Left anarchism

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Left anarchism is a term used almost exclusively by opponents of classical anarchism to denominate philosophies that oppose capitalism (private ownership of the means of production). This term thus encompasses libertarian socialism, anarcho-communism, and anarcho-syndicalism.^{[original research?]} In the post-leftist schema the polemical element is "left anarchism's" adherence to a political plane of action. In the pro-market schema the polemical element is "left anarchism's" anti-market views.

Contents 1 Use by post-left anarchists 2 Use in pro-market polemics 2.1 Responses by anti-market anarchists 3 External links 4 References

[edit] Use by post-left anarchists

[[post-left anarchy|Post-left anarchists use the term "left anarchism" to label mainstream anti-capitalist anarchism. In the conception of post-left anarchists the phrase "left anarchy" is an insult. This can be broken down into two post-leftist trends.^{[original research?]} The first is a libertarian socialist tendency which claims that "leftism" in general is a bourgeois and liberalist phenomena, pointing to the Social Democratic movement as an example. This tendency affirms that it is for communism and the working class; but rapidly proceeds to dismantle these terms due to their political limitations. The second post-leftist tendency is a more lifestylist one, which sees "leftism" as part of a denigrated political domain. This second tendency generally favours personal and immediate activity, on the scale of lifestylism.

[edit] Use in pro-market polemics

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The neutrality of this section is disputed. Please see the discussion on the talk page. This section has been tagged since December 2007.

Anarcho-capitalists concentrate their polemic against anti-capitalist anarchists along traditional lines of pro-liberal and anti-socialist polemics. To this extent the controversy over pro- or anti- capitalist anarchism can be seen as part of the larger debate surrounding criticisms of socialism. Anarcho-capitalism is regarded as right anarchism in this scheme.^{[attribution needed]} However, the term "right anarchism" is highly contested and the majority of anarchists feel that term in and of itself is troublesome. At least in part because right-wing politics and economics traditionally show support for hierarchy and established powers.

[edit] Responses by anti-market anarchists

The factual accuracy and usefulness of the phrase "left anarchism" in this context is challenged by many anarchists,^{[attribution needed]} who consider anarchist ideas to be exclusively opposed to capitalist relations, and point out that all historical anarchist upheavals and movements have been distinctly anti-capitalist. They argue that the recent groups referring to themselves as "right anarchists" are so small and unaccepted among anarchists, that making such a distinction can serve only to amplify a false sense of importance and activity that is almost non-existent outside of academic circles. The very act of defining a "left" and "right" within the movement is thus considered by many mainstream anarchists as politically motivated: it legitimises the existence of a right wing emboding pro-market views. For that matter, many anarcho-capitalists and other pro-market libertarians reject the label of "right" for themselves, feeling that their viewpoint transcends the traditional left-right political spectrum.^{[attribution needed]}

The term is not used by most communist or syndicalist anarchists.^{[not specific enough to verify]} One exception is Ulrike Heider, who claims to be syndicalist. In Anarchism: Left, Right and Green Heider produces three categories of anarchism: left anarchism, right anarchism (anarcho-capitalism), and green anarchism.^{[page # needed]} Heider's work has been strongly criticised by some academics^{[attribution needed]} for the allegedly poor quality of its research and presentation. Heider has also been attacked by the left and the right for the political content of her work.

[edit] External links

• Defining anarchism from the anarchist faq, written by mainstream anarchists
• Anarchist Theory FAQ, in which anarcho-capitalist Bryan Caplan argues that a broad division in anarchism exists between "left-anarchism" and anarcho-capitalism
• Anarchism: Two Kinds by Wendy McElroy, an anarcho-capitalist
• Collectivist-Anarchism and Communist-Anarchism from The Conquest of Power, by Albert Weisbord
• Canning Reactionary Leftism a criticism of left-anarchism by Keith Preston
• The Incredible Lameness of Left Anarchism by Jason McQuinn. A critique from a post-left anarchist persepective.
• Learning the Hard Way: My Life as an Anarcho-Leftoid by Keith Preston

[edit] References

• Heider, Ulrike. Anarchism: Left, Right and Green San Francisco: City Lights Books, 1994.