ARE WE SERIOUSLY UP FOR REVOLUTION IN BRITAIN?
Johann Most | 25.04.2009 20:14 | Analysis | South Coast
Some reflections and lessons to be learned from the G 20 summit fiasco
After seeing the complete absence of strategic thinking, the childish and naive attitude that most of us showed the other day in the g 20 demos, the futility of our demands (if we happened to have any) etc... I wonder to myself if we would be able to go beyond the automatic repetition of a few slogans whose meaning many do not even seem to know for real. What else can we say?, where is the analysis?, where is the capacity of putting forward our ideas without making an ass of ourselves. No wonder then, that many people, even workers, homeless or individuals in benefits or groing through serious poverty do not take our demands seriously at all. Instead, many of them have taken the side of the power and prefer to believe the rubish said by the official demo-fascist propaganda. We have seen it, the media have been "lynching" us and the average opinion of the average londoner clearly reflected these days exactly what the papers were saying about the event and its outcome.
I just want to ask; are we taking this seriously?. Where is now all the people who turned up to the demos. Will we see them again before another "great event " comes to the city?. Aren't we anything but fools with no real idea about what we want?.
Well, everybody know we want to destroy State and Capitalism, but that is not going to happen tomorrow I'm afraid. So what else?...
Here you are some points for everybody who wants to reflect on them.
I strongly believe that if we truly, honestly wish to revolutionise this world it is extremelly important to go through these immeditate problems.
1) No more games, "creative" and artsy stuff in the demos. They are a liability that helps to obstruct our way if we need to go further or run from the coppers. There are squatts and social centres where anyone can do performances, theatre and everything they want. However, bringing this pointless stuff to a demo is becoming increasingly unwise and meaningless.
2) No more fancy dressings. This is not a carnival, this is a struggle and the police are not there to be nice with us. It is absolutely unimportant who starts a riot (police provocation or someone from the other side). The real fact is that things can always turn ugly, even in the most unexpected and pacifist demos so stop coming dressed as though you wanted to be arrested or beaten as hell.
3) Strategy and tactical accuracy. "We are at the belly of the beast"... well done guys, we are just where THEY WANT US TO BE. From that moment on they are in control, even if we break the police row and go further a few yards or smash anything.
Why not celebrate the summit in other city for instance?, or what about spreading all over the city in teams and confuse the cops. What about a little of strategic thinking for a change?.
4) No more pacifist fanatism please. Those who do not want to get involved in violent actions stop slandering vandals around!!, no, we are not all undercover policemen!!, we have not got the plague, some of us like have a shower at least once every 2 days. Stop trying to defend yourselves from any accusation by pointing at us horified and exclaimming "we are not violent, we are not violent, please, believe me Mr journalist"... Why don't trying something more dignified like "well, I do not agree with their methods but I cannot say that I regret what they are doing" or even better, what about not talking to the journalists at all, after all they have shown very clearly what they are capable of and who they work for.
Back to the plain clothes policemen, these can be among us the same as they can be infiltrating pacifists or the cyclists of critical mass. That is not the point. The problem is to reach an agreement once and for all. Neither side is going to get the other to comply to its tactics and principles. Let's combine the most suitable tactic at the right moment, be this pacific or violent but please, stop that endless pseudodebate that is taking us nowhere. No my dear pacifists, you are not going to get us and we do not hope you to understand us at all. Yet we have to coexist. Let's do it in a good way and stop judging and betraying each other. Your pacific action can be the perfect way of keeping the cops enterteined while we sneak and smash at the opposite side of the city for example. How does that sound?. It is just an idea but there can be more.
5) Create networks. We need to keep the struggle constant, not leave everyting to the great moments where a summit like this takes place in the city. We need to organise and coordinate in a daily basis, get involved with people's problems, even if these sound "too reformistic" at the beginning. We do not need to lie, but showing that we are made of bone and flesh and have very smart and good ideas. Keep ourselves isolated in the "Ghetto" is taking us nowhere. We are FASHION, nothing else, an aesthetic trend, and we will be it until we cease in this attitude.
Combine our aims for social revolution with small, every day actions, social or workplace struggles, public transport prices, new repressive laws, CCTV... YOU NAME IT.
6) If we manage to maintain a decent degree of coordination may be internet will not be that necessary which is good news. The good thing about internet is that we can show actions taking place here to the rest of the world in the blink of an eye. the worst thing is that using internet to arrange meetings is the same as telling directly the cops what we will be doing, how, where and how many approximatelly. That particular use of internet should if not disappear, at least be kept to a minimum which can't be achieved if we do not potentiate face-to-face meetings, actions and coordination. Also, if we know each other more or less, that can help to prevent infiltrations from happening easily.
7) Beyond the differences among individuals and groups we need to find some common ground, build a coherent discourse we can use in our relationship with "normal" people and practice some tolerance among each other. One example: I am not vegan and I am pretty sure I will never be. I am aware that for some people my rejection of vegan diet would constitute enough reason to refuse doing anything together. Please, let's give way to each other to a some extent, otherwhise we will never go beyond pointless and esterile discussions that won't convince anyone.
