workerthinker

[workerthinker]

Use this link to get access to research and Science papers that are otherwise not free or open to the public. yeehaw

[workerthinker]

Peter Kropotkin

ie

This is Peter Kropotkin, an anarcho-communist of the 19th and early 20th century. 

First let’s look at some key facts that make Kropotkin a bit different than his anarchist peers, notably Michael Bakunin and Pierre-Joseph Proudhon. (Note: this is simply because of how history has written, overlooking contributions of women at time such as Voltairine De Cleyrs and Emma Goldman but we will get to them eventually....) First and foremost, historically speaking, Kropotkin would probably consider himself closer to a Darwin-type figure than any anarchist figure. Indeed, his book “Mutual Aid” is founded much in biological observations on how species that rely on co-operation have the best chances at survival. 

THIS IS IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND: WHY?

Because at the same time as Kropotkin (and also Karl Kessler, a Russian zoologist) were studying and making the case that there is a law of mutual aid in nature, Darwin’s theory of evolution was becoming mainstream and centered around the law of struggle between same-species members and the idea of “survival of the fittest.**”  Under the lens of “history is written by the winners” we can clearly see why Darwin’s theory gained much traction then, and why it is still taught in school today: If warfare and violence are accepted as being a part of human nature then it gives a powerful excuse for the creation a central government that can impart peace on society. On the other hand, proving that solidarity and mutual aid were the main factors in history, Kropotkin creates a solid proposal against the idea of having a state-controlled society. Everywhere in capitalism we can see the effects of Darwin’s “survival of the fittest” mentality: competition is promoted, those who “make it” to the top are adulated, and individualistic mindset is reinforced in every ad, every product we purchase. 

(** quick notes: This is not Darwin’s fault in the sense that he doesn’t specifically use language to promote the idea of competition but he is certainly interpreted that way by those who it serves + Kropotkin doesn’t deny that there is a law of struggle, in the same way that he acknowledges that a violent uprising might have to take place to overthrow the state BUT he also argues that mutual aid is a stronger factor in human evolution than the occasional struggle) 

All this to say that Kropotkin was one of the first to provide an argument for anarchism based in mathematics and scientific reasoning. While adepts of Foucault will laugh this off as the very reason to dismiss Kropotkin’s work, Kropotkin was nonetheless able to articulate clearly why anarchism provides a valid alternative to capitalism using language that appeals to the rational side of readers. I find this to be very valuable personally because too often, when I am engaged in a debate with a capitalists (on either side of the blue/red coin,) I hit a wall because of my opponent’s inability to move from the objective to the subjective -- they simply cannot begin to explore a world in which things are radically different as they are imprisoned by the walls of capitalist realism (look it up). When armed with conclusions that were drawn from a scientific perspective, having “numbers” to match theirs, I feel better able to engage and set the ground for greater points to come across. So, unlike Bakunin and Proudhon, who were both much more theoretical, Kropotkin conducted a more analytical framework on the topic of anarchy. There are other differences between Kropotkin and Bakunin/Prodhoun namely in terms of collectivist versus communist views on how basic needs should be distributed but we won’t get into the nitty gritty of it all. 

In his book “The Conquest of Bread” Kropotkin attempts to measure the amount of hours a person would need to work in order to help contribute to the functioning of society under an Anarchist culture. His measures came out to 5 hours a day - considering the immense strides in technological innovation that have been done since Kropotkin’s time, I’m pretty sure this number would fall to below 3 hours by today’s standards but I don’t have the math to prove it. Regardless, Kropotkin argued that we have more than enough in terms of production for everyone’s basic needs to be met. As a result, he really emphasizes that the first step after the revolution should be to engage in expropriation of private capital and redistribute it to the masses. By that, he means food, shelter, clothing. This is what makes Kropotkin profoundly Anarchist rather than Marxist : he says “feed the people first, re-organize labor after” while Maxists are more on the “re-organize labor so that we can feed the people fairly.” Kropotkin emphasizes that labor should be conducted via free association, meaning anyone can choose where to work (field or factories) but everyone is expected to contribute (apart from the sick and incapacitated). Kropotkin isn’t really against the idea of child labor in the sense that he believes that labor to be done by the masses should be broken down into tasks that allow anyone to perform it, even children. Kropotkin also argues for the necessity of “luxury” goods as they play an active role in the well-being of the population. According to Kropotkin, because labor hours to ensure collective well-being is drastically lower than under a capitalistic system (where the average work day at the time was 13-15 hours). there will be plenty of time for individuals to engage in activities that make them feel passionate by organizing with like-minded peers of similar or complementary interests. For example, if someone wanted to create a band then they might find carpenters to help create instruments, as well as engineers to create amps etc... 

