Essays · Chapter
Should Anarchists Be Admitted to the Coming International Congress? explained
The chapter argues that anarchist-communists and collectivists are genuine socialists who seek the abolition of private property, classes, and domination, and that excluding them from a socialist congress is unjust.
What happens
The chapter argues that anarchist-communists and collectivists are genuine socialists who seek the abolition of private property, classes, and domination, and that excluding them from a socialist congress is unjust. It critiques parliamentary socialism, advocating for direct economic struggle and international worker unity over political divisions, warning that forcing a single political program leads to disunity and failure, as seen in the old International.
Themes in this chapter
Critique of Private Property and Capitalism
The chapter demands abolition of monopolies, classes, and exploitation, advocating for common ownership of land and production means.
Critique of Parliamentary Socialism and Reformism
Argues that parliament is a useless weapon for workers and that parliamentary socialism leads to division and a new class of professional politicians.
Solidarity and Mutual Aid
Calls for worker unity in the economic struggle, emphasizing fraternity and solidarity over political divisions.
Internationalism and Anti-Patriotism
Ends with Marx's call 'Workers of the world, unite!' and advocates for international worker organization beyond national politics.
Characters to notice
- Anarchists
The author identifies as an anarchist-communist or collectivist, defending anarchists as true socialists who advocate for expropriation, solidarity, and direct action.
- Socialists
Referred to as parliamentary Socialists or Social Democrats who seek to impose their political program on the labor movement, causing division.
- Kropotkin
Implied as the author, presenting the anarchist perspective on worker unity and economic struggle.
- Michael Bakunin
Mentioned in the context of the Bakunists in the old International, representing the anarchist faction in the conflict with Marxists.
- the masters
Refers to the capitalist class and enemies of society that benefit from worker disunity.
Key passages
“We wish to substitute for competition and war among men fraternity and solidarity in work for the good of all.”
We aim to replace competition and conflict with brotherhood and cooperation in labor for everyone's benefit.
Expresses the core anarchist-communist ideal of mutual aid.
“We believe that Parliament is not only a useless weapon for the workers, but that even without the resistance of the middle classes it will never, by the law of its nature, represent the interests and the will of all, and will always remain the instrument of the domination of a class or party.”
We think parliament is not just ineffective for workers, but by its very nature it can never represent everyone's interests and will always serve as a tool for class or party domination.
Critique of parliamentary socialism and representative democracy.
“It is not because we ignore the importance of political questions. We believe not only that government—the state—is an evil in itself, but that it is the armed defence of capitalism, and that the people cannot take possession of their own property without passing over the bodies of its armed police—really or figuratively, according to circumstances.”
We don't dismiss politics; we see the state as inherently evil and as capitalism's armed protector, so workers must overcome its police force, whether literally or symbolically, to reclaim their property.
Justifies revolutionary action against the state as necessary for economic emancipation.