We actually need a clear message for the people outside the "ghetto" beyond easy slogans and the confusing and senseless ideological mixture we are nowadays sinking in. Try also to engage with people from all ages, not just youth. We need elderly, adult working people, militant women, black, asian... people from every possible origin and background.
8) Accept that we are AT WAR. and that this war is INTERNATIONAL. Start to organise the struggle in the UK but keep an eye on what happens abroad and organise solidarity.
Learn foreign languages and avoid the worldwide spread of our own language, so contaminated with terms coming from bussiness and the language of the power. Why not promote the use of Esperanto worldwide among rebels as an international language?.
ABOUT THE JOURNALISTS; Be always clear from now on that they ARE PART OF THE ENEMY. DO NOT TALK TO THEM, KICK THEM OUT OF OUR DEMOS, NEVER LET THEM IN AGAIN. THE SAME MUST BE DONE WITH "RECUPERATORS" AND ANY INDIVIDUAL OR ORGANISATION TRYING TO INSTRUMENTALISE US IN THEIR OWN BENEFIT. TRADE UNIONS AND PARTIES AND LEFTIST MANIPULATORS SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED AT ALL, ALONG WITH INDIVIDUALS WHO SHOW MANIPULATIVE, AUTHORITARIAN, SEXIST ATTITUDES AS WELL, OF COURSE.
OUR MOVEMENT SHOULD NEVER BE DOMINATED, IT HAS TO BE AUTONOMOUS AND TRULY ANARCHIST, SELF-MANAGED AND HORIZONTALLY ORGANISED. OUR REVOLUTION WILL NOT BE TELEVISED SO STOP SEEKING THE ATTENTION OF THE MEDIA WILL BE ONE OF THE CLEAREST LESSONS WE SHOULD HAVE LEARNED FROM THIS G20 SUMMIT.
Direct action is our device, negotiation with the power is not in our agenda either.
9) Serious talk about the tactics to be used. Are the demos still effective when we know that we will always end up penned in the "kettle"?. How can we organise them differently?, what other actions can be carried out appart from rallies...
10) Forget nationalism. We are international people, we are everywhere, we wipe our assess with the fucking Union Jack every single day.
Forget also naive and reformistic stuff like "these banks our banks"... come on!! we al know that those banks are not and will never be ours... we need to see them burning to the ground, not to reapropriate them.
11) Make the effort of working on ourselves to avoid sexist, authoritarian, abusive and selfish attitudes. Self-criticism and individual honesty. Truth is Revolutionary.
12) Support the prisioners and arrested people. Where have we been when all the arrestees had to appear on court. What support have these people had appart from their own friends and families. SUPPORT THE PRISIONERS AND ARRESTED AT EVERY SINGLE MOMENT.
13) End once and for all with deffensive attidudes and taboos like "f you are black, gay ro lesbian you are always cool" kind of thing. Sorry to tell some of you for instance that Haile Selassie was a murderous dictator and a son of a bitch, or that being lesbian but working in the city or "exploiting my own employees in the restaurant I own" is NOT A COOL THING.These people who belong to formerly (and still today, we have to acknowledge that) DISPISED, ABUSED AND EXPOLITED MINORITIES, BUT also exploit others, or cash on others misery and struggle for survival ARE THE ENEMY, regardless race or sexual orientation. We MUST NEVER DISCRIMINATE OF COURSE, BUT IN BOTH WAYS, IN THE RIGHT AND IN THE WRONG ONE.
Well, this is all for the time being.
Think about this those of you WHO REALLY WANT TO SEE REVOLUTION HAPPENING IN THE UK AND IN THE WORLD, or that at least WANT TO SE A STRONG AND WELL ORGANISED MOVEMENT AND MUTUAL AID AND SOLIDARITY NETWORK DEFENDING OUR OWN INTEREST AS DISPOSESSED PEOPLE.
Kisses horniness and flames.
After seeing the complete absence of strategic thinking, the childish and naive attitude that most of us showed the other day in the g 20 demos, the futility of our demands (if we happened to have any) etc... I wonder to myself if we would be able to go beyond the automatic repetition of a few slogans whose meaning many do not even seem to know for real. What else can we say?, where is the analysis?, where is the capacity of putting forward our ideas without making an ass of ourselves. No wonder then, that many people, even workers, homeless or individuals in benefits or groing through serious poverty do not take our demands seriously at all. Instead, many of them have taken the side of the power and prefer to believe the rubish said by the official demo-fascist propaganda. We have seen it, the media have been "lynching" us and the average opinion of the average londoner clearly reflected these days exactly what the papers were saying about the event and its outcome.
I just want to ask; are we taking this seriously?. Where is now all the people who turned up to the demos. Will we see them again before another "great event " comes to the city?. Aren't we anything but fools with no real idea about what we want?.
Well, everybody know we want to destroy State and Capitalism, but that is not going to happen tomorrow I'm afraid. So what else?...
Here you are some points for everybody who wants to reflect on them.
