Read on Twitter
#AnarchismIs the belief that humans are most fulfilled when we are free, have a fair say in the decisions that affect our lives & our societal relationships are equitable.
Anarchism seeks to end all illegitimate hierarchies & systematic injustices in all spheres of society. 1/20
Anarchism seeks to end all illegitimate hierarchies & systematic injustices in all spheres of society. 1/20
#AnarchismIs the maximization of *both* freedom & democracy.
Anarchism elegantly reconciles this seeming contradiction: people should have a say in the decisions that affect their lives in proportion to the degree the decision affects them. 2/20 https://twitter.com/ArashKolahi/status/1125471207086649346
Anarchism elegantly reconciles this seeming contradiction: people should have a say in the decisions that affect their lives in proportion to the degree the decision affects them. 2/20 https://twitter.com/ArashKolahi/status/1125471207086649346
If a decision only affects you with no effect on anyone else, then only you should have a say (maximize freedom).
But if a decision affects others, then they too should have a say (maximize democracy). How much of a say? A say proportional to the degree they are affected. 3/20
But if a decision affects others, then they too should have a say (maximize democracy). How much of a say? A say proportional to the degree they are affected. 3/20
The corollary is that those who aren't affected shouldn't have any say in that decision.
When people have a say in decisions that don’t affect them or if they have more say than is proportional to the degree they are affected, they prevent others from having their fair say. 4/20
When people have a say in decisions that don’t affect them or if they have more say than is proportional to the degree they are affected, they prevent others from having their fair say. 4/20
#AnarchismIs nested decision-making counsels that embody these ideals. If a decision only affects you, only you get a say. If a decision only affects your family, only your family has a say. If a decision only affects your neighborhood, only your neighborhood has a say, etc. 5/20
In many Anarchist economic traditions such as Anarcho-Syndicalism or newer anarchist frameworks like Participatory Economics, nested participatory democratic workers' councils embody these ideals. 6/20
For example, if a decision only affects one worker and no one else is affected: like if a worker wants to have a picture of a loved one on their desk, they can make that decision unilaterally. 7/20
If, however, a decision affects a particular department, then that department can make that decision.
But, if a decision affects an entire workplace, then all workers in the workplace should have a say. 8/20
But, if a decision affects an entire workplace, then all workers in the workplace should have a say. 8/20
Anarchist Participatory Budgeting models throughout the world also embody these ideals. They seek to give people a direct & fair say in government spending. They allow neighborhoods & communities to engage in matters of public budgeting to the degree they are affected. 9/20
#AnarchismIs the end of alienation in the workplace by engaging workers with real participatory & democratic say in the decisions that affect them at work. 10/20 https://twitter.com/ArashKolahi/status/1212842818286211072
In the political sphere, anarchism seeks these same ideals.
Give real decision-making power to those who are affected: nested participatory democratic bodies: from neighborhoods & communities to cities and beyond. 11/20
Give real decision-making power to those who are affected: nested participatory democratic bodies: from neighborhoods & communities to cities and beyond. 11/20
#AnarchismIs the end of alienation in the political sphere.
Giving people a fair & participatory say in the decisions that affect them not only ensures decisions are made in our best interest (which is reason enough) but also increases fulfillment. 12/20 https://twitter.com/ArashKolahi/status/1129054856470192128
Giving people a fair & participatory say in the decisions that affect them not only ensures decisions are made in our best interest (which is reason enough) but also increases fulfillment. 12/20 https://twitter.com/ArashKolahi/status/1129054856470192128
In addition to maximizing freedom & democratic self-determination, #AnarchismIs equitable societal relationships. That means the benefits & burdens of all our societal relationships should be equitably distributed. 13/20 https://twitter.com/ArashKolahi/status/1146165768356270086
In other words, if the lion’s share of the benefit of any relationship goes to one person/group/class while the lion’s share of the burden falls on another person/group/class, that relationship is inequitable.
#AnarchismIs equitable relationships. 14/20 https://twitter.com/ArashKolahi/status/1223376621895323648
#AnarchismIs equitable relationships. 14/20 https://twitter.com/ArashKolahi/status/1223376621895323648
In my opinion, one of the greatest insights of Anarchism is that by focusing on power & equity dynamics of relationships, it is not inherently econo-centric or politi-centric.
#AnarchismIs the overthrow *all* unjust power, *regardless* of the sphere of society. 15/20
#AnarchismIs the overthrow *all* unjust power, *regardless* of the sphere of society. 15/20
Freedom, democracy & equity apply everywhere:
#AnarchismIs feminist ideals in the kinship sphere.
#AnarchismIs anti-racist ideals in the community sphere.
#AnarchismIs socialist ideals in the economic sphere.
#AnarchismIs participatory democratic ideals in the political. 16/20
#AnarchismIs feminist ideals in the kinship sphere.
#AnarchismIs anti-racist ideals in the community sphere.
#AnarchismIs socialist ideals in the economic sphere.
#AnarchismIs participatory democratic ideals in the political. 16/20
Anarchist ideals even translate to healthy & loving personal relationships. 17/20 https://twitter.com/ArashKolahi/status/1244682169265483777
Ultimately, #AnarchismIs a world where everyone has a fair say in the decisions that affect their lives & societal relationships are equitable…
A world where the goal is not profit & exploitation maximization, bur rather human fulfillment & potential maximization. 18/20
A world where the goal is not profit & exploitation maximization, bur rather human fulfillment & potential maximization. 18/20
Anarchism simultaneously puts faith in humanity by giving people control over their lives, while at the same time protecting against the corrupting effect of power by not giving anyone more power than their fair say. 19/20 https://twitter.com/ArashKolahi/status/1144014695952576512
The contributions from a long history of Anarchist thought & philosophy are more relevant than ever before.
As we seek a new vision of a better world, these insights will help ensure our next system is truly liberating, equitable & fulfilling.
#AnarchismIs our next system 20/20
As we seek a new vision of a better world, these insights will help ensure our next system is truly liberating, equitable & fulfilling.
#AnarchismIs our next system 20/20
