In 2021, the Zádruha Historical Society published the pamphlet Anarchy by one of
the leading anarchist theorists of the late 19th century, Élisée Recluse(1830-1905). This year we commemorate 100 years since the death of Petr Kropotkinand 150 years since the founding and demise of the Paris Commune, so it is goodthat the work, albeit very brief, of the thinker who was Kropotkin's friend (theyalso collaborated in the field of geography) also appears known as a directparticipant in the Paris Commune. Élisée Reclus (unlike Kropotkin) wasunjustifiably neglected in the journalism of the modern Czech anarchist movement.Thanks to Zádruz, many thanks for the publication of this booklet, which wasoriginally translated by Václav Kroužilka and published in New York in 1896 byDelnické listy .The only thing I would probably blame Zádruz is the form. The booklet couldeasily have been slimmer or in A6 format instead of choosing the font size forboth the syllable book and the absence of hyphenation. It is a pity that Zádruhaprioritizes quantity over quality in its publishing activities. Here I wouldrecommend going back to the past, when Michael Kácha, although an ordinaryshoemaker, made an effort for a "good book". The added value is the addition oftwo of Reclus's shorter articles "Why Are We Anarchists?" And "On theEstablishment of the State" and a short biography of the author.And now let's look at the basic points of Reclus's booklet:Anarchy is not a newly invented theory, its various forms are found in differentplaces and at different times, regardless of the names it takes or remainsnameless. Anarchists could also be called "liberators" or "harmonists," becausethey say the future society should be in harmony. Proponents of anarchy seek tosuppress any system of domination and power of capital. The dream of worldfreedom has become an intensely sought-after necessity - equal rights withoutdistinction for everyone, a celebration of peace and cordial, friendly agreement,mutual respect and esteem... The goal is community, generality within people withdifferent attitudes. It is necessary to get rid of the prejudice that it isimpossible to live without a ruler, not to replace one another, whose morals willnecessarily change according to his own interests. The old morality is built onfear and creates a hierarchy. But anarchists do not consider anyone a master anddo not want to be a master. Above all, it is necessary to seek the truth, pureand uncorrupted, to find personal responsibilities, to learn self-knowledge ovatand to adjust one's life with regard to the law and interests of others. So webecome truly moral if a sense of responsibility is born in us. Only in freedomlies morality. Freedom of thought makes all people, without having to realize it,anarchists. The observable decline in respect for superiors is a breeding groundfor the fight against state power. Thanks to revolutions, the world is moving.The establishment of free settlements can be compared to experiments in achemical laboratory, but these experiments have their flaws and are far fromordinary life. Anarchism has proved most effective among ordinary people indifficult situations where mutual help is a necessity."Neither faith nor national hatred can divide us, because the study of nature isour only religion and the whole world our common homeland."Élisée Reclus: Anarchy . Historical Association Zádruha, 2021. 40 pp. A5, price35 CZK. It can be ordered at spolekzadruha[a]riseup.net.https://www.afed.cz/text/7503/za-strzeni-marianskeho-sloupu_________________________________________A - I N F O S N E W S S E R V I C EBy, For, and About AnarchistsSend news reports to A-infos-en mailing listA-infos-en@ainfos.ca
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