I strongly believe that if we truly, honestly wish to revolutionise this world it is extremelly important to go through these immeditate problems.
1) No more games, "creative" and artsy stuff in the demos. They are a liability that helps to obstruct our way if we need to go further or run from the coppers. There are squatts and social centres where anyone can do performances, theatre and everything they want. However, bringing this pointless stuff to a demo is becoming increasingly unwise and meaningless.
2) No more fancy dressings. This is not a carnival, this is a struggle and the police are not there to be nice with us. It is absolutely unimportant who starts a riot (police provocation or someone from the other side). The real fact is that things can always turn ugly, even in the most unexpected and pacifist demos so stop coming dressed as though you wanted to be arrested or beaten as hell.
3) Strategy and tactical accuracy. "We are at the belly of the beast"... well done guys, we are just where THEY WANT US TO BE. From that moment on they are in control, even if we break the police row and go further a few yards or smash anything.
Why not celebrate the summit in other city for instance?, or what about spreading all over the city in teams and confuse the cops. What about a little of strategic thinking for a change?.
4) No more pacifist fanatism please. Those who do not want to get involved in violent actions stop slandering vandals around!!, no, we are not all undercover policemen!!, we have not got the plague, some of us like have a shower at least once every 2 days. Stop trying to defend yourselves from any accusation by pointing at us horified and exclaimming "we are not violent, we are not violent, please, believe me Mr journalist"... Why don't trying something more dignified like "well, I do not agree with their methods but I cannot say that I regret what they are doing" or even better, what about not talking to the journalists at all, after all they have shown very clearly what they are capable of and who they work for.
Back to the plain clothes policemen, these can be among us the same as they can be infiltrating pacifists or the cyclists of critical mass. That is not the point. The problem is to reach an agreement once and for all. Neither side is going to get the other to comply to its tactics and principles. Let's combine the most suitable tactic at the right moment, be this pacific or violent but please, stop that endless pseudodebate that is taking us nowhere. No my dear pacifists, you are not going to get us and we do not hope you to understand us at all. Yet we have to coexist. Let's do it in a good way and stop judging and betraying each other. Your pacific action can be the perfect way of keeping the cops enterteined while we sneak and smash at the opposite side of the city for example. How does that sound?. It is just an idea but there can be more.
5) Create networks. We need to keep the struggle constant, not leave everyting to the great moments where a summit like this takes place in the city. We need to organise and coordinate in a daily basis, get involved with people's problems, even if these sound "too reformistic" at the beginning. We do not need to lie, but showing that we are made of bone and flesh and have very smart and good ideas. Keep ourselves isolated in the "Ghetto" is taking us nowhere. We are FASHION, nothing else, an aesthetic trend, and we will be it until we cease in this attitude.
Combine our aims for social revolution with small, every day actions, social or workplace struggles, public transport prices, new repressive laws, CCTV... YOU NAME IT.
6) If we manage to maintain a decent degree of coordination may be internet will not be that necessary which is good news. The good thing about internet is that we can show actions taking place here to the rest of the world in the blink of an eye. the worst thing is that using internet to arrange meetings is the same as telling directly the cops what we will be doing, how, where and how many approximatelly. That particular use of internet should if not disappear, at least be kept to a minimum which can't be achieved if we do not potentiate face-to-face meetings, actions and coordination. Also, if we know each other more or less, that can help to prevent infiltrations from happening easily.
7) Beyond the differences among individuals and groups we need to find some common ground, build a coherent discourse we can use in our relationship with "normal" people and practice some tolerance among each other. One example: I am not vegan and I am pretty sure I will never be. I am aware that for some people my rejection of vegan diet would constitute enough reason to refuse doing anything together. Please, let's give way to each other to a some extent, otherwhise we will never go beyond pointless and esterile discussions that won't convince anyone.
We actually need a clear message for the people outside the "ghetto" beyond easy slogans and the confusing and senseless ideological mixture we are nowadays sinking in. Try also to engage with people from all ages, not just youth. We need elderly, adult working people, militant women, black, asian... people from every possible origin and background.
8) Accept that we are AT WAR. and that this war is INTERNATIONAL. Start to organise the struggle in the UK but keep an eye on what happens abroad and organise solidarity.
Learn foreign languages and avoid the worldwide spread of our own language, so contaminated with terms coming from bussiness and the language of the power. Why not promote the use of Esperanto worldwide among rebels as an international language?.
ABOUT THE JOURNALISTS; Be always clear from now on that they ARE PART OF THE ENEMY. DO NOT TALK TO THEM, KICK THEM OUT OF OUR DEMOS, NEVER LET THEM IN AGAIN. THE SAME MUST BE DONE WITH "RECUPERATORS" AND ANY INDIVIDUAL OR ORGANISATION TRYING TO INSTRUMENTALISE US IN THEIR OWN BENEFIT. TRADE UNIONS AND PARTIES AND LEFTIST MANIPULATORS SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED AT ALL, ALONG WITH INDIVIDUALS WHO SHOW MANIPULATIVE, AUTHORITARIAN, SEXIST ATTITUDES AS WELL, OF COURSE.
