Comments on The Pensive Quill: Occupy Belfast

This is taken from a friend of mine form #occupyph...

2011-12-08T03:45:38.942Z

This is taken from a friend of mine form #occupyphilly

Anarchism is a political theory that aims to create anarchy, which is "the absence of a master, of a sovereign." In other words, anarchism is a political theory that aims to create a society where individuals freely co-operate together as equals. As such, anarchism opposes all forms of hierarchical control—whether by government laws or by capitalist business practices—as harmful to the individual and their individuality, as well as unnecessary.

The word "anarchy" is from the Greek prefix an (or a), meaning "not," "the want of," "the absence of," or "the lack of," plus archos, meaning "a ruler," "director," "chief," "person in charge," or "authority." Or, as Peter Kropotkin put it, Anarchy comes from the Greek words meaning "contrary to authority."

While the Greek words anarchos and anarchia are often taken to mean "having no government" or "being without a government," as can be seen, the strict, original meaning of anarchism was not simply "no government." "An-archy" means "without a ruler," or more generally, "without authority."

For this reason, rather than being purely anti-government or anti-state, anarchism is primarily a movement against hierarchy. Why? Because hierarchy is the organizational structure that embodies authority. Since the state is the "highest" form of hierarchy, anarchists are, by definition, anti-state; but this is not a sufficient definition of anarchism. This means that real anarchists are opposed to all forms of hierarchical organization or oppression, such as racism, sexism, classism, and environmental destruction.

Anarchism, then, is simply the theoretical expression of our ability to freely organize ourselves, solve problems, and run society without bosses or politicians. But, it is no abstract philosophy—anarchist ideas are put into practice everyday. Wherever oppressed people stand up for their rights, take action to defend their freedom, practice solidarity and cooperation, fight against oppression, organize themselves without leaders and bosses, or simply enjoy their lives freely with mutual aid and respect for their environment, the spirit of anarchism lives.

Thus anarchism is both positive and negative, both reactionary and pro-active. It analyses and critiques the problems of current society while at the same time offering a vision of a potential new society—a society that fulfils certain human needs which the current one denies. These needs, at their most basic, are liberty, equality and solidarity.

In summary, anarchy does not mean chaos nor do anarchists seek to create chaos or disorder. Instead, we wish to create a society based upon individual freedom and voluntary co-operation. In other words, order from the bottom up, not disorder imposed from the top down by authorities. Such a society would be a true anarchy, a society without rulers, where each individual has the privilege and the duty to rule only their own selves.

In regard to fionnchu - no one said the revolution was going to be easy or organised to your satisfaction :)

Sean well said - We should attempt a Philly/Belfast hook up we're busy on phase 2 seeing as we where nicely evicted by the friendly forces of oppression that are the PPD.

Solidarity always
A.

Ádh mór libhsa leis Occupy Béal Feirste, consideri...

2011-12-07T19:56:54.166Z

Ádh mór libhsa leis Occupy Béal Feirste, considering this update yesterday from a Dublin FB friend. ('The Revolution will not be...'?) "MY APOLOGIES to anyone that turned up at the Dáil for the #OCCUPY the DAIL. Due to 'misinformation', lack of communication, inco-ordination and not enough anger, this event has been deferred. Thanks for the messages of support, the friend requests and the friendship. I will try keep you up to date on further developments. BRING DOWN THIS GOVERNMENT!! - ROLL ON THE REVOLUTION!!"

Fionnuala, I completely agree with ye and is what ...

2011-12-06T23:14:36.994Z

Fionnuala, I completely agree with ye and is what I was basicallu saying and last like everyone else I live in the real world.

I also equally believe that we have to tackle to the root cause and to give the analogy of building a house- it has to be built of firm foundations from the grassroots or it will collapse.

Likwise if any radical change will come about in society it has to be'based on the active mass participation of working class people and cannot be imposed from above- from any so-called 'enlightened' vanguard.

'Meaningful action, for revolutionaries, is whatever increases the confidence, the autonomy, the initiative, the participation, the solidarity, the equalitarian tendencies and the self -activity of the masses and whatever assists in their demystification. Sterile and harmful action is whatever reinforces the passivity of the masses, their apathy, their cynicism, their differentiation through hierarchy, their alienation, their reliance on others to do things for them and the degree to which they can therefore be manipulated by others - even by those allegedly acting on their behalf.- As we see it! document produced by the British Solidarity group in the 1970s.

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single...

2011-12-06T21:31:22.755Z

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.
Lao-tzu, The Way of Lao-tzu
Chinese philosopher (604 BC - 531 BC)

or, every idea or thought (journey) begins in the mind.

Nuala as Mao said "the hardest part of any jo...

2011-12-06T20:13:30.767Z

Nuala as Mao said "the hardest part of any journey is the first step"

Sean, I think we have to start with the real world...

2011-12-06T19:09:26.245Z

Sean,
I think we have to start with the real world or else it becomes utopian.
If ideas and ideals are not challenged at the core or grassroots then they become general as opposed to individual.
Too be honest it all sounds like a step too far.

Headline in todays vatican times aka The Irish New...

2011-12-05T09:38:39.670Z

Headline in todays vatican times aka The Irish News...This isnt your fault.
In a national address teapot Kenny told the nation "your not responsible for this crisis" what he didnt say was your still going to pay for it. was there ever a better time for the working class to boot the whole bunch of leeches,churchs included out of our lives...

Good man Mickeyboy you agree that the psf/dup pact...

2011-12-04T18:50:18.682Z

Good man Mickeyboy you agree that the psf/dup pact is a dictatorship.good post Sean and interesting.without doubt the capitalist system which was never geared to benefit the working class is a failing cause,the global downturn in the fortunes of the capitalist class is a golden opportunity for workers worldwide to unite and create a new and fairer system which bebefits all the people not just the few.

Sean- " The crushing boredom and Alienation ...

2011-12-04T18:16:39.823Z

Sean-

" The crushing boredom and Alienation of evertday life "
Could never understand why anyone could be bored-there is a big world out there with a big stack of books-plus there are 100s of different causes-there is a cause for everyone-

" How can we transfer this occupy movement to something that doesn't just Question politicians but replaces them "
1- become a political party and but all your brilliant ideas before the people [ its going to be hard to get your views onto the media-so a lot of work on the ground has to be done ]
2-become a dictatorship- but that would involve a lot of fighting and killing to win and to stay won-

Fionnuala, I dont think we should generalise, alt...

2011-12-04T16:48:52.816Z

Fionnuala,

I dont think we should generalise, although Im not blind to the fact that there are perceptions and views out in the real world which you have brought up which need to be challenged on an individual and collective level. Not in terms of calling someone as a 'racist' but by actually building a vibrant movement that diminishes the value of such ideas.

Personally, I think its only through struggles based on concrete campaigns that ideas such as sexism, homophobia and xenophobia are challenged.

I also would not generalise because as we witnessed on out streets this week millions took to strike action against the cuts and attacks on our standards of living and not 'blaming foreign nationals'.

Likewise millions across the world from Greece to Chile are taking to the streets on similar issues.

Sean, Realistically how can thing ever change, wh...

2011-12-04T11:45:59.039Z

Sean,
Realistically how can thing ever change, when people are more likely to blame their housing, job and economy problems on 'foreign nationals than the actual cause.
Like whitecollar crime the real rip-offs take place at the top. But for some obscure reason people don't see that, instead the are overly preoccupied with their pennies going to some equally downtrodden person.