Stefan Blankertz
Just an Old-fashioned Love Song?
Splendor & Misery of Classical Anarchism
This study offers an intellectual and social history of anarchism in Europe from its founding by Pierre-Joseph Proudhon in 1840 to its defeat in Spain in 1939, and in the United States from its beginnings during the 1830 s to the death of Murray Bookchin in 2006. Because historiography treats losers shabbily, there is little awareness today that, before 1917, Marxism exerted a greater influence virtually only in Germany, and that even after this date anarchism was the stronger force in the European revolutionary movements until World War II. The achievement of classical anarchism is that, for a brief moment in the history of Europe, it was able to demonstrate that it was not only conceivable, but also practically realizable, to overcome compulsion as the structuring principle of social organization.
The following is the result of this study of the intellectual and social history of anarchism: Because of their anti-capitalism, the classical anarchists tended to form false coalitions, namely with those who did not want to abolish compulsion, not even to reduce it a little bit, but to expand it in a hitherto unknown way. Of course, they were not the only ones to blame. The bourgeois, enlightened, and liberal forces distanced themselves from the anarchists. The extended hands of the anarchists were often rejected by them. Can anything be deduced from this for the future? for a better strategy? The study concludes with the author’s reflections on this question. Because, according to him, anarchism has more to offer than just an old-fashioned love song.
Stefan Blankertz, 1956, anarchist since 1970, published many books on political philosophy. He is also a novelist and a poet.
Why should liberals read this book? They will discover that turning to the State to promote a just society is the wrong direction.
Why should classical liberals read this book? They will discover what a historical opportunity their ancestors missed by despising anarchists.
Why should conservatives read this book? They will discover that there is no better State waiting for them in the past.
Why should old conservatives read this book? They will discover how close their tradition is to that of anarchism.
Why should libertarians read this book? They will discover the richness of their own tradition.
Why should Marxists read this book? They will discover what the famous beef between Marx and Bakunin was all about.
Why should anarcho-capitalists read this book? They will discover that classical anarchists are closer to them than they think and can enrich their worldview.
Why should classical anarchists read this book? They will discover how anarcho-capitalists can rightfully claim the tradition of classical anarchists.
Why should militant anarchists read this book? They will discover that literally none of the classical anarchists advocated the use of senseless violence.
Why should anyone else read this book? They will discover that the longing for a peaceful society without compulsion is not a distant utopia, but a down-to-earth possibility.
German version / Deutsche Originalfassung Nur ein altmodisches Liebeslied?
316 pages, ISBN 979-8-3208-4573-9 (print version), e-book via kindle shop