OUR MOVEMENT SHOULD NEVER BE DOMINATED, IT HAS TO BE AUTONOMOUS AND TRULY ANARCHIST, SELF-MANAGED AND HORIZONTALLY ORGANISED. OUR REVOLUTION WILL NOT BE TELEVISED SO STOP SEEKING THE ATTENTION OF THE MEDIA WILL BE ONE OF THE CLEAREST LESSONS WE SHOULD HAVE LEARNED FROM THIS G20 SUMMIT.
Direct action is our device, negotiation with the power is not in our agenda either.
9) Serious talk about the tactics to be used. Are the demos still effective when we know that we will always end up penned in the "kettle"?. How can we organise them differently?, what other actions can be carried out appart from rallies...
10) Forget nationalism. We are international people, we are everywhere, we wipe our assess with the fucking Union Jack every single day.
Forget also naive and reformistic stuff like "these banks our banks"... come on!! we al know that those banks are not and will never be ours... we need to see them burning to the ground, not to reapropriate them.
11) Make the effort of working on ourselves to avoid sexist, authoritarian, abusive and selfish attitudes. Self-criticism and individual honesty. Truth is Revolutionary.
12) Support the prisioners and arrested people. Where have we been when all the arrestees had to appear on court. What support have these people had appart from their own friends and families. SUPPORT THE PRISIONERS AND ARRESTED AT EVERY SINGLE MOMENT.
13) End once and for all with deffensive attidudes and taboos like "f you are black, gay ro lesbian you are always cool" kind of thing. Sorry to tell some of you for instance that Haile Selassie was a murderous dictator and a son of a bitch, or that being lesbian but working in the city or "exploiting my own employees in the restaurant I own" is NOT A COOL THING.These people who belong to formerly (and still today, we have to acknowledge that) DISPISED, ABUSED AND EXPOLITED MINORITIES, BUT also exploit others, or cash on others misery and struggle for survival ARE THE ENEMY, regardless race or sexual orientation. We MUST NEVER DISCRIMINATE OF COURSE, BUT IN BOTH WAYS, IN THE RIGHT AND IN THE WRONG ONE.
Well, this is all for the time being.
Think about this those of you WHO REALLY WANT TO SEE REVOLUTION HAPPENING IN THE UK AND IN THE WORLD, or that at least WANT TO SE A STRONG AND WELL ORGANISED MOVEMENT AND MUTUAL AID AND SOLIDARITY NETWORK DEFENDING OUR OWN INTEREST AS DISPOSESSED PEOPLE.
Kisses horniness and flames.
Johann Most
Comments
Hide the following 34 comments
I Like What I Have Read
25.04.2009 20:38
George Coombs
e-mail: georgecmbs@tiscali.co.uk
Thumbs Up!
25.04.2009 20:44
Ben
Grandstanding is all well and good, but...
25.04.2009 22:08
Stupid blanket statements condemning entire sections of the population are pathetic regardless of whether they apply to someone's race or their job description. Yes we need to be careful around anyone working for vested interests but dividing the world into Us and Them regardless of people's actual behaviour and beliefs is exactly the sort of divisive attitude that should be discouraged.
Frank Ambrose (Marie Mason's ex-husband) wasn't a journalist, he was a full-time eco warrior. But he was the reason she went down for 20 years for "eco-terrorism" after he turned traitor. Greg Palast on the other hand is a social democrat journalist, yet has done more damage to the right in the US than most and I'd trust the man to report fairly on a social struggle even under threat of jail.
Judge people by their deeds, not their labels.
Rob Ray
no, no, no
25.04.2009 22:25
t
written by a copper this
25.04.2009 23:11
oohaah!
?
25.04.2009 23:38
anon
Not quite.
25.04.2009 23:55
Whilst I appreciate your bravado, I dislike you disregard for other views.
Want to be a leader, take action and lead by example, and I will look forward to your next post which will no doubt be a report of action.
Me!
Low expectations
26.04.2009 00:26
The g20 meltdown proposal was simple and unambitious - get to the bank of england, party, and inevitably get kettled. And any openly-organised straightforward mass action is gonna be easy to police, so we shouldn't be surprised more didn't come out of it.
For me, the strength of these mass actions lie in more their movement-building potential than anything else. Our resistance becomes a presence in people's lives, whether its because they are unable to get to work those days, or because they're watching the protests on their tv screens. This is particularly important to me as someone who has been active for some time on various issues, as the economic crisis brings more disatisfaction with the status quo. Such actions can show that resistance is accessible and provide opportunities for various movements to unite.
masked anarcho
My instinct is that you are a copper too
26.04.2009 00:43
I have experienced undercover agent provocateurs before in many activist groups, and on the surface, they say the right things - but their only purpose is to cause infighting, and to make the real activists make mistakes. Its interesting how the first couple of comments were so supportive - but I've seen sock-puppets used before. Your post seems very suspicious at best.
Regardless of whether you are an undercover cop or not, I find your post incredibly arrogant and belittling, and it shows that you have absolutely no idea as to what is happening around the country.
