by The Heretic
There is a lot of confusion, even among self-proclaimed ‘Anarchists’, about the differences between Anarchism and authoritarianism. At first glance, one would think it impossible to confuse the two. They are polar opposites, right? One is absolute freedom while the other is no freedom at all, right? But upon closer examination, these two opposite philosophies are oftentimes mistaken for one another.
I think everyone can agree that Anarchism is all about freedom from oppression and hierarchy, while the fullest extent of authoritarianism is absolute fascism and oppression to the fullest extent possible. However, not everyone holds the same values. Not everyone obeys the same moral code. With clashing values comes disagreement on how others should act, and how others should be permitted to act, even within Anarchist circles and within the Anarchist movement as a whole.
Most self-proclaimed Anarchists would readily agree that everyone should be free to do as they choose, but many leave it at that. That is where the confusion and clashing values come in. If everyone is free to do as they choose, then surely even the government agents, bankers, and tyrants of all types are, like everyone else, free to do as they choose. Following this logic, the most oppressive dictators in the history of humanity are perhaps the truest Anarchists to ever exist: They do as they choose. They do not let others prevent them from pursuing their goals.
Despite claiming that others should be free to do as they choose, Anarchists condemn dictators and bankers without hesitation, claiming that these evil oppressors do not have the right to do the things which they do, that their actions should not be tolerated, and that they must be stopped by any means necessary. By taking this stance, Anarchists are hypocrites when faced with their own claim that everyone should be free to do as they choose. ‘The fascist scum prevent others from living freely’, they proclaim, refusing to see the innate hypocrisy, the paradoxical nature, of the concept of allowing all to do as they choose.
Of course the fascist oppressors should be stopped! They should be stopped by any means necessary! But that goes against the concept of allowing all to do as they choose. Therefore, all true Anarchists who do not wish to live as hypocrites are left with only one option: Redefine Anarchism. Redefine what Anarchism means to them. Anarchism must be redefined, or clarified, as meaning the following: ‘All are free to do as they choose insofar as their actions do not infringe on the freedom of anyone else’. Freedom is not just a one-way street! People have got no right to choose when it gets in the way of others’ wellbeing!
Taking it a step further, all who call themselves Anarchists should take a step back and objectively reevaluate their own lives and lifestyles. Most self-proclaimed Anarchists live very hypocritical lives. They will put on balaclavas and yell ‘fuck the police’ at marches, they will smash the windows of banks, and some will even throw Molotovs at fascist oppressors. Then they will go home and greedily indulge in personal pleasures. They will eat meat which oppresses all nonhuman life on the sole grounds that those animals are inferior just because they have a different type of physical body (all while petting the cat or dog sitting beside them). They will use products tested on animals, which again victimizes innocent beings just because they are different. They will buy and use products of corporatism that significantly contribute to the destruction of Earth and all life upon it. Some will even smoke cash crops farmed and harvested by slaves in other countries.
Ultimately, most self-proclaimed Anarchists are simply another type of fascist scum: People who will fight those who oppress them personally, but who will not hesitate to partake in those self-indulgences which harm all those who they view as ‘inferior’. They live with the same corrupt, self-righteous mentality as that of the Ku Klux Klan, neo-Nazis, and patriarchs. There is no difference.
Naturally, Anarchism leads to Veganism, Animal Liberation, and Earth Liberation, as only a Vegan truly lives in accordance with Anarchist values to not oppress others simply because they are weaker or physically different. But Veganism is not enough. Those who sincerely hold Anarchism close to their hearts will stop at nothing in the face of oppression. There are already many ‘Anarchists’ actively revolting against fascist governments and banks, but many of these people are the same ones who oppress others in their daily life, and there is a lot of uncertainty and undecided values within the Anarchist movement.
Some ‘Anarchists’ are pacifists who think that we should do nothing more than hold up signs and shout at our enemies. Of course these people fail to look at the state of things objectively, decrying violence even when that violence is directed at those who directly destroy life, while at the same time saving innocent lives. Of course the lives of innocents are more important than those of their oppressors. Without question pacifism is a fallacy! But what does that leave? Even militant Anarchists have conflicting values. Some live by the philosophy of ‘any means necessary’, while others take a more moderate, if not entirely pacifistic, stance. However, any stance short of any means necessary is putting the concepts of peace and pacifism, and the lives of genocidal tyrants, above all innocent life. And that cannot be tolerated! That is hypocrisy to the fullest extent! This is fucking war! All is justified against those who are guilty of destroying innocent life! If you infringe on the freedom of someone else, you have forfeited your own freedom and must be dealt with accordingly.
Do I sound like a fascist yet? Is it oppressive to force others to accept my Liberationist views? Of course not! It is quite the opposite! As I explained before, Anarchism is allowing all to do as they choose insofar as their actions do not infringe on the freedom of others. No true Anarchist would argue with me if I said that I would be justified in putting a bullet through someone who threatens my life without provocation. Nor would any true Anarchist argue with me if I said that I would be justified in putting a bullet through someone who threatens my mom’s life without provocation. This is no different than going out and stopping the fascist scum, be they bankers or government agents or meat farmers, by any means necessary. It is a matter of extensional self defense, and it is a matter of upholding the Anarchist values of allowing others to do as they choose if and only if their actions do not infringe on the freedom of others.
What does this lead to? Insurrection, of course! The warriors of the Justice Department, Animal Rights Militia, Hunt Retribution Squad, Revolutionary Cells, Animal Liberation Brigade, Earth Liberation Army, Hardline, Black Panther Party, and all other militant, uncompromising liberation movements who fight against oppression by any means necessary are the truest Anarchists there are! Abdul Haqq, the ALF Lone Wolf, a man who I very much admire, once wrote that he no longer identifies himself as an Anarchist because he holds very authoritarian views against oppression. My brother, of course you are an Anarchist! Your values and beliefs are those which every true Anarchist warrior should hold: that of the Vegan Hardline!
Anarchism is allowing all to do as they choose insofar as their actions do not infringe on the freedom of other life. As Anarchists, we have the right to do whatever we want in our personal lives. We also have the moral obligation to prevent others from infringing on the freedom of innocent life. Forcing our beliefs on others is very much in accordance with Anarchism when those beliefs are ones of Liberation and the ones being forced to submit to our beliefs are fascist scum who would take a life for a penny! Now is the time for war! All who call themselves Anarchists, Animal Liberationists, Earth Liberationists, or Human Liberationists must join forces and realize that WE ARE ONE. We are simply approaching the same philosophy, Liberation, from different starting points. Ultimately, we are the same. We are the Anarcho-Liberationists! Let us go forward and crush hierarchy, put an end to oppression, prevent all authority, and liberate all innocent life by any means necessary!
To submit an article for publication, send a note to [email protected].
Disclaimer: The information on this site is for educational and entertainment purposes only. There is no intent, express or implied, to promote illegal activities. We assume no liability for the potential actions of any third party. All data
