Contemporary Anarchist Studies

This book highlights the recent rise in interest in anarchist theory and practice attempting to bridge the gap between anarchist activism on the streets and anarchist studies in the academia. Bringing together some of the most prominent voices in contemporary anarchism in the academy, it includes pieces written on anarchist theory, pedagogy, methodologies, praxis, and the future.

This volume of collected essays by some of the most prominent academics studying anarchism bridges the gap between anarchist activism on the streets and anarchist theory in the academy. Focusing on anarchist theory, pedagogy, methodologies, praxis, and the future, this edition will strike a chord for anyone interested in radical social change. This interdisciplinary work highlights connections between anarchism and other perspectives such as feminism, queer theory, critical race theory, disability studies, post-modernism and post-structuralism, animal liberation, and environmental justice. Featuring original articles, this volume brings together a wide variety of anarchist voices whilst stressing anarchism's tradition of dissent. This book is a must buy for the critical teacher, student, and activist interested in the state of the art of anarchism studies.

With all of the provocative, sometimes highly destructive acts committed in the name of anarchy, this enlightening volume invites readers to discover the true meaning of anarchism, exploring its vivid history and its resurgent relevance for addressing today's most vexing social problems. In Anarchism Today, an acclaimed scholar and one of the world's foremost advocates for the anarchistic tradition cuts through common misconceptions and caricatures to explore what is perhaps the most poorly understood of all political theories. As author Randall Amster explains, rather than being an anti-everything rationale for defiance and destruction, anarchism is in fact a coherent set of values and practices with a rich history and contemporary relevance. Passionate and provocative, Amster's book offers readers an expert's perspective on what anarchism really means, including its relationship to other political approaches, its careful balancing of individual liberty and a functioning society, and its controversial image as a wellspring of violence. Along the way, Amster addresses a number of current issues from the perspective of anarchism, including corporate globalization, environmentalism, warfare, nationalism, education, technology, alternative economics, criminal justice, and even spirituality. He concludes with a frank assessment of anarchism's impact and the role it can play in building a more just, peaceful, and sustainable world.

Anarchism and Political Modernity looks at the place of “classical anarchism” in the postmodern political discourse, claiming that anarchism presents a vision of political postmodernity. The book seeks to foster a better understanding of why and how anarchism is growing in the present. To do so, it first looks at its origins and history, offering a different view from the two traditions that characterize modern political theory: socialism and liberalism. Such an examination leads to a better understanding of how anarchism connects with newer political trends and why it is a powerful force in contemporary social and political movements. This new volume in the Contemporary Anarchist Studies series offers a novel philosophical engagement with anarchism and contests a number of positions established in postanarchist theory. Its new approach makes a valuable contribution to an established debate about anarchism and political theory. It offers a new perspective on the emerging area of anarchist studies that will be of interest to students and theorists in political theory and anarchist studies.

This book is available as open access through the Bloomsbury Open Access programme and is available on www.bloomsburycollections.com. Anarchism and Political Modernity looks at the place of 'classical anarchism' in the postmodern political discourse, claiming that anarchism presents a vision of political postmodernity. The book seeks to foster a better understanding of why and how anarchism is growing in the present. To do so, it first looks at its origins and history, offering a different view from the two traditions that characterize modern political theory: socialism and liberalism. Such an examination leads to a better understanding of how anarchism connects with newer political trends and why it is a powerful force in contemporary social and political movements. This new volume in the Contemporary Anarchist Studies series offers a novel philosophical engagement with anarchism and contests a number of positions established in postanarchist theory. Its new approach makes a valuable contribution to an established debate about anarchism and political theory. It offers a new perspective on the emerging area of anarchist studies that will be of interest to students and theorists in political theory and anarchist studies.

The study of anarchism as a philosophical, political, and social movement has burgeoned both in the academy and in the global activist community in recent years. Taking advantage of this boom in anarchist scholarship, Nathan J. Jun and Shane Wahl have compiled twenty-six cutting-edge essays on this timely topic in New Perspectives on Anarchism.

Produced by the North American Anarchist Studies Network (NAASN), and edited by Jeff Shantz and pj lilley, this volume comprises papers from NAASN's 5th Conference [La Red Norteamericana de Estudios Anarquistas / Le Reseau Nord-Americain d'etudes Anarchistes]. Anarchism is experiencing a remarkable resurgence in the new millennium. Not only active in the streets across Turtle Island, growing interest in anarchist scholarship is perhaps unprecedented. This is reflected in the development of the North American Anarchist Studies Network (NAASN). Drawn from papers presented at the fifth NAASN conference in Surrey (on Coast Salish Territories), this collection shows the vitality of contemporary anarchist research and writing. TABLE OF CONTENTS // 1 Anarchism from the Margins: Introducing New Developments in Anarchist Studies Jeff Shantz 2 Social Capital In Anarchist Movements Dana M. Williams 3 Marginalization of Anarchism within Mainstream Criminology: A Content Analysis Christopher Howell 4 Sexuality, Assault, Police Infiltration and Foucault: Notes for Further Inquiry Dr. Michael Loadenthal 5 Abolition Journal: Introduction & Manifesto Introduced by Brian Lovato & Eli Meyerhoff 6 In Defense of Counterposed Strategic Orientations: Anarchism and Antiracism Jakub Burkowicz 7 Anti-State Resistance On Stolen Land: Settler Colonialism, Settler Identity And The Imperative Of Anarchist Decolonization Adam Gary Lewis 8 A Diversity of Media Tactics: Grassroots Autonomous Media in Montrea Sandra Jeppesen, Anna Kruzynski, Aaron Lakoff and Rachel Sarrasin-Collectif de recherche sur l'autonomie collective (CRAC) 9 Radical Politics in a Conservative Capital: Anarchist Groups and Projects in Edmonton Robert Hlatky 10 The Right to the City Begins on the Street Dr. Katherine Dunster 11 Anarchist Surrealism & Canadian Apocalyptic Modernism: Allusive Political Praxis in Elizabeth Smart's "By Grand Central Station I Sat Down And Wept" James Gifford 12 Mesoamerica Resiste! Excerpts from the companion guide to the graphic narrative The Beehive Design Collective APPENDIXES // Appendix 1: NAASN Statement of Purpose Appendix 2: NAASN5 Call for Papers (Fall, 2013) Appendix 3: NAASN5 Full Schedule + Forum on Indigenous Food Sovereignty + Surrey Anarchist Bookfair Appendix 4: A Few Words about Surrey Appendix 5: Indigenous Food Sovereignty Forum Appendix 6: Surrey Anarchist Bookfair Poster Appendix 7: Surrey Anarchist Bookfair Tablers"

The Impossible Community confronts a critical moment when social and ecological catastrophe loom, the Left seems unable to articulate a response, and the Right is monopolizing public debates. This book offers a reformulation of anarchist social and political theory to develop a communitarian anarchist solution. It argues that a free and just social order requires a radical transformation of the modes of domination exercised through social ideology and institutional structures. Communitarian anarchism unites a universalist concern for social and ecological justice while recognizing the integrity and individuality of the person. In fact, anarchist principles of mutual aid and voluntary cooperation can already be seen in various contexts, from the rebuilding of New Orleans after Katrina to social movements in India. This work offers both a theoretical framework and concrete case studies to show how contemporary anarchist practice continues a long tradition of successfully synthetizing personal and communal liberation. This significant contribution will appeal not only to students in anarchism and political theory, but also to activists and anyone interested in making the world a better place.