Suspicious
Anon
26.04.2009 01:25
Can't say I read the article, but am going to, however this comment made me laugh.
Ever heard of the Black Panthers or the suffragettes? They made social change because they DIDN'T get the majority of public support behind them. Infact it's because they ignored attempting to get public support, instead attack the oppressors responsible!
Social change is also made by the minority, until liberals learn to accept this, they'll constantly be looking to made change without examining social science!
The bottom line is the minority oppress us, so it will only take a minority to remove them.
also anon
Some clarifications
26.04.2009 01:58
2) Given the latter I cannot understand why I sound pedantic, difficult and pretentious for some but I accept that criticism. I am sorry, I just wanted to express my views in the clearest possible way.
3) The journalist are OVERALL the enemy which does not mean that there is not exceptions like anarchist alternative journalists, the brave woman and recently deceased (unfortunately) Russian freelance Anastacia Baburova or the greek media workers who occupied the main press building in Athens in January. Anyhow, these exceptions are just a tiny minority.
4). I am not applying the classical "class struggle" analysis although it may sound like this sometimes. However all I wanted to do is to initiate a fruitful debate, add some strategic considerations appart from some common sense. I support a movement based in diversity but I also value the ability of different groups to co-operate with each other rather than getting lost in endless and senseless "theological" discussions.
5) I would really appreciate that all the comments and criticisms were focused in what I have said. I am not interested in becoing a leader of any kind, or in being right at all costs. If there is something I am wrong about and something makes me notice it THANK YOU. Because what I want is to start doing stuff once and for all, not to remain entangled in theoretical nonsense.
6) About my personal coherence I do as much as I can, as every anarchist should do. If you do not know me in person please, abstain then from judging me.
Thank you for your comments, ALL of you.
Carry on if you find it interesting.
Johann Most
Some necessary clarifications...
26.04.2009 02:11
2) Given the latter I cannot understand why I sound pedantic, difficult and pretentious for some but I accept that criticism. I am sorry, I just wanted to express my views in the clearest possible way.
3) The journalist are OVERALL the enemy which does not mean that there is not exceptions like anarchist alternative journalists, the brave woman and recently deceased (unfortunately) Russian freelance Anastacia Baburova or the greek media workers who occupied the main press building in Athens in January. Anyhow, these exceptions are just a tiny minority.
4). I am not applying the classical "class struggle" analysis although it may sound like this sometimes. However all I wanted to do is to initiate a fruitful debate, add some strategic considerations appart from some common sense. I support a movement based in diversity but I also value the ability of different groups to co-operate with each other rather than getting lost in endless and senseless "theological" discussions.
5) I would really appreciate that all the comments and criticisms were focused in what I have said. I am not interested in becoing a leader of any kind, or in being right at all costs. If there is something I am wrong about and something makes me notice it THANK YOU. Because what I want is to start doing stuff once and for all, not to remain entangled in theoretical nonsense.
6) About my personal coherence I do as much as I can, as every anarchist should do. If you do not know me in person please, abstain then from judging me.
Thank you for your comments, ALL of you.
Carry on if you find it interesting.
Johann Most
Really?
26.04.2009 04:35
- you are a prick, fuck off from wherever you came from.
mike
Johann, get in touch.
26.04.2009 04:35
Good article mate, get in touch, I'd suggest we doing what you are suggesting, at least lets have a chat until we discover otherwise.
Check www.libertyandsolidarity.org and give us a shout.
Good post mate.
Mark Os.
rga
e-mail: rgacollective(AT)hotmail.co.uk
Homepage: http://www.libertyandsolidarity.org
Dream On Sparty
26.04.2009 05:06
Reality Check
Facing Forwards Hopefully
26.04.2009 08:46
I agree with Johann's main assertions, as follows:
- we do need to develop and clearly articulate our common purpose. It behoves us to develop our vision, to be clear what we are trying to achieve and to disseminate these ideas coherently, in plain language with pragmatic examples;
- we do need to develop our thinking about how we would solve the specific problems society (the State apparatus) has both created and tries to resolve. For example, what do we do in instances of crimes (e.g. sexual assault), the provision of potable water, the treatment of wastes, the provision of power, education, health services, etc. If we are unable to advance these kinds of solutions and talk about them with the common person, why would they ever be on our side? It requires the common person to put a load of faith in us and we don't even know what the hell to do.
- we do need to think strategically: what is the long term purpose of challenging the state orthodoxy and how can we do so more successfully? This means that demos will still have their place, but that most of the real work for change will happen outside of the demos, as concrete outcomes of new ways of thinking. This may be leafleting campaigns, the use of podcasts and radios, even (heaven forbid!) running for local council - basically ways of subverting the business-as-usual day-to-day politics with positive messages for change.