Okay I think that’s about all I have in me for now. 

As an introduction, I recommend reading Kropotkin’s��“An Appeal to the Young” 

In Peace and Solidarity ! 

[workerthinker]

A.G.

Anthony

Hi. I don’t want to leave too much of a digital paper trail of myself but what I’ll say is that a family member of mine spent a couple of their teen years living on various collectives in Baltimore in the late 60s and early 70s. One of which was in Waverly, and it was an alternative press that produced a socialist publication called the dragonseed.

That being said, I was raised in a household with a socialist bent with a tenuous connection to organizing in Baltimore. I joined this group because while I am a leftist (and largely don’t identify with any particular label) I have never steeped myself in political theory. I’m hoping to meet and talk to people with similar worldviews who do interesting work (whether in-person or on zoom/whatever?) to build a network to organize (and make friends! organizing should be fun and I believe that it’s paramount to form comradery to fight the atomization of the worker). I want to get a deeper political education and make friends along the way. I’ve also joined the Greater Baltimore Democratic Socialists of America (GBDSA) and have been starting to get involved in some of their work.

I studied experimental psychology and trained under social psychologists - I have a graduate degree that largely involved me conducting, analyzing, and reporting the results of social experiments. I’m not sure if the type of social experiments y’all are hoping to do are the academic type (quantitative, experimental, etc.), but I might be of some use on that front!

Cheers comrades

A

[workerthinker]

Here is a map of the homestead communities both current and historic. What can we learn from these communities ? Why did they succeed/fail? What can we learn from agrarian communes that we might use in urban settings ? 

[workerthinker]

Sarah Weiskopf

Hii! I'm so glad to be here. I am a elementary/middle school Montessori "guide", so dispelling the teacher/student hierarchy resonates with me. I am currently homeschooling 11 children, though I am looking elsewhere for a career in sex education.

I, truthfully, can't say I identify as anti-capitalist YET; however, that is very much the goal. I am just getting started with theory and am open to all forms of anti-capitalism.

Thanks for having me even though I am new at this! :)

[workerthinker]

Chris Newman is a force to be reckoned with. A self-proclaimed anarchist, he has shed the light on many systemic issues in agriculture and shed light on important mis-conceptions such as the “family farm” 

[workerthinker]

Verso books is having a huge discount 40% off until January 4th :)

[workerthinker]

Julie Buisson

Hi everyone ! I’m Julie (she/her) I’m part of this group because I’m part of the radical movement fighting against the capitalist machine ! 

My formal education is in business and design (as it applies to human-centered problem solving) I have been operating professionally in the field of agriculture for almost 10 years now !

 I am currently the Operations Manager for a social enterprise named “Spring Forward” under the PHILLIPS Programs umbrella. Spring Forward will be a hydroponic farm located in Baltimore City that operates as a multi-party cooperative owned and operated by employees. The majority of our employees will be adults with emotional and behavioral health needs, a highly misunderstood and marginalized population. 

My anti-capitalist interest is wide but most of my knowledge is around alternative economic systems, ways for workers to reclaim the means of production, and applications in the farming/agricultural sector,. I am also very interested in the intersection of anarchy and morality as best illustrated in the works of Ivan Illich, John Papworth and other radical religious figures (MLK, Ghandi etc...) I am looking forward to testing out and exploring various methods of non-violence and using collective art/making skills to generate conversations in the public realm. 

Looking forward to getting to know everyone on this journey !

[workerthinker]

Erik Olin Wright “How to be an Anti Capitalist”

[workerthinker]

When we live our lives with the authenticity demanded by the practice of teaching that is also learning and learning that is also teaching, we are participating in a total experience…. In this experience the beautiful, the decent, and the serious form a circle with hands joined."

Paulo Friere 

[workerthinker]

Sunflower Farm and Fannie Lou Hamer’s Pig Bank concept  “a garden and a pig”