[...]Anarchy actually means liberation of the human mind from the control of religion; liberation of the human body from the control of property; liberation from the chains and restrictions of government. Anarchy means a social order based on the free association of individuals for the purpose of producing true social wealth; an order that will guarantee every human being the freedom to access the riches of the earth and the fullest enjoyment of the necessities of life, according to individual desires, tastes, and inclinations.
[...]Let us turn to the methods. Anarchy is not, as many might suppose, a theory of the future to be realized by divine inspiration. It is a living force in the affairs of our lives, constantly creating new conditions. The methods of anarchy therefore do not comprise a rigid program to be implemented in all circumstances. The methods must arise from the economic needs of each place and climate, and from the behavioral and intellectual requirements of individuals. The calm and serene nature of a Tolstoy will hope for different methods of social reconstruction than those of the intense and overflowing personality of a Bakunin or a Kropotkin. It should also be evident that Russia's economic and political needs will require more drastic measures than those of England or America. Anarchy does not imply military training and uniformity; it does mean a spirit of revolt, in whatever form, against everything that hinders the growth of human beings. All anarchists agree on this point, just as they agree in their opposition to the political machine as a means of achieving great social change.[...]What does the history of parliamentary democracy demonstrate? Nothing but failures and defeats, not even a single reform aimed at improving the economic and social conditions of the people. Laws and decrees have been enacted to improve and protect working conditions. Thus, just last year, it was demonstrated that Illinois, the state with the most stringent laws for the protection of miners, has experienced the greatest mining disasters. In states where child labor laws prevail, child exploitation is at its highest. And although workers enjoy full political opportunities, capitalism has reached its most brazen zenith.
Even if workers were able to have their own representatives, which our good socialist politicians are clamoring for, what hope is there for their honesty and good faith? We need only keep the political process in mind to realize that its well-intentioned path is actually full of pitfalls: manipulation, intrigue, flattery, lies, and deception; in fact, deception of every kind, by which aspiring politicians succeed. Added to this is the complete demoralization of personalities and convictions, until nothing remains that can still give any hope of gaining anything from such human wrecks. Time and again, people have been foolish enough to trust, believe, and support aspiring politicians with their last resources, only to find themselves betrayed and deceived. One might argue that men of integrity will not be corrupted by the political millstone. Perhaps not; but such men will be completely incapable of exerting even the slightest influence on the behalf of the workforce, as has been demonstrated on numerous occasions. The state is the economic master of its servants. Men of good will, if they exist, would either remain faithful to their political faith, thus losing their economic support, or remain faithful to their economic master, thus becoming incapable of doing any good. The political arena leaves no other alternatives: one becomes a fool or a criminal.
[...]Anarchy therefore advocates direct action, open rebellion, and resistance to all laws and restrictions, economic, social, and moral. But rebellion and resistance are illegal. Precisely herein lies the salvation of humanity. Everything illegal requires integrity, independence, and courage.
[...]Universal suffrage itself owes its existence to direct action. If it were not for the spirit of rebellion, for the resistance on the part of America's revolutionary fathers, their descendants would still be wearing the sovereign's livery. If it were not for the direct action of John Brown and his comrades, America would still be trading in the flesh of black men. True, the trade in white flesh is still going on, but that too must be abolished by direct action. Trade unionism, the economic arena of the modern gladiator, owes its existence to direct action. Only recently have governments and legislators attempted to stifle the trade union movement, sentencing defenders of the human right to organize to prison for conspiracy. If the trade union movement had sought to advance its cause by begging, pleading, and compromising, it would have no reach today. In France, Spain, Italy, Russia, even England (witness the growing rebellion of the English unions), revolutionary economic direct action has become such a powerful force in the battle for industrial freedom that the world has realized the incredible importance of workers' power. The general strike, the supreme expression of workers' consciousness, was ridiculed in America only recently. Today, every major strike, to be successful, must recognize the importance of widespread, united protest.
Direct action, which has proven effective in the economic sphere, is equally powerful in the individual sphere. There, hundreds of forces abuse the individual's being, and only constant resistance to these forces will liberate him. Direct action against the authority of the workplace, against the authority of the law, against the intrusive and meddling authority of our moral code, is the logical and consistent method of anarchy.
Will this not lead to a revolution? Certainly. No social change has ever occurred without a revolution. People are unfamiliar with the history of revolutions, or they haven't yet learned that revolution is nothing more than thought transformed into action.
Anarchy, the great leaven of thought, permeates every phase of human action today. Science, art, literature, theater, the commitment to improving economic conditions-indeed, every social and individual opposition to the existing disorder of things-is illuminated by the spiritual light of anarchy. It is the philosophy of individual sovereignty. It is the theory of social harmony. It is the great, nascent, living truth that is rebuilding the world, and that will herald the Dawn.
Emma Goldman
https://umanitanova.org/anarchia-cosa-significa-veramente-da-un-celebre-scritto-del-1911/
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Source: A-infos-en@ainfos.ca
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