- we do need to rethink these demos. Personally, I don't mind if it's carnivalesque or not: if it draws attention, then so much the better. However, the work at the demos needs to be better organised, the STWC needs to be brought down from its self-claimed position of authorising and governing the marches, messages need to be on-key and positive. Sure we don't want the bankers, or we want the troops out, or whatever the case ... but what alternatives do we promote? Why should anyone join ranks with us, especially given that the filth want to crack a few skulls of those who do attend? Should we look at developing body armour as a standard form of attire given the extent of police violence and brutality? If so, then we need to promote that message and try to ensure that info on how to create body armour is widely made available. The slogans we shout - as Johann asks - do we even know what so many of these mean in reality?
- we do need to develop some specific examples of what alternative ways of working, creating, and cohabiting can achieve. The climate camps are wonderful illustrations of these skills, that are (mostly) supported by the mainstream because of their focus on climate change, and demonstrate viable alternatives. The world leaders and businesses (and by extension common folk) are, I'd suggest, not at all keen on the necessity for us to "power down" for future sustainability. So we need to find ways of pushing companies who are engaged in green washing to actually commit to making changes and to following through on those commitments, for example. We'd also need to establish ways of promoting low energy alternatives that are seen as viable and not too radical, or for the enclave of the "great unwashed" anarcho-hippies, as the mainstream media likes to label these things. How could a family of four be living a low energy future, in practice? What would that look like?
- we need to use a multi-path approach to encouraging changes. For example, if we did use existing media - what do we say to them? Is it useful to develop media liaison skills and to form a self-selecting cadre of people who liaise with the media? What about negotiating with businesses and politicians? While the negotiations are going on, while the demos are going on, while the legal actions against the police are going on, then we should also be implementing the ideas as far as is possible on the ground, building up a back catalogue of work and accomplishments that express the alternatives.
The foregoing is in no way meant to be prescriptive nor exhaustive. The point being that Johann's fundamental thesis is spot on: we need to get smarter about what we are doing, why we are doing it, how we can do it better, and be more organised about it. If we are serious about bringing in the changes, we need to accept that the current power-based arrangements are not going to willingly hand over the reigns of how the world is run and lived in. They have far too much invested and we have too many infrastructural determinants that are engineered to maintain the status quo to face down. At present, we really don't stand a chance - and they know that. We are disorganised, reactive, loud but have no bite, and easily fall around at the moment the filth wade into us. We also have to honour the ethical imperative that we do not replicate their abuses of power to achieve our ends. This is a tall order and one not easily delivered. But it is equally imperative that we start somewhere - paranoia aside - and this means face-to-face meetings, organisational development, and the agreement on tactics and future options.
Up for it
for a real revolution
26.04.2009 09:43
Jon
@Jon
26.04.2009 10:29
Krop
Thanks Johann
26.04.2009 10:37
for people who talk so much about challenging the status quo, we activists could certainly do with challenging ourselves, keep the actions fresh and effective. always ask ourselves: what is the purpose of this action? and stay focused on that purpose.
However sometimes, coming up with the good ideas is the only problem...
s
@ Jon
26.04.2009 10:54
A
Seriously??
26.04.2009 12:06
Still, some good points made re: demo tactics etc, but seriously this article is way to sensationalist. I understand you're angry but take some time for wider analysis.
Anon
Waiting for Ché
26.04.2009 12:29
It is very difficult to be objective without somebody responding either hurt, indignant or dismissive. It's easy to be an armchair revolutionary and everybody has their own opinions. Well, everybody apart from members of the SWP.
For what it's worth, here are my thoughts based on a couple of decades of experience:
Hierarchy
A filthy word in revolutionary circles but it is nonetheless an issue. So many times I have been to meetings where people are already sitting at the top table and via a process of quasi-democracy remain there simply because they started there.
Facilitation
Another dirty word, as far as I'm concerned. There are professional facilitators who are employed at certain times. I attended a lot of planning meetings where it felt like I had been mugged. I then learned about the Delphi technique and suddenly everything made sense. These often weren't meetings to come up with ideas, they were meetings to get people to agree to an agenda.
Ideas
As a kind of appendix to the above, getting good ideas into action without a consensus is practically impossible unless the idea is kept small and carried out individually. As an example, at the DSEi protests a few years ago I tried to explain how easy and cheap it would be to disable police vehicles (temporarily) whilst the police were using their vehicles to great effect to ferry personnel to areas of activity.
Motivation
The cliché of divide and rule is the moth eaten string vest which is the fabric of today's society. At its poles, the two biggest demonstrations in recent history - the February 15th 2003 Anti-War march and the Countryside Alliance - both vehemently opposed to the government yet equally opposing each other. Anybody with a bit of political nous knows that the banning of fox hunting had nothing to do with the welfare of foxes and everything to do with the attack on the biggest anti-EEC lobby in the country. Filter this down and we have the Life of Brian scenario at one end and multi-oppositional groupings at the other. An example of this being when I was on a coach going down to an anti-Bush demonstration, the film Life and Debt was shown. I was sat near two gay guys who were friends of mine - they were quite furious that the film had been shown because their position on Jamaica (an anti-gay society) was different to the position of the film (victim of IMF/World Bank oppression).
