The Anarchists

by Scott Greer

In his new introduction to The Anarchists, Horowitz points out that anarchism is an ideology in search of a movement, and also a psychology in search of a polity. While this seems to be a paradox, the fact is that anarchism has more than one hundred thousand entries on electronic search engines, but one can search high and low for a society that embraces its essential anti-Statist vision. At the same time, anarchism continues to attract people to its premises, seemingly generation after generation. Despite similarities in values and goals, anarchism seems especially attractive to those for whom individualism rather than collectivism provides a way of life. In this, it stands at the opposite pole from Behemoth, from the gods of political order. The Anarchists is a rich collection of theories and practices in the words of those who have rebelled against the restrictive institutions and oppressive conditions imposed by state power upon the individual. Idealists and self-seekers, saints and assassins, they have often served as the conscience of the world and have expressed with eloquence and convictions, the deep-seated sense of anarchy that resides, to a greater or lesser degree, in most human beings.Anarchism is not simply a European import; it is deeply rooted in the American political experience. The volume gives strong representation to this side of the anarchist tradition. Thomas Paine wrote, "Government even in its best state is but a necessary evil. This was a sentiment echoed by Ralph Waldo Emerson, who said, "the less government we have the better." The Anarchists offers the most thoughtful and comprehensive selection of writings by and about those who protest against all rule by man over man, particularly that embodied in the State. As such, this anthology presents the history and philosophy of anarchism in the words of thirty-five of its greatest students, observers, and proponents.

Genres: Philosophy, Nonfiction, History

640 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1964

Reviews

[Steven Peterson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Horowitz was a most eminent sociologist. In this edited volume, he pulls together short excerpts from a variety of anarchist thinkers. His perspective (Page 12): ". . .my own view is that anarchism. . . .is an effort to fashion a radical alternative to the Marxist tradition in its orthodox forms."

The book itself traverses a lengthy period of time and a variety of subjects. The book is organized around several sections, each featuring relevant selections by anarchist thinkers. Section 1 focuses on anarchism as a critique of society; Section 2 explores anarchism as a style of life; Section 3 considers anarchism as a system of philosophy; Section 4 looks at anarchis as practice (often referred to as "anarchism in action"); the final section considers the sociological dimension of anarchism.

Thinkers represe3nted include the likes of Errico Malatesta, P-J Proudhon, William Godwin, Michael Bakunin, Peter Kropotkin, Benjamin Tucker, Leo Tolstoy, Emma Goldman, Max Stierner, Josiah Warren, Alexander Berkman, and so on. Non anarchists who examine anarchism are also included.

This is not necessarily the best set of selections, but it is pretty good. In its time, it was a handy collection of key writings by and about anarchists.

[dejah_thoris · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disclaimer: If you're looking for an excellent anthology of early anarchistic thought, this would definitely be a 4 star book. My 2 stars are based on trying to wrestle through the thing in a reasonable amount of time.

What can I say about anarchism? Well, for one, this book has taught me I'm not one. Yes, my libertarian friends won this round. After removing the State we shouldn't immediately go to collectivism (aka voluntary communism) and after much thought regarding our modern era, we probably need some form of national government and military, albeit a highly limited one. I figured all this out after reading the first section of political essays, but to be a good sport I tried to read the rest.

OMG so much history. The third section is the history of anarchism nearly everywhere. Probably a great summary at the time but a lot to digest reading straight through. Guessing this is one of those books you should read a few selections from a week, if that. Great to learn all the details about the Haymarket bombing though.

Overall, some swell selections representing the classical anarchists but left me wondering how anarchism has changed due to the Cold War and the modern era. Definitely not going to read more political / philosophical stuff for awhile.

[Jonathan Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

At times excruciatingly academic, other times incredibly insightful this collage of essays, fragments, lectures and letters is a thought provoking, at times challenging collage of the life of Anarchism. I personally preferred the personal accounts detailing worker uprisings from 1890's Chicago, to early 1900's Russia, to the radical actions taken in Austria, Spain, France, and Italy, as opposed to the dry recollections written by United States educated professors who preferred to say what could have been said in 50 words in 5000. Also, it is worth pointing out that there are great excerpts from stories written by Camus, Tolstoy, Dostoyefsky and Thoreau. All in all, it is a detailed, at times trying read, but worth it for anybody who wants to learn about the actions taken by those who lived a life many now would deem impossible.

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the bible of Anarchism.
It also reads like a bible (specifically, like the Old Testament).

Great as a source of reference if you want to refresh your memory of some of the more famous essays or a quick history recap, definitely would not recommend reading it any other way unless you're okay with 10-page essays that could have been shortened to maybe around 3 pages.

[Laura Gil Suárez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tenía pocas expectativas (no soy especialmente fan de la literatura clásica), y qué decir, no recuerdo la última vez que un libro me atrapó de esta manera. Más que leer he devorado sus páginas, dedicando apenas unas horas a su completa lectura. Me he visto sumida en los pensamientos del protagonista, releyendo pasajes una y otra vez como queriendo de forma absurda absorber la pasión contenida en ellos.
Estamos ante una novela publicada durante el último tercio del siglo XVIII, obra pionera y cumbre del romanticismo literario que, en contraposición al racionalismo ilustrado del momento, exalta las pasiones y angustias de un joven cuyo perfil se sale del molde social de su época. He vivido como propias sus frustraciones existenciales, la desidia provocada por ciertos convencionalismos, su abrumadora y descontrolada forma de sentir. Se trata, en definitiva, de un grito de rebeldía contra las imposiciones sociales, contra la frialdad del conocimiento técnico. Se trata de un incomprendido que todo lo cuestiona, a quien todo le perturba y le extasia a partes iguales. Y es precisamente toda esta intensidad emocional, la que le acaba arrastrando de forma irremediable al único destino posible capaz de acallar para siempre su angustioso pesar.
En definitiva, “Sturm und Drang” (o tormenta e ímpetu).

[Jimena · Rating 3 out of 5]

Horowitz hace un recorrido por los principales pensadores anarquistas para ofrecernos sus ideas sobre esa vertiente muy diferente al comunismo.
Hace un desglose del pensamiento de cada uno y expone en fragmentos de sus obras parte de su pensamiento. Un buen libro para entender el anarquismo que nada tiene que ver con la delincuencia a la cual se les ha asociado.

[Bryan Cobo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Es una antología de textos de diversos autores muy conocidos por lo que ofrecer, ofrece poco si estás metido en el tema. Las conclusiones de Horowitz no son malas en absoluto, pero ocupan una parte muy reducida del libro así que tampoco merece demasiado la pena leerlo por ellas. En definitiva, no es mal libro, pero no se lo recomendaría a un experto

[Juli Savelski · Rating 3 out of 5]

Que tristeza loco

[Victoria · Rating 3 out of 5]

Como se nota la influencia o tendencia que había en esa época romanticismo , pero el libro es epistolar y que le escribe el prota a su amigo sus desventuras que tiene por el amor a una mujer joven, pero que no esta destinado a él, tanto así que temes el final desde el principio.