The book, the first of two volumes in the counterpower series by michael. Greg hall, phd, associate professor of history, western illinois university, macomb, il 61455. The revolutionary class politics of anarchism and syndicalism. The revolutionary class politics of anarchism and syndicalism counterpower vol 1 by. While the debate itself is refreshing, it might not always be conducted in the most. Black flame is an intriguing and infuriating work which deserves to be read and debated. The revolutionary class politics of anarchism and syndicalism book excerpt. The revolutionary class politics of anarchism and syndicalism counterpower volume 1. In 2015 it came to light that one of the authors of this work, michael schmidt, has advocated merging anarchist and white supremacist ideas both privately under his own name and publicly under pseudonyms. The revolutionary class politics of anarchism and syndicalism is the first book in a series of two. The revolutionary class politics of anarchism and syndicalism counter power vol 1. Black flame is the first of two volumes that reexamine anarchisms democratic class politics, its vision of a decentralized planned economy, and its impact on popular struggles in five continents over the last 150 years.
Browse the amazon editors picks for the best books of 2019, featuring our. The revolutionary class politics of anarchism and syndicalism counterpower. Many historians, including george woodcock and peter marshall, trace anarchist thought back to antiquity. Wide ranging, both in terms of subjects covered and geography. The latter makes a welcome break from most accounts of anarchism which are sadly alltoo eurocentric. From the nineteenth century to todays anticapitalist movements, it traces anarchisms lineage and contemporary relevance. Black flame is the first of two volumes that reexamine anarchism s democratic class politics, its vision of a decentralized planned economy, and its impact on popular struggles in five continents over the last 150 years.
Good news for those of you who have been asking about it. The revolutionary class politics of anarchism and syndicalism, volume 1 2009. From anarchism s first glimmers as a nineteenthcentury ideology to todays anticapitalist struggles, black. On a sunny day in july 2008, six months before the publication of black flame. The revolutionary class politics of anarchism and syndicalism, pp. The authors seek to create a collected work of the. From the nineteenth century to todays anticapitalist movements, it traces anarchism s lineage and contemporary relevance. They hold that anarchism first emerged as a movement, with an accompanying set of original and coherent ideas, during the 1860s within the international workingmens association. Written by two members of the south african zabalaza anarchist communist front zacf, black flame is the first volume of a projected twovolume work on the history of the global anarchist movement and the theories that have. In this article i discuss the treatment of marxism in a recent book on the anarchist tradition, black flame. The revolutionary class politics of anarchism and syndicalism published by ak press in 2009 has caused considerable debate within the anarchist movement. From the nineteenth century to today s anticapitalist movements, it traces anarchism s lineage and contemporary relevance.
The revolutionary class politics of anarchism and syndicalism was a controversial book when it came out and is even more controversial now, though for very different reasons. Black flame counterpower, volume 1 is the first of a twovolume set examining the democratic class politics of the worldwide anarchist movement, its vision of a decentralized planned economy, and its impact on popular struggles on five continents over the course of. Bookunin this is volume one of an introduction to the history and ideas of anarchism, but not like any youve read before. Posted on october 15th, 2009 in ak authors dearest readers. I argue that the book s treatment of marxism is not up to the book. Michael schmidt, coauthor of black flame, at skydragon. Paul blackledges article rejects caricatured nondebate. Michael schmidt, anarchistcommunist journalist black flames is the first of two volumes that reexamine anarchisms democratic class politics, its vision of a decentralized planned economy, and its impact on popular struggles in five continents. The revolutionary class politics of anarchism and syndicalism counterpower vol. It presented a revised theoretical framework for anarchism which. Black flame counterpower, volume 1 is the first of a twovolume set examining the democratic class politics of the worldwide anarchist movement, its vision of a decentralized planned economy, and its impact on popular struggles on five continents over the course of the past 150 years.
The revolutionary class politics of anarchism and syndicalism, puts politics at the centre of anarchism, and in doing so, stakes out a pro vocative and important thesis. Black flame is an important book which brilliantly synthesises the. I mention this because i got two very good books in my last friends parcel, david berrys excellent a history of the french anarchist movement 1917 to 1945. The revolutionary class politics of anarchism and syndicalism counterpower at. At the outset, after reading black flame, its impossible not to reflect on the massive amount of research that such a work must have entailed. The revolutionary class politics of anarchism and syndicalism october 25, 2015 the first truly global history of anarchism and syndicalism, where the movements and thinkers of the global south are central to the narrative, debates and theory. The book includes a preface by scottish anarchist, and former political prisoner, stuart christie. The revolutionary class politics of anarchism and syndicalism counter power, vol.