It seems to me that our old pro-revolutionary Anarchist literature has ceased to answer the demands of the modern day. Without going now into any discussion as to whether Anarchist literature has ever adequately dealt with the practical application of our ideas, the question at issue now is whether the time has not come for a new and more popular interpretation of our ideas, particularly in light of the World War, the Russian Revolution and the subsequent vital social developments.
I feel that with the almost generally admitted fact of the bankruptcy of Socialism and the growing conviction of the failure of Bolshevism and of revolutionary party dictatorship, the opportunities for Anarchist propaganda have immeasurably increased. Peop... (From: TheAnarchistLibrary.org.) It is only a few months now to the tenth anniversary of the October Revolution. Great preparations are being made by the Communist Party and Government of Russia for the celebration of the important event. Numerous committees are at work to make the day the most memorable in the annals of Soviet Russia, and to demonstrate to the country and to the world at large the achievements of the first decade of Bolshevik rule.
There is no doubt that the October Revolution was the most significant social upheaval known in human history. It broke all the molds of established society - not merely political forms, as was the case in previous revolutions, but the very economic foundations that support human slavery and oppression.
The spiritual ac... (From: Anarchy Archives.) Tyranny must be opposed at the start.
Autocracy, once secured in the saddle, is difficult to dislodge.
If you believe that America is entering the war "to make democracy safe," then be a man and volunteer.
But if you know anything at all, then you should know that the cry of democracy is a lie and a snare for the unthinking. You should know that a republic is not synonymous with democracy, and that America has never been a real democracy, but that it is the vilest plutocracy on the face of the globe.
If you can see, hear, feel, and think, you should know that King Dollar rules the United States, and that the workers are robbed and exploited in this country to the heart's content of the masters.
If you are not deaf, d... (From: Anarchy Archives.) ALLIES: The fairies of Democracy.
BARBARIANS: The other fellows.
CONGRESS: The valet of Woodrow the First.
CENSORSHIP: The rape of Free Speech.
CONSCRIPTION: Free men fighting against their will.
CIVILIZATION: In God We Trust.
DEMOCRACY: The voice of the Gallery Gods.
FREE SPEECH: Say what you please, but keep your mouth shut.
HUNS: Loyal patriots from Central Europe.
HUMANITY: Treason to government.
JUSTICE: Successful target shooting.
KAISER: A President's ambition.
LIBERTY BOND: A bone from a bonehead.
LIBERTY LOAN: The bread line of the Unborn.
LOYAL CITIZEN: Deaf, dumb, and blind.
MILITARISM: Christianity in action.
PATRIOTISM: Hating your neighbor.
REGISTRATION: Funeral march of Liber (From: Anarchy Archives.) I want to tell you about Anarchism.
I want to tell you what Anarchism is, because I think it is well you should know it. Also because so little is known about it, and what is known is generally hearsay and mostly false.
I want to tell you about it, because I believe that Anarchism is the finest and biggest thing man has ever thought of; the only thing that can give you liberty and well-being, and bring peace and joy to the world.
I want to tell you about it in such plain and simple language that there will be no misunderstanding it. Big words and high sounding phrases serve only to confuse. Straight thinking means plain speaking.
But before I tell you what Anarchism is, I want to tell you what it is not.
That is necessary because so mu... (From: Anarchy Archives.) Alexander Berkman died 61 years ago on June 28th, 1936.
We enclose here his editorial for the first issue of The Blast published in San Francisco
on 15th January 1916.
Why The Blast?
Do you mean to destroy?
Do you mean to build?
These are questions we have been asked from any quarters, by inquirers sympathetic and
otherwise.
Our reply is frank and bold:
We mean both: to destroy and to build.
For, socially speaking, Destruction is the beginning of
Construction.
Superficial minds speak sneeringly of destruction. O, it is
easy to destroy -they say- but to build, to build, that’s the important work.
Its nonsense. No structure, social or otherwise, can endure
if ... (From: Kate Sharpley Library.)
