Historical Context and Foundations of Mühsam's Anarcho-Communism ----
Erich Mühsam (1878-1934) was a central figure in early 20th-centuryGerman anarchism. His work Die Befreiung der Gesellschaft vom Staat: Was
ist kommunistischer Anarchismus?[i](The Liberation of Society from the
State: What is Communist Anarchism?)[ii], published in 1932, offers
profound insights into the relationship between the individual, society,
and the state. In this essay, Mühsam addresses the need to dismantle
state structures in order to achieve a truly free and communist society.
The Influence of Landauer
Mühsam developed his thinking in a context of political crisis and the
rise of authoritarian movements in Germany. Influenced by Gustav
Landauer , who conceived of social transformation as a cultural and
communal process rather than a simple seizure of power[iii], Mühsam saw
self-management and the abolition of the State as the only path to a
free society. As Ulrich Linse points out in Die Transformation der
Gesellschaft durch die anarchistische Weltanschauung[iv], the ideas of
Mühsam and Landauer were key in the articulation of anarchist networks
during the Weimar Republic.
Foundations of Anarcho-Communism according to Mühsam
In Die Befreiung der Gesellschaft vom Staat , Mühsam presents
anarcho-communism as a synthesis between the abolition of the state and
the implementation of a communist economy managed by communities
themselves. He criticizes the separation between society and the
individual, arguing that this dichotomy is a construct of the state to
maintain control. For Mühsam, society is the sum of free individuals,
and only through the elimination of authoritarian structures can a true
community based on solidarity and cooperation be achieved.
Relevance to the Current Debate: Mühsam and Anarcho-Communism
The ideas of Erich Mühsam remain key to the debate between council
anarchism and platformism. In The Liberation of Society from the State
(Die Befreiung der Gesellschaft vom Staat)[v], Mühsam underlines the
importance of a coherent revolutionary organization. While council
anarchism emphasizes workers' self-organization and direct democracy,
platformism proposes greater organizational structuring to strengthen
revolutionary struggle[vi]. Combining the two strategies can offer more
effective tools for addressing the historical limitations of libertarian
movements.
Despite having been neglected in contemporary anarchist debates,
Mühsam's ideas can provide key theoretical tools for rethinking
revolutionary organization from an anarcho-communist perspective. His
analysis of class struggle, the state, and popular organization offers
valuable elements for strengthening anarcho-communism as a viable
alternative to capitalism and authoritarianism.
Mühsam conceives of class struggle as a conflict that is not only
economic, but also cultural and organizational. For him, state
domination is not simply an extension of capitalism, but a power
structure that must be destroyed along with economic exploitation. From
this perspective, revolution is not simply the expropriation of the
means of production, but a profound process of social transformation
based on self-management, solidarity, and the self-organization of workers.
Overcoming Historical Limitations
Anarcho-communism faces organizational challenges that Mühsam had
already identified in his time. Among the limitations that must be
addressed to strengthen its revolutionary capacity are:
- Fragmentation and lack of a common strategy: The lack of effective
coordination between different self-management experiences has weakened
the construction of an alternative to capitalism.
- Lack of concern for defensive struggle: History shows that libertarian
movements have been crushed by state repression. Mühsam warned of the
need to anticipate repression and develop effective resistance strategies.
- Distance from popular sectors: Anarchism has often been disconnected
from the everyday reality of the working class. Mühsam insisted that the
revolution must emerge from within the masses, not from a small circle
of intellectuals and activists.[vii]
Towards a Revolutionary Strategy for Anarcho-Communism
For anarcho-communism to become a revolutionary force with real impact,
it is necessary to develop strategies that overcome its historical
weaknesses and respond to the challenges of the present. In a context
marked by the crisis of global capitalism, the consolidation of
neoliberal technocracy, and the rise of reactionary movements in various
forms beyond the state, anarcho-communist theory and practice must be
strengthened to build a viable and effective alternative. The key
pillars for a strengthened anarcho-communist strategy are outlined below.
Strengthening the Class Struggle
Class struggle remains the fundamental axis of revolutionary action.
Without a clear understanding of capitalist exploitation and the
mechanisms that perpetuate inequality, any attempt at transformation
will be reduced to a simple alternative management of the system.
Anarcho-communism must reaffirm its class-based character, not only in
discourse but also in action, promoting:
- Organizational structures in workplaces, neighborhoods, and
alternative production spaces that foster worker autonomy and control.
- Direct actions that challenge the power of capital and the state ,
including strikes, occupations, and strategic sabotage.
- The creation of revolutionary unions and workers' councils , which are
not mere negotiating apparatuses, but instruments of struggle and the
construction of popular power.
Construction of Spaces for Political Training and Self-Management
Political education and self-management are essential for the
development of a solid revolutionary consciousness. In the face of the
hegemony of neoliberal thinking, which presents capitalism as "the only
option," it is essential to create spaces for collective learning and
autonomous practice. This involves:
- Popular schools and self-managed training centers , where the working
class can develop a critical understanding of capitalism and the state.
- Creation of alternative media , capable of countering the dominant
narrative and spreading anarcho-communist ideas.
- Solidarity economy and libertarian cooperativism projects that not
only allow for survival outside the capitalist market, but also
demonstrate in practice that another form of economic organization is
possible.
