Customer Reviews

At the Cafe: Conversations on Anarchism

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Malatesta began writing this in 1897 but it remains entirely relevant today...it was intended as a primer to anarchist ideas and was based on conversations he himself had over a period of years in a cafe while he was officially in hiding. It explores questions commonly raised when thinking about what the world could look like without government, and is a self reflective and self-critical piece.

This is quite a good exposition of what could be, and how we could get there...it is rather theoretical of course but in simple language. And I liked the format of question and answer, although I do doubt that anyone sitting in an Italian cafe would have such a courteous and expository dialog. It certainly makes it easier to read and highlights the common questions that come up in any discussion of a better future. The fundamental one being human nature of course, but surrounding that the need for a government (or not), the need for police and soldiers, the meaning of patriotism, the nature of private property and its role in producing inequality, the meaning of freedom...and there is a wee bit in there about how we can get to the world we want, the role of organizers in preparing the way to a better future. And it touches on the role of violence as well, but only a little which is not surprising given when and where Malatesta was writing and publishing this. It's a quick and very clear read that is thought provoking and which I found incredibly interesting and useful in thinking about social change.