This is the book that transformed me into a communist anarchist. It led me to other, more complex readings, etc. Berkman is one of the most inspired men to ever live, he tried to kill Henry Clay Fricke (which broke the resistance to the workers' demands). He spent 14 years in prison for that. He was deported from many countries, sentenced to death in some. This book tears the curtain away from your face which covers your view of the authoritative nature of capitalism and state communism.

Communist Anarchism is freedom
Anything else is just slavery.

The book 'ABC of Anarchism' by Alexander Berkman is a remarkable text on many levels. Not least because it was written by a man who spent 15 years in prison on what basically amounts to charges of terrorism; and was then published (in this edition) in London at the height of World War Two.
As Nazi bombs and rockets fell on London the publishing of this book was permitted by a state under direct and active assault from a heavily armed foe. I don't believe this would happen today.
The book itself is clearly written, and will reinforce all the beliefs of anarcho-communists (I don't believe it covers Mutualism sympathetically enough, but that's just me). It states its case forcefully and clearly and shows a charming faith that the advances being then made in anarcho-politics would be allowed to flourish.
It is a wonderfully uplifting text, and should probably be followed up by a reading of some of Chomsky's anarchists texts, or Kropotkin's texts on Mutualism.

Berkman, in a style reminiscent of Socrates in Plato's Dialogues, delivers an outstanding introduction to Anarchism. His work forms a succession of arguments against capitalism and for anarchism which build, one upon another, into devastating condemnation of the former and a convincing call for the latter. "The ABC of Anarchism" is written for the common man. It is a primer intended specifically for those for whom anarchism is a foreign concept. Nevertheless, old anarchists will enjoy this work as much as those new to anarchism. It is well written and, for the most part, logically solid. If I were to recommend one and only one introduction to anarchism, Berkman's present work would be my choice.

I found this book to be a clear exposition of the main tenets of libertarian socialism. The theory outlined is particularly strong in its critical elements, which comprise the first and second parts of the book. The firsts and second parts of the book deal with Berkman's critique of industrial capitalism, and provide a framework for understanding the motives behind political discourse in such a system. The framework is familiar, for those who have read Marx or Bakunin.

The book is somewhat weaker in its attempt at outlining a thorough-going positive theory of society organized under workers' councils, absent a legal framework for dispute resolution and protection of rights. Instead of a positive theory of law, Berkman interposes a, frankly, underdeveloped and, at times, naive theory that sees all disputes in a modern industrial society as the product of the distortions of human nature that naturally result in capitalist systems.

Berkman seems to believe that no similar disputes would exist in a society that is more humanely and rationally organized. However, he fails to outline what new problems might arise in an council-socialist system, and how those problems might be handled in this radically different type of society. Although such a theory may exist, Berkman fails to provide it. He also fails to provide convincing reasons why those rights we intuitively understand as "basic human rights," would be upheld in the face of, and in opposition to, the interest of the workers' councils. I was left with reservations, also, regarding the efficiency of the type of council socialism that Berkman supports.

This is, however, an excellent introduction to libertarian socialism. The questions it raises are ones that we would all do well to wrangle with, whether or not we subscribe to the underlying theory. What is more, any purely capitalist theory, it seems to me, must acknowledge, and ultimately answer, Berkman's timeles criticique.

Interested in Anarchism?

Start off from here. The ABC of Anarchism is a great introduction to Anarchist thought, ideas and principles. Berkman, in simple language, explains the principles and ideas behind Anarchism, (and further in the book Communist Anarchism, of which he was a supporter), as if he is discussing it over with the reader in a casual conversation.
He further compares Anarchism with other ideologies, such as Socialism and Communism (Bolshevism), explaining where Anarchists tend to agree and disagree with these ideas.
Overall, it is a simple book, a great introduction, giving a clear view on the various principles of Anarchism.

I strongly recommend reading the ABC before continuing to writings of other Anarchists, such as Bakunin, Kropotkin and Proudhon. This book could also clear a lot of things for people interested in Socialism/Communism/Marxism, as the critique on capitalism done by the Anarchists is often closely similar with that of the mentioned ideologies, and its presented here in a simple and reader-friendly form.

One of my very favorite books. It is very easy to understand, and the described philosophie is great. No question is unanswered. READ THIS BOOK!!! *****