Self-Defense and Resistance Strategies
It's not enough to create autonomous structures; it's essential to
anticipate and confront repression from the state and capital. History
shows that any serious attempt at social transformation is violently
repressed. Therefore, a strong anarcho-communist strategy must consider:
- Training in community and self-organized defense , based on collective
security and solidarity among communities in struggle.
- Use of accessible digital tools for privacy protection and secure
communication , such as encryption systems, decentralized networks, and
self-managed platforms.
- Building structures of mutual support and revolutionary solidarity
that guarantee the support of persecuted militants and communities
facing repression.
Networking, Coordination of Struggles, and Openness to Other Ideologies
Decentralization should not mean isolation. Historically, one of the
great weaknesses of anarchism has been its lack of coordination between
different struggles and territories. Mühsam defended the need for close
cooperation between the different centers of struggle without falling
into hierarchization or bureaucracy. To strengthen this coordination,
the following must be promoted:
- International networks of resistance and solidarity , connecting
self-management experiences and revolutionary projects in different
contexts.
- Meetings and general assemblies , where different movements can
exchange strategies and strengthen collective action.
- Openness to working with other currents of revolutionary thought ,
abandoning dogmatism and seeking common ground with Marxist, feminist,
environmentalist, and anti-racist tendencies.
The Role of Platformist Organizations in Strengthening Anarcho-Communism
Platformist organizations can play a fundamental role in adapting
anarcho-communism to the challenges of the present. Faced with the
imposition of a new social contract based on submission to neoliberal
technocracy, platformist structures can strengthen the organizational
work of anarcho-communism by:
- Development of clear collective strategies that allow for effective
revolutionary action without becoming scattered.
- Training militants with organizational skills , ensuring that
anarchist action is sustainable in the long term.
- Integration into grassroots movements , bringing anarcho-communist
praxis to unions, cooperatives, and community struggles without losing
its ideological independence.
Platformism should not be seen as a contradiction to traditional
anarchism, but as a means to strengthen its capacity for struggle and
organization in a world where repression and alienation are
systematically advancing.[viii]
Breaking the Chains of the Present to Build the Future
Anarcho-communism cannot be limited to a critique of capitalism or the
management of small islands of autonomy within an oppressive system. It
must be a revolutionary force capable of challenging power in all its
forms and building a new society based on equality, justice, and freedom.
Class struggle, political formation, self-defense, and the coordination
of struggles are fundamental pillars for anarcho-communism to become a
real alternative to capitalism, neoliberal technocracy, and reactionary
movements beyond the state. History has shown that revolution is not a
spontaneous event, but the result of years of organization, resistance,
and the building of popular power.
The task is clear: strengthen the organizational foundations, learn from
the mistakes of the past, and project anarcho-communism as a viable
alternative for a world in urgent need of radical transformations.
Don Diego de la Vega, Liza militant
[i]Mühsam, E. (nd). Die Befreiung der Gesellschaft vom Staat: Was ist
kommunistischer Anarchismus? Anarchistische Bibliothek.
https://anarchistischebibliothek.org/library/erich-muhsam-befreiung-der-gesellschaft-vom-staat
[ii]Mühsam, E. (nd). The liberation of society from the state: What is
communist anarchism? The Anarchist Library.
https://theanarchistlibrary.org/library/erich-muhsam-the-liberation-of-society-from-the-state-what-is-communist-anarchism
[iii]Landauer, G. (nd). Aufruf zum Sozialismus . Anarchistische
Bibliothek. https://archive.org/details/aufrufzumsoziali01land
[iv]Linse, U. (nd). Die Transformation der Gesellschaft durch die
anarchistische Weltanschauung. Zur Ideologie und Organization
anarchistischer Gruppen in der Weimarer Republik . Anarchistische
Bibliothek.
https://anarchistischebibliothek.org/library/ulrich-linse-die-transformation-der-gesellschaft-durch-die-anarchistische-weltanschauung
[v]Kuhn, G. (Ed. & Trans.). (2011). Liberating society from the state
and other writings: A political reader . PM Press.
[vi]Makhno, N., Arshinov, P., & Dielo Truda Group. (n.d.). The
organizational platform of the general union of anarchists (draft) . The
Anarchist Library.
https://theanarchistlibrary.org/library/dielo-truda-group-the-organizational-platform-of-the-general-union-of-anarchists-draft
[vii]Regarding the concept of political leadership, Mühsam opposed the
idea of an elitist vanguard leading the movement, advocating for equal
participation and self-management. Both platformism and especifism
recognize the need for coordination and strategy, but seek to avoid
authoritarian structures, promoting a political leadership that emerges
from the federally structured base. Therefore, it is possible to
integrate Mühsam's ideas with these currents by creating organizations
that, while respecting individual and collective autonomy, coordinate
efforts to strengthen the class struggle and build self-managed structures.
[viii]Federação Anarquista do Rio de Janeiro (FARJ). (n.d.). Social
anarchism and organization . https://www.anarkismo.net/article/22150
https://www.regeneracionlibertaria.org/2025/06/30/erich-muhsam-plataformismo-y-consejismo-anarquista/
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