Paradigms
The realisation that the major political parties are anything more than Pepsi and Coke - same shit, different bottles - is fundamental. Likewise, left/right extremism is transcended by the reality of the true paradigm - liberty/tyranny. Keeping people penned into these cells is essential to maintain the illusion of democracy. In the documentary Last Party 2000, Philip Seymour Hoffman observes the 2000 US election. In it he sees political rallies for Gore and Bush all brimming with identical rhetoric. But when the two 'opposing' forces of supporters come face to face they are like fans of Spurs and Arsenal - full of hate.
And finally, back to the SWP who have in many ways propped up every concept above. They are anything BUT revolutionaries. They cannot think independently of their doctrine and they exist as bait for junior revolutionaries to entrap them. It is merely my OPINION that the SWP was created as a fly paper organisation but I know for a fact that it IS controlled by the state. Members of the SWP should be treated as members of a cult - by that I mean that they need help to be de-programmed and their ability of independent thought restored.
Right, where do I pay my 2p?
Retired Anarchist
The SWP????
26.04.2009 13:08
Welshboy
vote4 the green party,bristolian+indipendent parties& more direct democracy,
26.04.2009 14:20
james
Indymedia is a joke
26.04.2009 16:23
The sooner the government bring in tracking of internet-clicks the better. Then they can round up these people and send them to The Island. Probably make a good reality TV program that we can all laugh at. Shout at the TV, whilst watching the idealists put their ideas into action and all starve to death.
Voice of the truth
lol at "Indymedia is a joke"
26.04.2009 20:18
Classic troll. I love the idea of hundreds of fat people logging on to Indymedia to promote their sinister over-eating agenda :D
And mike, you must be the fascist if you think wiping your arse with a Union Jack is a bad thing.
And "Retired Anarchist", you said of the Socialist Worker's Party "...but I know for a fact that it IS controlled by the state..." What information do you base this idea on?
anon
More clarifications
26.04.2009 20:49
2) If I say that I reject unions and political parties it is because both forms of organisation have historically reached their peak and shown their flaws as organisational models. It is time for autonomous struggle, from outside the system. Many might think that this subject is still very debatable. It's all right then, I am not expecting everyone to share my views. Neither I am expecting insults from those who disagree. Give me reasons, solid arguments.
Respect to the SWP, no comments need to be made. Every single leftist recuperator party stinks and has proven its reformism, its interest in earning a political career for their leaders and frontmen/women, and a glaring separation between a decision-making clique or avant-garde and the bulk of their militancy. Did not you have enough with the XX century?.
3) To the dissapointed and "ex-anarchists": I cannot force you to abandon your despair. I do not know you and I completely ignore what took you to your present disenchantement. I can only say that the way towards freedom is never easy but it is worth to give it a try. I seriously cannot see any other way out to the present situation in the world but grassroots anti-hierarchical revolution. Things are turning nasty everywhere and sooner or later no one could hide anymore (if ever did). Sometimes losing hope is the best way to fight and by expecting nothing one may get a surprise along the way. Who bloody knows?. Even a mere sense of adventure makes this struggle worthy. Just think about it.
4) To the "patriot". Just for the record I also wipe my ass with the flag of "my own country". Your comment has made it very clear what can be expected from people of your kind.
Thamk you.
Johann Most
@ anon
26.04.2009 21:29
A partial answer will have to suffice; it should not come as a surprise - especially in light of recent revelations - that there are MI5 agents in influential positions of many political organisations. In the case of the SWP, I have it on excellent authority.
Retired Anarchist
lets get
27.04.2009 07:13
Why not celebrate the summit in other city for instance?, or what about spreading all over the city in teams and confuse the cops. What about a little of strategic thinking for a change?."
i like this idea. a lot of "fake attacks" whilst the real one takes place amongst them. spreading their resources thinly
sneaky
@Johann Most
27.04.2009 21:42
You make it sound like this is something new. I can't remember anytime in history where there isn't these things - worst in fact. Today, the world is actally pretty stable - relatively. Considering we are animals who are hardwired through millions of years of evolution, and considering our history concerning constant war and killing, it is pretty amazing that 6billion people in the world actually get on as well as they do.
I think it is too idealist to think that nobody won't be killing somebody else for resources just yet. Sad i know. You can think it all you like..... but it just aint going to happen. Yes i am worried it is impinging upon us more and more, but only because we let the problem into this country. many countries are in the stone age for the reason that they havn't got the foundations of their civilisation in order. Its all still based on holy scripture, superstition, the ill treatment of females, slavery and fear driven through religion and culture.
Sure we have companies who are implicit in what can best be described as slavery exploitation. But what about the countries that let this happen in their own backyard? They have the power to stop it. They can close the factories. I mean its their country afterall - they choose how to live their lives. Why don't they do something about it?
Its for a simple reason. You done something wrong? Stone you to death. You say something wrong? Stone you to death. You looked at me funny? Stone you to death. This is how they run their countries because they still exist in the dark ages.
After OUR dark ages, our country pursued science and freedom, whilst others continued to teach their population to nod their head against a blank wall for 14hrs a day. Thats why our weapons are far superior, because we've got with things for the last 800years or so, rather than being obsessed about what happening in the next world. We left all that behind in the Christian Dark Ages and things have vastly improved for us since then. Our life expectancy has rocketed and we don't go around wanting to stone each other to death.
