Marxism and Anarchism

by Alan Woods, Vladimir Lenin, Leon Trotsky

The crisis of capitalism has shattered the illusion of the “American Dream.” Millions of people who until recently took little or no interest in politics now find themselves in the streets protesting and demonstrating against a social and political order that has become intolerable. Austerity, cuts, and constant instability is the best this system can offer the majority. Under these conditions, the ideas of libertarianism, anarchism, and socialism are all making a revival as the youth and workers search for an explanation of the crisis and a road forward. The Occupy movement was only the beginning.
The debate between Marxism and anarchism is decades old. It is no accident that as the class struggle again boils to the surface these debates are being revived. This collection of classic and contemporary writings will go a long way toward clarifying the Marxist perspective on anarchist theory and practice, and the need for a revolutionary party. The publication of this volume marks an important step forward in the theoretical arming of a new generation of class fighters in the U.S.—in preparation for the momentous struggles ahead.

Genres: Nonfiction, Politics

335 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2012

About the author

Alan Woods is a Trotskyist political theorist. He is one of the leading members of the British group Socialist Appeal as well as its parent group, the International Marxist Tendency (IMT). He is political editor of the IMT's In Defence of Marxism website.

Woods supported the Militant tendency within the UK Labour Party until the early 1990s, when he and Ted Grant were expelled from the tendency and founded the Committee for a Marxist International (soon renamed International Marxist Tendency) in 1992. They continued with the policy of entryism into the Labour Party.

Woods has been particularly vocal in his support for the Bolivarian Revolution in Venezuela, and has repeatedly met with the socialist Venezuelan president Hugo Chávez, leading to speculation he was a close political adviser.

Reviews

[Ryan Castillo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing analysis of anarchism as a revolutionary movement against the capitalist state as well as great analysis into historical events such as the October revolution, kronstadt rebellion and the Spanish civil war and the roles that anarchists and marxists played in the successes and failures of those historical moments.

[Juan Pablo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book exceeded my expectations in every way imaginable.

It covers the basics of the fundamental incompatibility of Marxist philosophy with Anarchist or rather genuine lack thereof for the latter. The short of it to some degree, to me, is the anarchists put the cart before the horse. An oversimplification but I think it suffices to explain for anyone curious about the book.

The history of Marx & Bakunin is explored. The constant backstabbing & betrayals of Bakunin were surprising to learn about, fortunately Marx could see where things were headed. I do think it is unfortunate considering what they’re supposed to stand for & it was definitely a recurring theme in the history of later movements.

There is discussion of different anarchist ideas, Noam Chomsky, individual acts of terror & things of this nature & their shortcomings.

That being said, the history of later movements, particularly in Spain in addition to critiques of Stalinism which are relevant to the failed revolution in Spain were eye-opening as well. Revolutions are no strangers to strange bedfellows but to make a habit of it demonstrates the bankruptcy of Stalinism & the Anarchist philosophy & movement.

After all is said & done, the end result of this book is the case being made for a strong, independent revolutionary leadership & party that is elected by the workers & beholden to them.

This was a great read!

[Lausen · Rating 3 out of 5]

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