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samdalefox 's review for:
On Anarchism
by Noam Chomsky
challenging
informative
reflective
medium-paced
I read this as an audio-book, which was the wrong move. If I had access to this as a physical book I would have concentrated on certain chapters more than others, I may revisit this is print form in the future. It's important to note that this is a collection of essays and talks, I personally don't think it flows well, and although I definitely gained lots from the book, I don't think this is an easy, or compelling, introduction to Anarchism for people who aren't already well-read in the sub-ideaologies within Socialism. If you are new to anarchism, I would recommend reading chapter 2 first and seeing what you think. If you are interested, then read chapters 1 and 4.
Structure overview:
Chapter 1 - Introduction and blurb about anarchism
Chapter 2 - Q and A with Noam Chomsky about anarchism
Chapter 3 - Interpretation of the social revolution in 1930's Spain
Chapter 4 - Interview with Harry Chrysler, Chomsky's personal relationship to anarchism
Chapter 5 - Chomsky on the relationship between language and freedom
Main pro: Chomsky used quite accessible language, he gives clear examples and illustrations of the types of situations and power structures he is referring to. I think his arguments for why anarchism is desirable are well reasoned and easy to follow.
Main con: Chomsky focuses on the European origins of Anarchism and contemporary American examples. While it's always interesting to hear the work of Mikhail Bakunin and George Orwell, Chomsky gives no examples of anarchism from other countries or cultures, or even, sadly, women (I was very surprised not to hear him mention Emma Goldman).
Main criticism: I think Chomsky's deliberate vaguity can be offputting. Anarchism is not just about dismantling illegitmate power structures, but creating new ways of living together. He regularly sidesteps giving specific examples of steps we could take now to create this new society. He justifies this by (correctly, in my opinion) saying that we need a multitude of approaches from lots of people, our plan and progession must be flexible, and we must be chiefly guided by our collective principles. Whilst that makes logical sense and may be true, he himself admits that people like to have a roadmap. Maybe he could contribute some ideas as a starting point, or as a straw man? Short term goals as well as long term goals? Some uncontroversial ones are advocating for local Mutal Aid groups, tips on how to organise, and how to politically educate people. Come on Chomsky, pull your massive influential weight and contribute some suggestions so people are motivated to act. [For more on this, read other StoryGraph member andipants's review]
Favourite quotes
Structure overview:
Chapter 1 - Introduction and blurb about anarchism
Chapter 2 - Q and A with Noam Chomsky about anarchism
Chapter 3 - Interpretation of the social revolution in 1930's Spain
Chapter 4 - Interview with Harry Chrysler, Chomsky's personal relationship to anarchism
Chapter 5 - Chomsky on the relationship between language and freedom
Main pro: Chomsky used quite accessible language, he gives clear examples and illustrations of the types of situations and power structures he is referring to. I think his arguments for why anarchism is desirable are well reasoned and easy to follow.
Main con: Chomsky focuses on the European origins of Anarchism and contemporary American examples. While it's always interesting to hear the work of Mikhail Bakunin and George Orwell, Chomsky gives no examples of anarchism from other countries or cultures, or even, sadly, women (I was very surprised not to hear him mention Emma Goldman).
Main criticism: I think Chomsky's deliberate vaguity can be offputting. Anarchism is not just about dismantling illegitmate power structures, but creating new ways of living together. He regularly sidesteps giving specific examples of steps we could take now to create this new society. He justifies this by (correctly, in my opinion) saying that we need a multitude of approaches from lots of people, our plan and progession must be flexible, and we must be chiefly guided by our collective principles. Whilst that makes logical sense and may be true, he himself admits that people like to have a roadmap. Maybe he could contribute some ideas as a starting point, or as a straw man? Short term goals as well as long term goals? Some uncontroversial ones are advocating for local Mutal Aid groups, tips on how to organise, and how to politically educate people. Come on Chomsky, pull your massive influential weight and contribute some suggestions so people are motivated to act. [For more on this, read other StoryGraph member andipants's review]
Favourite quotes
Power is always illegitimate unless it proves itself to be legitimate.
The person that claims the legitimacy of the authority always bears the burden of justifying it. If it can't be justified it must be dismantled.
The only justification for repressive institutions is material and cultural deficit. But such institutions at certain stages of history, perpetuate and produce such a deficit and even threaten human survival.
It is completely realistic and rational to work within structures to which you are opposed because by doing so you can then help to move to a situation where you can then challenge those structures.
Social action must be animated by a vision of future society and by explicit judgements of value concerning the character of this future society. These concepts must be derived from the nature of man.
We need the will to create our future.