Thats why we are so developed, because we broke out a religious feudal system. Other countries, in particular the many of the Islamic countries, are in the state they are because they have not evolved from biblical times. If they choose to stay there by clinging to religious control of the population, then they are choosing not to progress to something else.
We can't force them to change. Personally, i don't think it is our place to be sending 'peace' forces to attempt to interfere. We should just let things run their course and let them choose their own fate.
Voice of the truth
The voice of balloney...
28.04.2009 00:02
Who says that they cannot be changed?, you, the self-proclaimed "Voice of the truth"?. You are in a huge mistake if you think that I am kind of putting forward a revision of the "good savage" theory and that I naively believe that human beings are al like angels. This does not mean anyway that I am going to kneel down to the "absolute realism" of those who stand for the opposite, the Hobbesian irrenounceable need for an omnipresent "Leviathan" or "Big Brother". Something in between seems more realistic to me than neither of these extremes although every discussion about the "good" or "evil" nature of human beings is almost always doomed to become mere metaphysics highly influenced by each individual's subjectivity.
What it has to be proved or tested it must be done ON PRACTICE. And just for the record there is a quite vast counter-history to oppose to your terrible ages of darkness but not so well appreciated by ass-lickers historians and chronic writters as the murderings and bloodshed of so many "heroes". Some sparks on this darkness can be the Revolution of 1936 in Spain, and many other attempts to make a meaningful difference. And of course, I bet the media of your beloved motherland are not telling you anything about what is going on right now in Greece...
You also forget too easily who has had always to pay for those conflicts, who has also been forced to conscription for wars out of their real interest and understanding and brainwashed by the propaganda of the masters. As soon as those at the bottom of society try to do something for themselves it always turns up someone like you to remind us how tragic our destiny was, is and will always be and so promoting submission, obedience and hopelesness.
And of course that only ignoring the recent British history can one support views as ridicoulous and false as the "civilizatory superiority" of British people and the overall Western world. It is easy to lie when you ignore and refuse to look at the centuries spent by the British Empire (and others) stealing, raping, looting (here you have the British Museum for instance) and eventually reaching mickey-mouse agreements for the "decolonization", or creating the Commonwealth for instance, which could be said to be anything but Common-wealth (a way of carry on dominating and taking advantage of former colonies in a cheaper way so you do not need to keep your troops all the time in the countries still under your economical domination appart from some recent exceptions that everyone knows quite well). The terrorism is the continuation of what the Western world has been destroying for 2 centuries. The "unwanted effects" of what it has been done to the empoverished countries for more that 200 years. This does not mean that I am defending terrorism or supporting Teocratic bulshit political systems but instead acknowledging the real motivations of those who act in that way no matter how wrong they are.
You must be joking if you think that local (or state-nations) laws can compite with the economical and financial power of transnational corporations. "It is their country after all..." ... no man, even this country is not yours... perhaps your house if you are among the lucky ones that have managed to purchase one, but the country, the land, this belongs to others far more powerful than you. The same happens in those "undevelopped" countries. Their own politicians and bussinessmen are conveniently tamed but western powers and pose no difference to their people. Then, if a conflict arises the hypocrital "humanitarian" interventions take place in order to control portions of strategically valuable territory for whatever the main plans of the rich countries are. This is what really lies behind the so-called "humanitarian" interventions.
And of course, the present political system in the western world is THE WORST ever because it is so perfect that does not even need to keep beating us to obey. Yet obedience and explotaition exist, of course, but in such a subtle way that we naively beliveve to be "free". What kind of laughable "power of the people" is to be allowed to put a scrap of paper inside a ballot every 4 years to chose the next bunch of pricks who are going to piss you off?... This has a new name, it is DEMO-FASCISM.
Unfortunatelly many people still prefer to think that this way of live based in limitless consumption will last forever...
Nasty times are coming and these Dark Ages you thought gone could probably return in new forms. We are witnessing it every day so it is up to you what you are going to do about it. as far as I am concerned I am very clear...
Johann Most
np proof!
28.04.2009 14:20
2) Johannes Most- If you are serious about a revolution, then join the swp. it will answer all your queries and give you the method to think about life and society. the swp are the only group that can do revolution. anarchism is just for kids.
jon
@ jon
28.04.2009 15:16
I have inside information but I was reluctant to use the term because that instantly flags up all kinds of speculation.
Retired Anarchist
the swp
29.04.2009 10:11
they told me to buy their paper, it was for everyone, not just members.
then they asked me to join, you don't have to be socialist to join, anarchists to can join. then when we have had our revolution, we can change society to what we want.
a classic example of cult-like suck you in tactics, that's not even mentioning their anti-direct action approach to revolution.
lets obey the cops, we can only fight them when our leaders declare revolution.
i've often heard comments like "when the time comes we won't be on the barricades, we'll be commanding them."
bullshit. SWP + socialist wanker party. scummy vampires.
@nti