Contemporary anarchist and anarchistic movements

Abstract

Although the period of highest activity for anarchist movements peaked in the early 1990s, such movement continues in the present. Contemporary antiauthoritarian movements are a product of the 1950s and New Left, as well as the USSR's demise. Antiauthoritarian movements are either explicitly anarchist or implicitly anarchist (thus, simply “antiauthoritarian,” “autonomist,” or “libertarian‐socialist”). Anarchist identity is diverse, although anchored around an opposition to dominant culture, institutions, and hierarchical norms. The values and goals pursued revolve around a principled adoption of horizontalism, direct action, antiauthoritarianism, decentralization, anticapitalism, and mutual aid. These anarchist movements are unique movements, yet they also run parallel to certain movements—in both the adoption of anarchist strategies and membership overlap—such as antifascist, global justice, and squatter movements. Confrontational and playful street tactics combine with strategies of reclamation of radically egalitarian space, in opposition to hierarchical society. Despite their association with violence, contemporary anarchist movements are fairly nonviolent; however, many anarchists do not disavow the selective use of violence. Thus, massive efforts of social control through police and mass media attempt to moderate, disrupt, and suppress anarchist movements.

Comparison of personality traits of two anti‐oppression groups: Vegans and anarchists

“…This suggests that they mostly engage in non-violent activism because Psychopathy predicts violent activism rather than peaceful activism (Bélanger et al, 2023). The literature argues that while many anarchists do not condemn the use of violence, contemporary anarchist movements are fairly non-violent (Williams, 2018), which is consistent with the results above. The present study also corroborates the finding that the links between personality traits and activism or protest activities are indirect and very weak (Curtin et al, 2010;Gallego & Oberski, 2011;Omoto et al, 2010;Opp & Brandstätter, 2010), or even non-existent.…”

“…They reject hierarchies, repression and inequality, and advocate instead for horizontal relationships, liberation, and egalitarianism (Williams, 2019). Accordingly, they argue for anti-capitalism and anti-globalization, and aim to liberate individuals from political domination and economic exploitation by encouraging direct rather than governmental democracy (Kinna, 2009;Williams, 2018). They also aim to combat racism, sexism, and fascism (Kinna, 2009).…”

“…In particular, vegans are described as "moralistic," "eccentric" (De Groeve et al, 2021), "overbearing," "intolerant," and "pretentious," but also "healthy," "compassionate," "dedicated," and "self-controlled" (Markowski & Roxburgh, 2019). Anarchists, in contrast, are caricatured as being associated with violence, chaos, and naiveté (Williams, 2018).…”

Anti-Systemic Movements in the Attention Economy

“…Anarchy as a political philosophy sometimes include ideas to dismantle neoliberal capitalism and thus the current world-system (Gordon 2006). This form of anarchy as a social movement, however, has both historically (Berry 1999;Iacovetta and Stradiotti 2013) and in contemporary forms (Williams 2018) manifested as protests against various forms of fascism and authoritarian governance. Protests against fascist governments are not the same as protests against U.S. economic hegemony and the capitalist world-system.…”

Security, Order and Surveillance: The Right to Protest in the World of the Future

“…Anarşist ve kimi sol gruplar dünyanın farklı yerlerinde otoriteler tarafından söylem ve ideolojileri nedeniyle yüksek düzeyde tehlikeli, devrimci hatta terörist kategorisinde değerlendirilmektedir. Otoriteler anarşistlerin küresel adalet hareketi başta olmak üzere katıldıkları protesto eylemlerindeki varlığını baskıcı yöntemlerle engellemekte oldukça başarılı olmuş, buna tepki olarak anarşistler de gözetim ve baskıdan kaçmak için "güvenlik kültürü" adı verilen teknikler geliştirmişlerdir (Williams, 2018). Konunun bir başka boyutu da kimi toplumsal hareketler ve protestolar içinde kendine yer bulan polis karşıtlığıdır.…”